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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-491
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Ottawa, 8 September 2006 |
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Saskatchewan Telecommunications
Across Canada |
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Application 2005-0470-6
Public Hearing at Edmonton, Alberta
19 June 2006 |
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Pay-per-view service
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In this decision, the Commission
approves an application by Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel)
for a broadcasting licence to operate a national, general interest
terrestrial pay-per-view service composed of, but not limited to, live
sports, concerts and other events, replays of live events, pre-recorded
events, local programming and adult programming. |
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The application
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1. |
The Commission received an application by
Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel) for a broadcasting licence to
operate a national, general interest terrestrial pay-per-view (PPV)
programming undertaking. |
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2. |
The proposed terrestrial PPV service would
be composed of, but not limited to, live sports, concerts and other
events, replays of live events, pre-recorded events, local programming
and adult programming. As much as 85% of the programming would be drawn
from 6(a) (Professional sports), as set out in Item 6 of Schedule 1 of
the Pay Television Regulations, 1990 (Pay Television
Regulations), as amended from time to time. Other programming would be
drawn from categories 3 (Reporting & Actualities), 6(b) (Amateur
sports), 7(f) (Programs of comedy sketches, improvisations, unscripted
works, stand-up comedy), 8(a) (Music and dance other than 8(b) or 8(c),
9 (Variety), 11 (General entertainment and human interest) and 15
(Filler programming). The applicant also stated that the service would
include no feature films. While programming would be predominantly in
the English-language, the applicant indicated that French-language
programming and programming in other languages would be offered in
accordance with audience demand. |
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Related applications
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3. |
The Commission notes that SaskTel also
filed related applications to amend the licence of its various broadcasting
distribution undertakings (BDU) in Saskatchewan, as well as the licence
of its regional, Saskatchewan-based video-on-demand (VOD) undertaking.
The Commission’s determinations with respect to these applications
are set out in Licence amendments related to the funding and provision
of an outlet for local expression, Broadcasting Decision CRTC
2006-490 (Decision 2006-490),
also released today. |
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Outlet for local expression
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4. |
In the applications that are the subject
of Decision 2006-490, SaskTel proposed
to offer an outlet for local expression that would be delivered as
part of its PPV service. The proposed community programming provided
on the outlet for local expression, while free of charge, would otherwise
differ from that distributed on a traditional community channel, where
programs are delivered to subscribers at set times in accordance with
a schedule. SaskTel proposed to work with community members, local
clubs, and local production companies to create a range of programming
that would reflect the communities in each of the licensed areas served
by SaskTel’s BDUs1
and the province as a whole. |
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5. |
SaskTel indicated that less than 10% of the
proposed programming available on its PPV service would be local or
community-related programming, and that it would consist primarily
of amateur sports. Consistent with the programming requirements set
out in Policy framework for community-based media, Broadcasting
Public Notice CRTC 2002-61,
10 October 2002, regarding the community programming offered by a
community channel, SaskTel also committed to ensure that at least
60% of the community programming titles would be dedicated to local
community television programming, and at least 30% of its community
programming titles would be dedicated to community access television
programming. |
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6. |
Pay-per-view services are subject to the
Pay Television Regulations, which include a prohibition against the
distribution of programming produced by the licensee or a related
person, other than filler programming, except as otherwise provided in a
condition of licence. The applicant requested a condition of licence
that would permit it to distribute such programming provided that it is
limited to no more than 10% of the programming offered by the PPV
service. |
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7. |
In addition, SaskTel proposed to deduct
amounts from the contributions to Canadian programming required of its
BDUs under section 29 of the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations
(the Distribution Regulations). In recognition of expenditures on
its outlet for local expression distributed as part of its PPV service,2
SaskTel also requested that its BDU licence be amended through the
addition of a condition of licence that would recognize these
expenditures as contributions to local expression under the scheme set
out in section 29 of the Distribution Regulations. |
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Independent programming committee
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8. |
The applicant explained that the
programming offered on the outlet for local expression would be
comparable to that usually found on a traditional community channel, but
would be delivered to subscribers on the same basis as its PPV
programming, although at no charge. SaskTel stated that it would be
willing to adhere to specific terms of reference for the operation of an
independent programming committee (IPC) that it would establish for the
purpose of ensuring that programming distributed on the outlet for local
expression reflects the freedom of expression and journalistic,
creative, and programming independence contemplated in the Direction
to the CRTC (Ineligibility to Hold Broadcasting Licences) SOR/85-627,
27 June 1985, as amended by SOR/97-231, 22 April 1997 (the Direction). |
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Sponsorship messages
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9. |
SaskTel requested that it be permitted to
distribute sponsorship and commercial messages exclusively as part of
its outlet for local expression programming, as permitted on community
channels under section 27 of the Distribution Regulations. Since the Pay
