The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum » CRTC Reveals How It Will Implement New Broadcasting Rules

RadioActive · May 21, 2026 4:12 pm

It's all about adding to Canadian and Indigenous programming - whether viewers watch it or not.

It's a complicated list of changes, but Broadcast Dialogue has an overview of how it will affect stations in this country, depending on how much they earn.

CRTC Broadcasting Changes

cash · May 21, 2026 5:39 pm

So these morons want to raise the Netflix tax from 5% to 15%? Do they know anyone who works in the auto or steel industry?

Last edited by cash (May 21, 2026 5:44 pm)

RadioActive · May 21, 2026 6:11 pm

This is going to seriously piss off those down south, who have already complained loudly about this idea. Have to say, I'm no fan of the current U.S. government, but on this I reluctantly have to agree with them. Forcing American streamers to pay for CanCon is ridiculous.

What's next? The makers of Kleenex will have to give money to Loblaw's to turn out their Canadian-produced tissues? It just does not make sense to me nor is it fair. Imagine if the Americans wanted Bell to give money to make American programming if it wanted to air Crave in the U.S.? It's crazy.

I know many here will not agree but that's how I feel about it. This is a very bad idea.

CRTC raising required cash contributions from online streamers for Cancon

RadioAaron · May 21, 2026 6:29 pm

The commission’e anti-consumer streak continues

Dale Patterson · May 21, 2026 7:05 pm

It wouldn't surprise me if some or all of these American streamers simply stop offering their product north of the border.

paterson1 · May 21, 2026 8:03 pm

This is going to seriously piss off those down south, who have already complained loudly about this idea. Who cares. The current US government is always pissed off. Maybe that was the intent? Two can play the game! Should be some interesting CUSMA negotiations in July. That is if they even happen. Wouldn't be surprised if Trump and company cancel, and that actually would not necessarily be a bad thing.

Last edited by paterson1 (May 21, 2026 8:04 pm)

RadioActive · May 21, 2026 8:17 pm

paterson1 wrote:
This is going to seriously piss off those down south, who have already complained loudly about this idea. Who cares.

Who cares? We should because, as Dale rightly points out in this thread, there's nothing stopping Netflix, AppleTV, Amazon Prime or Paramount Plus from picking up their tent and crossing back over the border, never to be seen here again. I would certainly think of doing that if I were them.

Why in God's name should they contribute to programming they will never use and that will be shown on a competitor's outlet? It would be like Esso and Shell being forced to fork over money to Petro-Canada. Why would they want to do that? It's crazy and the CRTC is only going to either drive them away - and you can imagine the howls of consumer protests if that happens - or raise prices so high to pay for this extra fund, people won't be able to afford the subscription.

I know CanCon is all about patriotism and promoting local talent. But that's our job, not U.S. businesses. The CRTC is barking up the wrong tree with this, and I predict it's going to backfire bigtime if they try to implement this.

RadioAaron · May 21, 2026 8:29 pm

It doesn't make sense that they're involved with streaming at all in the first place.

They were created to regulate broadcast, which uses valuable finite public spectrum, which until recently access to was a license to print money.

Having them regulate the infinite content space of the internet makes about as much sense as them regulating what's shown at movie theatres or available on the magazine rack.

paterson1 · May 21, 2026 8:55 pm

Kids please, this is designed to piss them off. It's not going to happen but the 15% is a starting point. Netflix, Apple, Amazon aren't going anywhere. As far as I am concerned yes they should contribute to Canadian culture and they already are. What the government is looking for is more formal and a commitment. When you operate and make money in another country, local rules and laws apply. You ain't in Kansas anymore..

RadioAaron · May 21, 2026 9:22 pm

Of course local rules should apply, those rules just shouldn't be stupid.

paterson1 · May 21, 2026 9:48 pm

RadioAaron wrote:
Of course local rules should apply, those rules just shouldn't be stupid.

..Yes stupid like blocking the opening of a new international bridge in Windsor that your government didn't pay a penny to build and then complaining there wasn't enough American content..Amcon?? Or 50% tariffs on lumber from another country when you have already lost your case four or five times in international courts.

You may say stick to the topic on this thread...I am. It is all related.

RadioAaron · May 21, 2026 10:04 pm

paterson1 wrote:
RadioAaron wrote:
Of course local rules should apply, those rules just shouldn't be stupid.
..Yes stupid like blocking the opening of a new international bridge in Windsor that your government didn't pay a penny to build and then complaining there wasn't enough American content..Amcon?? Or 50% tariffs on lumber from another country when you have already lost your case four or five times in international courts.

You may say stick to the topic on this thread...I am. It is all related.

I'm not arguing against intent; I'm arguing against effectiveness.

The consumer impact of CRTC rules is higher costs and reduced choice.

If you believe in the importance of media and culture that is not profit motivated (and I do) fund it directly. Stop with this dumb, ineffective tinkering in sectors that the regulators barely understand.

paterson1 · May 21, 2026 10:54 pm

The only point I am trying to make is that this shot is just to fire up an already disorganized US federal government. I do give our government some points for releasing the new broadcast rules a few months prior to CUSMA talks. This could blow up either way.

All of this is much more than having Netflix or Disney paying 15% of their revenue to fund Canadian culture. It is part tariff puzzle and negotiations.

