ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-243

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Route reference: Part 1 application posted on 26 February 2013

Ottawa, 14 May 2013

Odyssey Television Network Inc.
Across Canada

Application 2013-0365-1

Addition of AlphaSat to the List of non-Canadian programming services authorized for distribution

The Commission approves an application to add AlphaSat to the List of non-Canadian programming services authorized for distribution (the list) and amends the list accordingly. The revised list is available on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca under “Broadcasting Sector.”

Introduction

1. The Commission received an application dated 15 February 2013 from Odyssey Television Network Inc. (Odyssey Television) to add AlphaSat to the List of non-Canadian programming services authorized for distribution (the list). The Commission did not receive any interventions in connection with this application.

2. Odyssey Television described AlphaSat as a 24-hour Greek-language general interest channel that targets the Greek-speaking community and that consists of entertainment, cultural, documentary, and news and public affairs programming, as well as variety shows and drama series. Its programming would be sourced from Greece.

3. In Improving the diversity of third-language television services – A revised approach to assessing requests to add non-Canadian third-language television services to the lists of eligible satellite services for distribution on a digital basis, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2004-96, 16 December 2004, the Commission stated that requests to add non-Canadian general interest third-language services to the list would generally be approved, subject to any requirement it deemed appropriate. In the case of non-Canadian third-language services that provide narrowly targeted or “niche” programming, the Commission stated that it would continue to apply a case-by-case assessment to determine whether such services are partially or totally competitive with Canadian pay or specialty services.

Commission’s analysis and decision

4. In the absence of opposing interventions and in line with the Commission’s policy regarding the addition of third-language general interest services to the list, the Commission approves the application by Odyssey Television Network Inc. to add AlphaSat to the List of non-Canadian programming services authorized for distribution and amends the list accordingly. The list is available on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca under “Broadcasting Sector” and may be obtained in hard copy on request.

Secretary General

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