CANADIAN CABLERS, BROADCASTERS UNITE OVER NETFLIX

Representatives of Canadian cable-TV and satellite providers, local broadcasters, film producers and unions are scheduled to hold “crisis” talks in Ottawa today (Friday) to discuss the entry of Netflix into their territory. Last year, the online video rental company launched a “streaming only” service in the country for $7.99 a month, but unlike other outlets, it is not required to help underwrite Canadian productions. “It’s unfair competition,” Stephen Waddel, head of the actors union ACTRA, told the Hollywood Reporter. Canadian cable companies, the trade publication observed, particularly fear that their subscribers will reduce their spending on cable extras while gobbling up increased bandwidth to view movies online.