The Canadian Radio-television & Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) launched a public consultation on the definition of Canadian content for audio services.
The commission is looking for comments on the creation, distribution, and discoverability of Canadian and Indigenous audio content on both radio and online streaming platforms. The consultation is part of the CRTC’s effort to modernize Canada’s broadcasting framework, which aims to ensure online streaming platforms meaningfully contribute to Canadian and Indigenous content creation.
The public consultation runs until April 7, 2025 and will be followed by a public hearing in June. The commission says comments will be part of the public record and will inform its decision.
The CRTC says it wants to hear from anyone with an interest in Canadian and Indigenous music and audio content and it noted that the consultation may be of interest to Canadian and Indigenous creators, artists, the audio production industry, members of the public and more.
Canadians can participate through the CRTC’s online form, by writing to the Secretary General, CRTC in Ottawa, Ontario K1A0N2 or by sending a fax to 819-994-0218.
The consultation comes as part of the Online Streaming Act (formerly Bill C-11), which amended the Broadcasting Act and required the CRTC to modernize the broadcasting framework. Last year, the CRTC began requiring online streaming platforms pay into funding for Canadian content and news. Streamers are expected to contribute five percent of annual Canadian revenue and the commission expects that will bring $200 million into the broadcasting system each year.
However, online streamers have not taken kindly to the change. In September, Netflix cut funding to Canadian arts programs in response to the Online Streaming Act. Meanwhile, Spotify threatened to raise prices over the act. Notably, Netflix, Spotify and Disney+ all raised subscription prices for Canadians in the last several months, likely in response to the Online Streaming Act.
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