CRTC gets FOX-y

The crtc has approved the distribution of fox as a fourth conventional commercial U.S. network and increased flexibility to its ‘3 + 1’ policy concerning cable distribution of U.S. television services. Under this decision, those cable systems with 2,000+ subscribers may offer any three of the four conventional commercial network services (abc, cbs, nbc and fox) as well as the non-commercial pbs network as part of their basic services. Subject to crtc linkage rules, a fourth conventional commercial u.s. network service may be offered as part of a discretionary package.