Public Notice
CRTC 1999-205
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Ottawa, 23 December 1999
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Definitions for new
types of priority programs; revisions to the definitions of television content categories;
definitions of Canadian dramatic programs that will qualify for time credits towards
priority programming requirements
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1. In Public Notice CRTC 1999-120,
the Commission sought public input regarding definitions for new types of priority
programs and revisions to the definitions of television content categories. These
definitions and revisions are necessary to implement the Commission's policy with respect
to priority programs as established in Public Notice CRTC 1999-97,
and to make the current definitions clearer. The Commission also sought comments on the
criteria that should be used to determine if Canadian dramatic programs will qualify for
time credits as set out in Public Notice CRTC 1999-97.
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2. The new definitions are set out in
Appendix I to this document. The Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987, the
Pay Television Regulations, 1990 and the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990
will be amended to reflect the new definitions. Appendix II contains the criteria that
will be used to determine if Canadian dramatic programs will qualify for time credits. All
amendments will come into effect on 1 September 2000.
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3. The Commission received interventions
from 28 parties who presented a variety of suggestions on how the definitions and
criteria should be amended. The Commission appreciates the high quality of the submissions
it received during this public process and wishes to thank all parties for their views and
participation. The Commission considered all of the submissions in reaching the
modifications proposed herein. The full public record is available at Commission offices.
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Definitions of new types of priority programs
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4. In Public Notice CRTC 1999-120, the Commission requested comments from interested
parties on the proposed definitions of three new priority program types: Canadian
long-form documentary programs, Canadian regionally produced programs and Canadian
entertainment magazine programs. These definitions are set out in Appendix I. The
Commission has made minor adjustments in the wording of both the Canadian long-form
documentaries and Canadian entertainment magazines categories in response to comments made
by parties. In the case of regionally produced programs, interveners identified broader
policy concerns.
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Regionally-produced programs
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5. The Commission received several
interventions that were critical of the proposed definition of a regionally produced
program. Parties from British Columbia, as well as others, urged the Commission to expand
the definition of Canadian regionally produced programs to include productions from
Vancouver. It was argued that Vancouver is not a production centre equivalent to either
Toronto or Montréal due to the relatively low level of domestic production in Vancouver.
Parties also pointed out that virtually all of Canadas broadcasting networks,
specialty, pay and pay-per-view services are headquartered in Toronto and Montréal, a
fact which places producers in other areas of the country, including Vancouver, at a
distinct disadvantage.
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6. The definition of regionally produced
programs is required for the purpose of determining which programs will qualify in respect
of a condition of licence relating to priority programs. The Commission notes that drama,
music/dance, variety programs, long-form documentaries and Canadian entertainment magazine
programs will qualify as priority regardless of where they are produced. The policy of
granting priority status to regionally produced programs in other categories, such as
religion, education, game shows and general entertainment and human interest, is intended
as an incentive for smaller broadcasters and producers to stimulate production activity in
parts of Canada where there is very little of any kind of television production.
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7. Figures provided by the Government of
British Columbia indicate that the value of domestic production in that province in 1997
totalled $235.8 million. Even though this only represents 36% of total production in
Vancouver in that year, it is still significantly greater than the total production levels
in each of the other provinces or territories that year, except for Ontario and Quebec. In
light of this, the Commission will maintain its policy of excluding Vancouver and the
surrounding mainland, from the definition of an area of regional production.
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8. Parties also argued that the
150-kilometre zone specified in the definition should be decreased so that more
productions would qualify as regionally produced programs. Suggestions ranged from
shortening the distance to 125 kilometres to that of simply including all areas
outside the central metropolitan areas of Toronto, Montréal or Vancouver.
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9. The 150-kilometre distance is based on
the rationale that a regional production area should be beyond a reasonable drive from a
metropolitan centre. The Commission considers that this distance should be maintained to
ensure the authenticity of regional productions.
