What makes a TV show Canadian? Answering that is more confusing than you might think.
Driving the news: The CRTC — Canada’s telecom regulator — began a two-week hearing to discuss a potential new definition for Canadian audio-visual content this week. The hearing is part of the CRTC’s implementation process for the controversial Online Streaming Act.
- Once implemented, the act will require foreign streamers to contribute 5% of their Canadian revenues to support Canadian broadcasting, including so-called Cancon.
Catch-up: The CRTC has a notoriously fussy system for determining what is or isn’t “Canadian.” For film and TV, points are awarded for things like a Canadian director or lead actor. Productions must earn a minimum score of six out of 10 to earn the Cancon label.
- For music, the CRTC uses the MAPL system (this isn’t a joke, we swear), where songs must meet two of four categories to achieve Cancon status: Canadian performer, music by a Canadian, lyrics by a Canadian, and recorded in Canada.
Why it matters: Artists have been criticizing these systems for years, feeling the definitions are too strict. Now that U.S. Big Tech is involved — and has warned that tougher Cancon definitions could make the trade war even worse — we might see a loosening of the rules.
Yes, but: Netflix, Paramount, and Apple were all supposed to be part of the first day of hearings, but abruptly cancelled. Perhaps it’s a sign they think things won’t go their way.—QH