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Public Notice
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Ottawa, 20 November 1985
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Public Notice CRTC 1985-252
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Network Licences
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The Commission's current practice is to include as a condition of licence for broadcasting network undertakings, the names of all licensees affiliated to the network. Because the list of authorized affiliates is a condition of licence, a network licensee is obliged to apply to the Commission to amend its licence each time it wishes to add or delete affiliates. In turn, the Commission is obliged to publish a notice and decision for each such amendment. This can be a problem for those networks whose programming is usually of a limited duration or of a specialized nature and whose lists of affiliates change frequently.
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Similarly, most broadcasting undertakings that are affiliated to networks have a condition attached to their licences to the effect that they are an affiliate of that network.
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In order to expedite the processing of applications by network licensees to amend their list of affiliates, and by broadcasting undertakings to amend their licences to change affiliation or to become affiliated to a network, the Commission intends to issue licences with a modified condition of licence. The new condition for network licensees will read as follows:
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The licensee shall not affiliate or disaffiliate with any broadcasting undertaking with out first having obtained the written approval of the Commission.
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The new condition for broadcasting undertakings will now stipulate:
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The licensee shall not affiliate or disaffiliate with any network operator without first having obtained the written approval of the Commission.
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These revised conditions will allow the Commission to receive and approve routine requests for changes of affiliation expeditiously without the delays inherent in the public notice procedure. The Commission will thus be able to respond to such applications quickly. Where it appears that an application may be contentious or has implications for the broadcasting system, the Commission retains the flexibility to issue a public notice or hold a public hearing.
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Generally, new licences and renewed licences will be issued with the appropriate new condition. Those who believe that it will be of benefit to them, may apply at this time to amend their licences to substitute the new condition for the old.
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The Commission believes that this procedure will benefit the networks and their affiliates, while accelerating its own work and reducing its expenses.
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Fernand Bélisle Secretary General
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