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10. The Commission, however, agrees with
parties who argued that the new definition should recognize as qualifying for regional
status, programs produced on Vancouver Island and French-language programs produced in all
areas outside of Montréal. In the former case, the Commission agrees, as one intervener
pointed out, that this would be consistent with other CRTC policies that have recognized
the cultural differences between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. In the latter case, the
Commission recognizes the obstacles faced by French-language producers in getting programs
produced outside of Quebec and considers that this incentive may encourage more
French-language production in other parts of Canada.
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Revisions to existing definitions of content categories
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11. In Public Notice CRTC 1999-120, the
Commission also issued for comment proposed amendments to some of the existing definitions
of program content categories to clarify the Commission's interpretation of these
definitions. The majority of comments received were aimed at refining the wording of
definitions to achieve greater clarity. The Commission, therefore, will adopt the proposed
definitions with some minor adjustments and add new categories. These definitions are set
out in Appendix II to this notice.
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Application of new definitions
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12. The Specialty and Premium Television
Association (SPTV) and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), as well as several
specialty licensees, sought clarification from the Commission on whether the proposed new
definitions of program categories are intended to apply to pay and specialty licensees in
addition to conventional licensees. Parties noted the current differences in the
definitions of program categories contained in the Pay Television Regulations, 1990 and
the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990 versus the Television Broadcasting
Regulations, 1987.
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13. These parties expressed concern about
the regulatory impact on pay and specialty licensees if the revised definitions were to
apply to them as most are limited by condition of licence from airing programming in
certain categories. In their view, the revised definitions would bring significant changes
to some content categories. As a result, programs traditionally logged under particular
categories might no longer qualify under those same categories. This, in turn, would
require some pay and specialty licensees to seek amendments to their nature of service
conditions of licence in order to broadcast programming that will now be logged under a
new category.
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14. The Commission has determined that the
programming definitions proposed in Public Notice CRTC 1999-120 will apply to pay and
specialty licensees in addition to conventional licensees. The establishment of one set of
programming categories for all licensed services will, in the long run, provide greater
ease and efficiency for both the CRTC and licensees with respect to logging and monitoring
programming.
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15. Further, except for the addition of new
program categories, the Commission does not consider that the adoption of the new
definitions will have a major impact on pay and specialty licensees. In the
Commissions view, the revised wording, while creating greater clarity, does not
result in material changes to the majority of content categories. Rather, most of the
revisions in the new definitions clarify the wording of the current definitions and
reflect the interpretations that have been developed and used by the Commission since
1987.
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16. The Commission notes that sports
services will require an amendment to their condition of licence to log Category 2a)
(General Analysis and Interpretation) and/or 2b) (Long-form documentaries) if they wish to
broadcast sports documentaries. In addition, most specialty licensees will also be
required to file applications to amend these conditions to permit the broadcast of
categories 12, 13, 14 and where appropriate, 15. Early in the new year, the Commission
will make available a short application form for this purpose. This will permit the
efficient processing of such applications.
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17. Accordingly, the revised programming
category system set out in Appendix I to this notice will apply to pay and specialty
licensees on 1 September 2000. The Commission notes that, where appropriate,
sub-categories used in the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990 have been added to
the new definitions to harmonize the two sets of definitions. In addition, filler
programming, which is used by pay services, and by some specialty services, is included in
the new set of definitions.
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Category 8 Music and Dance
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18. The Commission notes that amendments
have been made to category 8 to harmonize the definition with that in the Specialty
Services Regulations, 1990 and to clarify the types of category 8 programs eligible
for priority status. Under the new definitions, only category 8 a) will
qualify for priority status. Category 8 a) will no longer include music video
clips, which will fall under category 8 b). Music video clips and programs devoted to
music videos will not be eligible for priority program status. Music video programs are
relatively inexpensive to produce. According to the definition set out in Public Notice
CRTC 1984-94, only 30% of the music videos in a Canadian music video program are required
to be Canadian. The Commission considers that priority programs should contain much higher
levels of Canadian content. Music video clips and programs devoted to music videos will
now be logged as categories 8 b) and 8 c), respectively.
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Programming without categories
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19. In Public Notice CRTC 1999-120, the
Commission proposed that infomercials, public service announcements, promotional videos,
and corporate videos/films, such as those produced by groups and business for public
relations, recruitment, etc., would be excluded from the television program content
categories. They would not be considered programs for the purposes of the Television
Regulations, 1987, the Pay Television Regulations, 1990 or the
Specialty Service Regulations, 1990. The Commission also noted that it would continue
to consider this material as non-Canadian for the purposes of Canadian content
requirements.
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20. The Commission also
proposed to exclude productions of less than 5 minutes in duration that are comprised
primarily of stock footage.
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21. The Commission proposed to apply this
policy to promotional videos, and corporate videos/films, such as those produced by groups
and business for public relations, recruitment, etc. However, the Commission received many
comments, mainly from broadcasters, objecting to the designation of infomercials, public
service announcements and stock footage as programming without categories. In light of
these comments, the Commission has reconsidered its approach to the treatment of each of
these types of programming.
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Infomercials
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22. Broadcasters expressed
concerns that under the Commissions proposed definitions, infomercials would now be
considered foreign content, which would contradict the logging instructions set out in
Public Notice CRTC 1995-93.
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23. The Commission notes that, despite the
fact that licensees are instructed to log infomercials as having no program nationality,
in practice infomercials are included in the total number of hours of programs broadcast
by licensees. In effect, since they are not counted as Canadian content, they count as
non-Canadian content for the purpose of calculating compliance with regulations and
conditions of licence.
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24. The Commission intends to maintain this
practice. However, in order to avoid any confusion as to whether infomercials are
considered Canadian content, in future the Commission will consider infomercials to be
"programs" that are not eligible for Canadian program recognition. As a result,
infomercials will count as non-Canadian for regulatory purposes. Infomercials will
henceforth be logged under a new content category number together with promotional and
corporate videos, which are also not eligible for Canadian recognition.
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Productions of less than 5 minutes in duration that are
comprised primarily of stock footage
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25. Broadcasters objected to the exclusion
of productions comprised primarily of stock footage as a legitimate Canadian program
category. The SPTV argued that these short programs can be a valuable program format to
many pay and specialty licensees, serving as interstitial programming which is necessary
due to the varied length of the core programming carried by these services. Several
parties pointed out that short programs often require significant creative input and can
create a memorable impression on a viewer.
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26. The Commissions proposal to
exclude stock footage referred to interstitials of 5 minutes or less in duration that are
comprised of primarily stock library or archival footage. It was also intended to exclude
productions under five minutes that consist of the repackaging or adaptation of excerpts
from existing productions.
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27. The Commission notes that the number of
such interstitials that are submitted to the CRTC for certification has grown
significantly over the last year. This is due, in part, to the fact that foreign programs
are becoming shorter. Since Canadian broadcasters can insert into any clock hour only
12 minutes of advertising, plus promotions of Canadian programs and 30 seconds
of public service announcements, there is an increasing demand for interstitials on
conventional and specialty television, to round out the programming hour. However,
certifying these short productions can be time-consuming, while longer programs can suffer
delays in the certification process.
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28. The Commission agrees with comments
made by interveners and recognizes the necessity for broadcasters to use interstitials to
round out their programming schedules. As a result, the Commission has determined that in
future, programs less than 5 minutes in duration except for News (category 1) that meet
the criteria for recognition applicable to longer programs, will be considered Canadian
programs. There will be no requirement for parties to submit these programs for
certification unless specifically requested to do so. These programs will be logged under
a new program category.
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29. The Commission notes, however, that
over the past several years, it has received many applications for certification of
interstitials containing "commercial tie-ins" of one type or another. These have
been rejected for Canadian program recognition because they were intended to sell or
promote goods, services, natural resources or activities. In other words, they fall under
the definition of advertising material. The Commission reminds licensees that such
material must not be logged under the new category for interstitials.
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30. Public Notice CRTC
1984-94 clarified that news and public affairs programs produced by licensees
automatically qualify as Canadian, without meeting any other criteria.
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Public service announcements (PSAs)
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31. Broadcasters also expressed concern
about the designation of PSAs as programming without a category. They argued that PSAs
should continue to be treated as advertising material and should be logged as the same
nationality as whatever program they are inserted into according to the Commissions
existing policy. They sought clarification that this policy will be retained.