Regardless, any cancon the streamers invest in, always has international sales in the plan. That doesn't mean just the US, but Europe, Asia, South America and regions that are open to product from other countries. There is by far more Canada focused production being watched around the world than ever before and the proposed guidelines will help to ensure it continues.

Can't believe Montreal gave the Hurricane's such a whoopin'..

RadioActive · May 25, 2026 6:12 am

The Opinion Editor of the Globe & Mail weighs in on the new streaming rules and doesn't like what he sees.

CRTC’s new rules are one small step for Canadian content, one big blow for Canadian trade

paterson1 · May 25, 2026 9:30 am

The CRTC is not the government. The Liberals can drop or modify the recommendations. They are looking for some concessions from the US. Maybe like the illegal delay in the opening of the new Gordie Howe bridge in Windsor/Detroit? This was designed to improve and expand Canada/US trade.

Last edited by paterson1 (May 25, 2026 9:31 am)

RadioActive · Yesterday 5:52 am

paterson1 wrote:
The CRTC is not the government. The Liberals can drop or modify the recommendations.

Appparently, that's not true. At least according to the Liberals themselves.

"The Broadcasting Act only allows the federal cabinet to set aside CRTC decisions if they involve broadcast licences. It gives cabinet the ability to set aside or refer back to the commission a decision made “under section 9 to issue, amend or renew a licence.”

The decision on financial contributions doesn’t fall under that provision, Culture Minister Marc Miller’s office confirmed."

Liberals say they can’t ‘reject’ rules tripling streamers’ contributions

RadioActive · Yesterday 5:58 am

By the way, this opinion piece in The Financial Post represents a side of this argument that's hard to disagree with. It makes some fantastic points about why this is such bad policy - and even unnecessary in this day and age. It's not all that long, but it's well worth a read.

A partial sample:

"As decades of experience have shown, CanCon regulation tells consumers what they should want and forces companies to create it. And when the market doesn’t respond, Ottawa doesn’t reconsider, it doubles down. Even triples down, apparently.

We all want Canadian artists and content creators to thrive. But the Canadian media and entertainment space is now mature enough to stand on its own. Success should be earned by meeting consumer demand, not submitting to government decree. And meeting that demand has never been more possible than it is today. The barriers to putting content on Spotify or YouTube are virtually zero. Justin Bieber launched a global career by uploading videos from his bedroom."

Amen, brother!

Opinion: Stop force-feeding Canadians’ viewing choices

Shorty Wave · Yesterday 7:43 am

Good article RA, thanks. I think, like others here, that this type of thing could deter streaming companies from operating in Canada, which would be disappointing as I remember watching HBO in the US years ago and wished at the time that it was in Canada, now we have plenty of streaming options. It would be a shame to lose them.

And talking about CanCon, I get why we have it but I also blame it for some seriously horrid pop, especially 70s CanCon, some real bad music was released and actually charted and now still gets oldies airplay, some real clunkers that would never get airplay outside of Canada, thanks CRTC!

RadioActive · Yesterday 8:45 am

I think the point is that, at least when it comes to radio and music, the CanCon regs did what they were supposed to do. I wasn't in favour of them - still don't like any government order telling broadcasters what they have to play - but I will admit they worked.

We have a thriving music industry in this country, with Drake setting Billboard records this month and others with extremely successful careers worldwide. That's why I would argue that these rules are no longer needed - stations are going to play CanCon not because they're forced to, but because it's popular and listeners want to hear it.

Which in my addled mind means it's time to either reduce the forced amount on radio or get rid of the regs altogether.

paterson1 · Yesterday 10:37 am

Maybe if the current US government cancelled or at least lowered some of their illegal and unwarranted tariffs against our products like lumber and autos there could be talk about our position regarding American streamers. We didn't implement the digital service tax at the US request and took off many retaliatory tariffs and got nothing in return, other than even more tariffs from the other side.

In the decades long dispute regarding the illegal tariffs on our lumber, which is not part of the current CUSMA agreement, the US has lost the battle in court many times over the years. So far they have just ignored the rulings and continue with high tariffs. So it makes you wonder who the bad player is?

It use to be that a free trade agreement negotiated by all sides was honoured and not tampered with a few years after signing. Especially when the chief negotiator on the other side was proudly proclaiming what a great deal he had made with Mexico and Canada during an election campaign. "The best free trade deal the world has ever seen" Americans were told not very long ago. But now we have tariffs on Canadian made products that are both part and not part of the free trade deal.

All this is not off topic even though it is political. Culture, media, regulations will be a big part of the next round of negotiations.

Last edited by paterson1 (Yesterday 12:16 pm)

Dale Patterson · Yesterday 2:38 pm

I would pay more for less CanCon.

mace · Yesterday 6:39 pm

Canadians have enjoyed American television programming since 1948. At least those those that could afford a set. Canada could have had their own television stations back in 1948 as well. Why did we have to wait until 1952? The Liberal Government spent four years dithering over whether our system should be privately commercialized like the Americans had or Natinally publicly funded similar to the BBC. Meanwhile viewers watched and enjoyed their only choice.Not much has changed in the last 75+ years. The majority of Canadian viewers still prefer the offerings of the U.S. networks and streaming services with the exception of HNIC and several dozen Canadian produced series. Not totally fair because there are some well produced Canadian series exported around the world. However, the Trouble With Tracy Canadian television is bad factor still lingers.