Bell to CRTC: Outdated Rules Hurt Canadian Broadcasters

Bell appeared before the CRTC on Thursday, May 22, making it clear that while the company remains committed to Canadian content, it wants more flexibility in how it meets its obligations.

At the ongoing CRTC hearing on “The Path Forward” for defining and supporting Canadian programming, Bell’s Senior VP of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Mark Graham, said, “We have not asked for any reduction to our Canadian programming expenditure obligations.”

Instead, Bell is asking the Commission to modernize outdated rules so the company can bring content in ways that better reflect how people actually watch TV today.

Bell Media President Sean Cohan told the CRTC that the company is building a “digital media and content powerhouse” with Canadian content at its core. He pointed to hit shows like Sullivan’s Crossing, The Amazing Race Canada, and Shoresy, and noted that Crave, Bell’s streaming service, now has more than 4 million subscribers (up 1 million in the past 18 months), as of its first quarter.

Cohan also highlighted deals with major Canadian stars like Seth Rogen, Tom Green, Elliot Page, and Will Arnett. “We generate Canadian stories to entertain, inform, challenge and delight both Canadian and global audiences,” he said.

Suzane Landry, Bell’s VP of Content, emphasized the company’s strong presence in Quebec, where 100% of the top 50 most-watched shows last year were original productions. She said nearly 100 new shows are produced each year by Bell in French, and some are gaining international attention.

When it comes to regulatory changes, Bell supports the CRTC’s new points system for defining Canadian programs, but with two conditions. First, the flexibility must be tied to CAVCO rules on equity and IP ownership. Second, shows with non-Canadian showrunners should count as Canadian content if they have a 24-month exclusive premiere window in Canada.

Bell also wants the freedom to move funds from Bell TV to support its Bell Media news operations, saying news is “by far the most in-demand local programming.” The company emphasized it isn’t asking for external support for news, just permission to shift existing funding.

Jonathan Daniels, VP of Regulatory Law, said Bell’s plan would also make funding for public interest channels more stable by requiring all players—traditional and online—to contribute.

Finally, Graham asked for flexibility to meet Canadian content requirements without sticking to rules designed for a “linear television” era. Bell wants to keep its current spending levels—40% for French content, 30% for English, 90% for CTV News Channel, and 50% for sports channels—but apply that money more effectively in today’s on-demand world.

“In summary, we are not asking to reduce our contributions to Canada’s broadcasting system. What we are asking for is the flexibility to make our contributions in a manner consistent with a market that is now entirely driven by consumer choice and audience demand,” said Graham.

While both Bell and Rogers called on the CRTC to modernize outdated broadcasting rules, their approaches are different. Bell focused on its ongoing commitment to Canadian content and asked for flexibility in how it meets its obligations—without reducing its overall spending.

Rogers today pushed for a more aggressive overhaul of the system, proposing a cap on its contributions and calling for reduced financial burdens in line with what foreign streamers face.

Bell framed the future as full of opportunity if the rules evolve, while Rogers warned that without urgent change, “the future of a Canadian owned and controlled broadcasting system is at risk.”