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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-31
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Ottawa, 1 February 2005
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Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.,
on behalf of Showcase Television Inc., History Television Inc.,
Jasper Broadcasting Inc., and The Independent Film Channel Canada Incorporated
Across Canada
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Applications 2004-1498-8, 2004-1500-4, 2004-1501-9,
2004-1497-0, 2004-1505-1 and 2004-1504-3
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2004-97
22 December 2004
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Licence amendments
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The Commission approves the applications for licence amendments that will allow the licensees to avail themselves of the incentive program for English-language Canadian television drama set out in Incentives for English-language Canadian television drama, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2004-93, 29 November 2004.
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The applications
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1.
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The Commission received applications by Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., on behalf of Showcase Television Inc., History Television Inc., Jasper Broadcasting Inc., and The Independent Film Channel Canada Incorporated, requesting licence amendments for the specialty programming undertakings listed in the appendix to this decision in order to add a condition of licence to each licence that would allow each licensee to avail itself of the incentive program for English-language Canadian television drama set out in Incentives for English-language Canadian television drama, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2004-93, 29 November 2004 (Public Notice 2004-93).
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Background
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2.
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In Public Notice 2004-93, the Commission announced an incentive program designed to increase the production and the broadcast of, the viewing to, and the expenditures on, high quality, original, Canadian drama programming. The Commission stated that a licensee who meets the criteria of the drama incentive program will be permitted to broadcast additional minutes of advertising, beyond the limits set out in applicable regulations or conditions of licence. The Commission specified that such a licensee must apply for a condition of licence in order to avail itself of the incentive program.
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Interventions
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3.
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The Commission received interventions, which opposed the application filed on behalf of Showcase Television Inc., the licensee of Showcase Diva and of Showcase Television, as well the application filed on behalf of Jasper Broadcasting Inc., the licensee of BBC Canada. The interveners expressed concern that approval of the proposed licence amendments would result in a possible increase in advertising minutes broadcast by these services.
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The Commission's determination
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4.
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In Public Notice 2004-93, the Commission noted that the additional advertising minutes earned through the drama incentive program will be placed in popular foreign programs that already contain more than 14 minutes of program interruptions in each hour. Accordingly, the Commission is satisfied that Canadian viewers will not experience an increase in program interruptions.
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5.
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The Commission approves the applications by Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., on behalf of Showcase Television Inc., History Television Inc., Jasper Broadcasting Inc. and The Independent Film Channel Canada Incorporated, to amend the broadcasting licences for the specialty programming undertakings listed in the appendix to this decision in order to add the following condition of licence to each licence:
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In addition to the 12 minutes of advertising material during any clock hour in a broadcast day permitted by condition of licence, the licensee may broadcast such additional minutes of advertising material calculated in accordance with Incentives for English-language Canadian television drama, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2004-93, 29 November 2004, as may be amended from time to time.
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6.
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With regard to the implementation of the Commission's determinations set out in paragraph 167 of Public Notice 2004-93, the Commission will interpret Canadian program expenditures in accordance with the policy announced in that public notice pending the approval of applications to amend the appropriate conditions of licence.
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Secretary General
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This decision is to be appended to each licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca
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Date Modified: 2005-02-01