Letter

Ms. Susan Wheeler
Vice-President
Regulatory Affairs, Media
Rogers Broadcasting Limited
333 Bloor Street East
Toronto, Ontario M4W 1G9
E-mail: Susan.wheeler@rci.rogers.com

Re: Review of programming on G4 (case # 496398)

Dear Ms. Wheeler,

Thank you for your response to our inquiry regarding the programming on G4Tech TV(G4) and how it conforms with G4’s nature of service definition.

Based on your response, staff is of the view that some of G4’s programming appears to be inconsistent with its current nature of service definition, which states that: “the licensee shall provide a national English-language Category 1 service consisting exclusively of programming related to computing, technology and the Internet.” (bold added for emphasis)

While you provided specific examples of programs that relate to computing, technology and the Internet such as “X-Play” and “Gadgets and Gizmos”, it is the view of Commission staff that you have failed to provide sufficient evidence that overall, the programming broadcast on “G4” is consistent with the requirement to “provide a national English-language Category 1 service consisting exclusively of programming related to computing, technology and the internet”. In particular, staff is concerned that programs like, “The Office”, “Mantracker” and “Which Way To…” fall outside the scope of G4’s current conditions of licence.

Please be prepared to discuss this apparent non-compliance at the group licence renewal hearing in Spring 2011.

Please be advised that this letter and all related correspondence will be placed on the public file (case # 496398) as well as in the record for G4’s renewal under application number 2010-1259-1.

Yours sincerely,

Scott Hutton
Executive Director,
Broadcasting

Date modified:

2010-12-06