Television Regulations prohibit the distribution of programming that
contains any commercial messages, SaskTel suggested the addition of a
condition of licence to allow it to distribute such sponsorship and
commercial messages. |
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Exhibition of Canadian programming
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10. |
In its application, SaskTel stated it was
unable to commit to a specific number of Canadian titles that would be
made available to customers as the negotiations with potential content
providers were underway at the time it filed its application. However,
the applicant proposed to provide a minimum of four English-language
Canadian events per year and an overall ratio of Canadian to
non-Canadian events of at least 1:7, consistent with the requirements of
some other PPV services. |
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Interventions
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11. |
The Commission received interventions in
support of and in opposition to this application, as well as comments on
the general approach that should be taken by the Commission regarding
the specific proposals set out in SaskTel’s application. |
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12. |
Access Communications Co-operative Limited
(Access) filed an opposing intervention alleging that approval of this
application would contravene the Direction, which stipulates that Her
Majesty in right of any province or agents of Her Majesty in right of
any province may not be granted a broadcasting licence. |
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13. |
In addition, Access alleged this application
would contravene the prohibition on operating a community channel
established by the Commission in New cable distribution undertaking
in Saskatchewan, Decision CRTC 2001-171,
12 March 2001 (Decision 2001-171).
In Access’ view, if approved, the proposed PPV service would enable
SaskTel to provide a community channel via its PPV service and therefore,
would call into question the integrity of the Commission’s decision
with respect to SaskTel’s BDU. |
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14. |
Access also stated that the approval of
SaskTel’s request to produce and co-produce local and community
programming would represent a significant departure from the current
regulatory framework for PPV services. |
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15. |
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters
(CAB) focused its comments on the proposed local community programming
that would be offered as part of the PPV service. The CAB did not
oppose, in principle, the provision of a pay-per-view local community
programming service provided that it complies with all relevant policy
and regulatory requirements applicable to community channels, including
the policies and guidelines regarding sponsorship messages. |
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16. |
Rogers Cable Communications Inc. (RCCI)
also filed comments regarding this application. RCCI had no objection to
SaskTel’s proposal to offer community programming as part of its
existing VOD and its proposed PPV service as long as all VOD and PPV
licensees would be permitted to do likewise. RCCI suggested that, rather
than providing such authority on a case-by-case basis, the Commission
amend the Pay Television Regulations to allow all VOD and PPV licensees
to offer community programming. It also suggested that all VOD and PPV
licensees should be permitted to distribute up to 10% of the total
programming made available on their services as community programming
produced by themselves or by a related person, and to distribute
commercial, sponsorship or credit messages along with the community
programming. Finally, RCCI proposed that any VOD and PPV licensee that
offers community programming should also be allowed to allocate 2% of
its annual 5% contribution to fund the provision of the community
programming. |
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Licensee’s replies
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17. |
In response to Access’ concern regarding
SaskTel’s programming independence, the applicant submitted that there
are sufficient concrete safeguards to address the intervener’s concern,
including the presence of an independent board of directors working with
management to decide on daily operations, the Order in Council voted by
the government of Saskatchewan that provides SaskTel with programming
independence and protection from political interference, and its
commitment to establish an independent programming committee to ensure
that the outlet for local expression programming is free of any
political interference and is representative of all communities served.
SaskTel added that the proposal for an outlet for local expression as
part of its PPV application does not represent a threat to the integrity
of the Commission’s licensing process regarding its decision to prohibit
SaskTel to operate a community channel in Decision 2001-171 since this
application is to obtain a licence to operate a PPV service, not a
community channel. |
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18. |
As for the comments filed by the CAB and
RCCI, SaskTel suggested that they raised matters that would be more
appropriately addressed by the Commission. |
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Commission’s analysis and determination
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Outlet for local expression
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19. |
The Commission notes that approval of SaskTel’s
application would allow the introduction of a model for the provision
of local expression that differs considerably from the traditional
model followed over the last four decades, whereby community programming
has been distributed on community channels. While such approval would
represent, at the very least, an evolutionary departure from the offerings
of conventional PPV undertakings, it would be in keeping with the
Commission’s intention, as originally expressed in New Regulatory
Framework for Broadcasting Distribution Undertakings, Public Notice
1997-25, 11 March 1997,
to encourage innovative proposals for providing outlets for local
expression. |
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20. |
In this particular instance, the Commission
considers that there are a number of benefits that would be realized
through implementation of the applicant’s plans, not the least of which
would be the provision of community programming to SaskTel’s BDU
subscribers, who do not currently have access to such programming. In
addition, SaskTel subscribers would benefit from the ability of the
applicant’s digital distribution platform to provide virtually unlimited
shelf space for community programming and offer diversity of choice on
an on-demand basis rather than in accordance with any fixed schedule.
