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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-31
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Ottawa, 1 February 2005 |
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Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.,
on behalf of Showcase Television Inc., History Television Inc.,
Jasper Broadcasting Inc., and The Independent Film Channel Canada
Incorporated
Across Canada |
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Applications 2004-1498-8,
2004-1500-4, 2004-1501-9,
2004-1497-0, 2004-1505-1 and 2004-1504-3
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2004-97
22 December 2004 |
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Licence amendments
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The Commission approves
the applications for licence amendments that will allow the licensees
to avail themselves of the incentive program for English-language
Canadian television drama set out in Incentives for English-language
Canadian television drama, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2004-93,
29 November 2004. |
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The applications
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1. |
The Commission received applications by
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., on behalf of Showcase Television
Inc., History Television Inc., Jasper Broadcasting Inc., and The Independent
Film Channel Canada Incorporated, requesting licence amendments for
the specialty programming undertakings listed in the appendix to this
decision in order to add a condition of licence to each licence that
would allow each licensee to avail itself of the incentive program
for English-language Canadian television drama set out in Incentives
for English-language Canadian television drama, Broadcasting Public
Notice CRTC 2004-93,
29 November 2004 (Public Notice 2004-93). |
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Background
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2. |
In Public Notice 2004-93,
the Commission announced an incentive program designed to increase
the production and the broadcast of, the viewing to, and the expenditures
on, high quality, original, Canadian drama programming. The Commission
stated that a licensee who meets the criteria of the drama incentive
program will be permitted to broadcast additional minutes of advertising,
beyond the limits set out in applicable regulations or conditions
of licence. The Commission specified that such a licensee must apply
for a condition of licence in order to avail itself of the incentive
program. |
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Interventions
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3. |
The Commission received interventions,
which opposed the application filed on behalf of Showcase Television
Inc., the licensee of Showcase Diva and of Showcase Television, as well
the application filed on behalf of Jasper Broadcasting Inc., the
licensee of BBC Canada. The interveners expressed concern that approval
of the proposed licence amendments would result in a possible increase
in advertising minutes broadcast by these services. |
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The Commission’s determination
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4. |
In Public Notice 2004-93,
the Commission noted that the additional advertising minutes
earned through the drama incentive program will be placed in popular
foreign programs that already contain more than 14 minutes of program
interruptions in each hour. Accordingly, the Commission is satisfied
that Canadian viewers will not experience an increase in program interruptions. |
5. |
The Commission approves the
applications by Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., on behalf of
Showcase Television Inc., History Television Inc., Jasper Broadcasting
Inc. and The Independent Film Channel Canada Incorporated, to amend the
broadcasting licences for the specialty programming undertakings listed
in the appendix to this decision in order to add the following
condition of licence to each licence: |
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In addition to the 12 minutes of advertising
material during any clock hour in a broadcast day permitted by condition
of licence, the licensee may broadcast such additional minutes of
advertising material calculated in accordance with Incentives
for English-language Canadian television drama, Broadcasting
Public Notice CRTC 2004-93,
29 November 2004, as may be amended from time to time.
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6. |
With regard to the implementation of the
Commission’s determinations set out in paragraph 167 of Public
Notice 2004-93, the
Commission will interpret Canadian program expenditures in accordance
with the policy announced in that public notice pending the approval
of applications to amend the appropriate conditions of licence. |
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Secretary General |
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This decision is to be appended to each
licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may
also be examined at the following Internet site:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca |