(That damn internet thingy is screwing up French music.. With more exposure to more music from around the world, Less people are choosing to listen to Francophone artists and we need to do something about that.  How dare they choose.)

July 20, 2015 – Ottawa–Gatineau — Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today launched a proceeding to ensure that French-language music is better supported in the current digital context.

The CRTC wants to examine the current regulatory framework for French-language vocal music to ensure that it takes into account the current and future environment. In light of industry transformations and changing consumption habits, this proceeding aims to ensure better discovery, promotion, creation and consumption of French-language vocal music.

Canadians’ consumption habits are changing with the advent of new broadband-driven technologies. Canadians continue to appreciate commercial radio, but many, particularly young people, are moving away from it to listen to and discover music on other platforms.

In certain markets such as Montreal and Ottawa-Gatineau, listeners are migrating from French-language stations to English-language stations. In addition, more and more streaming music services are available in Canada, creating changes in listeners’ habits.

The places where listeners used to enjoy commercial radio (in the car, at work, at home) now have access to broadband and provide several options for listening to music.

This proceeding will serve to ensure that French-language content is present in music programming and to provide French-language vocal music listeners with access to programming that reflects their needs, interests and culture.