The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has set the threshold and conditions for online streaming services under the Broadcasting Act.

The Commission issued two decisions on Friday (Sept. 29) following its first round of public consultations, launched on May 12.

The first decision outlines exemptions from regulation, including online undertakings with annual broadcasting revenue of less than $10 million in Canada — either independent platforms or part of a broadcasting ownership group — and undertakings with the single purpose of providing video-game or audiobook services.

Any online undertakings that do not fall under those exemptions are expected to register with the CRTC by Nov. 28. The Commission also specified that users who upload content to social media platforms are not subject to the Broadcasting Act and do not need to register.

The Commission said the list of registered online undertakings will be published on its website, as well as basic information, including the type of broadcasting service provided.

The CRTC also set a number of conditions for online streaming services to operate in Canada, which go into effect immediately. Among the conditions is that streamers must provide information related to content and subscriptions, as well as a requirement to ensure content is available to all internet users in Canada, and is not tied to a specific mobile or internet service.

Among the services that do fall under regulation are undertakings that provide transactional VOD services for program rental or purchase, podcasts, social media services, adult content and online news.

The CRTC did not, however, impose conditions on dispute resolutions, adding that issues related to those processes will need to be addressed as a future public proceeding.

The Commission is still moving forward with its Nov. 20 hearings in regards to how broadcasters and online undertakings will support Canadian and Indigenous content. The hearings will run for three weeks and include testimonies from 129 intervenors, according to a news release.

“We are developing a modern broadcasting framework that can adapt to changing circumstances,” said Vicky Eatrides, chairperson and CEO of the CRTC, in a statement. “To do that, we need broad engagement and robust public records. We appreciate the significant participation during this first phase and look forward to hearing a diversity of perspectives at our contributions proceeding in November.”

Updated Oct. 2

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