Further, the Commission acknowledges that this application is yet
another demonstration of the evolution of PPV and VOD services in
Canada. |
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21. |
The Commission notes SaskTel’s willingness
to adhere to conditions of licence establishing requirements for the
provision of community programming, thereby ensuring that its
programming would essentially parallel that offered by BDUs on their
community channels, pursuant to sections 27, 27.1 and 28 of the
Distribution Regulations. In particular, the Commission notes that,
consistent with section 27.1, at least 60% of the program offering would
be local community television programming, and at least 30% would be
community access television programming. |
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22. |
In the circumstances, the Commission also
considers that it would be appropriate to permit SaskTel to distribute
programming on the proposed outlet for local expression, up to 10% of
which would be produced by it or by a related person. |
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23. |
The Commission has considered RCCI’s
suggestions relating to a general approach for all licensees to offer
community programming on VOD and/or PPV services, and to amend the Pay
Television Regulations rather than authorize VOD and PPV licensees to do
so on a case-by-case basis. Given that this is an exception to the
traditional model of a community channel generally offered by BDUs, the
Commission considers it appropriate to consider such applications on a
case-by-case basis. |
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Independent programming committee
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24. |
The Commission has given careful
consideration to the concerns of Access regarding the potential for
provincial government interference in the programming offered by SaskTel
on its outlet for local expression. The Commission has also examined the
commitments offered by the applicant to alleviate those concerns. |
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25. |
The Commission notes that the purpose of
the Direction is to ensure that a municipal or a provincial government
does not use a broadcasting licence to promote its own political agenda.
As discussed in Decision 2006-490, the
Commission considers that the applicant’s commitments outlined above
with respect to the creation and operation of an independent program
committee to oversee SaskTel’s programming, in accordance with established
terms of reference, will serve to ensure that the programming fully
reflects and preserves the applicant’s "freedom of expression
and journalistic, creative, and programming independence", as
required by the Direction. |
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26. |
The Commission also notes the applicant’s
commitment, in its BDU and VOD amendment applications, to address
concerns about programming of a partisan political character, to comply
with a condition of licence requiring that it ensure that all accredited
political parties are allocated an equal number of titles of equal
duration in its programming offerings during an election period, and
that it not have any programming of a partisan political character in
its programming offerings during provincial election periods. |
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27. |
The Commission is satisfied that these
commitments adequately address the concerns of interveners with respect
to the applicant’s ability and its resolve, as an independent carrier
within the meaning provided in the Direction, to exercise "freedom of
expression, and journalistic, creative and programming independence".
