The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Comission (CRTC) announced its first steps to ‘modernizing’ Canada’s broadcasting rules to regulate online streaming services..Starting today, “certain” online streaming services operating in Canada will be required to provide the CRTC with “information related to their content and subscribership.” .The decision also requires those services to make content available in a way that is not tied to a specific mobile or Internet service..It didn’t specify, however, exactly what those services are or whether they need to be regulated..Online streamers who offer broadcasting content and earn $10 million or more will be required to register by November 28. That happens to coincide with a three-week public hearing starting on November 20 to determine “contributions” traditional and online broadcasters will need to make to support Canadian and indigenous content.."We are developing a modern broadcasting framework that can adapt to changing circumstances. To do that, we need broad engagement and robust public records. We appreciate the significant participation during this first phase and look forward to hearing a diversity of perspectives at our contributions proceeding in November,” said Vicky Eatrides, CRTC chair and CEO, in a statement..According to a news release, social media services must register but users do not. Online services that offer podcasts must register; however, individuals who use social media to share podcasts do not. Online gaming and audiobook services also do not have to register..A list of registered services will be then be published on the CRTC's website..Earlier this summer it closed a review of fees paid by broadcasters and how they should be extended to online streaming services. Later this winter it will examine Canadian content requirements for music services and news programming..Also on the agenda are ways to protect consumers and include broadcaster codes of conduct and mechanisms for complaints that would come into effect in late 2024..Former CRTC vice-chairman — and Western Standard editorial board member — Peter Menzies tweeted on Twitter (“X”) that “podcasts such as those produced by (clears throat) @jordanpeterson and many others will, going forward, be regulated to make sure they are of high standard.”.But its not exactly clear if Peterson meets the $10 million threshold for his almost daily podcasts that are available for free on several platforms, including Apple iTunes, Spotify and SoundCloud — which almost certainly do..In a backgrounder, the CRTC said it has no intention to regulate individual contributors or censor content Canadians watch or listen to online..“You will be able to continue to listen to and watch the content of your choice. Our goal is to better support Canadian and indigenous content and ensure it is available on radio, TV and online streaming services. We have always respected Canadians’ right to freedom of expression.”.The Online Streaming Act, or Bill C-11, is different from the Online News Act, or Bill C-18 which has resulted in Facebook's parent company, Meta, blocking Canadian news content.
