Northwestel launches $24.95 'skinny' basic cable package
CRTC ruling a year ago mandated $25 or less cable TV package options by March 1
Northwestel unveiled a $24.95 basic cable TV package Tuesday, along with many other cable TV providers across the country.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission had mandated that by March 1, service providers must offer a pared-down TV package for $25 or less plus added pick-and-pay channel options.
A year ago, Northwestel said it had fewer than 20,000 subscribers so the CRTC ruling did not apply to it. However, it said it would likely offer the skinny package anyway because the company competes with satellite TV services that would have to offer one.
Northwestel said its new "TV Lite" package has 62 television channels, 27 of them in high-definition, and 23 live radio stations from across Canada. The package includes 8 CTV channels, 12 CBC and Radio-Canada channels, and 5 Global channels.
"That includes some channels you won't find elsewhere," said Adriann Kennedy, a spokesperson for Northwestel.
"So we've got community TV in HD featuring local voices, local stories, we have two 24-hour Canadian news channels, and some American network programming as well. So things that our customers are asking for, at that same price point that you'll find with other providers."
Northwestel customers can pick more channels or packages to add to the basic option, for added fees.
Northwestel's website says the new "TV lite" package is not available to customers in Norman Wells, N.W.T.