The Commission is further satisfied that the Commission would be able to
respond effectively, on a case-by-case basis, to any complaint it might
receive about the operation of the proposed outlet for local expression. |
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Sponsorship messages
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28. |
Since SaskTel’s proposed outlet for local
expression is, in many respects, similar to a community channel offered
by a BDU, the Commission is of the view that it is appropriate to allow
SaskTel to broadcast sponsorship messages, as permitted on community
channels under section 27 of the Distribution Regulations. |
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Exhibition of and expenditures on Canadian programming
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29. |
The Commission considers that, given the
evolving programming strategies of PPV services, and their ability to
broadcast programming from a range of programming categories or genres,
it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that a proportion of all
program titles, be Canadian. Normally, the Commission would require a
PPV licensee to ensure that a minimum number of Canadian feature films
and a minimum percentage of non-feature films titles be Canadian. In
this case, the Commission notes that SaskTel will not offer feature
films as part of its PPV offering. Accordingly, rather than impose a
minimum yearly ratio of Canadian to non-Canadian events, as requested by
the applicant, the Commission is imposing conditions of licence,
as set out in the appendix A to this decision, requiring the licensee to
abide by the following: for English-language programming, the licensee
must, in each broadcast year, ensure that a minimum of four
English-language Canadian based events per year; and a minimum of 20% of
all programs titles, are Canadian. |
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30. |
Also, consistent with the Commission’s
requirement that the licensee contribute a minimum of 5% of its gross
annual revenues derived from its PPV broadcasting activities to one or
more independently-administered Canadian production funds to support the
development of Canadian programming, SaskTel indicated it would direct
80% of its contributions to the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) and the
remaining 20% to the Saskatchewan Film and Video Development Corporation
(SaskFilm). A condition of licence to this effect is set out in
Appendix A to this decision. |
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Closed captioning
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31. |
The Commission is committed to improving
service to viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, and has consistently
encouraged broadcasters to increase the amount of closed captioned
programming that they provide. It is the Commission’s current practice
to require new PPV services to provide closed captioning for a minimum
of 90% of all titles offered, by no later than the beginning of the
sixth year of the first licence term. |
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32. |
In its application, SaskTel committed to
close caption 90% of its programming beginning in the sixth year of the
licence term. A condition of licence to this effect is set out in
Appendix A to this decision. |
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French-language programming
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33. |
As noted above, SaskTel indicated that
it would provide French-language programming and programming in other
languages according to audience demand. In Introductory statement
to Decisions CRTC 2000-733
to 2000-738:
Licensing of new video-on-demand and pay-per-view services, Public
Notice CRTC 2000-172,
14 December 2000 (Public Notice 2000-172),
the Commission underscored the importance it places on subscribers
being able to select programming in the official language of their
choice. Accordingly, as part of its licensing framework for PPV services,
the Commission stated that it would expect, to the maximum extent
possible, that each PPV service would make its program offering available
to customers in both official languages, and expected that licensees
would adhere to their commitments with respect to French-language
programming. The Commission reiterates these expectations and confirms
their applicability to SaskTel’s proposed terrestrial PPV service. |
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Programming packages
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34. |
In accordance with its policy set out in
Public Notice 2000-172,
the Commission expects the applicant to limit to one week the total
period during which the programming in programming packages may be
viewed with the exception of packages of events programming, such
as seasonal sports or concert series. |
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Adult programming
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35. |
In Industry code on programming standards
and practices governing pay, pay-per-view and video-on-demand
services, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2003-10,
6 March 2003 (Public Notice 2003-10;
Industry code of programming standards), the Commission approved and
announced a new code in order to more effectively address the broadcast
of adult programming on pay, PPV and VOD services. |
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36. |
The Commission notes that SaskTel confirmed
that its PPV service would abide by the internal policy on adult programming
that was filed with the Commission as part of its VOD licence application
(Application 2002-0977-7, New video-on-demand service for Saskatchewan,
Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-451,
5 September 2003), as contemplated in Public Notice 2003-10. |
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37. |
The Commission expects the applicant to
adhere to its internal policy on adult programming. Further, the
Commission is imposing a condition of licence, as set out in
Appendix A to this decision, requiring the applicant to abide by the
Industry code of programming standards. |
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Cultural diversity
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38. |
The Commission expects the applicant to
endeavour, through its programming and employment opportunities, to
reflect the presence in Canada of ethnocultural minorities, Aboriginal
peoples, and persons with disabilities. The Commission further expects
the applicant to ensure that the on-screen portrayal of such groups is
accurate, fair and non-stereotypical. |
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Service to persons who are blind or whose vision is impaired
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39. |
The Commission is committed to improving
the accessibility of television programming for persons with visual
impairments through the provision of audio description and video
description (also known as described video). SaskTel indicated that the
nature of the proposed programming would consist predominantly of sports
events and concerts which would naturally provide audio description. The
applicant also committed to acquire the described versions of its
programming when appropriate and/or possible. Accordingly, the
Commission expects SaskTel to provide an audio description of all
programming that provides textual or graphic information. The Commission
also expects SaskTel to acquire and make available described versions of
programming, where possible, and to ensure that its customer service
responds to the needs of visually impaired customers. |
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Employment equity
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40. |
In accordance with Implementation of an
employment equity policy, Public Notice CRTC 1992-59,
1 September 1992, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider
employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other
aspects of its management of human resources. |
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Conclusion
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41. |
Based on its examination of this application,
and taking into account the Commission’s determinations set out above,
