CRTC asks whether streaming spending should count toward CPE

The CRTC wants to update both its Canadian Programming Expenditure policy and its annual broadcasting survey to reflect the growth of streaming and other digital options and is asking for input on how to do so. It asked in a notice of consultation Thursday how it should update its CPE policy “to take into account the digital media broadcasting environment,” including whether spending on content for streaming services should count towards CPE requirements. It also asked for details about how it should make that change, such as whether eligibility should be limited only to content that meets CanCon certifications, and whether there should be a cap on how much of a company’s CPE requirements can be met using spending on digital media. The consultation noted that the last time the regulator updated what expenses are eligible for CPE was in 1993. It also said that in order to make those changes, it needs more information about Canadian broadcasters’ revenues and expenditures when it comes to online content. In a separate notice of consultation, the CRTC outlined its plans for expanding the annual broadcasters’ survey to collect information about licenced broadcasters and TV providers’ “digital media broadcasting activities.” Under the CRTCs proposal, foreign digital media companies like streaming services wouldn’t be required to participate, and neither would Canadian digital services from companies that don’t have a licence. The notice said the CRTC is aware that the proposed survey would “place an additional administrative burden on Canadian licensees,” but said that having information about the finances related to digital media activities is “essential for understanding the full scope of those activities, and for developing effective regulatory policy.” It noted that some companies might be reluctant to share information they consider commercially sensitive if it’s published, even in aggregate, and asked for comments “on the appropriate level of confidentiality that should be granted to information to be submitted as part of the digital media survey, as well as on the appropriate balance between the public interest benefits of disclosing such information when compared to the associated potential harm.” Comments in both consultations are due May 14.

CRTC asks whether streaming spending should count toward CPE

Brief | March 28, 2019

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CRTC asks whether streaming spending should count toward CPE

Brief | March 28, 2019

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