Movie trailers, religion and sex – specialty licences approved

The CRTC today approved four applications for Category 2 pay television broadcasting licences, including one from Sex-Shop Television Inc. to operate a national French-language channel called Vanessa, and two from Movieola and Silver Screen Classics owner Channel Zero Inc. Vanessa (CRTC 2007-417)Sex-Shop TV applied April 30, 2007 to offer "an adult pay television service dedicated to the themes of sex appeal, sensuality, eroticism and sexuality." Programming will focus on the industries associated with these themes and the personalities involved in these industries, and Sex-Shop proposed to devote no more than 10% of its broadcast week to theatrical feature films. The licensee had also proposed to draw programming from infomercials and other promotional videos, but was reminded by the commission that Category 2 pay services are not authorized to distribute programming containing advertising. While two interventions opposed the application on the grounds that the proposed programming "offends their sensibilities and goes against their personal values," the CRTC noted it has issued licences for adult programming in the past, "imposing conditions of licence aimed at ensuring that the programming meets general community standards.""The service, due to the adult nature of the programming, may only be distributed at the specific request of the subscriber and that distributors are not permitted to package the service in such a way that subscribers are obligated to purchase it in order to purchase any other programming service, other than an adult programming service," reminded the commission.Movie Trailer TV (CRTC 2007-420) Channel Zero applied May 10, 2007 to operate Movie Trailer TV, which will "offer movie trailers for films in theatrical or DVD release in Canada, promotional programming about specific feature films, gossip, reportage from film festivals and film industry analysis and interpretation." As well, the service will broadcast long-form documentaries and theatrical films with stories specifically based on the film and television industry. Channel Zero also indicated that no more than 15% of its programming in a broadcast week will be drawn from categories 7(c) - specials, mini-series or made-for-TV feature films - or 7(d) - theatrical feature films aired on TV. The commission received no interventions on the application. Short Form TV (CRTC 2007-421) On May 14, 2007, Channel Zero applied for a licence to operate Short Form TV, a channel dedicated to short-form content ranging from 30 seconds to 48 minutes. "Programming would feature the best of current musical, dramatic, comedic, experimental, animated and user-generated short form content shot on film or video, or created with computer animation." Channel Zero also proposed to provide a showcase for Canadian profession, amateur, student and experimental animators, filmmakers and storytellers. No more than 15% of weekly programming will come from category 7(c) or 8(c) - music video programs.No interventions were received. The Christian Network (CRTC 2007-419) Bhupinder Bola applied June 3, 2007 for a licence for TCN, which will provide "balanced religious programming from a variety of Christian perspectives, including evangelical programming and multi-denominational programming dealing with a variety of spiritual, religious and humanitarian topics."No interventions were received. *All licences expire August 31, 2014.

Movie trailers, religion and sex – specialty licences approved

News | 12/07/2007 8:42 pm EST

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