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32. The Commission acknowledges that under
the current regulations, PSAs are treated as advertising material and are logged as the
same nationality as the program into which they are inserted when they are aired within
the 12.5 minutes permitted for advertising during a clock hour (12 minutes of
advertising plus 30 seconds of PSAs). However, partly because of the lack of a
precise definition for PSAs, there have been a number of applications seeking Canadian
content certification for messages of this type.
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33. The Commission considers PSAs to be a
valuable type of programming. The Commission has encouraged licensees to air them through
the 30-second advertising "bonus". At the same time, the "30-second
rule" also served to limit the amount of clutter aired by broadcasters.
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34. However, it may not be possible to
control this clutter in the future. With foreign programs getting shorter, conventional
and specialty broadcasters are using more interstitials and PSAs to round out their
schedules. Therefore, in keeping with the policy set out above for interstitials, the
Commission will consider all PSAs that meet the criteria for recognition to be Canadian
programs. There will be no need for parties to submit these programs for certification
unless specifically requested to do so by the Commission. As a result, the Commission will
amend the Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987 and the Specialty Services
Regulations, 1990 to remove the designation of a PSA as advertising material. A new
program category will be created for PSAs.
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35. PSAs are now defined as
follows:
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Messages of less than 5 minutes
duration intended to educate the audience about issues of public concern, encourage public
support and awareness of a worthy cause, or promote the work of a non-profit group or
organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in local communities or in society
or the world at large. These include community billboards. These messages are not intended
to sell or promote goods or commercial services. No payment is exchanged between
broadcasters and producers for the broadcast of these messages.
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36. The Commission reminds
broadcasters that advertising material must not be logged as PSAs. It also notes that
commercial messages inserted within or adjacent to PSAs and interstitials do not take on
the nationality of the interstitial or PSA when the interstitial or PSA appears during a
longer program, but rather take on the nationality of the longer program.
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Time credits for
Canadian drama
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Criteria for time credits
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37. The majority of parties
were in general agreement with the criteria proposed in Public Notice CRTC 1999-120 to
determine qualification for the new 150% and 125% time credits to be used initially by the
four largest multi-station broadcasting groups. As a result, the Commission will adopt
these criteria which are set out in Appendix II to this notice.
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Removal of time credit for drama broadcast in
"childrens prime time"
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38. A number of parties sought
clarification on whether the time credit would still be available to broadcasters airing
childrens drama in appropriate viewing times for children ("childrens
prime time"). These parties also argued that the exclusion of childrens prime
time from the time credits will have a significant negative impact on the production and
broadcast of childrens drama on conventional television. Further, it was argued that
Canadian children would increasingly watch foreign childrens programming, carried by
foreign broadcasters, which, in turn, will send Canadian childrens advertisers to
foreign broadcasters.
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39. The Commission confirms that the 150%
and 125% time credits for drama will not be available for dramatic programs that are shown
outside peak viewing hours (7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.).
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40. The Commission has examined the amount
of childrens programming broadcast by both private and public broadcasters and
concluded that there was a sufficient amount available to audiences. In Public Notice CRTC
1999-97, it stated:
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The majority of conventional English- and
French-language television broadcasters offer childrens programming on a regular
basis, and the system as a whole provides a wide variety of Canadian and foreign
programming directed to children and youth. In addition, childrens programs have an
extended life cycle, as evergreen programming enjoyed by many generations. The
recognition of the excellence of Canadian childrens programs, and its exportability
ensure its availability without a regulatory requirement.
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41. The Commissions decision to
expand the definition of peak time to between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. will provide an
appropriate viewing time for family programs. Eligible family dramas scheduled in this
period will receive either the 150% or the 125% bonus.
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42. Childrens programming is eligible
for funding as a distinct category under the CTF and a number of other production funds,
including the Shaw Childrens Programming Fund.
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43. The Commission also notes that applying
the 150% and 125% credits to childrens programming shown throughout the day could
allow licensees who broadcast a great deal of childrens programming to drastically
reduce the number of hours of priority programming broadcast during the 7 p.m. to
11 p.m. peak viewing period.
