{"id":685089,"date":"2026-05-21T22:47:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T22:47:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/685089\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T22:47:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T22:47:10","slug":"crtc-triples-streamers-financial-contributions-to-canadian-content","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/685089\/","title":{"rendered":"CRTC triples streamers’ financial contributions to Canadian content"},"content":{"rendered":"

OTTAWA \u2014 Large TV streaming services like Netflix must contribute 15 per cent of their Canadian revenues to Canadian content, the federal broadcast regulator said Thursday.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s three times the five-per-cent initial contribution requirement the CRTC set out in 2024, which is being challenged in court by major streamers, including Apple and Amazon.<\/p>\n

Contribution requirements for traditional broadcasters, which currently pay between 30 and 45 per cent, will be lowered to 25 per cent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe total contributions are expected to stabilize the funding at more than $2 billion in support of Canadian and Indigenous content, such as French-language content and news,\u201d the regulator said in a press release.<\/p>\n

The CRTC made the decisions as part of its implementation of the Online Streaming Act, which the U.S. has identified as a trade irritant ahead of trade negotiations with Canada.<\/p>\n

Scott Shortliffe, the CRTC\u2019s vice-president of broadcasting, told reporters Thursday the CRTC is not involved in trade negotiations.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause we\u2019re an arm\u2019s length quasi-judicial tribunal, we are not in touch with the government about the status of trade negotiations. We\u2019re applying Canadian law in Canada,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that they will be respected by these companies. Whether they choose to challenge them through any of the measures that are available in Canadian law is, of course, totally up to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CRTC also set out rules on how the money must be spent for both streamers and broadcasters, including contributions toward production funds and direct spending on Canadian content.<\/p>\n

Most of the streamers\u2019 financial contributions can go toward content, though the CRTC is imposing rules on how that money must be spent for the largest streamers.<\/p>\n

For instance, streamers with Canadian revenues of more than $100 million annually must direct 30 per cent of spending toward partnerships with Canadian broadcasters and independent producers.<\/p>\n

Large Canadian broadcasters will have to direct at least 15 per cent of their contributions toward news.<\/p>\n

The new financial contribution rules apply to streamers and broadcasters with at least $25 million in annual Canadian broadcasting revenues. The decision covers audiovisual programming, meaning it affects traditional TV broadcasters and online services that stream television content.<\/p>\n

The regulator also said Thursday online streamers will have to take steps to ensure Canadian and Indigenous content is available and visible to audiences.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will make it easier for people to find this content on the platforms they use, while giving broadcasters flexibility in how they meet the new expectations,\u201d the CRTC said in the release.<\/p>\n

Details of those requirements will be determined at a later time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not imposing a system-wide series of requirements now. We\u2019re saying that we will work with each group, whether it is a domestic broadcasting group or a streaming group, to say how can you best fulfil these general principles, and that will be forthcoming,\u201d said Shortliffe.<\/p>\n

The CRTC is also establishing a new fund to support specific TV channels, including CPAC, the Canadian service that provides direct coverage of political events. CPAC recently cancelled two flagship programs, citing \u201caccelerating revenue decline,\u201d an uncertain broadcasting landscape and delays by the CRTC in modernizing the broadcast system<\/p>\n

The Services of Exceptional Importance Fund will replace a funding mechanism which sees TV service providers like cable companies pay wholesale rates on a per-subscriber basis.<\/p>\n

Shortliffe said that funding base has been in decline, noting \u201cthis has put a lot of strain on those services.\u201d<\/p>\n

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press<\/p>\n

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