OTTAWA – The CRTC said Wednesday it will hold a hearing beginning on June 28 to consider applications by two not-for-profit indigenous television networks to add their channels to the digital basic television packages of the broadcasters.
The regulator received applications from Nunavut Independent Television Network and Inuit TV Network to add Uvagut TV and Inuit TV, respectively, to the $25 packages that consist of channels the broadcasters must carry by regulation.
Uvagut TV, which launched in January 2021, broadcasts Inuit-made children’s shows, movies, documentaries, and informational, cultural, public access and current affairs programming. Its service is currently available in basic packages through Shaw’s direct-to-home satellite service and through smaller exempt broadcasters, the CRTC said.
NITV is proposing a monthly rate per subscriber of 9 cents for a period of five years for Uvagut and said the funding would help it increase personnel and operations and fulfill Canadian content commitments. In addition, because it has surpassed 200,000 subscribers, it is requesting a broadcasting licence (it was exempt until it passed the subscriber threshold).
Meanwhile, Inuit TV, which launched in May 2022, is an Inuktuk-language service that broadcasts a range of content including children’s and youth programming, documentaries and feature films. It is currenty available for free through Bell Satellite TV, Shaw Direct in the North, and Telus packages as part of the digital basic service and other packages, the CRTC said.
Inuit TV Network is proposing an increasing rate for five years, with 7 cents per month per subscriber in the first two years, then to $.075 for the third year, $.0775 for the last two years. It said a national mandatory distribution would allow it to expand the knowledge of Inuit languages and preserve Inuit culture and traditions and help connect Inuit communities across the north of the country.
Similar to Uvagut, it must go through the same broadcast licensing process because it surpassed the exempt subscriber threshold.
Comments on the applications are due April 14.
The CRTC is already reviewing an application from broadcasters to allow for the basic TV packages to scale up with the rate of inflation, which is currently proposed at roughly three additional dollars. The broadcasters have said that the wholesale fees for such mandatory carriage services have risen.
