The CBC is warning Canada’s broadcast regulator not to let American streaming giants influence what counts as “Canadian content.”
Speaking on Monday at the CRTC hearing “The Path Forward”, CBC/Radio-Canada told the commission that foreign streamers shouldn’t be the ones shaping Canadian culture. While the CBC didn’t name any particular streamer by name, it’s clearly referring to the likes of Netflix, Prime Video and more.
“We can’t rely on foreign undertakings to tell our stories or deliver our news,” said Bev Kirshenblatt, CBC/Radio-Canada’s executive director of corporate and regulatory affairs.
The hearing is part of a public consultation to help the CRTC decide how to define “Canadian programming” in the age of streaming. CBC executives said the new definition needs to focus on who is creating and owning the content—not just where it’s filmed or who funds it.
“Relaxing these rules is a slippery slope,” said Barb Williams, CBC’s executive vice-president. “Canadian stories must be created, owned, and meaningfully exploited by Canadians.”
They also urged the CRTC to keep using the current Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO) certification system and to update the points system that determines if a production is Canadian, by expanding the list of eligible creative roles—but still requiring that Canadians fill at least 60% of them.
Dany Meloul, EVP of Radio-Canada, said defining what counts as Canadian should be handled separately from discussions about how much money companies need to spend on making it. “It’s critical to maintain a clear and consistent framework,” she said.
The CBC also said Indigenous and underrepresented creators need to be included in the definition and that streaming platforms should play by the same rules as Canadian broadcasters.
Last week, the CRTC heard from Rogers and Bell at the hearing, with both urging the Commission to modernize broadcasting rules. Rogers wanted a level playing field like U.S. streamers to “save” Canadian television, while Bell said outdated rules are hurting broadcasters.
As for global streamers such as the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+ and more? Represented by the the Motion Picture Association-Canada (MPA-Canada) at the CRTC, they pushed back on CanCon rules and said streaming services should not be forced into the same rules as domestic TV networks.
In 2024, CBC/Radio Canada saw $1.4 billion in funding from the federal government for its budget, while it also faced a shortfall of $125 million, which saw it cut 800 jobs, but still pay out $15 million in bonuses to executives.
What do you think? Should we have CanCon rules for global streamers? Or let Canadians decide what they want to watch, instead of having Canadian content forced upon them?
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CBC needs to be defunded + Canadian government needs to stop subsidizing Canadian news outlets but they won't because they push the liberal agenda.
Maybe if you watched it you wouldn’t be so wrong
TBH I think the majority of Canadians don't really care about Canadian content as most of its really not that good. I look at it as most other programing even if its American as long as they are hiring Canadian actors and actresses that is the bigger win and lots of the content that those film studios are producing were and or are being filmed here in Canada.
Schitts creek, degrassi, trailer park boys, Kim convenience, orphan black…. Yeah cancon sucks.
Ok so a handful of shows in the history of Canadian content are decent. That still leaves about 90% of all other Canadian content that sucks.
Same story for American shows. The popularity ratio is the same. Try again.
American shows have way better quality and way more of them are good with good stories and actors.
Should we have CanCon rules for global streamers? Or let Canadians decide what they want to watch
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Why is this even posed as a question? Are we not still a free society to do as we think and please, I mean as long as its within the confines of the law?
Much passed the local news and hockey, CBC is a dead spot on any of my devices.