While a number of U.S. channels targeting a narrower segment of the market already are carried by cable operators here, CRTC rules have long denied market access to popular channels that are judged “partially” or “totally competitive” with existing Canadian TV channels.

According to Canadian Association of Broadcasters officials, 97% of the top 200 U.S. programs already are available here because their Canadian TV rights have been acquired by domestic broadcasters.

But next week, Canadian cable and satellite TV services will ask the CRTC to remove all barriers to entry for popular U.S. channels, a move the CAB argues would devastate Canadian TV services “from both a competitive and program supply perspective.”

The debates promise to be spirited.