Canada's CRTC won't regulate Netflix, iTunes
updated 06:00 am EDT, Thu October 6, 2011
CRTC opts not to impose broadcaster fee for online
Canada’s CRTC has announced that it won’t regulate Netflix and iTunes, leaving the content delivery services free to sell whatever content they choose, without paying a broadcasting fee. The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) wanted the CRTC to force internet-based video content delivery services to include Canadian content and had brought concerns to the CRTC in February. The CRTC has ruled that cable and regular TV providers “did not submit evidence that Canadians are reducing or cancelling their television subscriptions.”
The CMPA had argued that it was unfair that when traditional media producers were required to expend money investing in local content according to guidelines that state a percentage of its shows need to be produced locally. However, new media providers using online services to deliver content were not subject to the same requirements, which is unfair the CMPA argued.
The CMPA said they are currently of the view that “Online and mobile programming appears to be complementary to the content offered by the traditional broadcasting system.” However, it has promised to conduct an additional fact-finding exercise in May 2012. [via CBC]
