The federal broadcast regulator said Monday it was throwing its support behind a “market-based” U.S.-like regime whereby cable operators and conventional broadcasters negotiate among themselves to determine whether TV broadcasters could get compensation for their signals. Before anything happens, however, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said it would seek approval from the Federal Court of Appeal to implement such a regime. There were conflicting legal opinions during hearings held last year over whether the CRTC had jurisdiction in this area, due to issues related to copyright. Monday’s ruling aims to put an end to a years-long acrimonious dispute between cable and satellite providers -- led by Rogers Communications Inc., Shaw Communications Inc. and BCE Inc. -- and the private-sector broadcasters, such as Canwest Global Communications Inc. and CTVglobemedia.
This time, the CRTC is banking that “market forces” can force a resolution on the bickering sides.
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