The CRTC should adopt the British approach to certifying domestic content
By Konrad Von Finckenstein, former chair of the CRTC
The CRTC is now faced with the enormously complex task of implementing C-11, the new Online Streaming Act. Under the terms of that Act, streamers like Netflix (called online broadcasting undertakings) have to register with the CRTC and comply with CRTC-imposed conditions. The CRTC will have to make several difficult decisions, one of the most controversial will likely be:
Prescribing what constitutes a Canadian program for the purposes of the Act (s.10(1)(b)).
This should be a priority for the CRTC, as much follows…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The CRTC is proposing a new Canadian content contribution framework that would take into consideration different business models of the broadcasting services under the rules of the new Online Streaming Act.
Under the proposal, traditional and online streaming services would contribute a base amount of money toward a Canadian content support fund, such as FACTOR, Musicaction, and Radio StarMaker Fund. The funds are still to be determined.
CRTC officials said in a technical briefing with media Friday that they will have to determine first how it will come up with the formula to determine the base amount…
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By Pierre Karl Peladeau, president and CEO of Quebecor
The Online Streaming Act (bill C-11) has been passed. This means foreign streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon and YouTube will be subject to Canadian law and will be required to pay their fair share, just as Canada’s private broadcasters have always done. For too long, Canadian broadcasters, who have been operating in a rigid, highly regulated environment for decades, have had to contend with unfair competition from the web giants.
On the day the bill received Royal Assent, the Minister of Canadian Heritage said, “We are standing up for our stories,…
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By Ahmad Hathout
MONTREAL – A well-funded Videotron, newly equipped with Shaw’s Freedom Mobile, will mean regulators will not need to worry about a viable wireless fourth player in an already competitive market, Bell CEO Mirko Bibic said during a first quarter conference call Thursday.
“We now have four well-capitalized significant players,” Bibic said. “That is very rare across the global footprint, and I think if you are sitting there from a public policy position…having four players like that is quite significant and will enhance competitive competition and consumer value.
“I think the job ought to be considered as having been done…
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By Connie Thiessen
The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) is reporting another record year for Canadian film and television, however its Profile 2022: Economic Report on the Screen-based Media Production Industry cautions it will be difficult to sustain that level of production.
Looking at the state of film and television production in Canada between April 2021 and March 2022, the report indicates total production volume leapt by an unprecedented amount, reaching an all-time high of $11.69 billion. The industry added over $2.56 billion in production spending, pushing it 21.8% higher than the previous pre-pandemic high of $9.60 billion in 2019/20. The…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association is launching Wednesday a rebranding to move away from its exclusive focus on the wireless industry.
The Canadian Telecommunications Association, as it is now called, reflects the association’s “expanded focus on both wireline and wireless telecommunications,” according to a release provided exclusively to Cartt. “The new brand represents the latest chapter in the association’s nearly 50-year history.”
The association will formally announce the news later this morning.
“New technologies and consumer demands have blurred the lines between the capabilities and use of wired and wireless telecommunications,” said a blog post…
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By Connie Thiessen
Bell Media has announced a landmark long-term, exclusive licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery that makes Crave the home of programming from the studio for years to come, in addition to feeding Bell’s suite of specialty channels and CTV platforms.
Expanding on a previous licensing agreement announced in 2019, the deal includes HBO and Max Originals; the DC universe; the Wizarding World of Harry Potter; new cable series; library television series; pay and post-pay window rights for Warner Bros. films; and library films. French-language rights are also secured for HBO and Max Originals, Pay 1 films, Friends, the Harry Potter collection of films,…
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CRTC says it has “no intention” to regulate user-generated content
By Christopher Guly
OTTAWA — Following a legislative journey that involved back-and-forth amendments between the House of Commons and Senate since it was introduced in the House in February 2022, Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act reached the finish line on Thursday when it passed the upper chamber and received royal assent.
“This new law will help ensure Canadian stories and music are widely available on streaming platforms, and will help to reinvest in future generations of artists and creators in Canada,” said the Department of Canadian Heritage in a news…
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By Ahmad Hathout
TORONTO – Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri said Wednesday that the company’s side agreements with Videotron that are part of its deal to acquire Shaw are “not much different” than existing ones it has in place for other competitors.
The cable giant committed to providing favourable wholesale internet access and roaming deals to the Montreal-based company, which acquired Shaw’s Freedom in the deal, to appease regulators and allay fears that the combination would diminish competition.
But over the last several months, questions were raised by competitors as to the nature of the deals and whether they would significantly advantage Videotron…
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Clarification: A previous version of this story omitted that TekSavvy does indeed have previous experience using Bell’s transport facilities where it is the dominant carrier, just not for regulated wholesale internet access.
By Ahmad Hathout
MONTREAL – Quebecor’s Videotron has not presented an adequate case for the commission to re-regulate rates it charges for third parties to connect to its fibre transport facilities, according to Bell’s response to the former’s application asking the CRTC to review those costs.
Videotron filed an application early last month charging that Bell is forcing the company’s subsidiary Fibrenoire to accept either a less expensive long-term contract…
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