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44. Based on the factors outlined above,
the Commission has concluded that licensees forming part of the largest multi-station
ownership groups do not need an additional incentive to broadcast Canadian childrens
drama programming. However, the Commission notes that a bonus is still available to
conventional television stations that are not part of the largest multi-station ownership
groups which, for the immediate future, will continue to have access to the current 150%
credit as set out in Public Notice CRTC 1984-94.
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45. Notwithstanding the above, the
Commission acknowledges the potential risk of a decrease in the production and broadcast
of childrens drama without availability of the current 150% incentive to the largest
groups. Therefore, the Commission will continue to monitor the availability of Canadian
childrens programming in the broadcasting system and, if necessary, consider the
introduction of exhibition requirements for childrens programming for individual
licensees at licence renewal.
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Number of showings
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46. The Commission also
sought comment on the need to limit the number of broadcasts during the two-year period
for which a production can qualify for the time credit. Parties were divided on this issue
with producers seeking a limit of three to five broadcasts and broadcasters proposing
unlimited broadcasts. Some broadcasters also sought clarification as to when the two-year
window for the time credit should begin. They urged the Commission to determine that the
two-year clock does not start to run until the program is broadcast on conventional as
opposed to pay or specialty television.
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47. The Commission agrees that unlimited
broadcasts of a production may devalue productions and discourage the use of new
production. Therefore, the Commission will limit the number of broadcasts during the
two-year period for which a production can qualify for the time credit to three
broadcasts for each licensee who claims the credit.
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48. The Commission also recognizes that the
policy announced in Public Notice CRTC 1999-97 modifies the eligible time period from the
current practice under the existing credit of a two-year window for each licensee to a
two-year period from the date of the first broadcast by a licensee in the same market.
The policy rationale for this change was to support the creation of new production. In
other words, it was to prevent broadcasters from receiving the 150% or 125% credit for
dramas that have been broadcast in the same market for more than two years.
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49. The Commission considers that this new
policy should be maintained. It will provide sufficient exposure for new Canadian dramas
(each drama bonused for two years in a market), while at the same time, serve as a
catalyst for new production.
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50. The Commission agrees
with the views of some broadcasters, however, that the two-year clock should not start to
run until the program is broadcast on a conventional or specialty service as opposed to
pay television. In its submission, the CAB pointed out that it is becoming more common for
pay services to obtain an exclusive licence for a program for a period of 18 months,
leaving little time for conventional licensees to qualify for the credit.
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Co-ventures and co-productions
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51. The majority of parties considered that
co-ventures and co-productions undertaken with non-Canadian producers should qualify for
the 150% and 125% time credits if they meet the requirements.
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52. The Commission agrees with this
position and therefore, will award the 150% or the 125% bonus to co-ventures and
co-productions in the subcategories 7a) to 7e) Drama and Comedy that meet the criteria set
out in Appendix II to this notice.
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Secretary General
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This notice is available in alternative
format upon request, and may also be viewed at the following Internet site:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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Appendix I to Public Notice
CRTC 1999-205
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I. New types of priority programs
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Canadian long-form documentary programs
See subcategory 2 b) below.
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Canadian regionally-produced programs
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English-language programs at least 30
minutes long (less a reasonable amount of time for commercials, if any) in which the
principal photography occurred in Canada at a distance of more than 150 kilometres from
Montréal, Toronto or Vancouver. Programs in which the principal photography occurred on
Vancouver Island will also be considered regionally produced programs.
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French-language programs at least 30
minutes long (less a reasonable amount of time for commercials, if any) in which the
principal photography occurred in Canada at a distance of more than 150 kilometres from
Montréal.
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Programs of News (Category 1), Analysis
& Interpretation (Category 2), Reporting & Actualities (Category 3) and Sports
(Category 6) are excluded.
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Where regionally-produced programs are
logged, the program class must be "REG".
