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TAGGED AS CANCON
Only foreign streamers should be paying contribution, CRTC told
Major broadcasters think that there should be a flexible contribution regime for Canadian programming – just so long as they don’t have to pay into it. The CRTC is continuing its hearings into the ramifications of the Online Streaming Act. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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IATSE calls for variety of funds to promote Canadian broadcasting
Renewal of the Canadian broadcasting system should not rely on one rigid formula, a major union in the sector told the CRTC Monday. Rather a wide range of funds should exist to reflect the diverse scope of the industry. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? …
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BQ media fund idea won’t solve problems, St-Onge maintains
The Bloc Québécois is continuing its fight for a fund to help Canadian media. After first raising the issue last Tuesday, BQ Canadian Heritage critic Martin Champoux carried on last Friday in Question Period. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
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Community radio calls for new funding at CRTC
Representatives from several community radio stations emphasized their role as a third-pillar of the Canadian broadcasting system during the CRTC’s hearings on Thursday, urging the regulator to develop a new funding model that supports them. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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BQ says media is in crisis and needs immediate action
Canada’s news media are in crisis and the government is taking too long to respond, the House of Commons was told Tuesday. Those comments came from Bloc Québécois Heritage critic Martin Champoux. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and …
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Indigenous content is distinct from CanCon: Indigenous Screen Office
The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), newly certified as an independent production fund on Nov. 8, closed out day three of the ongoing CRTC hearings with calls for continued emphasis on Indigenous self-determination and representation. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
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Bell lays out contribution framework proposal at CRTC
BCE Inc. revealed more details on Tuesday on its proposal for how base contributions from online undertakings should be split in the new framework, putting particular emphasis on the creation of a news fund and dedicating portions towards equity-seeking groups and public policy objectives. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign …
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Producers say French streaming regulations could serve as an example for Canada
As the CRTC works out how it is going to wrangle streaming platforms and bring them into the regulatory sphere, France’s media production industry could provide a window into what the future might hold for Canadians. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the …
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WGC report finds gains in member diversity but stagnant work opportunities
The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) published a comprehensive report on diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) in the Canadian television industry, revealing both significant progress and persistent challenges in the pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable landscape for screenwriters. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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CRTC considers regulatory relief for Corus as profits decline
The CRTC is proposing to loosen some of Corus Entertainment Inc.’s regulatory requirements after the company’s finances faced a particularly hard year. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or …
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CRTC denies request from Rogers-owned radio station to lower CanCon requirement
The CRTC has denied a request from Rogers Communications Inc. to delete the CanCon condition of license (COL) for Kitchener’s Country 106.7 radio station, CIKZ-FM. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a …
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Olympics programming costs need to be excluded from CPE and PNI requirements: CBC
The CBC is requesting the CRTC amend its conditions of licence (COL), excluding programming expenditures from Olympic and Paralympic coverage in the calculation of its Canadian programming expenditures (CPE) and programs of national interest (PNI) requirements. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the …
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OpenMedia hopeful ahead of meeting with CRTC chair
Lobby group OpenMedia has been polling the public about what the major issues in broadcasting and telecom are. It wants to use that information when it sits down with CRTC chair Vicky Eatrides on Tuesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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Rogers asks CRTC to redefine PNIs, change conditions of licence
Rogers Communications Inc. is asking the CRTC to amend the conditions of licence (COL) for its broadcasting properties to allow for more independently-produced programming and to expand what is defined as a program of national interest (PNI). This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
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Quebecor and CRTC clash over “regulatory straitjacket”
Quebecor Media Inc. is asking the CRTC to remove some of the conditions of licence (COL) and reporting requirements for its subsidiary Groupe TVA Inc., calling the current framework a “regulatory straitjacket,” according to a translation of one of its French-language part 1 applications. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign …
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Deadline extended for Indigenous and CanCon framework
Friday the CRTC extended the deadlines for interventions on its consultation on a modernized framework for Canadian and Indigenous content. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to …
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Corus wants in on local news fund post Rogers-Shaw
Corus Entertainment Inc. has written to the CRTC asking whether or not that the company will be allowed to avail of the Independent Local News Fund in the wake of Rogers Communications Inc.‘s acquisition of Shaw Communications. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
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CanCon rules do not need vast overhaul, IIC Canada hears
OTTAWA–Delegates to the International Institute of Communications Canadian chapter’s annual conference were told Monday that current Canadian content rules are working, with only one dissenting panelist. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take …
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CRTC unveils consultations following passage of Streaming Act
Now that the Online Streaming Act has become law, the CRTC is launching a series of consultations with stakeholders to see how to apply the first major revision of the Broadcasting Act in more than 30 years. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
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Cheers, jeers, as streaming act becomes law
After months of contentious debate, Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, has become law. The Senate voted 52-16 on third reading Thursday. Shortly thereafter, Governor-General Mary Simon gave it Royal Assent. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …
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CRTC grants CanCon producers flexibility on stock footage costs
The CRTC has adjusted how it considers the use of stock footage for the purposes of counting toward Canadian Content requirements. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe …
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Rodriguez not worried about Biden lobbying against online bills
Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez says he is not worried that American president Joe Biden will lobby against the Canadian government’s two online bills, Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, and Bill C-18, the Online News Act. There are reports that the president will raise concerns about the legislation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when …
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Bell and Telus being “difficult” in MVNO negotiation: PKP
Quebecor Inc.’s efforts to reach all wholesale and MVNO access agreements with BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. has proved to be difficult according to the company’s president and CEO. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news …
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CRTC to release broadcaster revenue data, aggregated by industry segment
The CRTC announced that it will publish the data collected in its Annual Digital Media Survey – covering 2020-2021 – aggregated by industry segment, audio and audiovisual. For the latter segment, the commission will combine revenues from digital media broadcasting undertakings (DMBUs) with those revenues reported by hybrid video-on-demand (HVOD) services. This content is available …
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Senators continue fight over Streaming Act and CBC’s future
The battle over the government’s Online Streaming Act, Bill C-11, continued in the Senate’s Question Period Tuesday. Senator Leo Housakos, the chair of the Transport and Communications committee, claimed that the CBC is going to move to an all-digital format. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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Unscripted series the wave of the future for streamers, CMPA conference hears
OTTAWA–Streaming is the way of the future, a panel told the Canadian Media Producers Association with tweaks to the way content is produced. The Prime Time conference held a session on Thursday called Global Perspectives: Key Industry Trends. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock …
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Australia provides a model for Canadian production, CMPA conference hears
OTTAWA–Australia has followed a different path to film and television production that could be a lesson for Canadian producers. That message was delivered at the Canadian Media Producers Association’s Prime Time conference Thursday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …
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UPDATED: Senate passes C-11; Rodriguez expects C-11 to become law next week
OTTAWA – The Senate officially adopted the Online Streaming Act, a year to the day since it was first introduced in the House of Commons. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a …
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CRTC awards Mennonite group FM station in Alberta
The CRTC Tuesday approved a proposal for an FM station serving La Crete, Alta. Two years ago the commission rejected a similar proposal from the Lawen Met Hopninj Radio Society for a licence, saying the limited broadcast day and restricted diversity did not meet regulatory standards. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a …
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CRTC revamps Canadian content regulations for radio; CAB dismayed
The CRTC has revised its rules for Canadian content in commercial radio. In a voluminous decision issued Wednesday, the commission overhauled regulations over playing Canadian music on the radio. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news …
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CRTC must hold public hearings for interim exemption orders in Online News Act
The House of Commons Heritage committee passed an amendment to the Government’s Online News Act Tuesday that would limit the CRTC’s ability to grant interim exemption orders to digital news intermediaries (DNIs) to a single year, as well as requiring the regulator to hold public hearings into the exemption orders. This content is available to …
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Senate won’t define discoverability in Online Streaming Act definitions
Supporters and opponents of the Online Streaming Act alike have their eyes on the Senate’s Transportation and Communications committee as it begins to sift through the 98 amendments senators proposed on Bill C-11. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …
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Rodriguez urges senators to pass Online Streaming Act
Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez and members of his department were the final witnesses as the Senate Transport and Communications Committee wrapped up its hearings into the Online Streaming Act, Bill C-11. The minister praised the committee, pointing out it has looked at the legislation for six months and held more than 40 hours of …
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Tories slow down C-18 clause-by-clause consideration with amendments
The House of Commons’ Heritage Committee’s clause-by-clause review of the Online News Act on Tuesday picked up where it left off last week, bogged down with a stack of virtually identical Conservative amendments and accusations the Tories were filibustering the bill. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN …
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Scott tells senators CRTC won’t regulate algorithms
CRTC chair Ian Scott told members of the Senate Committee on Transport and Communication that the commission has no intention of regulating algorithms under the terms of the Online Streaming Act. The legislation, Bill C-11, is currently before the Senate. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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Heritage Committee hears final witnesses on Online News Act
Canada’s Online News Act could serve as a template for countries around the world who are seeking to protect legacy media from the overwhelming power of Google Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. This was part of the testimony at the House of Commons Committee on Canadian Heritage as it heard its final witnesses on Bill …
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Facebook denounces Online News Act as it finally appears at committee
Meta Platforms Inc., parent company of Facebook, came out swinging against Bill C-18, the Online News Act, on Friday. The firm finally appeared before the House of Commons Committee on Canadian Heritage after lobbying for an invitation. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
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UPDATED: Senators want incoming CRTC chair to testify about C-11
Hopes that the government’s Online Streaming Act would receive quick passage in the Senate may be dashed by a proposal to delay voting until the Transport and Communications Committee gets to interview the new chair of the CRTC. Two members of the committee discussed the issue in the Senate Question Period Wednesday. No new chair …
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Streamers should be obliged to sell cable integration apps to small BDUs: CCSA
The organization representing independent companies providing cable TV and IPTV services is arguing that the Online Streaming Act has ignored the needs of small broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) and needs amendments to level the playing field between those BDUs and its larger counterparts regarding bare access to streaming services. This content is available to wirereport.ca …
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Facebook threatens to leave Canada, MP wants it to testify on C-18
OTTAWA–Meta Platforms Inc., parent company of Facebook, is so upset that it has not been called to testify about the Online News Act that it is considering halting the sharing of news content in Canada. In a statement from the company, Marc Dinsdale, Head of Media Partnerships for Meta Canada, said the firm does not …
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Google amplifies its messaging around C-18 through commissioned poll
A survey commissioned by Alphabet Inc.’s Google Canada found that most Canadians are unfamiliar with the provisions set out in Canada’s News Compensation Act, but when presented with Google’s concerns over the bill, they agree with the web giant. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? …
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Senator claims privilege over Digital First lobbying letter
An Alberta Senator is claiming his privileges as a parliamentarian were breached when two members of the House of Commons sent a letter to the commissioner of lobbying about a Senate witness. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and …
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Netflix and MPA-Canada want C-11 to be flexible for global undertakings
Netflix Inc., and the Motion Picture Association – Canada (MPA-Canada), of which it is a member, told the Senate committee studying the Online Streaming Act, that it must be amended to provide flexibility for global players. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the …
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Senator wants to amend Online Streaming Act to deal with CBC
A Prince Edward Island senator told his colleagues he wants to bring in a trio of amendments to the Online Streaming Act to deal with deficiencies he sees at CBC/Radio-Canada. Senator Percy Downe of the Canadian Senators Group was speaking Tuesday during debate on C-11. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? …
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Heritage committee opens hearings on news compensation legislation
The government’s plan to force social media platforms to negotiate compensation deals with Canadian news organizations is either “rent-seeking behavior” that will prop up a handful of ailing legacy media organizations and push Canadian readers away from credible journalism, or it is an essential bill that will level the playing field amongst Canadian news organizations …
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CRTC to arbitrate Rogers dispute over Family Channel
In a Sept. 6 letter, the CRTC has accepted a request from Rogers Communications Inc. for final offer arbitration (FOA) with WildBrain Ltd. over carriage of the Family Channel and its subsidiary Family Jr. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
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Tories take aim at future of CBC in leadership race
The CBC/ Radio-Canada’s English services may have a target on its back, depending on who wins the Conservative leadership race, after three of the five candidates in the running said they want to defund the public broadcaster while the remaining two are calling for changes to its mandate. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers …
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OUTtv licence renewed, becomes must-offer in English Canada
Thursday the CRTC renewed the licence of OUTtv Network Inc. for five years and said it should be on must-offer status in English Canada for four years. That wasn’t good enough for one commissioner. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
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AG won’t fight CMPA’s application for leave to appeal CBC license
The Attorney General of Canada will not make any representations for itself in an application for judicial review to which it is a party over the CRTC’s renewal of the CBC/Radio-Canada‘s license. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and …
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CMPA files petition to cabinet on CBC license
The Canadian Media Producers Association, with support from parties across the television and film production sector, has added its voice to calls for the cabinet to overturn the changes granted to CBC/Radio-Canada in the CRTC’s renewal of the broadcaster’s license. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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Rodriguez lashes out at Online Streaming Act critics, Senate begins study
Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez attacked Conservative party critics of Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act during Question Period Thursday. Three Tory MPs raised the issue hours after the House of Commons Committee on Canadian Heritage went through clause-by-clause study of the legislation. All three opposition MPs are members of that committee. This content …
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Rodriguez slams Tories for misinformation on Online Streaming Act
Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez attacked the opposition for spreading misinformation about the provisions of Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act. The minister appeared before the House of Commons Committee on Canadian Heritage on Monday after an earlier appearance was delayed by partisan bickering. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? …
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C-11 needs to incentivize a new era of foreign-domestic partnerships: Bell
BCE Inc. wants the government to incentivize foreign-domestic partnerships through its Online Streaming Act, Bill C-11, arguing that the entire Canadian broadcasting ecosystem is funded by profits generated from foreign content, which domestic broadcasters have less access to. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock …
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Intent of C-11 is to exclude digital creators: CRTC chair
CRTC chair Ian Scott told the House of Commons Heritage Committee Tuesday that Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, is needed to modernize Canada’s broadcast sector. The Broadcasting Act from 1991 did a lot of good but stands out as a product of its time, he said. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already …
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