RadioAaron wrote:

RadioActive wrote:

Honestly, if they wanted to really screw things up even worse, they'll adopt this idiotic idea. Nothing would surprise me. 

CRTC hears debate on including a 'cultural element' in new definition of CanCon

Aside from any validity of the premise, the idea that the CRTC is remotely capable of creating or enforcing this is laughable.

 
Too true RadioAaron, I think you could have ended your comment at “..the idea that the CRTC is remotely capable”! I gave up on them years ago, not that I’ve personally dealt with them but have been effected by their decisions.

The latest bizarre twist: a warning to the CRTC to not count A.I. as "CanCon."

Don’t count AI-generated content as CanCon, CRTC hears
 

RadioActive wrote:

Well, if they want to drive U.S. streamers out of Canada, here's yet another reason for them to go.

Quebec to impose French-language quotas on streaming giants

Or they'll just fill it with the cheapest garbage they can find. These aren't linear services; it doesn't matter whether or not anyone actually consumes any of it.

Binson Echorec wrote:

mace wrote:

RadioActive wrote:

Well, if they want to drive U.S. streamers out of Canada, here's yet another reason for them to go.

Quebec to impose French-language quotas on streaming giants

I have no interest in French language programming. I would think that Netflix already has French language movies and documentaries produced in Quebec for subscribers in that province. If they don't, they should. Quebecers are extremely enthusiastic about product that is produced in their province. Their loyalty to programming created by Radio-Canada is outstanding.

The Quebec star system has always amazed me. It's a neat little microcosm - yet very few have broken out of it into Anglo territory. Celine Dion and Denis Villeneuve come to mind, and I'm sure there have been others but it doesn't seem to happen as often as it could (or should?).

You should hear some of the contemporary dance music out of Quebec.  Often the lyrics are bilingual moving from French to English. Some of these songs could be easily played on stations in Ontario and in other parts of the country.  But no, any bilingual songs on the radio here like what is heard on Z103 and a few others is almost always Spanish and English.  Great music under our noses a few hours away but  totally ignored when it hits the Ontario border. Not saying that these songs should be mandated, but it would be refreshing if one or two made it on playlists here from time to time.   Shame it doesn't happen.   

I'm not supporting the idea, I'm just stating what they'll do.

There's no way streamers have not done the research to determine which other languages are worth it to them to offer programming in.

RadioAaron wrote:

paterson1 wrote:

Binson Echorec wrote:

The Quebec star system has always amazed me. It's a neat little microcosm - yet very few have broken out of it into Anglo territory. Celine Dion and Denis Villeneuve come to mind, and I'm sure there have been others but it doesn't seem to happen as often as it could (or should?).

You should hear some of the contemporary dance music out of Quebec.  Often the lyrics are bilingual moving from French to English. Some of these songs could be easily played on stations in Ontario and in other parts of the country.  But no, any bilingual songs on the radio here like what is heard on Z103 and a few others is almost always Spanish and English.  Great music under our noses a few hours away but  totally ignored when it hits the Ontario border. Not saying that these songs should be mandated, but it would be refreshing if one or two made it on playlists here from time to time.   Shame it doesn't happen.   

Most of those songs exist for the sole purpose of skirting the stations' French content regulations. Many times, they are English language hits that have verses re-recorded in French.
 

I am not talking about French cover versions of English hit songs. 

paterson1 wrote:

RadioAaron wrote:

paterson1 wrote:

You should hear some of the contemporary dance music out of Quebec.  Often the lyrics are bilingual moving from French to English. Some of these songs could be easily played on stations in Ontario and in other parts of the country.  But no, any bilingual songs on the radio here like what is heard on Z103 and a few others is almost always Spanish and English.  Great music under our noses a few hours away but  totally ignored when it hits the Ontario border. Not saying that these songs should be mandated, but it would be refreshing if one or two made it on playlists here from time to time.   Shame it doesn't happen.   

Most of those songs exist for the sole purpose of skirting the stations' French content regulations. Many times, they are English language hits that have verses re-recorded in French.
 

I am not talking about French cover versions of English hit songs. 

You may just be unfamiliar with the original songs.

RadioAaron wrote:

paterson1 wrote:

RadioAaron wrote:

I'm not supporting the idea, I'm just stating what they'll do.

There's no way streamers have not done the research to determine which other languages are worth it to them to offer programming in.

Well in Quebec the research will show that they should program some French material.  Any quota insures that this will happen.  And if the streamers plan to do as you say, program the cheapest garbage, then my point is confirmed. 

How on earth would you know what the research would say? It's not just as simple as asking "should they"....it would involve also figuring out the cost to do so and determining if that would drive enough new subscribers to pay for it.

As for quotas, they worked somewhat when broadcasters we linear and a monopoly. The audience was captive.

Attempting to put quotas on on-demand services is futile and a fool's errand. You can regulate supply all you want, but you can't regulate demand.

Hard to believe in Quebec that the research is showing that the public doesn't want any films or programming in French.  The streamers have quotas in other countries, so why wouldn't they here?  It's not just a question of them landing in, doing whatever they want unregulated, make money and let the chips fall where they may for traditional media.  Sorry, you ain't in Kansas anymore streamers, and some rules will apply.  It's called the cost of doing business in other countries.

paterson1 wrote:

RadioAaron wrote:

paterson1 wrote:

Well in Quebec the research will show that they should program some French material.  Any quota insures that this will happen.  And if the streamers plan to do as you say, program the cheapest garbage, then my point is confirmed. 

How on earth would you know what the research would say? It's not just as simple as asking "should they"....it would involve also figuring out the cost to do so and determining if that would drive enough new subscribers to pay for it.

As for quotas, they worked somewhat when broadcasters we linear and a monopoly. The audience was captive.

Attempting to put quotas on on-demand services is futile and a fool's errand. You can regulate supply all you want, but you can't regulate demand.

Hard to believe in Quebec that the research is showing that the public doesn't want any films or programming in French.  The streamers have quotas in other countries, so why wouldn't they here?  It's not just a question of them landing in, doing whatever they want unregulated, make money and let the chips fall where they may for traditional media.  Sorry, you ain't in Kansas anymore streamers, and some rules will apply.  It's called the cost of doing business in other countries.

Ugh. Again, it's not just about researching if people "want" it....it's if providing it drives enough to revenue to pay for it.

Regulating quotas on on-demand won't provide any of the desired outcome. It's no different than putting quotas on what types of books must be carried in a bookstore or which movies play in theatres

Pop culture does not recognize borders in 2025. People will always consume what they want, not what bureaucrats want them to. You can't regulate your way out of that unless you go totalitarian.  

Last edited by RadioAaron (May 23, 2025 2:41 pm)

Again, talking in circles Aaron. What is wrong with Canadian material being available in Canada on streamers?  If you don't want to watch it, then don't. That's what I call freedom. 

Going totalitarian because you include some domestic product with all of the other international material?  Huh?  Other countries do this, why not here?  If you want to see a place that is moving into a totalitarian state, just cross the RainbowBridge.  And they are even doing it without quotas on Netflix...