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Canadian entertainment magazine programs
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Programs at least 30 minutes long (less a
reasonable amount of time for commercials, if any) that devote at least two-thirds of
their running time (excluding commercials) to the promotion of Canadian entertainment,
including television programs, movies, soundtracks, plays, music, musical and performing
arts events, performance artists and off-screen personnel associated with these activities
and artists. Such programs may include only brief clips of performances. Where Canadian
entertainment magazine programs are logged, the program class must be "MAG".
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II. Television program categories
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Category 1 News
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Newscasts, newsbreaks, and headlines.
Programs reporting on local, regional, national, and international events. Such programs
may include weather reports, sportscasts, community news, and other related features or
segments contained within "News Programs."
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- Category 2a) Analysis and Interpretation
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Programs on various topics that include
analysis or discussion, for example, talk or panel shows, consumer affairs or reviews,
newsmagazines and documentaries that do not fall under category 2b). This category
excludes programs presenting information primarily for entertainment value.
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The Commission notes that
"Docutainment" programs, gossip or entertainment talk shows fall more
appropriately under category 11. Lifestyle magazine shows generally fall under category
5b.
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Category 2 b) Long-form documentary
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Original works of non-fiction, primarily
designed to inform but may also educate and entertain, providing an in-depth critical
analysis of a specific subject or point of view over the course of at least 30 minutes
(less a reasonable time for commercials, if any). These programs shall not be used as
commercial vehicles.
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- Category 3 Reporting & Actualities
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Programs focusing on the
coverage of conferences, political conventions, opening/closing of events (including
awards dinners) and political debates, as well as programs of a non-entertainment nature
intended to raise funds.
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Category 4 Religion
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Programs dealing with religion and
religious teachings, as well as discussions of the human spiritual condition.
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Category 5a) Formal Education &
Pre-school
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Programs presenting detailed information
related to a wide variety of topics and used by the viewer primarily to acquire knowledge.
The programs can be related to established curricula. All programs targeted at
pre-schoolers (ages 2-5) except those that are primarily comprised of drama.
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Category 5b) Informal
Education/Recreation & Leisure
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Programs presenting information on
recreation, hobby and skill development, recreational sports and outdoor activities,
travel and leisure, employment opportunities, and talk shows of an informative
("how-to") nature.
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Category 6 Sports:
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Programs of live or
live-to-tape sports events and competitions including coverage of professional and amateur
tournaments. The category also includes programs reviewing and analysing professional or
amateur competitive sports events/teams (i.e. pre- and post-game shows, magazine shows,
scripted sports, call-in and talk shows, etc.). This category includes the following
sub-categories:
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Category 6(a) Professional sports
Category 6(b) Amateur sports
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Documentaries on sports-related topics fall
under category 2. Programs on leisure and recreational sports fall under category 5b).
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Music and Entertainment
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Category 7 Drama and Comedy
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Entertainment productions
of a fictional nature, including dramatisations of real events. They must be comprised
primarily of (i.e. more than 50%) dramatic performances. Category 7 includes the following
subcategories:
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a) On-going dramatic series
b) On-going comedy series (sitcoms);
c) Specials, mini-series, and made-for-TV feature films;
d) Theatrical feature films aired on television;
e) Animated television programs and films (excludes
computer graphic productions without story lines);
f) Programs of comedy sketches, improvisations, unscripted
works, stand-up comedy; and
g) Other drama, including, but not limited to, readings,
narratives, improvisations, tapes/films of live theatre not developed specifically for
television, experimental shorts, video clips, continuous action animation (e.g. puppet
shows).
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Category 8a) Music and dance
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Programs comprised primarily (i.e. more
than 50%) of live or pre-recorded performances of music and/or dance, including opera,
operetta, ballet, and musicals. The performance portion excludes videoclips, voice-overs
or musical performances used as background.
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Category 8b) Music video clips
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Short film or videotape productions or
concert excerpts (clips) not produced primarily for the particular program in which they
are presented, which normally contain one musical selection with visual material.
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Category 8c) Music video programs
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Programs consisting
primarily (i.e. more than 50%) of music videos and in some cases including a host and
other programming elements.
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Category 9 Variety
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Programs containing
primarily (i.e. more than 50%) performances of mixed character (e.g. not exclusively music
or comedy performances) consisting of a number of individual acts such as singing,
dancing, acrobatic exhibitions, comedy sketches, monologues, magic, etc.
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Category 10 Game shows
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Programs featuring games of
skill and chance as well as quizzes.
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Category 11 General entertainment and
human interest
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Programs primarily about the world of
entertainment and its people. These programs include celebrity profiles that may use
promotional footage, talk or interview shows, award shows, galas and tributes. They also
include entertainment-oriented magazine shows; fund-raising shows which include
entertainers (i.e. telethons); reality TV, including programs of live or live-to-tape
footage without significant portions devoted to in-depth analysis or interpretation; and
coverage of community events such as carnivals, festivals, parades and fashion shows.
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Programs consisting
primarily (i.e. more than 50%) of performances fall under categories 7, 8 or 9.
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Other
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Category 12 Interstitials
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Programs with a running
time of less than 5 minutes, exclusive of advertising and other interstitial material,
consisting of material that can be described under categories 2 to 11.
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Category 13 Public service announcements
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Messages of less than 5 minutes
duration intended to educate the audience about issues of public concern, encourage public
support and awareness of a worthy cause, or promote the work of a non-profit group or
organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in local communities or in society
or the world at large. These include community billboards. These messages are not intended
to sell or promote goods or commercial services. No payment is exchanged between
broadcasters and producers for the broadcast of these messages.
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When public service
announcements are logged, the start and end times must be entered, the program class must
be "PSA" and two components of the key figure must be recorded:
"Origin" and "Category" (130). No other components should be entered.
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Category 14 Infomercials, promotional
and corporate videos
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Programming exceeding 12
minutes in length that combines information and/or entertainment with the sale or
promotion of goods or services into a virtually indistinguishable whole. This category
includes videos and films of any length produced by individuals, groups and businesses for
public relations, recruitment, etc.
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When this material is
logged, the start and end times must be entered, the program class must be
"PGI", and the category 140. No other components of the key figure should be
entered.
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Category 15 Filler programming
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Programming, in no case
longer than 30 minutes in duration, the purpose of which is to fill in the time between
the presentation of the major programs broadcast by the licensed pay services and those
specialty services authorized to distribute filler programming, and includes material that
promotes the programs or services provided by the licensee.
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Appendix II to Public Notice à CRTC 1999-205
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Criteria for time
credits for Canadian drama to be used towards the fulfilment of requirements for priority
programming
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150% Time Credit:
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The Commission will award a
150% time credit against the required hours of Priority Canadian programming for each
category 7a) to 7e) dramatic program broadcast during the peak viewing period (7- 11 p.m.)
which:
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a) is aired for the first
time on television on or after 1 September 1998;
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b) has a duration of at
least one half-hour, including a reasonable amount of time for commercial breaks;
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c) is recognized as a
Canadian program, qualifies for either a C number or an SR number from the Commission and
achieves 10 points related to the key creative positions; and
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d) contains a minimum of
90% dramatic content.
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Programs with fewer than
10 points even if each key creative function utilized in the production is filled by
a Canadian, will not qualify for this credit.
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The logging requirements applicable to the
current dramatic programming credit will also apply to the new 150% credit.
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125% Time Credit:
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The Commission will award a
125% time credit against the required hours of Priority Canadian programming for each
category 7a) to 7e) dramatic program broadcast during the peak viewing period (7- 11 p.m.)
which:
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a) is aired for the first
time on television on or after 1 September 1998;
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b) has a duration of a
least one half-hour, including a reasonable amount of time for commercial breaks; and
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c) is recognized as a
Canadian program.
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In logging such programs, indicate the
value "7" under the column heading D/C.
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Number of showings:
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150% or 125% credits will be awarded for up
to three broadcasts by each licensee of the qualified dramatic program occurring within a
two-year period from the date of the first broadcast by a specialty or conventional
licensee in the same market. Series will have a single two-year period for each cycle of
the series, commencing with the airdate of the initial episode of the series.
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