[Satellite TODAY 02-10-10] Satellite TV upstart FreeHD Canada won limited approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to operate in Canada, the company announced Feb. 9.
    In August, FreeHD Canada applied for a CRTC license to offer a free package of local television channels to customers who agreed to buy the equipment necessary to pick up the company’s satellite signal.
    While CRTC granted FreeHD’s license request, the commission mandated that the company operate under the same rules as other Canadian satellite providers. This rule prevent FreeHD from offering only local stations in its basic package and requires the broadcaster to include at least one CBC channel, one Radio-Canada station, the APTN channel and the Weather Network. Larger pay packages also must follow rules requiring certain services and channels to be optional to consumers, the CRTC said.

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