ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-491

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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-491

  Ottawa, 8 September 2006
  Saskatchewan Telecommunications
Across Canada
  Application 2005-0470-6
Public Hearing at Edmonton, Alberta
19 June 2006
 

Pay-per-view service

  In this decision, the Commission approves an application by Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel) for a broadcasting licence to operate a national, general interest terrestrial pay-per-view service composed of, but not limited to, live sports, concerts and other events, replays of live events, pre-recorded events, local programming and adult programming.
 

The application

1.

The Commission received an application by Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel) for a broadcasting licence to operate a national, general interest terrestrial pay-per-view (PPV) programming undertaking.

2.

The proposed terrestrial PPV service would be composed of, but not limited to, live sports, concerts and other events, replays of live events, pre-recorded events, local programming and adult programming. As much as 85% of the programming would be drawn from 6(a) (Professional sports), as set out in Item 6 of Schedule 1 of the Pay Television Regulations, 1990 (Pay Television Regulations), as amended from time to time. Other programming would be drawn from categories 3 (Reporting & Actualities), 6(b) (Amateur sports), 7(f) (Programs of comedy sketches, improvisations, unscripted works, stand-up comedy), 8(a) (Music and dance other than 8(b) or 8(c), 9 (Variety), 11 (General entertainment and human interest) and 15 (Filler programming). The applicant also stated that the service would include no feature films. While programming would be predominantly in the English-language, the applicant indicated that French-language programming and programming in other languages would be offered in accordance with audience demand.
 

Related applications

3.

The Commission notes that SaskTel also filed related applications to amend the licence of its various broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDU) in Saskatchewan, as well as the licence of its regional, Saskatchewan-based video-on-demand (VOD) undertaking. The Commission's determinations with respect to these applications are set out in Licence amendments related to the funding and provision of an outlet for local expression, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-490 (Decision 2006-490), also released today.
 

Outlet for local expression

4.

In the applications that are the subject of Decision 2006-490, SaskTel proposed to offer an outlet for local expression that would be delivered as part of its PPV service. The proposed community programming provided on the outlet for local expression, while free of charge, would otherwise differ from that distributed on a traditional community channel, where programs are delivered to subscribers at set times in accordance with a schedule. SaskTel proposed to work with community members, local clubs, and local production companies to create a range of programming that would reflect the communities in each of the licensed areas served by SaskTel's BDUs1 and the province as a whole.

5.

SaskTel indicated that less than 10% of the proposed programming available on its PPV service would be local or community-related programming, and that it would consist primarily of amateur sports. Consistent with the programming requirements set out in Policy framework for community-based media, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2002-61, 10 October 2002, regarding the community programming offered by a community channel, SaskTel also committed to ensure that at least 60% of the community programming titles would be dedicated to local community television programming, and at least 30% of its community programming titles would be dedicated to community access television programming.

6.

Pay-per-view services are subject to thePay Television Regulations, which include a prohibition against the distribution of programming produced by the licensee or a related person, other than filler programming, except as otherwise provided in a condition of licence. The applicant requested a condition of licence that would permit it to distribute such programming provided that it is limited to no more than 10% of the programming offered by the PPV service.

7.

In addition, SaskTel proposed to deduct amounts from the contributions to Canadian programming required of its BDUs under section 29 of the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations (the Distribution Regulations). In recognition of expenditures on its outlet for local expression distributed as part of its PPV service,2 SaskTel also requested that its BDU licence be amended through the addition of a condition of licence that would recognize these expenditures as contributions to local expression under the scheme set out in section 29 of the Distribution Regulations.
 

Independent programming committee

8.

The applicant explained that the programming offered on the outlet for local expression would be comparable to that usually found on a traditional community channel, but would be delivered to subscribers on the same basis as its PPV programming, although at no charge. SaskTel stated that it would be willing to adhere to specific terms of reference for the operation of an independent programming committee (IPC) that it would establish for the purpose of ensuring that programming distributed on the outlet for local expression reflects the freedom of expression and journalistic, creative, and programming independence contemplated in the Direction to the CRTC (Ineligibility to Hold Broadcasting Licences) SOR/85-627, 27 June 1985, as amended by SOR/97-231, 22 April 1997 (the Direction).
 

Sponsorship messages

9.

SaskTel requested that it be permitted to distribute sponsorship and commercial messages exclusively as part of its outlet for local expression programming, as permitted on community channels under section 27 of the Distribution Regulations. Since the Pay Television Regulations prohibit the distribution of programming that contains any commercial messages, SaskTel suggested the addition of a condition of licence to allow it to distribute such sponsorship and commercial messages.
 

Exhibition of Canadian programming

10.

In its application, SaskTel stated it was unable to commit to a specific number of Canadian titles that would be made available to customers as the negotiations with potential content providers were underway at the time it filed its application. However, the applicant proposed to provide a minimum of four English-language Canadian events per year and an overall ratio of Canadian to non-Canadian events of at least 1:7, consistent with the requirements of some other PPV services.
 

Interventions

11.

The Commission received interventions in support of and in opposition to this application, as well as comments on the general approach that should be taken by the Commission regarding the specific proposals set out in SaskTel's application.

12.

Access Communications Co-operative Limited (Access) filed an opposing intervention alleging that approval of this application would contravene the Direction, which stipulates that Her Majesty in right of any province or agents of Her Majesty in right of any province may not be granted a broadcasting licence.

13.

In addition, Access alleged this application would contravene the prohibition on operating a community channel established by the Commission in New cable distribution undertaking in Saskatchewan, Decision CRTC 2001-171, 12 March 2001 (Decision 2001-171). In Access' view, if approved, the proposed PPV service would enable SaskTel to provide a community channel via its PPV service and therefore, would call into question the integrity of the Commission's decision with respect to SaskTel's BDU.

14.

Access also stated that the approval of SaskTel's request to produce and co-produce local and community programming would represent a significant departure from the current regulatory framework for PPV services.

15.

The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) focused its comments on the proposed local community programming that would be offered as part of the PPV service. The CAB did not oppose, in principle, the provision of a pay-per-view local community programming service provided that it complies with all relevant policy and regulatory requirements applicable to community channels, including the policies and guidelines regarding sponsorship messages.

16.

Rogers Cable Communications Inc. (RCCI) also filed comments regarding this application. RCCI had no objection to SaskTel's proposal to offer community programming as part of its existing VOD and its proposed PPV service as long as all VOD and PPV licensees would be permitted to do likewise. RCCI suggested that, rather than providing such authority on a case-by-case basis, the Commission amend the Pay Television Regulations to allow all VOD and PPV licensees to offer community programming. It also suggested that all VOD and PPV licensees should be permitted to distribute up to 10% of the total programming made available on their services as community programming produced by themselves or by a related person, and to distribute commercial, sponsorship or credit messages along with the community programming. Finally, RCCI proposed that any VOD and PPV licensee that offers community programming should also be allowed to allocate 2% of its annual 5% contribution to fund the provision of the community programming.
 

Licensee's replies

17.

In response to Access' concern regarding SaskTel's programming independence, the applicant submitted that there are sufficient concrete safeguards to address the intervener's concern, including the presence of an independent board of directors working with management to decide on daily operations, the Order in Council voted by the government of Saskatchewan that provides SaskTel with programming independence and protection from political interference, and its commitment to establish an independent programming committee to ensure that the outlet for local expression programming is free of any political interference and is representative of all communities served. SaskTel added that the proposal for an outlet for local expression as part of its PPV application does not represent a threat to the integrity of the Commission's licensing process regarding its decision to prohibit SaskTel to operate a community channel in Decision 2001-171 since this application is to obtain a licence to operate a PPV service, not a community channel.

18.

As for the comments filed by the CAB and RCCI, SaskTel suggested that they raised matters that would be more appropriately addressed by the Commission.
 

Commission's analysis and determination

 

Outlet for local expression

19.

The Commission notes that approval of SaskTel's application would allow the introduction of a model for the provision of local expression that differs considerably from the traditional model followed over the last four decades, whereby community programming has been distributed on community channels. While such approval would represent, at the very least, an evolutionary departure from the offerings of conventional PPV undertakings, it would be in keeping with the Commission's intention, as originally expressed in New Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting Distribution Undertakings, Public Notice 1997-25, 11 March 1997, to encourage innovative proposals for providing outlets for local expression.

