• Hollywood Reporter via Yahoo, Friday, April 4, 2008 10:15 AM

Canadian broadcasters are about to square off with the country's cable and satellite TV operators over a possible change that might pave the way for the entry of U.S. cable nets like HBO and ESPN to break through to the Great White North. The showdown arrives as the Canadian Radio, Television and Telecommunications Commission -- the top TV regulator -- starts three weeks of public hearings next Tuesday.

Some U.S. channels that target narrow market segments are already carried by cable operators here, but rules have denied access to those market deemed competitive with existing Canadian TV channels. According to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, 97% of the top 200 U.S. programs are already available as their rights have been acquired by domestic broadcasters, but cable and satellite TV services want all barriers to entry for popular U.S. channels removed.

The CAB claims such a move would harm Canadian TV "from both a competitive and program supply perspective."

Read the whole story at Hollywood Reporter via Yahoo »