GATINEAU, Que.—CTV celebrated a key CRTC decision Monday that will allow private broadcasters to force open negotiations with the cable and satellite distributors by having the power to pull their programming—including popular American shows—from the distributors. 

The CRTC’s highly anticipated decision on group-based licensing for private television services did not propose “fee-for-carriage,” in which conventional broadcasters charge the distributors a set fee to carry their over-the-air signals. 

Instead, the commission will ask the Federal Court of Appeal to approve its proposed system that will allow broadcasters to force the distributors into negotiations, where they can determine the “value” of carrying the broadcasters’ over-the-air channels, as well as the channels’ fair distribution.  

Contact Ryan O'Neill at 613-232-5952 ext. 222 or roneill@thewirereport.ca
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