"The CRTC is continuing on a path of protectionism for the benefit of certain Canadian programmers at the expense of Canadian television customers," said Peter Bissonnette, president of Shaw Communications Inc., in a press release questioning last week's CRTC decision denying Shaw's request to add USA Network to the lists of eligible satellite services for distribution on a digital basis. "Shaw strongly believes that Canadians deserve access to the best national and international sources of programming - that is what the Broadcasting Act promises." The application, which was submitted by Shaw in January, was denied primarily on the basis that it was competitive with the Category 1 specialty service Mystery TV. However, Shaw counters that Mystery TV owner CanWest MediaWorks Inc. acknowledged in its intervention that "USA Network is truly a general interest service. It does not limit itself to any one particular genre but is rather a leading provider of original series, off-network television shows, sports events and block-buster theatrical events."

"We find it paradoxical that the CRTC released this decision while in the middle of a hearing to ensure that a diversity of voices is available to Canadian audiences," added Bissonnette. "As we told the Commission last week, the health of the broadcasting system depends on providing Canadians with the greatest possible diversity of both Canadian and non-Canadian choices. Shaw is doing everything in its power to provide our customers with that choice and diversity."