OTTAWA – The Outdoor Life Network can add comedy and cartoons to its programming schedule, but still can’t include “stick and ball” sports.
In a decision on Friday, the CRTC approved Rogers’ request that it add categories 7(b) Ongoing comedy series (sitcoms), 7(e) Animated television programs and films, and 7(f) Programs of comedy sketches, improvisation, unscripted works, and stand-up comedy to the list of program categories that may be broadcast by the service. It also okayed an increase the amount of programming that may be drawn from category 7 Drama and comedy, as a whole from 5% of the broadcast year to 10% of the broadcast month.
But it turned down Rogers’ request to decrease the maximum amount of programming that may be devoted to programs drawn from category 6(a) Professional sports from 15% of the broadcast day to 10% of the broadcast month, and to broadcast "stick and/or ball sports consistent with the outdoor recreation theme, such as golf, soccer and baseball". Rogers made a similar request last September.
