2006 news releases

SaskTel Announces Launch of Max Local On Demand and Appoints Independent Programming Committee

December 13, 2006

SaskTel today announced the launch of Max Local On Demand, a totally unique service featuring original local community programming on demand, something no other Canadian service provider currently offers.  As a condition of its licence, SaskTel has created an Independent Programming Committee (IPC) with representatives from each of the 9 districts in which Max serves (Estevan, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Weyburn and Yorkton). 

“SaskTel Max customers can now access locally produced TV programming that focuses on the people, places and interests important to people in Saskatchewan through the video on demand platform.,” SaskTel President and CEO Robert Watson said. “Together with the recent additions of pay-per-view and Max High Definition, SaskTel Max now provides an unparalleled service offering within the province of Saskatchewan.”

In September, the CRTC amended SaskTel’s broadcast licence to allow the addition of community programming to the SaskTel Max service. Through the Max video on demand platform, customers will have access to free local content on channel 48. With video on demand, SaskTel Max customers can choose to watch programs from around the province, when they want to watch them, while enjoying DVD-like functionality, including play, pause and rewind.

The IPC will be responsible for ensuring the content provides freedom of expression and journalistic, creative, and programming independence while being representative of the communities SaskTel Max serves.  The IPC will be comprised of the following representatives:

SaskTel will be able to access a portion of its gross broadcast revenues previously given to the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) to fund content production.  SaskTel will be working with its production partner, Saskatchewan-based Media Group, to develop high-quality programming initially featuring sports, arts & entertainment, and events.  SaskTel will also be seeking customer-produced programming where the content and quality are acceptable and meet all CRTC and legal guidelines.  For more information, visit www.sasktel.com.

About SaskTel

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, offering competitive voice, data, dial-up and high speed internet, entertainment and multimedia services, security, web hosting, text and messaging services, and cellular and wireless data services over its digital networks.  The Corporation also provides security monitoring services through SecurTek, directory services through DirectWest, in-room communications services to the healthcare sector through Hospitality Network, telecommunications consulting service through SaskTel International and an out-of-province sales and service channel in Alberta and British Columbia. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of 5,200 full-time, part-time and temporary employees.  Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.

For media inquiries only, please contact:
Michelle Englot, SaskTel Corporate Affairs
Phone: (306) 777-4476 
E-mail: michelle.englot@sasktel.sk.ca