Telecom Trends

Next Tuesday, the CRTC's New Media hearings open in Gatineau. The Commission has scheduled time for oral presentations through the middle of March.

As we described last October, the proceeding is looking at how Canada's broadcasting system is affected by new mechanisms, such as the internet and mobile devices, as contrasted with traditional over-the-air and cable delivery.

The Commission sought responses to six main themes, the third of which has attracted calls for a levy to fund Canadian content:

1. Defining broadcasting in new media
2. The significance of broadcasting in new media and its impact on the Canadian broadcasting system
3. Are incentives or regulatory measures necessary or desirable for the creation and promotion of Canadian broadcasting content in new media?
4. Are there issues concerning access to broadcasting content in new media?
5. Other broadcasting or public policy objectives
6. The appropriateness of the new media exemption orders

There are a number of different visions being set in front of the Commission.

CBC does not yet see evidence of new media displacing conventional TV viewing, given stability in weekly TV viewing hours. It notes that

most of the professional video content that is being consumed on the Internet continues to originate from traditional media. At the present time and into the foreseeable future we see new media and traditional media as being co-dependent.

CBC also observes that its new media broadcasting activities are not self-supporting at this time, nor does CBC expect this to change in the near to medium term.

Many creative groups are calling for ISPs and mobile operators to contribute to a new fund to support the creation of Canadian content. Others are telling the CRTC to keep its light touch, if not hands-off, approach to new media.

In his October, 2008 speech at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' convention, Ofcom Chair Philip Graf said that the UK regulator viewed its role as more of a facilitator than regulator. CAB's submission quotes him suggesting that government should:

• Encourage providers to develop classification, search and filtering systems that parents can use to inform themselves and protect their children.
• Promote transparency and informed consent for adults, for example in the areas of behavioural advertising.
• Promote kite marking and branding by responsible site operators including those of the traditional broadcasters and newspapers who have web sites and
• Promote media literacy so that parents and children understand how to sensibly access, understand and use material.

We'll be monitoring to see how the Canadian model unfolds.

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Update [February 10, 9:10 am]
Thanks to Pamela for pointing out that the hearings are only running for 2 days next week [Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb 17/18) before resuming for a week on Feb 23, taking a week off and finishing during the week of March 9. The agenda that shows who is appearing on each day can be found on the CRTC website.

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