Changes to upcoming TV licence renewals worry arts group

The CRTC is set to review the licences of private TV broadcasters this spring, but the federal regulator's recent announcement that it will reconsider the scope of the upcoming hearings is causing some anxiety in the arts community.

Citing concerns over the flagging economy voiced by private, over-the-air broadcasters, the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission announced last week that it will determine if the focus of April's renewal hearings can be "significantly narrowed or reduced." The regulator plans to reveal its decision on Feb. 16.

However, the revelation set off alarm bells for some who are worried the CRTC could make allowances that would hurt domestic productions, such as a relaxation of Canadian content regulations.

"We've heard the private broadcasters raise all sorts of alarms about the economic crisis and asking to reduce [their] obligations and conditions of licence.… That's a major concern that we have. It will affect what Canadians see on their screens," said Alain Pineau, national director of the Canadian Conference of the Arts.

"It is somewhat disturbing to see that the scope will be narrowed down. To what? We don't know."

Under the Broadcasting Act, the CRTC grants licences to radio and television broadcasters for up to seven years. Renewal is often a formality unless, for instance, significant complaints have been registered against the broadcaster.

However, in certain cases, the CRTC can also grant a temporary renewal — perhaps lasting just one or two years — that stipulates a host of specific conditions that must be met before the broadcaster in question can secure a full licence renewal.

Ian Morrison, spokesman for watchdog agency Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, said that given the economy — and especially the financial woes of major industry player Canwest Global Communications — it is understandable that the CRTC might make changes to the upcoming hearings.

"They should not be making seven-year decisions about broadcasting entities in a recession, where one of the major players might be failing," Morrison said.

He also called for patience, saying that the community should reserve judgment of the CRTC until it reveals its decision on Feb. 16.