The CBC has formally requested the CRTC to reverse a ban preventing the broadcaster from airing foreign feature films after September.

The ban came into effect when the CBC was in its licence renewal negotiations with the broadcast regulator in 2000. As part of the licence renewal, the CRTC gave CBC 36 months ‘to liquidate the inventory of films for which we already had the broadcast rights at the time of the decision,’ says CBC spokesperson Jason MacDonald.

Three years later, CBC is hoping the regulator will overturn that decision as the window comes to a close.

MacDonald says CBC is hopeful for the rule reversal, citing a long-standing commitment to Canadian-produced content to the broadcasters’ credit.

‘Canadian content has a place on our networks,’ says MacDonald. ‘Now more than ever our English- and French-language networks are offering more distinctly Canadian content, and the peak time in our schedule is nearly 90% Canadian programming.’

MacDonald says CBC wants the ban lifted, not so it can clutter the airwaves with foreign features, but rather to give its audience a more diverse selection of films for broadcast.

‘All we’re doing is looking for the flexibility to show these foreign feature films when and where they make sense,’ says MacDonald. ‘Frankly, there isn’t that much room for them with nearly 90% Canadian content as it stands.’

-www.cbc.ca