The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Google To CRTC: Use Restraint With Online Streaming Act

**Posted by RadioActive** June 25, 2025 11:44 am

The search engine giant believes online content is different from regular TV, especially when it comes to entities like its own YouTube, and shackling the Internet with traditional rules could lead to unintended consequences for the public and government alike.

I have to admit, while I have no love for Google, I don't disagree. Once the CRTC sticks its nose into something, it almost always makes it worse. Although I doubt Google's pleas, along with other streamers, will amount to anything. I believe the Commissioners came to these hearings with their minds already made up to give themselves more power over what watch.

And I suspect that won't be good for anyone.

Google urges CRTC to use restraint with Online Streaming Act

**Posted by RadioAaron** June 25, 2025 11:52 am

The main thing they're arguing against in that brief article:

But the company is pushing back against the prospect of mandatory data sharing.

Does anyone here know what that means?

**Posted by Jody Thornton** June 25, 2025 11:59 am

Might it be nearing the time for the CRTC to realize their sphere and relevance are shrinking? I think they simply need to tend to the remaining linear undertakings, for as long as they last. They are fighting for their continued existence by saying that streaming is broadcasting. It's not. If radio and linear television eventually, so should the commission. So, CRTC - you later :

Next thing you know, the CRTC will want to oversee podcasting.

**Posted by RadioAaron** June 25, 2025 12:54 pm

Once you've touched streaming, Podcasts really aren't any different. Heck, I'm getting LOCAL ads (produced by radio stations, sometime) in US-based podcasts now.

**Posted by Dale Patterson** June 25, 2025 1:01 pm

Jody Thornton wrote:
Might it be nearing the time for the CRTC to realize their sphere and relevance are shrinking? I think they simply need to tend to the remaining linear undertakings, for as long as they last. They are fighting for their continued existence by saying that streaming is broadcasting. It's not. If radio and linear television eventually, so should the commission. So, CRTC - you later :

Next thing you know, the CRTC will want to oversee podcasting.

Yikes, don\t give them ideas!

**Posted by RadioAaron** June 25, 2025 2:12 pm

Jody Thornton wrote:
RadioAaron wrote:
Once you've touched streaming, Podcasts really aren't any different. Heck, I'm getting LOCAL ads (produced by radio stations, sometime) in US-based podcasts now.
Yes I've heard produced spots inserted into several podcasts now. I'm saying that the CRTC (and the FCC in the US) should just keep their hands off. Online audio services are NOT broadcasting.

It would be funny to see them try only to eventually discover that they're fundamentally decentralized.

Last edited by RadioAaron (June 25, 2025 2:12 pm)