The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has launched a wide-ranging public consultation on Canadian programming.

The consultation topics include modernizing the definition of Canadian content, expenditure requirements for Canadian content, the use of data in measuring and reporting performance as well as the artificial intelligence within the system.

As part of the consultation, the CRTC has published some of its preliminary views on potential changes to the system. Among them is an increase of the Cancon points system from 10 to 15 to include key roles such as showrunner, head of costume design, key hair/makeup artists and VFX directors.

Additionally, the CRTC is proposing to remove requirements for programs of national interest (PNI) altogether. Canadian programming expenditures (CPE) would only be implemented for online and traditional audiovisual undertakings that earn at least $25 million in annual Canadian gross broadcasting revenues – either individually or part of a larger broadcasting ownership group.

As part of the public notice, the Commission posed dozens of questions for public comment, including on the topics of creative and financial control.

Members of the industry and the public are able to send comments to the CRTC by Jan. 20, 2025. Following the online consultation period, the CRTC will hold a public hearing on the matter starting March 31, 2025.

As part of the announcement, the CRTC unveiled it has accelerated its regulatory framework to implement the Online Streaming Act to end in spring 2025, rather than in 2026. The Commission launched a consultation on the modernization of the radio system on Friday as well, also open until Jan. 20.

A consultation on the market dynamics between small and larger players in the Canadian system will open sometime this fall, according to the schedule.

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