This decision came as a complete shock and was directly contrary to what the CRTC had stated was its plan. IBG members and others have filed--or had planned to file--applications based on the understanding that they would be heard shortly after filing, but certainly before September of 2011, which is the digital transition date for the industry, and the date when the new regulated or deregulated regime will come into effect. Indeed, we have quite an extensive library of correspondence with the CRTC on this matter.
The moratorium is deeply unfair and potentially harmful to diversity of voices and ownership in the broadcasting system, which is CRTC policy.
First, we question how a moratorium can be in the public interest and consistent with the Canadian Broadcasting Act. To be approved, by definition, a 9(1)(h) service has made an exceptional contribution to the Canadian broadcasting system and has met strict criteria.
Second, the moratorium comes at a critical time and it is exactly the opposite of what is needed. We have already explained how the CRTC decided to remove many of the rules used to ensure diversity of ownership and voices in the system and how concentration of ownership has intensified across broadcasters and networks.
Indeed, Canada may now have the most concentrated media environment in the entire western world at exactly the time that the CRTC should use all of the tools available to rebalance, including the paragraph 9(1)(h) orders for exceptional services, and to counterbalance deregulation in certain areas and the negative public policy effects of industry consolidation.
Third, the moratorium is especially harmful to small niche and independent broadcasters who want to make excellent Canadian content. If independents are going to make meaningful contributions to Canadian broadcasting and diversity, they require regulated carriage terms to reach a wide enough audience.
Fourth, the moratorium requires us to put our business plans on hold, even while the CRTC continues to add new non-Canadian services for distribution in Canada and permits the cable and satellite companies to bring forward applications for more foreign channels and their own digital specialty pay and video-on-demand channels.
Fifth and last, more than anyone, small and independent broadcasters rely for survival on transparent, understandable, relevant, and timely regulation. This change of direction by the CRTC has been anything but and has left us and our business partners questioning the CRTC's priorities.
Even more troubling, when most 9(1)(h) applicants were being held back by the CRTC for the past two and a half to three years, the CRTC has moved some to the head of the line, given them a public hearing, and granted 9(1)(h) orders. Similarly, the CRTC decided to hear Quebecor's application for special distribution status for its cable news channel this past fall, even though it had already told the industry that applications similar to Quebecor's wouldn't be considered until 2011 at the earliest.
Finally, the CRTC has just announced another application it will consider, in which the applicant requests an extension of a 9(1)(h) order that, under its current term, isn't even set to end until 2015. The effect of this fast-tracking of some applicants and dismissal of others is that the CRTC is making decisions about what programming to license and not to license without holding public hearings. These are troubling precedents for a declared public policy goal of diversity of ownership and diversity of voices.
As members of Parliament, you are aware that the CRTC intends to look at some key issues related to vertical integration at the commission hearings scheduled for May, as Konrad announced. The outcome of these important hearings will be of utmost significance to the small and independent broadcasting sector. The IBG and others will encourage the CRTC to put in place relevant and proactive regulatory measures to offset the unprecedented power of huge, vertically integrated companies.
It is early days yet, but the CRTC seems to be most focused on refining its generic “undue preference” rule. In practical terms, what this means is that independent and small broadcasters will have to complain to the CRTC on a case-by-case basis and plead for fair and equitable treatment by giant cable and satellite networks every time the independents face discrimination.
As federal politicians, you wisely understand leverage and can appreciate why this approach will not work. It is very difficult for a small player to complain about a very large player in an industry where the small player fully depends on the larger player for its very existence.
What the industry needs instead is a clear and relevant set of rules, understood in advance, that will ensure independent broadcasters get fair and reasonable access and distribution by their large, vertically integrated competitors.
There are three things that we would like to ask this important committee to kindly consider. First, we request political and regulatory recognition that small and independent Canadian television broadcasters make a valued and unique contribution to the Canadian broadcasting system, especially as regards diversity of voices and ownership; second, that independent and small broadcasters with pending 9(1)(h) applications be heard before the August or September 2011 digital switchover, and that status quo carriage continue until those CRTC decisions are rendered; and lastly, that this committee explore and recommend how the Canada media fund can better service small, niche, and independent television licensees.
