The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has denied Accessible Media Inc.’s (AMI) application to increase the wholesale rates for its discretionary services AMI-tv and AMI-télé.

AMI had requested that the CRTC increase the per subscriber monthly wholesale rate for English-language channel AMI-tv up one cent to $0.21. For French-language channel AMI-télé, it requested a two cent increase to $0.30. The rates would go into effect for the current broadcast licence period, which expires on Aug. 31, 2026.

In its application, AMI said the increase would bring in about $1.33 million in additional revenue for AMI-tv and $1.29 million for AMI-télé. The added revenue would be invested in its Canadian programming, which focuses on positive representation for individuals with a disability, as well as AI tech for described video, closed captioning and sign language applications.

The company estimated the investment would lead to 25 additional hours of content across scripted and unscripted programs. Current programming on AMI includes satirical news program The Squeaky Wheel: Canada (Hitsby Entertainment; pictured) and reality series By Hook or By Cook (Render Digital Media).

AMI argued that it could not wait until 2026 for a rate review due to decreases in its revenue and BDU subscriptions. The company said it cut its workforce by 30% in 2022 and reduced its in-house production to outsource to independent producers.

The Commission said it denied the request because AMI had not demonstrated an “immediate financial need” for the revenue increase and “did not propose clear and substantial programming changes that would significantly improve the services following a rate increase.”

AMI president and CEO David Errington said the company is “disappointed in the CRTC’s decision” in a statement to Playback Daily. “AMI will continue to pursue reliable sources of revenue in order to fulfill our mission to entertain, inform and empower Canadians with disabilities through the offering of relevant original content,” he said.

The application had received more than 150 interventions, including many from viewers and independent producers in support of AMI’s role in providing disability representation in the media. Several BDUs, including Rogers Communications and Bell Canada, opposed the request, arguing that a rate increase should not be assessed until the amended Broadcasting Act has been fully implemented.

The CRTC noted in its decision that it will review support provided to must-carry services as part of its ongoing modernization process for the Broadcasting Act. The current regulatory plan includes consultations on diversity and inclusion in the broadcasting system, which is currently slated for late 2025.

Image courtesy of AMI