CBC/Radio-Canada told the CRTC today that Canadian voices are being buried on digital platforms dominated by foreign tech giants.
At a July 2 hearing today, the public broadcaster called out smart TV makers and online platforms for not doing enough to promote Canadian content. The hearings are part of the CRTC’s ‘The Path Forward – Working towards a sustainable
Canadian broadcasting system’.
“Canadian voices and content risk getting drowned out in a sea of foreign programming, offered on foreign platforms,” said Elizabeth Heurtelou, CBC’s Senior Director of Distribution and Partnerships.
She pointed out that while more than 24 million Canadians own connected TVs and nearly 12 million use smart speakers, companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, Samsung, LG, and Sony are under no obligation to highlight Canadian content.
“The same goes for smart speakers: nearly 12 million Canadians own and use these devices, which are not subject to any obligation to offer, promote or highlight Canadian content and services.”
CBC argued that international platforms act as gatekeepers, armed with “vast content libraries and enormous marketing budgets,” gaining prime screen space by paying for it or simply owning the hardware and software.
“It is no coincidence that the logos of these companies appear on the remotes and homepages of connected devices — a privilege they can pay for in a ‘pay-for-play’ model, or grant themselves as owners of the software or hardware, sometimes both.”
CBC also pushed back against calls to weaken rules for traditional cable and satellite providers, which still serve millions of Canadians. “The power imbalance between traditional BDUs and independent programming services is increasing.”
To address the issue, CBC proposed that the CRTC strengthen rules to ensure local content remains visible, especially from programming services of national importance. “The regulatory framework should ensure that Canadian audiences are able to find services of exceptional importance.”
They also warned that digital platforms shouldn’t operate unchecked, calling out the likes of Apple and more. “Digital giants like Google, Apple and Amazon—even larger—exert a huge influence in Canada,” according to an English translation of their French statement.
What do you think? Should Canadian content be pushed down our throats, or should Canadians decide what they want to watch and where?
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I really wish this site had separate Opinion columns so that news pieces weren't tainted like this. It reflects poorly on the publication as a whole.
Framing it like ‘freedom or force-fed’ is lazy at best, dishonest at worst. Canadians aren’t lacking choice. They’re buried under ads.
No one is forcing Canadian content “down anyone’s throat,” and Canadians already choose what they watch. The real issue is that visibility on platforms is driven by who pays for placement and what boosts revenue. It’s about discoverability, not limiting freedom.
It is about discoverability, and Canadians need to get a VPN to access content they want due to CRTC limiting our options to enforce Canadian content quotas.
Frankly I'd like to sée the Canadian news channels get better promotion.
CBC is sad that they have to compete with the Internet and a world of online content. Sad to say the Canadian content in the mainstream is just abysmal. What Canadian content is coming close to competing with Mob Land in terms of quality…
Cto CBC. We hate the CRTC, and Canadian content. Especially Canadian news outlets.
the CRTC prevents Canadians from having access to content with their protectionist rules so Canadians pay for VPN services to get more content.
Canadians to CBC. We hate the CRTC, and Canadian content. Especially Canadian news outlets.
the CRTC prevents Canadians from having access to content with their protectionist rules so Canadians pay for VPN services to get more content.