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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-172
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Ottawa, 5 June 2003 |
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Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Across Canada |
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Application 2003-0173-9
Public Hearing at Québec, Quebec
8 April 2003 |
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Acquisition of assets
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1. |
The Commission approves the application
by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), for authority to acquire the
assets of the Category 1 digital specialty service Country Canada from
3899071 Canada Inc. (3899071). The CBC also requested a broadcasting licence
to continue the operation of the undertaking. |
2. |
The Commission did not receive any interventions
in connection with this application. |
3. |
The current licensee of Country Canada, 3899071,
is a wholly owned subsidiary of the CBC. While approval of this application
will result in the dissolution of 3899071, no change in the programming or
control of the undertaking will result. |
4. |
The CBC stated that it would honour all
commitments noted in Transfer of effective control of 3899071 Canada Inc.,
Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-336,
24 October 2002 and in Country Canada – Licence amendment,
Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-96, 14 March
2003. Specifically, the CBC indicated that it would continue to maintain
accounts for Country Canada separate from those of the CBC television
networks, file annual statements of account relating to Country Canada's
specific revenues and expenditures, and increase the level of Canadian
content on the service from 60% to 80% by the end of the licence term. Each
of these commitments is the subject of an existing condition of licence. |
5. |
The Commission will issue the licence for
Country Canada once 3899071 has surrendered the current licence to the
Commission. The licence will expire on 31 August 2007, the current expiry
date. It will be subject to the same terms and conditions as those in effect
under the current licence. |
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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 at the following Internet site:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca |