ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-49

This page has been archived on the Web

Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. Archived Decisions, Notices and Orders (DNOs) remain in effect except to the extent they are amended or reversed by the Commission, a court, or the government. The text of archived information has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Changes to DNOs are published as “dashes” to the original DNO number. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats by contacting us.

PDF version

Route reference: Part 1 application posted on 21 January 2014

Ottawa, 7 February 2014

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Windsor, Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario; Montréal, Quebec; Fredericton, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador; Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Application 2014-0038-2

CBUT-DT Vancouver, British Columbia; CBRT-DT Calgary and CBXT-DT Edmonton, Alberta; CBKT-DT Regina, Saskatchewan; CBWT-DT Winnipeg, Manitoba; CBET-DT Windsor, CBLT-DT Toronto and CBOT-DT Ottawa, Ontario; CBMT-DT Montréal, Quebec; CBAT-DT Fredericton, New Brunswick; CBHT-DT Halifax, Nova Scotia; CBCT-DT Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; CBNT-DT St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador; CFYK-DT Yellowknife, Northwest Territories – Licence amendments related to coverage of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games

1. The Commission approves the application by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to amend the broadcasting licences of its English-language television programming undertakings CBUT-DT Vancouver, British Columbia; CBRT-DT Calgary and CBXT-DT Edmonton, Alberta; CBKT-DT Regina, Saskatchewan; CBWT-DT Winnipeg, Manitoba; CBET-DT Windsor, CBLT-DT Toronto and  CBOT-DT Ottawa, Ontario; CBMT-DT Montréal, Quebec; CBAT-DT Fredericton, New Brunswick; CBHT-DT Halifax, Nova Scotia; CBCT-DT Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; CBNT-DT St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador; and CFYK-DT Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in order to calculate compliance with its described video condition of licence over four weeks for the period from 2 February 2014 to 1 March 2014, inclusively. The current condition of licence requires the licensee to provide described video for a minimum of four hours per broadcast week, of which two hours must be broadcast in described video for the first time on the service. The Commission did not receive any interventions in connection with this application.

2. The Commission notes that the CBC recognizes the importance of described video to persons who are blind and persons with a visual impairment and typically exceeds the minimum amounts set out in its condition of licence under normal circumstances. However, in this instance, as explained by the CBC, an issue arises as a result of the interplay between the scheduling of the Olympic Games and how the broadcast week is defined.

3. To implement this amendment, the Commission adds the following condition to each of the broadcasting licences for the above-noted stations:

For the period from 2 February 2014 to 1 March 2014, inclusively, the requirements set out in condition of licence 7 of Appendix 3 of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Licence renewals, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-263 and Broadcasting Orders CRTC 2013-264 and 2013-265, 28 May 2013, shall be measured over the four week period rather than on a weekly basis.

4. The Commission reminds all broadcasting licensees that they are responsible for the programming content they air and for ensuring that they respect the conditions set out in their respective licences at all times. The Commission expects licensees to explore all avenues prior to applying for temporary relief from a condition of licence and will only grant such relief on an exceptional basis.

Secretary General

*This decision is to be appended to each licence.

Date modified: