OTTAWA – The CRTC has agreed to delete 44 of Corus’ rebroadcasting transmitters from its broadcasting licences but has tweaked the broadcaster’s proposed reallocation of tangible benefits.
As Cartt.ca reported, Corus filed an application with the Commission last fall seeking to delete 44 rebroadcasting transmitters from its broadcasting licences for some over-the-air (OTA) television stations located in smaller markets across the country. Corus also asked that $2,365,771 in tangible benefits, relating to Shaw Communications’ acquisition of Canwest Global stations that was to be spent on the digital conversion, be reallocated to a number of other initiatives.
On Thursday, the CRTC said that, by majority decision, that at least 80% (approximately $1.89 million) of the funds be allocated to the Canada Media Fund, with the remaining 20% being divided between 24 educational institutions, the Ontario Association of Broadcasters and the Western Association of Broadcasters, all by August 31, 2019.
Corus must also file a report by November 30, 2019 detailing how and when the funds were spent.