20.

In this particular instance, the Commission considers that there are a number of benefits that would be realized through implementation of the applicant's plans, not the least of which would be the provision of community programming to SaskTel's BDU subscribers, who do not currently have access to such programming. In addition, SaskTel subscribers would benefit from the ability of the applicant's digital distribution platform to provide virtually unlimited shelf space for community programming and offer diversity of choice on an on-demand basis rather than in accordance with any fixed schedule. Further, the Commission acknowledges that this application is yet another demonstration of the evolution of PPV and VOD services in Canada.

21.

The Commission notes SaskTel's willingness to adhere to conditions of licence establishing requirements for the provision of community programming, thereby ensuring that its programming would essentially parallel that offered by BDUs on their community channels, pursuant to sections 27, 27.1 and 28 of the Distribution Regulations. In particular, the Commission notes that, consistent with section 27.1, at least 60% of the program offering would be local community television programming, and at least 30% would be community access television programming.

22.

In the circumstances, the Commission also considers that it would be appropriate to permit SaskTel to distribute programming on the proposed outlet for local expression, up to 10% of which would be produced by it or by a related person.

23.

The Commission has considered RCCI's suggestions relating to a general approach for all licensees to offer community programming on VOD and/or PPV services, and to amend the Pay Television Regulations rather than authorize VOD and PPV licensees to do so on a case-by-case basis. Given that this is an exception to the traditional model of a community channel generally offered by BDUs, the Commission considers it appropriate to consider such applications on a case-by-case basis.
 

Independent programming committee

24.

The Commission has given careful consideration to the concerns of Access regarding the potential for provincial government interference in the programming offered by SaskTel on its outlet for local expression. The Commission has also examined the commitments offered by the applicant to alleviate those concerns.

25.

The Commission notes that the purpose of the Direction is to ensure that a municipal or a provincial government does not use a broadcasting licence to promote its own political agenda. As discussed in Decision 2006-490, the Commission considers that the applicant's commitments outlined above with respect to the creation and operation of an independent program committee to oversee SaskTel's programming, in accordance with established terms of reference, will serve to ensure that the programming fully reflects and preserves the applicant's "freedom of expression and journalistic, creative, and programming independence", as required by the Direction.

26.

The Commission also notes the applicant's commitment, in its BDU and VOD amendment applications, to address concerns about programming of a partisan political character, to comply with a condition of licence requiring that it ensure that all accredited political parties are allocated an equal number of titles of equal duration in its programming offerings during an election period, and that it not have any programming of a partisan political character in its programming offerings during provincial election periods.

27.

The Commission is satisfied that these commitments adequately address the concerns of interveners with respect to the applicant's ability and its resolve, as an independent carrier within the meaning provided in the Direction, to exercise "freedom of expression, and journalistic, creative and programming independence". The Commission is further satisfied that the Commission would be able to respond effectively, on a case-by-case basis, to any complaint it might receive about the operation of the proposed outlet for local expression.
 

Sponsorship messages

28.

Since SaskTel's proposed outlet for local expression is, in many respects, similar to a community channel offered by a BDU, the Commission is of the view that it is appropriate to allow SaskTel to broadcast sponsorship messages, as permitted on community channels under section 27 of the Distribution Regulations.
 

Exhibition of and expenditures on Canadian programming

29.

The Commission considers that, given the evolving programming strategies of PPV services, and their ability to broadcast programming from a range of programming categories or genres, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that a proportion of all program titles, be Canadian. Normally, the Commission would require a PPV licensee to ensure that a minimum number of Canadian feature films and a minimum percentage of non-feature films titles be Canadian. In this case, the Commission notes that SaskTel will not offer feature films as part of its PPV offering. Accordingly, rather than impose a minimum yearly ratio of Canadian to non-Canadian events, as requested by the applicant, the Commission is imposing conditions of licence, as set out in the appendix A to this decision, requiring the licensee to abide by the following: for English-language programming, the licensee must, in each broadcast year, ensure that a minimum of four English-language Canadian based events per year; and a minimum of 20% of all programs titles, are Canadian.

30.

Also, consistent with the Commission's requirement that the licensee contribute a minimum of 5% of its gross annual revenues derived from its PPV broadcasting activities to one or more independently-administered Canadian production funds to support the development of Canadian programming, SaskTel indicated it would direct 80% of its contributions to the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) and the remaining 20% to the Saskatchewan Film and Video Development Corporation (SaskFilm). A condition of licence to this effect is set out in Appendix A to this decision.
 

Closed captioning

31.

The Commission is committed to improving service to viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, and has consistently encouraged broadcasters to increase the amount of closed captioned programming that they provide. It is the Commission's current practice to require new PPV services to provide closed captioning for a minimum of 90% of all titles offered, by no later than the beginning of the sixth year of the first licence term.

32.

In its application, SaskTel committed to close caption 90% of its programming beginning in the sixth year of the licence term. A condition of licence to this effect is set out in Appendix A to this decision.
 

French-language programming

33.

As noted above, SaskTel indicated that it would provide French-language programming and programming in other languages according to audience demand. In Introductory statement to Decisions CRTC 2000-733 to 2000-738: Licensing of new video-on-demand and pay-per-view services, Public Notice CRTC 2000-172, 14 December 2000 (Public Notice 2000-172), the Commission underscored the importance it places on subscribers being able to select programming in the official language of their choice. Accordingly, as part of its licensing framework for PPV services, the Commission stated that it would expect, to the maximum extent possible, that each PPV service would make its program offering available to customers in both official languages, and expected that licensees would adhere to their commitments with respect to French-language programming. The Commission reiterates these expectations and confirms their applicability to SaskTel's proposed terrestrial PPV service.
 

Programming packages

34.

In accordance with its policy set out in Public Notice 2000-172, the Commission expects the applicant to limit to one week the total period during which the programming in programming packages may be viewed with the exception of packages of events programming, such as seasonal sports or concert series.
 

Adult programming

35.

In Industry code on programming standards and practices governing pay, pay-per-view and video-on-demand services, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2003-10, 6 March 2003 (Public Notice 2003-10; Industry code of programming standards), the Commission approved and announced a new code in order to more effectively address the broadcast of adult programming on pay, PPV and VOD services.

36.

The Commission notes that SaskTel confirmed that its PPV service would abide by the internal policy on adult programming that was filed with the Commission as part of its VOD licence application (Application 2002-0977-7, New video-on-demand service for Saskatchewan, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-451, 5 September 2003), as contemplated in Public Notice 2003-10.

37.

The Commission expects the applicant to adhere to its internal policy on adult programming. Further, the Commission is imposing a condition of licence, as set out in Appendix A to this decision, requiring the applicant to abide by the Industry code of programming standards.
 

Cultural diversity

38.

The Commission expects the applicant to endeavour, through its programming and employment opportunities, to reflect the presence in Canada of ethnocultural minorities, Aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities. The Commission further expects the applicant to ensure that the on-screen portrayal of such groups is accurate, fair and non-stereotypical.
 

Service to persons who are blind or whose vision is impaired

39.

The Commission is committed to improving the accessibility of television programming for persons with visual impairments through the provision of audio description and video description (also known as described video). SaskTel indicated that the nature of the proposed programming would consist predominantly of sports events and concerts which would naturally provide audio description. The applicant also committed to acquire the described versions of its programming when appropriate and/or possible. Accordingly, the Commission expects SaskTel to provide an audio description of all programming that provides textual or graphic information. The Commission also expects SaskTel to acquire and make available described versions of programming, where possible, and to ensure that its customer service responds to the needs of visually impaired customers.
 

Employment equity

40.

In accordance with Implementation of an employment equity policy, Public Notice CRTC 1992-59, 1 September 1992, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.
 

Conclusion

41.

Based on its examination of this application, and taking into account the Commission's determinations set out above, the Commission is satisfied that this application is in conformity with the licensing framework for PPV services as set out in Public Notice 2000-172.

42.

Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Saskatchewan Telecommunications for a broadcasting licence to operate a national general interest terrestrial PPV programming undertaking.

43.

The licence will expire 31 August 2013, and will be subject to the conditions of licence specified therein, and to the further conditions of licence set out in Appendix A.
 

Issuance of the licence

44.

A licence for this undertaking will be issued once 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 24 months from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 8 September 2008. 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.
  Secretary General
  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 
 

Appendix A to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-491

 

Conditions of licence

 

1. The licensee shall provide a national, general interest terrestrial pay-per-view programming service generally consisting of, but not limited to, live sports, concerts and other events, replays of live events, pre-recorded events, local programming and adult programming. The service shall consist of programming drawn from categories 3 (Reporting & Actualities), 6(a) (Professional sports), 6(b) (Amateur sports), 7(f) (Programs of comedy sketches, improvisations, unscripted works, stand-up comedy), 8(a) (Music and dance other than 8(b) or 8(c), 9 (Variety), 11 (General entertainment and human interest) and 15 (Filler programming) as set out in item 6 of Schedule 1 of the Pay Television Regulations, 1990, as amended from time to time.

 

2. The licensee shall adhere to the Pay Television Regulations, 1990, with the exception of section 3(2)(d) (commercial messages), section 3(2)(e) (programming produced by the licensee); and section 3(2)(f) (programming produced by a person related to the licensee).

 

3. The licensee shall not include as part of its pay-per-view offering any program containing a commercial message except as otherwise provided in the conditions of licence relating to local expression.

 

4. The licensee is authorized, as an exception to sections 3(2)(e) and 3(2)(f) of the Pay Television Regulations, 1990, to distribute programming, other than filler programming, which is produced by the licensee or by a person related to the licensee, but such programming shall not exceed, in each broadcast year, 10% of the total hours of its Canadian programming broadcast in each broadcast year.

 

5. (1) Subject to sections 5.(2) and 5.(3) below, the following programming will qualify as local expression for the purpose of contributions to local expression by a broadcasting distribution undertaking:

 

(a) community programming;

 

(b) a public service announcement;

 

(c) an information program funded by and produced for a federal, provincial or municipal government or agency or a public service organization;

 

(d) the question period of the legislature of the province of Saskatchewan in which each of SaskTel's BDU licensed areas are located;

 

(e) a still image programming service as described in Public Notice CRTC 1993-51, entitled Exemption Order Respecting Still Image Programming Service Undertakings, if the service is produced by the licensee or by members of the community served by the undertaking and does not contain commercial messages, other than commercial messages contained within the programming service of a licensed radio station; or

 

(f) the programming of a community programming undertaking.

 

(2) The community programming offered pursuant to section 5.(1)(a) above may include:

 

(a) an announcement providing information about the community programming that is offered as local expression;

 

(b) a commercial message that mentions or displays the name of a person who sponsored a community event or the goods, services or activities sold or promoted by the person, if the mention or display is in the course of, and incidental to the production of, community programming relating to the event;

 

(c) an oral or written acknowledgement, that may include a moving visual presentation of no more than 15 seconds per message, contained in community programming that mentions no more than the name of a person, a description of the goods, services or activities that are being sold or promoted by the person, and their address and telephone number, if the person provided direct financial assistance for the community programming in which the acknowledgement is contained; and

 

(d) an oral or a written acknowledgement contained in community programming that mentions no more than the name of a person, the goods or services provided by the person and their address and telephone number, if the person provided the goods or services free of charge to the licensee for use in connection with the production of the community programming in which the acknowledgement is contained.

 

(3) The programming offered as local expression will qualify as local expression for purposes of the contributions to local expression by a broadcasting distribution undertaking if:

 

(a) the licensee establishes an independent programming committee in accordance with the terms of reference set out in Appendix B to this decision, as amended and approved by the Commission from time to time, with a view to ensuring that the licensee enjoys freedom of expression and journalistic, creative and programming independence in the pursuit of its objects and in the exercise of its powers;

 

(b) the programming is offered to subscribers on an on-demand basis at no charge;

 

(c) the licensee devotes not less than 60% of the programming offered as local expression for each of SaskTel's BDU licensed areas to local community television programming;

 

(d) the licensee devotes not less than 30% of the programming offered as local expression to community access television programming;

 

(e) the licensee devotes from 30% to 50% of the programming offered as local expression to community access television programming, according to requests;

 

(f) where, during an election period, the licensee offers programming that is of a partisan political character, the licensee shall allocate an equal number of titles of equal duration for all accredited parties and rival candidates.

 

(g) the licensee shall not offer any programming of a partisan political character during provincial election periods.

 

6. With respect to English-language programming, the licensee shall, through its agreements with the licensees of terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertakings, ensure that in, each broadcast year, the following is made available by these licensees to their PPV subscribers:

 

a. a minimum of 4 English-language Canadian based events per year; and

 

b. a minimum of 20% of all program titles must be Canadian.

 

7. The licensee shall contribute a minimum of 5% of its gross annual revenues derived from its PPV broadcasting activities to one or more independently-administered Canadian production funds, to support the development of Canadian programming, provided that these funds meet the criteria set out in Contributions to Canadian programming by broadcasting distribution undertakings, Public Notice CRTC 1997-98, 22 July 1997, as amended from time to time. Contributions shall take the form of monthly instalments, to be remitted within 45 days of month's end, and representing a minimum of 5% of that month's gross revenues.

 

8. The licensee shall not enter into an affiliation agreement with the licensee of a terrestrial distribution undertaking unless the agreement incorporates a prohibition against the linkage of the licensee's PPV service with any non-Canadian discretionary service.

 

9. The licensee shall provide closed captioning for not less than 90% of all programming aired during the broadcast year, beginning no later than 1 September 2011.

 

10. The licensee shall adhere to the guidelines on gender portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Sex-role portrayal code for television and radio programming, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission. The application of the foregoing condition of licence will be suspended as long as the licensee is a member in good standing of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.

 

11. The licensee shall adhere to the Pay television and pay-per-view programming code regarding violence,as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.

 

12. The licensee shall adhere to the Industry code of programming standards and practices governing pay, pay-per-view and video-on-demand services,as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.

  "community access television programming", "community programming", "licensed area", and "local community television programming" shall have the meaning set out in section 1 of the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations.
 

Appendix B to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-491

 

Independent Programming Committee

  In order to ensure programming independence, the licensee will establish an Independent Programming Committee in accordance with the following:
  1) There shall be a committee of nine (9) persons, one person from each of the broadcasting distribution undertakings' licensed areas, to be known as the Independent Programming Committee that shall be responsible for making all programming decisions.
  "Programming decisions" means all decisions relating to or affecting the programming offered as local expression by the PPV and VOD undertakings, and includes decisions relating to the content and presentation of this programming.
  2) The Independent Programming Committee shall ensure the programming is in conformity with any applicable conditions, regulations, and policies of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), as well as with the Broadcasting Act.
  3) The licensee shall seek nominations of individuals from non-profit cultural, sporting, and recreational organizations who have strong associations within the communities they reside and a strong desire to showcase a balanced view of their community.
  4) To ensure a high level of citizen participation and community involvement in the outlet for local expression, members of the Independent Programming Committee shall seek opportunities for program proposals and encourage submissions that reflect the makeup of their communities from within the communities they represent.
  5) No member of the Independent Programming Committee shall be a member of the Board, a director, or an employee of the licensee or any of its affiliates.
  6) All of the members of the Independent Programming Committee shall be residents of the serving community they represent.
  7) Members of the Independent Programming Committee shall be appointed for a period of two (2) years.
  8) A quorum of the Independent Programming Committee shall be a majority of its members.
  9) Decisions of the Independent Programming Committee shall be made by a majority of the members present at a meeting of the Committee, either in person or by telephone.
  10) No change shall be made to these criteria unless prior CRTC approval is obtained.
  Footnote:
1Battleford, Estevan, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Pilot Butte, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Weyburn, White City and Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

2A similar application regarding the outlet for local expression was also proposed for SaskTel's VOD service.

Date Modified: 2006-09-08

Date modified: