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It seems like ages ago now, but the Online Streaming Act was supposed to force American outlets like Netflix and Disney+ to contribute to the cost of producing Canadian content, something the big companies here were looking forward to to help ease their own burdens.
This has, of course infuriated Rogers and Bell, who say they are already hurting by having to obey rules others don't need to play by - at least not yet. The CRTC explains the delay is because the new regs. are complex and they need the time to get them right.
“The Online Streaming Act and the Policy Direction are both complex and multi-faceted, and we have announced an ambitious set of public hearings and proceedings to address all of the elements they contain,” said Leigh Cameron, a spokesperson. “The CRTC anticipates that by 2026 it will have both had the opportunity to consult widely with Canadians and to have put in place the key elements of the new broadcasting framework.”
CRTC Delays Online Streaming Plan Until 2025-2026
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A former vice-chair of the CRTC is warning that the soon-to-be implemented Online Streaming Act could include regulating news, because of a technicality in the rules. Speculation or not, his warning is an interesting read.
Brace yourselves, Canadian media. The CRTC could be coming to ‘help’