CRTC sets tight timetable to process hundreds of digital television applications

Digital TV applicants will have little time to convince the CRTC of the merits of their applications when Canada's largest broadcasting hearing begins August 14. The commission is struggling with the regulatory logistics of creating a 500-channel universe within the span of only a few months, and for most applicants, that will mean the first-ever paper proceeding for broadcast licensing. And depending on the outcome, the process could become established practice for licensing future new digital television channels. The hearing stemming from PN 2000-22 is expected to last up to a month, and will hear a total of 346 applications (91 Category 1, and 355 Category 2). Category 1 applicants - the only ones to receive an oral hearing - will be kept to tight time limits. In the opening phase, companies will have 20 minutes to present one application, and five minutes for each additional application. CRTC reconsidersforeign French-language servicesBCE Media Inc has applied to include new French-language foreign-owned news and music channels to the list of eligible satellite services. Its application has been bundled into this summer's hearing into digital specialty channels. Last December, BCE asked the CRTC for permission to distribute the French and European services EuroNews, Planète, Paris-Première, Muzzik and Tropic. In PN 2000-6, the CRTC said "it would not be predisposed to authorizing foreign services that are competitive, in whole or in part, with Canadian services for distribution in Canada." However, it is now re-assessing that position, as "it did not specifically address the commercial realities that may be unique to the French-language market in that respect." The commission says considering its mandate to ensure a range of services in English and French, and the recognition that English and French broadcasting operate under different conditions, "the Commission will wish to explore the role that non-Canadian French-language services may play in increasing the availability and diversity of French-language programming in Canada."In phase two, applicants will have 15 minutes to comment on all other bidders, and in the third stage, appearing intervenors will each have 10 minutes to present their views on the applicants. The last phase will give applicants a final opportunity to comment on any interventions against them. The CRTC will use six main criteria to decide the winners and losers of the much-coveted Category 1 licences: Canadian programming contributions attractiveness of the proposed service contribution to programming diversity ability to fulfil proposed commitments innovative use of the digital medium affordability Unlike past proceedings, which would schedule comedy, sports or other applications of the same genre to appear at the same time, the August hearing will allow companies to present all their applications at once. It's an important change that will curb travelling costs for applicants, and maybe even allow some to take a truncated summer vacation. Applicants for pay-per-view and video-on-demand licences will appear near the end of the hearing, and will each have 20 minutes to present their case. The Category 2 process will generally be held as a paper proceeding, with few if any applicants expected to appear at the oral hearing. A preliminary schedule for the hearing is expected out by mid-June. Licensing process finds support within industry Several observers expect the CRTC will automatically license most Category 2 applicants, so long as they meet certain conditions (i.e. Canadian owned). Their ultimate survival, however, will largely depend on their ability to secure carriage on cable systems, and their popularity with viewers. Sue Bowen, director of communications for Alliance-Atlantis Broadcasting Ltd, says because the applications are non-competitive, the commission is free to license as many as it wants. Alliance-Atlantis has applied for six Category 1 licences and 39 Category 2s. On its list are requests for a Canadian version of the Food Network, and a channel dedicated to biographies. Bowen says when it comes to niche programming, you can always justify offering another service. "If we think of ourselves as a magazine rack, we haven't kept up with that trend in terms of the amount of niche subject matter that's available," she says. "Television is way behind in that way." Jane Logan, president of the Specialty and Premium Television Association, says her members like the digital licensing system, with only a few reservations and questions. "Generally, there was a positive reaction toward having the appearance organized by corporate groups," she says. "We have a number of process questions, but we're going to work them out. The process is complicated by the huge volume of applications but we're glad that an early schedule is coming." That list of applications is as diverse as it is lengthy. Among CTV Inc's applications, for example, are requests for channels dedicated to Canadian TV and mystery programs. Another applicant, Craig TV, wants youth and new rock music channels. CHUM Limited has a long list of applications for such topics as relationships, fashion, mystery, music, and gay and lesbian issues. Salter Street Films Ltd wants channels for women and fans of indie films, just to name two, while Astral Broadcasting has asked for a list of licences, including a channel for foreign and indie films.

CRTC sets tight timetable to process hundreds of digital television applications

News | 06/08/2000 4:00 am EDT

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