The CRTC has approved an application for mandatory distribution [9(1)(h) status] made by The News Forum for its national news service.
Launched in 2020, the right-of-centre news channel features programs including Boom or Bust, hosted by former Conservative cabinet minister Tony Clement and The Buck Stops Here, helmed by former BNN Bloomberg host Catherine Murray, among other shows.
Back in May, the commission approved The News Forum’s application for a broadcasting licence to operate its national news discretionary service, which was launched in 2020 and previously operated as an exempt service.
As part of its application for a licence to operate, The News Forum requested 9(1)(h) status. The commission found the service generally met the criteria but was unable to determine whether the channel met the requirement to provide updated news reports every 120 minutes during the broadcast day.
The News Forum is now in line with the commission’s updated Distribution of National News Discretionary Services guidelines.
There were no interventions submitted on the application.
