TV on the Internet

Why can’t I watch any TV program I want on the Internet?

This most commonly occurs when a Canadian broadcaster has paid a fee to air the program in Canada (known as purchasing the program rights) and the website has not purchased the same rights.

What are program rights?

TV producers can sell the rights to air a program with limitations on where, when and for how long it can be viewed. These contracts, which have a specific duration, typically spell out where a broadcaster has the right to air a given show and how many times it may be aired. By selling a show multiple times to different networks around the world, producers are better able to make a return on their investment.

Does the CRTC make rules about how program rights are sold?

The CRTC does not have any rules that dictate how TV producers can sell their programs, nor does any other Canadian government body. Producers can sell the broadcast rights to their shows in any manner they wish.

For example, a producer may sell the TV-viewing program rights to a Canadian TV station, but may decide to sell the Internet-viewing program rights to someone else. The producer can decide whether to allow non-Canadian TV websites to show programs only in the U.S., across North America or any other way.

Does the CRTC block access to certain websites?

No, websites often purchase the right to show programs only to viewers who visit from a specific territory (stipulated by the producer). These websites determine where a visitor is located based on the IP address (the location where they connect to the Internet).

When the website determines that the visitor is located in a region or country where it doesn’t have the right to show the program, it usually displays a message to that effect.