The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that the biggest TV service providers are defending how they rolled out new, trimmed-down TV packages earlier this year, denying in hearings on Wednesday that they were being "paternalistic" with customers by placing restrictions on the cheapest of their offerings. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe says the CRTC opened two days of hearings studying the newly mandated basic cable and satellite packages, saying many consumers question whether there are any savings in "skinny basic." While some appreciate the new offerings, many are not happy with how they were implemented, chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said in his opening remarks. Mr. Blais pointed to examples of cable customers who, while inquiring about a $25 package, were told they would lose discounts on other services that added up to double that price. "Skinny basic" was supposed to give consumers a chance to strip away unwanted channels in exchange for a smaller monthly bill. Mr. Blais said one of the most common consumer complaints was that service providers threw up roadblocks, noting in particular that Rogers Communications required customers to visit a Rogers store to finalize channel selections.