OTTAWA – SaskTel has asked the CRTC to amend its VOD license so that it can create and deliver a local community channel on demand.
SaskTel offers digital subscriber line delivered MaxTV to several Saskatchewan communities and has nearly 50,000 customers.
Sounding like a real community channel, "SaskTel proposes to work with community members, local clubs, and local production companies to create and provide a range of programming that would reflect each community in its licensed areas and the province as a whole," says the application.
SaskTel proposes that the programming offered through its outlet for local expression be subject, by way of conditions of licence, to policy and regulatory requirements similar to those applicable to programming provided on cable community channels, including:
* A requirement that at least 60% of the community programming inventory be local programming and at least 30% be community access programming for each individual community;
* A requirement that it adhere to the relevant provisions relating to community channels, set out in sections 27 and 28 of the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations;
* A requirement that it adhere to all relevant industry codes and standards; and
* A requirement to adhere to the specific terms of reference for an independent programming committee with a view to ensuring freedom of expression and journalistic, creative, and programming independence
The provincial Crown corporation also asked for another condition of licence that would permit it, as an exception to the Pay Television Regulations, to distribute up to 10% of programming produced by itself or a related person, as well as to distribute commercial messages as permitted on community channels.
SaskTel proposes to amend its current condition of licence by which it must contribute 5% of its gross annual revenues to an existing independently administered Canadian program production fund. SaskTel requests that it be allowed to retain 2% of that annual contribution for use by its proposed outlet for local expression.
SaskTel also wants a new condition of licence that would allow it to allocate up to 2% of its gross revenues derived from broadcasting activities in the broadcast year for the programming made available on its outlet for local expression.
"To ensure that each community receives an appropriate share of SaskTel’s expenditures on its proposed outlet for local expression, the Company proposes that each service area receive a dollar amount proportionate to its customer base," says the application. "The company also proposed that up to 20% of the funds that would be allocated to Regina and Saskatoon on a proportionate basis under this proposal could, depending on program submission and program needs, be reallocated to programming produced in the smaller service areas, to programming produced outside the service areas or to programming covering provincial events.
The deadline to respond is March 23.
