Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Google says no to online regulations as CRTC starts hearings

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 08 Sep, 2014 11:50 AM
  • Google says no to online regulations as CRTC starts hearings
GATINEAU, Que. - Online delivery services such as Netflix and YouTube would be harmed if regulations for Canada's broadcast industry are extended to the digital world, says Google Canada.
 
The content driver issued the warning Monday at the start of two weeks of Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission hearings looking at how consumers view and pay for TV programming.
 
Some of Canada's conventional broadcasters and distribution firms argue that online platforms don't contribute to the country's programming delivery system and should be forced somehow to make mandatory contributions.
 
But legitimate online services do, in fact, contribute to the system through licensing of content, said Jason Kee, Google's public policy and government relations counsel.
 
And mandatory contributions would in the end cost consumers, if a contribution mechanism could even be devised and enforced, he said.
 
"Mandatory contributions would likely increase costs to consumers in the form of increased subscription fees and creators in form of diminished license fees or revenue share for them," he told the hearing.
 
In his presentation, Kee suggested that instituting an online content contribution system would face "practical challenges."
 
The CRTC opened the hearings, dubbed "Let's Talk TV," with the aim of developing new regulations to tackle the dramatic, technology-driven changes that have taken place in the television industry.
 
Companies including Google and Netflix are now in the mix, offering TV program delivery services, streamed online.
 
Their presence has put the conventional television industry under pressure, straining revenues as advertising dollars move to other media.
 
The big cable companies are also feeling the effects of change, particularly with a desire voiced by the federal government to move to a so-called "pick-and-pay" system that would require an unbundling of TV channel choices.
 
The CRTC has also proposed allowing local TV stations to shut down their transmitters, which would require consumers of free, over-the-air programming to pay for TV through one of many service providers.
 
In opening the hearings, CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais suggested that rules protecting specific channels or broadcasters could be thrown out in favour of new regulations that empower Canadians to get TV programming how they want it, when they want it.
 
"Rather than protect specific channels or broadcasters or a particular way of doing business, we must ensure that the television system meets the needs and interests of Canadians, both today and in the years ahead," said Blais.
 
The group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting says the regulatory changes proposed by the CRTC would harm local TV stations and would not help consumers.
 
"Pick-and-pay along with the other significant changes on the table ... will likely harm local broadcasting, especially local news, which is the kind of programming Canadians think is most important," the group said in a statement.
 
"In fact, local, independent broadcasters-stations in small- and medium-sized markets are blunt that the changes could force them off the air."

MORE National ARTICLES

Halifax university changes frosh week, a year after incident shone spotlight

Halifax university changes frosh week, a year after incident shone spotlight
Saint Mary's University in Halifax is providing training to student leaders who are involved in orientation week activities, nearly a year since a frosh chant glorified non-consensual sex with underage girls.

Halifax university changes frosh week, a year after incident shone spotlight

NDP government would open inquiry into native women murders within 100 days

NDP government would open inquiry into native women murders within 100 days
Tom Mulcair says an NDP government would establish a full public inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women within 100 days of taking office.

NDP government would open inquiry into native women murders within 100 days

Fire crews start extinguishing Iqaluit's 'dumpcano'

Fire crews start extinguishing Iqaluit's 'dumpcano'
Fire crews are hoping to finally start pumping water on a dump fire in Iqaluit that has been smouldering since May.

Fire crews start extinguishing Iqaluit's 'dumpcano'

Canadians pay more than $500M in fees a year for paper bills, statements: report

Canadians pay more than $500M in fees a year for paper bills, statements: report
Canadians are probably paying more than half a billion dollars a year to receive printed bills and bank statements by mail, according to the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.

Canadians pay more than $500M in fees a year for paper bills, statements: report

Parti Quebecois leadership hopefuls jockey for position as caucus meets

Parti Quebecois leadership hopefuls jockey for position as caucus meets
All signs are pointing to a crowded race for the Parti Quebecois leadership.

Parti Quebecois leadership hopefuls jockey for position as caucus meets

Toronto Zoo announces Canada's 1st hatching of Burmese star tortoise

Toronto Zoo announces Canada's 1st hatching of Burmese star tortoise
The Toronto Zoo has announced what it says is the first hatching of a Burmese star tortoise in Canada.

Toronto Zoo announces Canada's 1st hatching of Burmese star tortoise