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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-20
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Ottawa, 22 January 2003
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CTV Television Inc.
Across Canada
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Application 2002-0413-1
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2002-50
28 August 2002
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CTV Travel - Licence amendment
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The Commission approves an application to amend the licence for CTV Travel by removing the restriction on the amount of category 5b (Informal education/recreation and leisure programming) that the licensee may broadcast, and by changing the definition of "broadcast day".
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The application
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1.
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The Commission received an application by CTV Television Inc. (CTV) to amend the broadcasting licence for the national Category 1 specialty television service known as CTV Travel (formerly Travel TV) by:
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- deleting its current condition of licence 1(d), which restricts the amount of category 5b (Informal education/recreation and leisure programming) that may be shown on the service to 5% of all programming broadcast during each broadcast week; and
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- amending the definition of the "broadcast day", so that it would begin at midnight, instead of 6:00 a.m.
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2.
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With regard to its first request, the applicant confirmed that it would continue to adhere to its condition of licence, which requires that all the programming offered on its service be travel or travel-related. The applicant argued that programming on recreation and leisure is a fundamental component of a travel channel and that the current restriction prevents it from broadcasting Canadian programs in this genre that feature travel themes. It also made a commitment to maintain a minimum of duplication in the programming offered by CTV Travel and another CTV specialty television service known as Outdoor Life Network.
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3.
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With regard to its second request, the applicant stated that the proposed amendment to the definition of "broadcast day" is intended to make CTV Travel's operations consistent with those of other CTV specialty services that begin their log reporting day at midnight.
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Current condition of licence
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4.
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Travel TV - a new specialty channel, Decision CRTC 2000-458, 14 December 2000 (Decision 2000-458) included the following conditions of licence defining the nature of service to be offered by CTV Travel:
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Nature of service
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1. (a) The licensee shall provide a national English-language Category 1 specialty television service that is dedicated entirely to travel or travel-related programming.
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(b) The programming must be drawn exclusively from the following categories, as set out in Schedule I to the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990:
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1 News
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2a Analysis and interpretation
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2b Long-form documentary
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5b Informal education/recreation and leisure
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7c Specials, mini-series, made-for-TV feature films
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7d Theatrical feature films aired on TV
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8a Music and dance other than 8b or 8c
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8b Music video clips
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9 Variety
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11 General entertainment and human interest
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12 Interstitials
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13 Public service announcements (PSAs)
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14 Infomercials, promotional/corporate video
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(c) No more than 5% of all programming broadcast during each broadcast week shall be drawn from category 7d. All theatrical feature films must have themes related to travel, and be limited to one such film per week.
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(d) No more than 5% of all programming broadcast during each broadcast week shall be drawn from category 5b.
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(e) No more than 5% of all programming broadcast during each broadcast week shall be drawn from category 8b.
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Interventions
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5.
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The Commission did not receive any interventions in connection with this application.
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The Commission's analysis and determination
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6.
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In Decision 2000-458, the Commission imposed a 5% limit on the amount of category 5b programming that could be broadcast by CTV Travel in order to ensure minimal duplication with the programming offered by Outdoor Life Network
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7.
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In its evaluation of the proposal to delete this limitation, the Commission has taken into consideration the applicant's commitments to continue to adhere to its condition of licence defining the nature of service to be offered by CTV Travel, and to maintain minimal duplication in the programming offered by CTV Travel and Outdoor Life Network.
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8.
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The Commission recognizes that many programs that present information on recreation and leisure are classified in category 5b and, upon review, is persuaded that the current limitation may be too restrictive for a service dedicated to travel. The Commission finds that removing the current restriction on category 5b programming would not fundamentally alter the essence of CTV Travel's service and could provide opportunities for the service to broadcast enhanced and diverse programming in the travel genre to its subscribers.
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9.
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The Commission also finds that the proposed definition of "broadcast day" would not affect the nature of CTV Travel's service or any other condition of licence.
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10.
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Based on the foregoing, the Commission approves the application by CTV to amend the broadcasting licence for CTV Travel by deleting its current condition of licence 1 (d), and amending the definition of the "broadcast day", so that it will begin at midnight, instead of 6:00 a.m.
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Secretary General
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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
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Date Modified: 2003-01-22