the Commission is satisfied that this application is in conformity
with the licensing framework for PPV services as set out in Public
Notice 2000-172. |
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42. |
Accordingly, the Commission approves
the application by Saskatchewan Telecommunications for a broadcasting
licence to operate a national general interest terrestrial PPV
programming undertaking. |
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43. |
The licence will expire 31 August 2013, and
will be subject to the conditions of licence specified therein,
and to the further conditions of licence set out in Appendix A. |
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Issuance of the licence
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44. |
A licence for this undertaking will be
issued once the applicant has informed the Commission in writing that it
is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking must be operational
at the earliest possible date and, in any event, no later than 24 months
from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of
time is approved by the Commission before 8 September 2008. In order to
ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be
submitted at least 60 days before that date. |
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Secretary General |
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This decision is to be appended to the
licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may
also be examined in PDF format or in
HTML at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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Appendix A to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-491
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Conditions of licence
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1. The licensee shall provide a national, general interest
terrestrial pay-per-view programming service generally consisting
of, but not limited to, live sports, concerts and other events,
replays of live events, pre-recorded events, local programming and
adult programming. The service shall consist of programming drawn
from categories 3 (Reporting & Actualities), 6(a) (Professional
sports), 6(b) (Amateur sports), 7(f) (Programs of comedy sketches,
improvisations, unscripted works, stand-up comedy), 8(a) (Music and
dance other than 8(b) or 8(c), 9 (Variety), 11 (General
entertainment and human interest) and 15 (Filler programming) as set
out in item 6 of Schedule 1 of the Pay Television Regulations,
1990, as amended from time to time.
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2. The licensee shall adhere to the Pay Television
Regulations, 1990, with the exception of section 3(2)(d)
(commercial messages), section 3(2)(e) (programming produced by the
licensee); and section 3(2)(f) (programming produced by a person
related to the licensee).
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3. The licensee shall not include as part of its pay-per-view
offering any program containing a commercial message except as
otherwise provided in the conditions of licence relating to local
expression.
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4. The licensee is authorized, as an exception to sections
3(2)(e) and 3(2)(f) of the Pay Television Regulations, 1990,
to distribute programming, other than filler programming, which is
produced by the licensee or by a person related to the licensee, but
such programming shall not exceed, in each broadcast year, 10% of
the total hours of its Canadian programming broadcast in each
broadcast year.
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5. (1) Subject to sections 5.(2) and 5.(3) below, the following
programming will qualify as local expression for the purpose of
contributions to local expression by a broadcasting distribution
undertaking:
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(a) community programming;
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(b) a public service announcement;
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(c) an information program funded by and produced for a
federal, provincial or municipal government or agency or a public
service organization;
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(d) the question period of the legislature of the province of
Saskatchewan in which each of SaskTel’s BDU licensed areas are
located;
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(e) a still image programming service as described in Public Notice
CRTC 1993-51, entitled
Exemption Order Respecting Still Image Programming Service Undertakings,
if the service is produced by the licensee or by members of the
community served by the undertaking and does not contain commercial
messages, other than commercial messages contained within the programming
service of a licensed radio station; or
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(f) the programming of a community programming undertaking.
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(2) The community programming offered pursuant to section
5.(1)(a) above may include:
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(a) an announcement providing information about the community
programming that is offered as local expression;
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(b) a commercial message that mentions or displays the name of
a person who sponsored a community event or the goods, services or
activities sold or promoted by the person, if the mention or
display is in the course of, and incidental to the production of,
community programming relating to the event;
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(c) an oral or written acknowledgement, that may include a
moving visual presentation of no more than 15 seconds per message,
contained in community programming that mentions no more than the
name of a person, a description of the goods, services or
activities that are being sold or promoted by the person, and
their address and telephone number, if the person provided direct
financial assistance for the community programming in which the
acknowledgement is contained; and
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(d) an oral or a written acknowledgement contained in community
programming that mentions no more than the name of a person, the
goods or services provided by the person and their address and
telephone number, if the person provided the goods or services
free of charge to the licensee for use in connection with the
production of the community programming in which the
acknowledgement is contained.
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(3) The programming offered as local expression will qualify as
local expression for purposes of the contributions to local
expression by a broadcasting distribution undertaking if:
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(a) the licensee establishes an independent programming
committee in accordance with the terms of reference set out in
Appendix B to this decision, as amended and approved by the
Commission from time to time, with a view to ensuring that the
licensee enjoys freedom of expression and journalistic, creative
and programming independence in the pursuit of its objects and in
the exercise of its powers;
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(b) the programming is offered to subscribers on an on-demand
basis at no charge;
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(c) the licensee devotes not less than 60% of the programming
offered as local expression for each of SaskTel’s BDU licensed
areas to local community television programming;
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(d) the licensee devotes not less than 30% of the programming
offered as local expression to community access television
programming;
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(e) the licensee devotes from 30% to 50% of the programming
offered as local expression to community access television
programming, according to requests;
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(f) where, during an election period, the licensee offers
programming that is of a partisan political character, the
licensee shall allocate an equal number of titles of equal
duration for all accredited parties and rival candidates.
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(g) the licensee shall not offer any programming of a partisan
political character during provincial election periods.
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6. With respect to English-language programming, the licensee
shall, through its agreements with the licensees of terrestrial
broadcasting distribution undertakings, ensure that in, each
broadcast year, the following is made available by these licensees
to their PPV subscribers:
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a. a minimum of 4 English-language Canadian based events per
year; and
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b. a minimum of 20% of all program titles must be Canadian.
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7. The licensee shall contribute a minimum of 5% of its gross annual
revenues derived from its PPV broadcasting activities to one or
more independently-administered Canadian production funds, to support
the development of Canadian programming, provided that these funds
meet the criteria set out in Contributions to Canadian programming
by broadcasting distribution undertakings, Public Notice CRTC
1997-98, 22 July 1997,
as amended from time to time. Contributions shall take the form
of monthly instalments, to be remitted within 45 days of month’s
end, and representing a minimum of 5% of that month’s gross revenues.
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8. The licensee shall not enter into an affiliation agreement
with the licensee of a terrestrial distribution undertaking unless
the agreement incorporates a prohibition against the linkage of the
licensee’s PPV service with any non-Canadian discretionary service.
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9. The licensee shall provide closed captioning for not less than
90% of all programming aired during the broadcast year, beginning no
later than 1 September 2011.
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10. The licensee shall adhere to the guidelines on gender
portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’
Sex-role portrayal code for television and radio programming, as
amended from time to time and approved by the Commission. The
application of the foregoing condition of licence will be suspended
as long as the licensee is a member in good standing of the Canadian
Broadcast Standards Council.
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11. The licensee shall adhere to the Pay television and
pay-per-view programming code regarding violence, as
amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
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12. The licensee shall adhere to the Industry code of
programming standards and practices governing pay, pay-per-view and
video-on-demand services, as amended from time to time
and approved by the Commission.
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"community access television programming",
"community programming", "licensed area", and "local community
television programming" shall have the meaning set out in section 1 of
the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations. |
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Appendix B to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-491
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Independent Programming Committee
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In order to ensure programming
independence, the licensee will establish an Independent Programming
Committee in accordance with the following: |
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1) There shall be a committee of nine (9)
persons, one person from each of the broadcasting distribution
undertakings’ licensed areas, to be known as the Independent Programming
Committee that shall be responsible for making all programming
decisions. |
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"Programming decisions" means all decisions
relating to or affecting the programming offered as local expression by
the PPV and VOD undertakings, and includes decisions relating to the
content and presentation of this programming. |
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2) The Independent Programming Committee
shall ensure the programming is in conformity with any applicable
conditions, regulations, and policies of the Canadian Radio-television
and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), as well as with the
Broadcasting Act. |
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3) The licensee shall seek nominations of
individuals from non-profit cultural, sporting, and recreational
organizations who have strong associations within the communities they
reside and a strong desire to showcase a balanced view of their
community. |
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4) To ensure a high level of citizen
participation and community involvement in the outlet for local
expression, members of the Independent Programming Committee shall seek
opportunities for program proposals and encourage submissions that
reflect the makeup of their communities from within the communities they
represent. |
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5) No member of the Independent Programming
Committee shall be a member of the Board, a director, or an employee of
the licensee or any of its affiliates. |
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6) All of the members of the Independent
Programming Committee shall be residents of the serving community they
represent. |
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7) Members of the Independent Programming
Committee shall be appointed for a period of two (2) years. |
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8) A quorum of the Independent Programming
Committee shall be a majority of its members. |
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9) Decisions of the Independent Programming
Committee shall be made by a majority of the members present at a
meeting of the Committee, either in person or by telephone. |
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10) No change shall be made to these
criteria unless prior CRTC approval is obtained. |
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Footnote:
Battleford,
Estevan, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Pilot Butte, Prince Albert,
Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Weyburn, White City and Yorkton,
Saskatchewan. |
Date Modified: 2006-09-08 |
