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ARTICLE · 26 FEBRUARY 2008

CRTC Issues New Policies On Cross-Media, Television And BDU Ownership

Stikeman Elliott LLP
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On January 15, 2008, Canada's broadcasting and telecommunications regulator, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, issued new policies respecting cross-media, television and broadcast distribution.

CanadaAntitrust/Competition Law
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Stikeman Elliott LLP
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On January 15, 2008, Canada's broadcasting and telecommunications regulator, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), issued new policies respecting cross-media, television and broadcast distribution undertaking (BDU, e.g., a cable or satellite TV provider) ownership 1. Under these policies, as a general rule:

  • a person will be permitted to control undertakings in only two of three types of media (radio, conventional "over-the-air" television and newspapers) serving the same (local) market (cross-media ownership policy);
  • the CRTC will not approve applications for transfers of effective control that would result in common ownership of television undertakings (conventional, specialty and pay) with a total national audience share (across all types) greater than 45%, will carefully examine applications that would result in a share between

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