Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-42

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Reference: Part 1 application posted on 21 November 2016

Ottawa, 7 February 2017

Ethnic Channels Group Limited
Across Canada

Application 2016-1164-0

Addition of Sky News Arabia to the List of non-Canadian programming services and stations authorized for distribution

  1. The Commission approves an application from Ethnic Channels Group Limited (ECGL), acting as the Canadian sponsor, to add Sky News Arabia, a non-Canadian third-language service, to the List of non-Canadian programming services and stations authorized for distribution (the list). The Commission did not receive any interventions regarding this application. The revised list can be found on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca and may be obtained in hard copy on request.
  2. ECGL described Sky News Arabia as a 24-hour news service (100% Arabic-language) that provides news, information and current affairs programming. The service originates from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and targets Arabic-speaking communities.
  3. As set out in Regulatory frameworks for broadcasting distribution undertakings and discretionary programming services – Regulatory policy, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2008-100, 30 October 2008, the Commission has adopted an open-entry approach to the addition of non-Canadian news services to the list, which is consistent with the importance it places on a diversity of editorial points of view. Accordingly, absent clear evidence, as determined by the Commission, that a non-Canadian news service will violate Canadian regulations, such as those regarding abusive comment, the Commission will be predisposed to authorize non-Canadian news services for distribution in Canada.

Secretary General

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