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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-477
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Ottawa, 6 September 2006
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Golden Tunes Productions Inc.
Across Canada
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Application 2004-1477-2
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
1 May 2006
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Venus TV (Sikh Culture and Religion) - Category 2 specialty service
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In this decision, the Commission approves an application for a broadcasting licence to operate a new Category 2 specialty programming undertaking.
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The application
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1.
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The Commission received an application by Golden Tunes Productions Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate a national, ethnic Category 21 specialty programming undertaking to be known as Venus TV (Sikh Culture and Religion).
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2.
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The applicant proposed to offer a service that would be devoted to the Punjabi-speaking community. The programming would cover issues relating to Sikh culture, heritage and religion across the world.
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3.
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All of the programming would be drawn from the following categories set out in Schedule 1 to the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990: 1 News; 2(a) Analysis and interpretation; 2(b) Long-form documentary; 4 Religion; 7(a) Ongoing drama series; 7(b) Ongoing comedy series (sitcoms); 7(c) Specials, mini-series or made-for-TV feature films; 7(d) Theatrical feature films aired on TV; 7(e) Animated television programs and films; 7(f) Programs of comedy sketches, improvisations, unscripted works, stand-up comedy; 8(a) Music and dance other than music video programs or clips; 8(b) Music video clips; 8(c) Music video programs; 9 Variety and 13 Public service announcements.
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4.
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The applicant proposed that, in each broadcast week, it would broadcast not less than 60% of its programming in the Punjabi language and not more than 40% in the English language. In addition, the applicant proposed that, in each broadcast week, no more than 10% of the programming broadcast from categories 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c) would be in the English language.
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5.
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The Commission received interventions in support of this application.
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Commission's analysis and determinations
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6.
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The Commission is satisfied that the application is in conformity with all applicable terms and conditions announced in Introductory statement - Licensing of new digital pay and specialty services - Corrected Appendix 2, Public Notice CRTC 2000-171-1, 6 March 2001 (Public Notice 2000-171-1). Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Golden Tunes Productions Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate the national ethnic Category 2 specialty programming undertaking, Venus TV (Sikh Culture and Religion).
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7.
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The Commission notes that Golden Tunes Productions Inc. will devote at least 60% of its program schedule to programming in the Punjabi language. The remainder of the program schedule, i.e., up to 40% may be in one or both official languages. The Commission encourages the applicant to ensure that all such programming serves to promote Canada's linguistic duality.
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8.
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The licence will expire 31 August 2013, and will be subject to the conditions set out in Public Notice 2000-171-1, as well as to the conditions set out in the appendix to this decision.
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Issuance of the licence
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9.
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A licence will be issued once the applicant has satisfied the Commission, with supporting documentation, that the following requirements have been met:
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- the applicant has entered into a distribution agreement with at least one licensed distributor; and
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- the applicant has informed the Commission in writing that it is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking must be operational at the earliest possible date and in any event no later than 36 months from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 6 September 2009. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before that date.
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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 in PDF format or in HTML at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca
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Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-477
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Conditions of licence
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1. The licence will be subject to the conditionsset out in Introductory statement - Licensing of new digital pay and specialty services - Corrected Appendix 2, Public Notice CRTC 2000-171-1, 6 March 2001.
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2. The licensee shall provide a national, ethnic Category 2 specialty programming service devoted to the Punjabi-speaking community. The programming shall cover issues relating to Sikh culture, heritage and religion across the world.
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3. The programming shall be drawn exclusively from the following categories, as set out in Schedule I to the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990, as amended from time to time:
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1 News
2 (a) Analysis and interpretation
(b) Long-form documentary
4 Religion
7 Drama and comedy
(a) Ongoing drama series
(b) Ongoing comedy series (sitcoms)
(c) Specials, mini-series or made-for-TV feature films
(d) Theatrical feature films aired on TV
(e) Animated television programs and films
(f) Programs of comedy sketches, improvisations, unscripted works, stand-up
comedy
8 (a) Music and dance other than music video programs or clips
(b) Music video clips
(c) Music video programs
9 Variety
13 Public service announcements
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4. Not less than 60% of all programming broadcast during the broadcast week shall be in the Punjabi language.
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5. In each broadcast week, not more than 10% of the programming broadcast from program categories 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c) shall be in the English language.
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6. Where the licensee broadcasts religious programming as defined in Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993, the licensee shall adhere to the guidelines set out in sections III.B.2.a) and IV of that public notice with respect to the provision of balance and ethics in religious programming, as amended from time to time.
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For the purposes of the conditions of this licence, including condition of licence no. 1, broadcast day means the period of up to 18 consecutive hours, beginning each day not earlier than six o'clock in the morning and ending not later than one o'clock in the morning of the following day, as selected by the licensee, or any other period approved by the Commission.
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Footnote:
The Category 2 services are defined in Introductory statement - Licensing of new digital pay and specialty services, Public Notice CRTC 2000-171, 14 December 2000.
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Date Modified: 2006-09-06
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