Craig disputes CHUM’s claim it’s not adhering to conditions
Craig Broadcast Systems Inc. disputes allegations by CHUM Ltd. that it breached its licence conditions for its Category 1 digital channel MTV Canada (previously known as Connect) by devoting more than 10% of its air time to music content. CHUM contends that Craig is using its relationship with Viacom Inc. to turn its teen channel into a competitor to MuchMusic. In a response to CHUM’s complaint, Craig tells the CRTC that CHUM is involved in "turf protection" and that it "unrealistically dissected" MTV’s programming, which includes many genres, in filing the grievance. Craig says that it is sticking to its conditions of licence and that CHUM has no concrete evidence to the contrary. In a January 9 filing to the CRTC, Toronto-based CHUM accuses Calgary-based Craig of threatening the "integrity of the commission’s licensing process" by using its licence for Connect to launch MTV. "…Craig Broadcasting has, in CHUM’s submission, breached the very promises and commitments made to the commission that were central to Craig Broadcasting receiving that Category 1 licence," writes Peter Miller, CHUM Television’s VP of business and regulatory affairs.