- RadioActive
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Re: CRTC: Foreign Streamers Must Fork Over 5% Of Domestic Revenues
An opinion piece in the Globe & Mail offers a different take. The author, an investment expert, argues that while Corus is partly responsible for its own fate, the finger of blame could also be pointed at a very inflexible CRTC. And he argues that puts the entire concept of "Canadian Content" in jeopardy for every big broadcaster.
"...the CRTC has been incredibly inflexible in enforcing these rules on broadcasters. The Canadian Association of Broadcasters filed an application requesting a suspension of Canadian Programme Expenditure requirements because of COVID-19. CRTC rejected this application and ruled that any CPE shortfalls incurred during the pandemic have to be paid by August of 2024, despite economic hardship, while non-Canadian content providers were exempt.
A policy that was designed to help Canadian content flourish has led to discrimination against Canadian content distributors such as Corus, and in favour of global streaming giants such as Netflix."
Corus Entertainment’s woes foretell a dark future for Canadian content
- paterson1
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Re: CRTC: Foreign Streamers Must Fork Over 5% Of Domestic Revenues
I can sort of see why the CRTC does push the cancon committments like they do. Over the years the commission has often given Bell, Rogers, Corus and a few others what they wanted in terms of amalgamation, limited competition, ability to grow the size of their businesses to compete internationally etc.
There have been no commercial limits for AM/FM and OTA television for years. Radio was opened up long ago for FM and with a few exceptions stations are free to change music formats with no approval.
All during this time the CRTC has been not overly demanding on the conglomerates or even broadcasters. In over 50 years how many licenses have been revoked or not renewed because of non compliance? Not many. And the CRTC mandate does not allow them to fine broadcasters when they are not playing by the rules. They can give a shortened renewal, or inform the operator that their license won't be renewed at the end of the current license period. And this is very rare.
Beyond the traditional broadcast licenses and management of freqencies, the CRTC was created to attempt that at least some of Canada's broadcast system had a domestic flavour. To ensure that performers and artists were given the opportunity to be seen and heard in their own country.
The track record on this has been spotty, but there also has been success. Today we see more cancon by far being produced than ever before. At times the success unfortunately has been more international than at home. However this seems to be changing bit by bit.