ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-399

Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-399

Ottawa, 5 December 2002

Astral Broadcasting Group Inc.
Across Canada

Application 2002-0338-1
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2002-43
8 August 2002

Licence amendment for Canal Z - Amendment to the definition of "broadcast day" and addition of a program category

1.

The Commission received an application by Astral Broadcasting Group Inc. to amend the licence for Canal Z, a national French-language specialty television service, by revising the condition of licence which defines "broadcast day" and by adding program category 10 - Game shows to the list of categories from which the licensee may draw its programming.

2.

The Commission did not receive any intervention in connection with this application.

Broadcast day

3.

The applicant stated that standardization of the definition of "broadcast day" would allow it to improve and facilitate management of services following the integration of Canal Z into Astral Broadcasting Group Inc.

4.

In evaluating this application, the Commission has taken into account the fact that the proposed definition of "broadcast day" would not affect the nature of the service or any other condition of licence. Accordingly, the Commission approves the proposal to amend the condition of licence for Canal Z pertaining to the definition of "broadcast day".

5.

The amended condition of licence will read as follows:

"broadcast day" means a 24-hour period beginning not earlier than 4:00 a.m.

Program categories

6.

The current condition of licence reads as follows:

1. (b) The programming provided by the licensee shall be drawn exclusively from the following categories: Category 2(a) - Analysis and interpretation, Category 2(b) - Long-form documentary, Category 5(b) - Informal education / Recreation and leisure, Category 7(a) - Ongoing dramatic series, Category 7(c) - Specials, mini-series or made-for-TV feature films, Category 11 - General entertainment and human interest, Category 12 - Interstitials, Category 13 - Public service announcements, Category 14 - Infomercials, promotional and corporate videos, as set out in Schedule I of the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990 and as defined in Public Notice CRTC 2000-92, as amended from time to time.

7.

The applicant stated that the addition of category 10 - Game shows was necessary because this component has been removed from program category 5b) as a result of the Commission's revised approach for program categories.

8.

The Commission approves the proposal to add category 10 - Game shows to the list of program categories from which Canal Z may draw its programming.

9.

The amended condition of licence 1. (b) will read as follows:

1. (b) The programming provided by the licensee shall be drawn exclusively from the following categories: Category 2(a) - Analysis and interpretation, Category 2(b) - Long-form documentary, Category 5(b) - Informal education / Recreation and leisure, Category 7(a) - Ongoing dramatic series, Category 7(c) - Specials, mini-series or made-for-TV feature films, Category 10 - Game shows, Category 11 - General entertainment and human interest, Category 12 - Interstitials, Category 13 - Public service announcements, Category 14 - Infomercials, promotional and corporate videos, as set out in Schedule I of the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990 and as defined in Public Notice CRTC 2000-92, as amended from time to time.

10.

The Commission reminds the licensee that category 10 programming must comply with Canal Z's condition of licence 1. (a) specifying the nature of the service, which reads as follows:

1. (a) The licensee shall provide a national French-language television specialty service that is dedicated entirely to science and technology, the earth and its secrets, space exploration, the paranormal and science fiction, lifestyles and computer science.

Secretary General

This decision is to be appended to the licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca