Broadcasting Procedural Letter adressed to Ron Sparks (Newfoundland Broadcasting Company Limited)
Ottawa, 19 June 2020
Our reference: 2019-0545-7
BY EMAIL
Mr. Ron Sparkes
COO and CFO
Newfoundland Broadcasting Company Limited
446 Logy Bay Road
P.O. Box 2020
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
A1C 5S2
rsparkes@ntv.ca
Subject: Part I Application 2019-0545-7 – Application for amendment to CJON-DT’s condition of licence that requires prime time programming to be broadcast with described video – Unsuspending application
Dear Mr. Sparkes,
This letter serves to re-establish the process for Newfoundland Broadcasting Company Limited, licensee of CJON-DT (NTV)’s Part I application 2019-0545-7 following the publication of Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2019-392 Amendment proposed by Bell Media Inc., Corus Entertainment Inc. and Rogers Media Inc. to their condition of licence that requires prime time programming to be broadcast with described video (the Described Video decision). In that decision, the Commission approved with amendmentsthe condition of licence proposed by those Licensees which would require that they provide DV programming on all English- and French-language programming that is broadcast during prime time with the exception of U.S. programming received without DV less than 24 hours prior to air.
Commission staff notes that following publication of the Described Video decision, NTV requested to amend its application to request that it be granted the same condition of licence that was granted to Bell Media, Corus and Rogers in paragraph 40 of the decision, which states:
The licensee shall, by 1 September 2019, provide described video for all English- and French-language programming that is broadcast during prime time (i.e., from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.) and that is drawn from program categories 2(b) Long-form documentary, 7 Drama and comedy, 9 Variety, 11(a) General entertainment and human interest and 11(b) Reality television, and/or programming targeting preschool children (0-5 years of age) and children (6-12 years of age) with the exception of U.S. programming received without described video less than 24 hours prior to air. Such programs will be broadcast with described video for any repeat airings scheduled greater than 24 hours from delivery.
Commission staff is seeking comment on the proposed amendment to NTV’s condition of licence, as noted above.
The timetable for the proceeding is re-established as follows:
- Interested parties have until 20 July 2020 to file interventions related to the application,
- The applicant has until 30 July 2020 to file a final reply to the interventions.
Commission staff acknowledges NTV’s request for an expedited process, however considers that a full comment period is necessary for this application.
Should you have any questions, please contact Meghan Zwiers, Senior Analyst, Social and Consumer Policy, at meghan.zwiers@crtc.gc.ca.
Yours sincerely,
Nanao Kachi
Director, Social and Consumer Policy
Consumer, Research and Communications
- Date modified: