Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-44

Reference: Part 1 application posted on 30 November 2016

Ottawa, 20 February 2017

Stingray Digital Group Inc.
Across Canada

Application 2016-1172-3

Addition of Stingray Festival 4K to the List of non-Canadian programming services and stations authorized for distribution

The Commission approves an application from Stingray Digital Group Inc. (Stingray), acting as the Canadian sponsor, to add Stingray Festival 4K, a non-Canadian English- and French-language service, to the List of non-Canadian programming services and stations authorized for distribution (the list). The Commission did not receive any interventions regarding this application. The revised list can be found on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca and may be obtained in hard copy on request.
Stingray described Stingray Festival 4K as a 24-hour niche service (75% English-language, 25% French-language) providing native 4K productions of live festivals, concerts and theatre shows encompassing different genres of the performing arts and music from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Its service originates from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and its target audience is lovers of the performance arts with a desire to see high-quality audiovisual programs.
Stingray’s request is in line with the Commission’s general approach, as set out in Public Notice 2000-173 and reiterated in Broadcasting Public Notice 2008-100, regarding the addition of non-Canadian English- and French-language services to the list. Further, based on the record of the proceeding and in the absence of opposing interventions, the Commission finds that Stingray Festival 4K will be neither totally nor partially competitive with any Canadian discretionary (i.e., pay or specialty) television services.

Secretary General