Source: https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-84.htm
Timestamp: 2019-10-15 10:16:53
Document Index: 127967009

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 3']

ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2009-84 | CRTC
ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2009-84
The Commission calls for written comments on proposed revisions to certain requirements set out in the lists of eligible satellite services. The Commission proposes, among other things, to eliminate the requirement that certain signals be received from licensed satellite relay distribution undertakings. The deadline for submitting comments is 23 March 2009.
Currently, licensed broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) are generally prohibited from distributing certain services, including the U.S. commercial networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX) and the non-commercial PBS network (collectively, the U.S. 4+1 signals), unless those services are received from a licensed satellite relay distribution undertaking (SRDU). In Broadcasting Public Notice 2008-100, the Commission stated that it would amend the lists of eligible satellite services (the lists) in order to remove this requirement.
Accordingly, in the appendix to this notice, the Commission has set out for comment an amended version of the lists in which it has deleted the above-noted requirement from sections A and B of the List of Part 2 Eligible Satellite Services (the Part 2 list) for Class 1 and 2 licensees and the first section of the List of Part 3 Eligible Satellite Services (the Part 3 list) for Class 3 licensees.
The Commission has also revised certain other related requirements set out in the lists concerning the distribution of U.S. 4+1 signals. The intent is to continue to limit the number or sets of U.S. commercial network signals that may be distributed unless they are all received over the air. In particular, BDUs would not be authorized to distribute U.S. commercial network signals unless they do not receive any such signals over the air at the local head end. Similarly, the revisions relating to PBS signals are meant to reflect the original purpose of the current provisions, i.e., to permit "all cable licensees the carriage of a duplicate PBS service, received via satellite from Cancom," 1while also implementing the Commission's decision to remove the SRDU requirement. Specifically, a Class 1, 2 or 3 undertaking receiving any PBS signal(s) over the air at the local head end would be authorized to distribute another PBS signal pursuant to the lists. Other Class 1, 2 or 3 undertakings would be authorized to distribute a maximum of two PBS services pursuant to the lists.
The Commission further proposes to revise the requirement set out in the first section of the Part 3 list, generally applicable to Class 3 undertakings, relating to the distribution of licensed television programming undertakings offering TVA or CTV programming, as follows:
In the case of licensed television programming undertakings offering TVA or CTV programming, a licensee also distributing the signal of a local TVA or CTV affiliate shall delete the duplicate programming from the services offered pursuant to this List or substitute the local service(s) when programming is identical.
Finally, in Broadcasting Public Notice 2008-100, the Commission expressed the view that the elimination of certain limitations in its Exemption order respecting terrestrial relay distribution network undertakings (the TRDU exemption order) would encourage greater competition in the signal transport sector. The Commission stated that it would publish a revised proposed TRDU exemption order for comment no later than 1 April 2009. In Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2009-83, also issued today, the Commission has called for comments on proposed revisions to the order. In particular, the Commission proposes to delete the requirement that exempt TRDUs have an affiliation agreement with the distribution undertakings to which they provide services.
Consistent with this approach, the Commission also proposes to delete comparable requirements from the conditions applicable to the distribution of services on the lists, unless parties can present compelling reasons for retaining such requirements. Accordingly, in the proposed version of the lists set out in the appendix, the Commission has deleted the following condition, currently applicable to services found in sections A and B of the Part 2 list and in the first section the Part 3 list:
In the case of signals received from a licensed SRDU, ASN, the CBC English- and French-language Television Services and foreign satellite services, licensees are required to enter into the necessary contractual arrangements for such carriage.
The Commission also proposes to delete a similar requirement for the carriage of foreign services, as set out in section C of the Part 2 list, in the second section of the Part 3 list, in sections A, B and C of the List of DTH Eligible Satellite Services, and in the list of services eligible for digital distribution only (Appendix D).
The Commission notes that, by virtue of the current distribution and linkage requirements for Class 1 and 2 licensees and direct-to-home (DTH) satellite undertakings set out in Broadcasting Public Notices 2005-45 and 2005-46, services authorized for distribution by way of the lists may only be distributed on a discretionary basis. A specific condition of licence is required in order to distribute such signals as part of the basic service.
In Broadcasting Public Notice 2008-100, the Commission stated that it would simplify and consolidate the lists in a single list for services authorized for either analog or digital distribution by all BDUs. The Commission anticipates that such further changes to the lists would be made public for comment in conjunction with the amendments to the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations to come into effect in 2011.
The Commission invites written comments on the proposed revisions to the lists set out in the appendix to this notice. The Commission will accept comments that it receives on or before 23 March 2009.
Linkage Requirements for direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distribution undertakings, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2005-46, 11 May 2005
Distribution and linkage requirements for Class 1 and 2 licensees, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2005-45, 11 May 2005
Appendix to Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2009-84
Proposed revisions to the lists of eligible satellite services
1 See Canadian Satellite Communications Inc., Decision CRTC 95-20, 19 January 1995.