CTV calls for looser licence conditions for MuchMusic, Muchmore and Access

CTV Inc. is calling on the CRTC for more regulatory flexibility in its Cancon and music video licence requirements for the broadcaster’s MuchMusic, MuchMore More and Access channels. At a hearing in Gatineau on Monday, where the CRTC launched its licence renewal hearings for large broadcasting groups, CTV agreed to most of the commission’s Cancon licensing conditions. But the broadcaster argues that the emergence of online video and search engines such as YouTube and Vevo have challenged the channels’ ability to compete under their existing licence conditions. “In fact, we’ve seen a 70 per cent decline in the viewership of music videos, which make up one-half of our schedule,” vice-president of regulatory affairs at CTV, Kevin Goldstein, told the commission. CTV is asking the CRTC for an amendment to the channels’ licence requirements allowing it to broadcast a limited amount of programming that it says is complementary but not strictly music-related. Rather than devoting 60 per cent of the broadcast week and 50 per cent of evenings to Canadian programming, CTV is requesting a reduction in MuchMusic’s Canadian content requirement to 55 per cent of the broadcast year. The company is also seeking to reduce MuchMusic’s music-related programming obligations from 100 per cent to 75 per cent. The other 25 per cent airtime would be used for other types of programming such as “lifestyle” shows aimed at a young-adult demographic. CTV asked the CRTC for the same changes to MuchMusic’s licence last year but the commission denied them, saying it would be more appropriate to discuss at the group-based licence renewal hearing, which started Monday. The broadcaster says the changes will allow it to better serve viewers with more relevant content. It adds that the changes may help the services thrive and better position themselves for its next five-year licensing term. Several cultural and programming groups last year opposed the move to cut MuchMusic’s video programming. “MuchMusic was created to deliver real music videos and music programs. And no matter what CTVglobemedia says—Paris Hilton reality shows and Buffy the Vampire Slayer isn't 'music-related programming,’” Stephen Waddell, national executive director of ACTRA, told The Wire Report last year. For ACCESS, Alberta’s educational broadcasting service, CTV requested that the types and amounts of educational programming be modified. CTV said that, like its Much services, Access must also be made more relevant to its viewers. Online sources and content have also come as a challenge to Alberta’s educational broadcasting service, CTV said. “As a consequence, with the exception of pre-school programming, the traditional broadcast delivery of formal educational programming is no longer necessary or, indeed, wanted,” Goldstein said. Access’ government funding was terminated in March 2008, and the broadcaster said the loss of more than $4.3 million in annual funding put a significant strain on the service. Under the CRTC’s new group-based licensing framework, released last spring, the commission issued guidelines for all broadcasters to contribute a minimum of 30 per cent of their revenues to Canadian content and five per cent to programs of national interest such as scripted dramas, documentaries and Canadian award shows. The CRTC said its policies aim to protect programs of national interest for their vital importance to the industry. The commission also says it emphasizes the funding and protection of Canadian content in part because it is expensive create. At the hearing Monday, CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein criticized CTV's proposal to change the channels' licence conditions. “When you look at what you've done in terms of CPE and PNI it seems to me that you’ve taken every flexibility we've given you--like no priority programming, reduced exhibition requirement--but then when it comes to what is really the heart of our regulatory function to make sure that you produce Canadian content, you’re nickel and diming us,” he said. “We gave you the quid which was reduced exhibition and no priority programming … You’ve taken advantage of all that, but I don’t see that you’ve given me anything on the other side.” Goldstein said the broadcaster tries to invest in Canadian programming where it is most needed. Spending on programming of national interest will often go to programs facing financial challenges, he said. In his introductory remarks, Goldstein also suggested that Access could play a more important role in the broadcasting community by helping to inform Albertans about education, lifelong learning, and retention in schools, among other issues. CTV wants to air more programming that is not educational, and although the type of programming would change, the network’s overall mandate would not, he said. “Access can help inform hundreds of thousands of Albertans about trends in education and connect them to educational opportunities,” Goldstein said. But Commissioner Peter Menzies said the only thing he could see that related to education "is the fact that the cheerleaders in Hellcats go to college. There’s nothing else there from a practical basis.“ He added: “Shouldn’t we just be having a grown up conversation here in talking about what sort of licence this really should be?” Documents provided at the hearing Monday also showed that, for the 2009-2010 year, CTV’s MTV Canada broadcasts failed to meet the CRTC’s Cancon exhibition requirements of 68 per cent during the day and 71 per cent in the evening between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m. The recorded percentages were of 66.5 during the day and 69.26 for evening broadcasts. dgrenier@thewirereport.ca

CTV calls for looser licence conditions for MuchMusic, Muchmore and Access

Broadcast | April 4, 2011

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CTV calls for looser licence conditions for MuchMusic, Muchmore and Access

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