Northwestel launches $24.95 'skinny' basic cable package

Northwestelunveiled a $24.95 basic cable TV package Tuesday, along with many other cable TV providers across the country.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission had mandated that by March 1, service providers must offer a pared-down TV package for $25 or lessplus added pick-and-pay channel options.

A year ago,Northwestel said it had fewerthan20,000 subscribersso the CRTC ruling did not apply to it. However, it said it would likely offer the skinny package anyway because the company competes with satellite TV services that would have to offer one.

Northwestel said its new "TV Lite" package has62 television channels, 27 of them in high-definition, and 23 live radio stations from across Canada. Thepackage includes 8 CTV channels, 12 CBC and Radio-Canada channels, and 5 Global channels.

"That includes some channels you won't find elsewhere," saidAdriann Kennedy, a spokesperson forNorthwestel.

"So we've got communityTV in HD featuring local voices, local stories, we have two 24-hour Canadian news channels, and some American network programming as well. So things that our customers are asking for, at that same price point that you'll find with other providers."

Northwestel customers can pick more channels or packages to add to the basic option, for added fees.

Northwestel's websitesays the new "TV lite" package is not available to customers in Norman Wells, N.W.T.