Search

Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2025-265-1

PDF version

Reference: 2025-265

Gatineau, 9 January 2026

Public record: 1011-NOC2024-0290

Modernization of radio processes – Finalization of conditions of service

Introduction

  1. As part of its broader regulatory plan to implement the modernized Broadcasting Act (the Act), the Commission issued Modernization of radio processes, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2025-265, 10 October 2025 (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2025-265).
  2. The Commission proposed to make orders imposing on licensees of various FM stations the conditions set out in Appendix 1 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2025-265. These orders would:
    • authorize licensees of commercial FM radio stations to devote more than 50% of the programming broadcast during their broadcast week to programming drawn from content category 1 (spoken word) for a period of up to one year, subject to certain conditions; and
    • require licensees of all FM radio stations using a Subsidiary Communications Multiplex Operation (SCMO) for the purpose of broadcasting audio programs to register their SCMO with the Commission.
  3. In accordance with subsection 9.1(4) of the Act, the Commission invited interested persons to make representations on the proposed orders.

Intervention

  1. The Commission received one intervention from the Forum for Research and Policy in Communications (FRPC) on the proposed orders.
  2. The FRPC stated that the Commission should have provided more time for interveners to comment on the proposed orders, as the comment period overlapped with another proceeding dealing with radio exemption orders related to the same regulatory policy.
  3. Regarding the proposed order related to spoken word content, the FRPC argued that the Commission was encouraging commercial FM stations to pursue a programming strategy that has failed for many inactive spoken word radio stations. It further submitted that without any information about the actual levels of spoken word programming being broadcast by commercial FM stations, it is unclear how the Commission will evaluate the impact of the order after the one-year trial period.

Commission’s decision

  1. In accordance with subsection 9.1(4) of the Act, the Commission invited interested persons to make representations on the proposed orders relating to spoken word programming and SCMOs. These proposed orders set out in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2025-265 seek to implement the Commission’s determinations, which were made following a public consultation.
  2. The Commission has broad discretion in setting timelines. In these circumstances, the Commission considers that a ten-day period to comment on the wording of the proposed orders was reasonable.
  3. The Commission is also of the view that the FRPC’s intervention raises policy matters about spoken word content that were addressed in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2025-265, instead of the wording of the proposed orders. The Commission therefore considers that changes to the proposed orders are not necessary.

Conclusion

  1. In light of the above, and pursuant to subsection 9.1(1) of the Act, the Commission makes the orders imposing the conditions set out in Appendix 1 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2025-265.

Secretary General

Date modified: