Broadcasting Order CRTC 2013-378

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Ottawa, 8 August 2013

Distribution of the programming service of Accessible Media Inc. known as AMI-audio by licensed broadcasting distribution undertakings

This order replaces Distribution of the programming service of the National Broadcast Reading Service Inc. (NBRS) by persons licensed to carry on certain types of broadcasting distribution undertakings, Distribution Order CRTC 2000-1, set out in Appendix I to VoicePrint – Licence renewal, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-28, 21 January 2004.

Pursuant to section 9(1)(h) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission orders licensees of broadcasting distribution undertakings to distribute Accessible Media Inc.’s programming service known as AMI-audio, effective 1 January 2014, on the following terms and conditions:

(a) This order applies to all licensed distribution undertakings, including terrestrial and DTH distribution undertakings. These licensees are collectively referred to in this order as distribution licensees.

(b) Distribution licensees shall distribute the programming service under the following terms:

(i) Any terrestrial distribution undertaking in an anglophone market that distributes services on an analog basis shall distribute the programming service on CBC News Network’s secondary audio program channel;

(ii) Any terrestrial distribution undertaking in an anglophone market that distributes services on a digital basis shall distribute the programming service on an audio channel, ideally one adjacent to a CBC radio channel;

(iii) If a terrestrial distribution undertaking distributes services on both an analog and a digital basis, the licensee shall distribute the programming service in accordance with subparagraph (i); and

(iv) DTH distribution undertaking licensees shall distribute the programming service on an audio channel, ideally adjacent to a CBC radio channel where possible, to all persons subscribing to a basic service package of the undertaking that has a preponderance of English-language services.

(c) Each licensee of a terrestrial distribution undertaking distributing the programming service in an anglophone market shall remit to the licensee of the programming service a wholesale rate of $0.04 per subscriber per month.

(d) Each licensee of a DTH distribution undertaking shall remit to the licensee of the programming service a monthly fee of $0.04 for each subscriber who subscribes to a basic service package which has a preponderance of English-language services.

(e) Distribution licensees are authorized to increase the basic monthly fee to be paid by their subscribers by no more than the amount required under this order for the distribution of the service.

(f) This order shall remain in effect until 31 August 2018.

For the purposes of this order, “anglophone market,” “basic service,” “DTH distribution undertaking,” “licensed,” “programming service” and “terrestrial distribution undertaking” shall have same the meanings as set out in the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations, as amended from time to time.

Secretary General

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