Federal Government Upholds CRTC Decisions on Satellite Pay-Per-View Television Licences
OTTAWA, June 4, 1998 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced that the Government has decided to uphold the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decisions 98-76, 98-77 and 98-78 dealing with three Direct-To-Home (DTH) pay-per-view satellite television undertakings. The CRTC decisions remove conditions of licence related to distribution rights of feature films.On April 21, 1998, the Canadian Association of Film Distributors and Exporters, supported by other cultural organizations, submitted a petition asking Cabinet to refer back to the CRTC the decisions that removed the condition of licence requiring Canal Indigo, Home Theatre and Viewer's Choice to purchase broadcast rights for certain foreign feature films from Canadian film distributors.
The Government found the CRTC's decisions to be consistent with the objectives of the Broadcasting Act.
In making the announcement, Minister Copps said Canadian satellite television companies need to be able to offer a full range of pay-per-view programming in order to compete effectively with cable pay-per-view operators and with American "grey market" satellite services. The success of Canadian satellite television services will help to ensure that Canadians have access to more Canadian programming, including more Canadian feature films.
The Government is committed to the development of a strong Canadian film and television industry, which includes a distinct Canadian market for film and television rights. The feature film policy review and the CRTC's policy review on Canadian programming now underway will be examining ways to achieve this objective.
Information:
Jacques Lefebvre
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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