CBC Newsworld "mandatory distribution"

Tonight I discovered that CTV does indeed have a 24 hour news channel, but sadly it is not a part of my basic cable package, while CBC Newsworld is. So I did a little research, and I found an interesting application by the CBC to the CRTC in 2007; "the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) requested mandatory distribution of the national specialty television programming undertaking known as CBC Newsworld on digital basic". That's right, the CBC applied to mandate the inclusion of Newsworld in all basic digital cable packages across the country, forcing cable providers to charge the mandated subscription fee.

What reasons did the CBC state for forcing Canadians to purchase their service? Here's a sample:

"The CBC noted the importance of CBC Newsworld to the broadcasting system, submitting that Canadians value and trust the news and information programming the service provides and see it as an essential component of basic television service."

"The applicant also submitted that in an ever expanding world of digital programming, all Canadians need to have access to Canadian points of view and content when it comes to news and current affairs. Finally, the CBC contended that CBC Newsworld makes a significant contribution to the objectives of the Act, through its high level of Canadian content, its original programming, the presence of diversity in its programming through regional points of view on the same news stories, and the provision of a public service that is essential to the maintenance and enhancement of national identity."

"The applicant also noted that, should CBC Newsworld not be granted mandatory distribution, the resulting decline in subscription and advertising revenues would lead to a need to reduce expenditures"

The CBC cited the ability of Newsworld to enhance "national identity" and if Canadians were not forced to purchase the services, the network may have to reduce expenditures. Duh? Because unless you force people to buy it, not enough people will subscribe to cover operating expenses! Is CTV news not Canadian enough? I have to buy Newsworld, and the CTV News Network is not in my cable package. At least this was what the CRTC responded with:

"The Commission also notes that the bulk of the services' spending is devoted to production infrastructures and to the personnel required to produce programming, and that any reduction in revenues would have a direct impact on the services' means of production and, consequently, on their capacity to provide adequate regional, national and international news and information. The Commission considers that granting mandatory distribution on digital basic to these services would help maintain their ability to fulfill their mandates with respect to offering high-quality information and news services that aim to serve Canada's French-speaking communities in anglophone markets, and Canada's English-speaking communities in francophone markets.

Accordingly, the Commission considers that it would be appropriate to grant the CBC's request for mandatory distribution of CBC Newsworld"

I realized that I had CBC Newsworld in my cable package. I did not realize that the CRTC mandated that I need it. The "wholly owned specialty channel" was unable to survive against competing networks. Now what I am really curious to see is how many additional households had the forcible entry of Newsworld into their cable bills as a result of this decision. How much additional money did Newsworld extract from cable subscribers as a result?  I would also love to see measured ratings over these periods to see if Canadians watched in greater number due to the increased distribution. As they say, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him walk on it...