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Public Notice CRTC 1998-11
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Ottawa, 11 February 1998 |
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CALL FOR COMMENTS ON THE
COMMISSION'S POLICY AGAINST THE DISTRIBUTION OF FREE PREVIEWS OF PAY
TELEVISION AND SPECIALTY PROGRAMMING DURING MAJOR NATIONAL BROADCASTING
RATING PERIODS |
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The Commission's policy with
respect to the distribution of free previews of pay television and
specialty programming by licensees of broadcasting distribution
undertakings (BDUs) was last reviewed by the Commission in 1987 (see Public
Notice CRTC 1987-203 dated 11 September
1987). According to the policy, licensees are authorized to distribute such
previews subject to certain provisions, including one that states that:
"previews may not be exhibited during major national broadcasting rating
periods such as those conducted by BBM and Nielsen". |
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In the past, the scope and
duration of such previews have varied. The most recent case involved the
free preview of a package of programming services that included a number of
Canadian specialty services licensed by the Commission in September 1996.
This preview began in the fall of 1997 and ran for a period of
approximately three months. |
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A complaint regarding this latest
preview was contained in a recent letter to the Commission by a television
licensee. The licensee stated that, contrary to the provision noted above,
the preview overlapped with the Fall 1997 national television rating
period. It expressed concern about the impact of the preview on viewing
behaviour, on the results obtained by the audience surveys and, ultimately,
on the decisions made by advertisers regarding the purchase of television
airtime. |
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Although the Commission
acknowledges these concerns, it also recognizes the importance placed on
free previews by the providers of new specialty services and by the
operators of BDUs, as a tool to allow consumers sufficient time to assess
these new services. It notes, as well, the infrequent occurrence of
previews related to the launch of such new services. A further
consideration might reasonably be the extent to which audience survey
results are already affected by the practice, common throughout the
television industry, of strategically scheduling popular movies and
specials during rating periods for the purpose of attracting audiences
larger than would normally be the case. |
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Given the above, as well as the
length of time that the current policy has been in place without review and
the many changes that have occurred within the Canadian broadcasting system
during that same period, the Commission hereby calls for public comments on
whether its policy concerning previews should be amended through removal of
the provision that such previews not be exhibited during major national
broadcasting rating periods. |
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Comments should be submitted on
or before Friday, 13 March 1998 and be addressed to the
Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2. While receipt of comments
by interested parties will not be acknowledged, the comments will be
considered by the Commission and will form part of the public proceeding. |
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Laura M. Talbot-Allan
Secretary General |
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This document is available in alternative format upon
request. |