Generally out of market channels are included in time shift packages so I would assume this wouldn't be any different.

I think they should give all the local channel to everybody. That way bell wouldn't be playing favourites to certain areas. Where I live we only have 2 local channels and we get both of those but the next closest channel to our area is 300 miles away and we don't get that channel.

Bell tends to throw every OTA station into its basic package. Shaw Direct, OTOH, does not always do so. Some smaller stations are only available in their broadcast coverage area. Shaw Direct also has less expensive "value" packages that have only a limited number of OTA stations, similar to cable.

In areas that have Digital OTA, I would rather get my locals that way any way. Don't need it taking up space on satellites.Keep that for the specialty channels that people want, and i'm sure people don't want to pay extra for channels that they should be able to get for free.

Cable companies have tended to favor local channels anyways. It's mostly the satellite systems that are affected. We have a local OTA channel which is mainly a secondary channel of the CBC affiliate CHEX and I wonder if that one will get included. Most of the programming is the same as CBC but it does have local news.

The CHEX main Peterborough station has been on satellite from nearly the start (of DTH satellite in Canada). If the Oshawa re-transmitter carries their own local news separate from Peterborough, then it should also be on satellite, and probably even have their own broadcast license.

Cable companies must carry local channels. They have no choice. Only distant channels, outside the station's grade B contour, are optional.

Satellite companies have traditionally had more leeway because they are a national service. Now that Shaw owns Global and Bell owns CTV, not carrying independent local stations could be seen as anti-competitive.

The Oshawa re-transmitter very much has differences from its Peterborough counterpart and the argument could easily be made that each should have its own separate license and therefore that both should be carried on satellite. Here is a sample 24hr period.

5:30-7:00 Peterborough:Quick Study and Local News
Oshawa: off air until 6:00, then Quick Study and Local News

8:00-9:00 Peterborough: Paid Ad and Religious programming
Oshawa: ethnic programming

12:00-13:00 Peterborough: CBC News Now
Oshawa: Local News and Colour Confidential

17:30-18:00 each has its own local news

11:30-sign off Peterborough: Late Show with David Letterman, paid ads
Oshawa: Local News, George Strombolopolous, different paid ads

Each also has its own commercials during breaks.

Any idea if this is still happening....im waiting for CTV in kitchener to go on Bell TV

Ahh, I forgot about this thread when I made my recent post in the Bell TV new channels discussion.

I think a more important question is whether government (regulatory compliance - CRTC) is actually keeping track of these things. With all the complex decisions they hand down every week, how can they possibly ensure companies like Bell actually comply with their new regulations by the deadlines imposed?
I suppose they could have something primitive like a calendar with reminders to staff to check for compliance to new rules on deadline dates, but I'm skeptical.
Maybe someone should email bell.regulatory@bell.ca to "remind" them of their obligations coming due in nine days!