CBC/Radio-Canada seeking to broadcast more mandated programming on digital services

CBC/Radio-Canada is asking Canada'stelecommunications regulator to allow the network to decrease the number of hourscertain programming must be broadcast ontelevision, and permit more of that content to be shownon digitalservices.

"Without this flexibility to serve audiences 'where they are,'we risk not reaching them at all, nor properly serving them," according to the CBC/Radio-Canada'ssupplementary brief for theirCRTC(Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) licence renewal application.

With audiences increasingly moving away from television and moving toward digital devices, CBC/Radio-Canada wants more flexibility to put more of its content on its OTT (Over The Top) services CBC Gem and ICITou.tv.

The CRTC forces CBC/Radio-Canada to show,on television, certain types of programming local and kids programming, and programsof national interest, which include drama, comedy and documentaries. As well, it must broadcastminimum of levels of that programming.

"To date, no consideration has been given to what we might be doing in the digital realm," the supplementary brief states.

On Monday, the CRTC launched CBC/Radio-Canada's licence renewal application. The licences are set to expireAug. 31, 2020.

As part of the licence renewal, the network is proposingthat it would increase itsoverall hours of mandatedprogramming, but be allowed to broadcast less of that ontelevision and more through digital devices.

For example, CBCTorontohas an obligation to airup to 14 hours a week of local programming on television. CBC is proposing 12 hours a week on television, but would committo 14.5 hours a week overall.

"Canadians have embraced digital and so have we as their public broadcaster,"CBC/Radio-Canada President and CEO Catherine Tait said in a news release. "Our proposals are a bridge to a new regulatory approach that will acknowledge this reality, and strengthen our unique role in the broadcasting system to serve all Canadians."

The request followsCBC/Radio-Canada's releaseback in May of its three-year strategic plan titled Your Stories, Taken toHeart, focusing on creating"audience centric, audience-driven, tailored content."

As part of thelicence renewal process, the CRTCislaunching a public consultation "to hear the opinions of Canadians so that they are reflected in CBC/Radio-Canada's programming," Ian Scott, chairperson and CEO of the CRTC, said in a statement.

The regulatory body will be hosting aFacebookconsultation until Dec.9 as part of its review andwill hold a public hearing in Gatineau, Que., beginning on May 25, 2020.