Canada’s telecom and broadcast regulator has released the next phase of reforms for the country’s TV service providers, in its latest move that aims to increase affordability and choice for consumers.  

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has set out a number of best practices, recommending providers as of Dec. 1 to "keep their offers simple and transparent; offer deals and discounts regardless of the entry-level package selected; provide online tools allowing subscribers to easily add or remove channels; and offer different options to obtain a set-top box."

The CRTC also said it's renewing the licences of most TV service providers for one year, rather than the usual seven-year term.

The federal regulator says the change will allow it to closely monitor the way companies implement the new TV choices that will be available to customers later this year.

Since March 1, licensed television service providers must offer a basic package priced at no more than $25 a month, not including the cost of equipment.

They must also offer additional channels either individually or in small packages of up to 10 channels.

Starting on Dec. 1, television service providers will have to offer customers the additional channels both individually and in small packages.

"We’re looking at the decision in detail, but Bell always complies with the regulations of course," Scott Henderson, vice-president of  Bell Communications, said in an email statement to BNN, who is owned by Bell Media's parent company BCE. "Bell is now Canada’s largest and fastest-growing TV provider. We introduced a $25 Starter TV service along with new channel packages last February. Our pick and pay channels and small channel packs beat the CRTC’s Dec 1 deadline by 9 months."

The CRTC says the new options will enable Canadians to create their own packages for TV services.

“Canadians will have greater flexibility in choosing how they subscribe to TV services,” CRTC chairman and CEO Jean-Pierre Blais said in a statement.

“We have set out best practices for television service providers and created online tools to help Canadians navigate this new world. We encourage Canadians to shop around, as some providers are offering consumer-friendly options that include a basic TV package at less than $25 per month.”

With files from The Canadian Press