CRTC entertaining idea of consolidating multiple broadcasting COL requests

The CRTC is seeking comments on whether it should consolidate several broadcasters’ requests to alter its conditions of licence (COLs) into one proceeding. Earlier this month, the Forum for Research and Policy in Communications (FRPC) and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) asked the CRTC to consider the broadcasting requests made by BCE Inc., Corus Entertainment Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., and Quebecor Inc.’s Groupe TVA as one proceeding. The broadcasters are all asking the CRTC to ease up on Canadian content obligations. Bell is seeking to lift the requirements pertaining to the amount of locally reflective news it must broadcast and to reduce its Canadian programming expenditures (CPE) and programs of national interest (PNI) requirements from 30 per cent to 20 per cent and from 7.5 per cent to five per cent respectively. Rogers proposed to direct 100 per cent of its PNI expenditure requirements to independent production companies provided it is “also given the flexibility to devote those expenditures to other television program categories.” Bell also asked that the PNI categories be expanded and redefined. Corus asked to reduce its PNI from 8.5 per cent to 5 per cent of last year’s revenues, and its CPE requirements from 30 to 25 per cent, while discontinuing its obligation to contribute 0.17 per cent of last year’s revenues to the FACTOR and Musicaction funds. Creative unions opposed the proposal, arguing the recent passage of Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, will provide the necessary support once it is implemented. Groupe TVA also got in on the action while simultaneously announcing it would cut programming weekend newscasts – which it then walked back. The FRPC and PIAC told the CRTC in its procedural request that it has three options: mandate the broadcasters to operate under their current COLs; merge the seven applications brought forward by the four parties; or establish an internal working group or industry-CRTC Consultation Committee which would form research and make recommendations to the commission. The former option, according to the FRPC and PIAC, would result in an increase of repeats “they now broadcast and to increase spending on analysis and interpretation programming… that could be repurposed across other services despite its local reflectiveness.” The latter option involves little to no public participation and raises issues of transparency. The two groups maintained that a merged application is the right course of action – specifically a notice of consultation for a written proceeding coupled with a preparatory conference “to ensure the availability of relevant evidence for all parties.” In a Monday letter, the CRTC said it would accept comments on the procedural request until next Monday and allow FRPC and PIAC to reply by July 19. –Reporting by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport and editing by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca

CRTC entertaining idea of consolidating multiple broadcasting COL requests

News | July 10, 2023

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CRTC entertaining idea of consolidating multiple broadcasting COL requests

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