Rogers Demands Same Rules as U.S. Streamers to Save Canadian TV

Rogers is calling on the CRTC to overhaul how Canadian content is defined and funded, saying the current system puts traditional broadcasters at a disadvantage compared to foreign streaming giants.

Speaking at the CRTC’s “Path Forward” hearing on Friday, May 23, in Gatineau, Dean Shaikh, Rogers’ Senior VP of Regulatory Affairs, said the company supports a unified, modern approach to funding and defining Canadian programming—but warned that Canadian-owned media firms can’t continue to shoulder the burden alone.

The hearings are part of the CRTC’s plan to roll out the Online Streaming Act which aims to bring foreign streaming services under Canadian regulation (essentially paying into CanCon).

“We are strongly opposed to any framework that continues to favour foreign streamers or focuses solely on the independent production sector,” said Shaikh, who appeared alongside Rogers Media president Colette Watson and other executives.

Under Rogers’ proposed model, the company would make a single financial contribution—capped at 5% of its total combined media and distribution revenues—toward Canadian programming.

Notably, Rogers said mainstream sports programming would remain outside the scope of this contribution, arguing that such services are already making meaningful contributions without the need for regulatory intervention.

Watson noted that foreign streamers benefit from lighter financial and reporting requirements, while Canadian companies are still tied to outdated and burdensome obligations. “We won’t stay competitive unless those requirements are reduced,” she said.

Rogers also pushed for a more flexible definition of “Canadian program.” The company wants any content commissioned or produced by a Canadian-owned broadcaster to automatically qualify, without needing to meet a complex points system that favours international productions.

The company warned that unless the CRTC modernizes its framework, Canadian broadcasters will keep losing ground to international players. “The future of a Canadian owned and controlled broadcasting system is at risk unless we are provided with the same regulatory and financial flexibility as the US streaming giants,” Shaikh said.

Earlier this week, the The Motion Picture Association-Canada (MPA-Canada), spoke at the CRTC hearing and argued it supports investing in Canadian productions but opposes any rules that would require its members to fund centralized production pools or buy content through traditional licensing models.