CRTC requires streaming services to support the Canadian broadcasting system

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is taking an important step in the implementation of the Online Streaming Act (formerly Bill C-11).

The Act, which amended the Broadcasting Act, requires the CRTC to modernise Canadian broadcasting and ensure that online streaming services make a meaningful contribution to Canadian and Indigenous content.

Immediately after the Act was passed, the CRTC published a regulatory plan and launched four public consultations, including one on the basic contributions that online services must make to support the Canadian broadcasting system.

Over 360 detailed comments were received as part of this consultation. More than 120 groups were heard in a three-week public hearing. Based on these submissions, the CRTC is committing streaming services to contribute 5% of their Canadian revenues to support the broadcasting system. This commitment will begin in the 2024-2025 broadcast year and will provide an estimated $200 million per year in new funding.

The funding will be used for urgent areas in the broadcasting system, such as local news on radio and television, French-language content, Indigenous content and content created by and for disadvantaged groups, language minorities and Canadians from diverse backgrounds.

Streaming services have some flexibility to use portions of their contributions directly to support Canadian television content.

As a quasi-judicial tribunal, the CRTC will continue to combine comprehensive consultation with swift action to create the new regulatory framework.

Quote

"Today's decision will help ensure that online streaming services make a meaningful contribution to Canadian and Indigenous content. The CRTC will continue to act quickly, listen carefully and take action as we implement the new legislation."

• Vicky Eatrides, Chair and Executive Director of the CRTC

Fast facts

• The CRTC is an independent authority that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. It conducts public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting issues and makes decisions based on public records.
• The CRTC is fulfilling Parliament's mandate to modernise the broadcasting framework. It has already conducted four public consultations and taken four decisions on the implementation of the new legislation.
• Important dates can be found in the original press release.
• The CRTC will soon launch further public consultations on the amended Broadcasting Act, including on the Independent Local News Fund and a fund to support local news production by commercial radio stations, and will continue to publicise decisions as they are made.