The CRTC has introduced a new fee structure, taking effect April 1 that will see traditional broadcasters pay a lower percentage of total fees. Drafted with an eye to striking a fair balance between the regulatory fees paid by traditional broadcasters and online streaming services, the Broadcasting Fees Regulations are calculated and based on broadcasting revenues. Licencees are also benefiting from the abolishment of Part II fees, formerly charged to hold a broadcast licence. Broadcasters will now pay a single fee, financing the commission’s regulatory activities. Revenue excluded from the new fee structure includes audiobook, podcasting, and video game services. Advertising-based Video on Demand, online news undertakings and revenues of online undertakings themselves that provide social media services derived from their own broadcasting activities, such as ad or subscription revenues, are to be included in the revenue calculation. Read more here.
The CRTC is launching a public consultation to gather views on how to support Indigenous broadcasters and content creators, and to ensure Indigenous stories and voices are represented, easily found, and shared across all platforms. This is the second phase of a co-development process toward a modernized Indigenous broadcasting policy. The commission has also announced the creation of anIndigenous Relations Team to support Indigenous participation in the proceedings. Comments are being accepted until July 22.
Mirko Bibic
Bell CEO Mirko Bibic will now appear before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on April 11. While Broadcast Dialogue was among the outlets that previously reported that Bell had postponed two earlier appearances, the company said its March 19 meeting was actually delayed by the committee. Bibic, along with Bell Media President Sean Cohan, are among the executives invited to appear to speak to the company’s workforce reduction of 4,800 employees announced in February.
CBC/Radio-Canada employees represented by the Canadian Media Guild (CMG) have ratified a new collective agreement. The three-year deal, covering the period from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2027, is the shortest in almost two decades, allowing the bargaining committee to go back to the table sooner “when there are so many variables at play for CBC-SRC at the moment.” Over 2,700 members cast their votes with 89.4% in favour of the new contract, which includes an immediate wage increase of 6.1% (including two years of retro pay) on April 8 of this year, and 12.57% more in wages between March 2022 and April 2026. Read more here.
The Corus.Futures Scholarship and Internship Program is now accepting submissions from post-secondary students from underrepresented communities for the 2024-25 school year. The so.da Social Marketing Scholarship and Internship is available to students who identify as racialized, Indigenous, living with disability and/or 2SLGBTQ+, and are entering their final year of post-secondary diploma, advanced diploma or degree program with a focus on Marketing, Advertising, Multimedia Design and Development, or Communications. The Susannah Therrien Radio Scholarship and Internship is available to students who identify as women and pursuing studies in radio, while the Corus Television Broadcast Scholarship and Internship is available to students who identify as racialized, Indigenous, living with disability and/or 2SLGBTQ+ and are pursuing studies in television broadcasting. Students entering their final year of post-secondary studies in September are eligible to apply by May 31, here.
