CMDC Media Digest, 2015-2016

Whats Next With an initial implementation date of by March 2016 the CRTC is giving distributors time to make the changes that are needed to roll out these new options to their subscribers The BDUs had been anticipating this decision and appear to be generally accepting and conciliatory towards it and have already been working on it behind the scenes We would expect announcements about their new models to happen leading up to the new year Whether all distributors will follow the same timetable for implementation is not certain Some channels will not survive in an environment marked by greater subscriber choice while others will adapt and thrive Which is which will not be confirmed until we are into the implementation Long term this could put upward pressure on advertising rates for remaining reduced inventory in the system Much still depends on the pricing models established by the BDUs Stage 4 Protect Tools March 26 2015 The decisions released in Stage 4 were Policies on a Television Service Provider Code of Conduct Ombudsman and Improved access for Canadians with disabilities None of these policy changes have direct implications for the media marketplace As all these CRTC decisions being to be implemented over the coming year we anticipate that 2016 will be a volatile changing period for the Canadian television market Stay Tuned For more information please visit http www crtc gc ca eng talktv parlonstele htm CANADAS ANTI SPAM LAW CASL Industry Canada continues to implement enforcement regulations under Canadas Anti Spam Law CASL CASL is widely considered to be the toughest anti spam legislation in the word and is being enforced in three stages Phase 2 came into force on January 15 2015 with provisions relating to the unsolicited installation of computer programs or software This followed the Phase 1 provision effective as of July 1 2014 that required businesses to obtain either express opt in or implied consent to send commercial electronic messages CEMs including emails and certain types of social media messages All electronic marketing messages need to clearly and prominently identify the sender include the senders contact information and provide an unsubscribe mechanism unless fully exempted from the Act Phase 3 will be as of July 1 2017 when the private right of action will be enforced Counsel for the IAB and DAAC provided industry guidance in the lead up to all implementation dates For more information please visit http www crtc gc ca eng casl lcap htm SENATE COMMITTEE HEARINGS ON THE FUTURE OF THE CBC In late July 2015 the Senate released its report on the future of the CBC after 18 months of hearings The CMDC and ACA had made a joint submission the Committee in April of 2014 Our recommendation was that CBC remain a commercial venue offering the most audience access to advertisers This was of even more relevance in the Quebec marketplace where Radio Canada achieves a more dominant audience position As we predicted in the summer of 2014 the report was considered largely irrelevant by the time of its release By June 2014 CBC had already restructured its workforce and released its new longer term strategic vision for 2015 and beyond The final report was considered poorly researched internally contradictory short on vision and does not grapple with the big questions facing Canadas public broadcaster Toronto Star July 26 2015 Even Senator Art Eggleton called it a lost opportunity Do not expect any further attention or action on this file Regulatory should continue to be a dynamic portfolio in the coming year as many of issues discussed here begin to be implemented and their influence and impact on the Canadian media environment become apparent REGULATORY NEWS INFORMATION COMMENTARY 26 The Business of Media CANADIAN MEDIA DIRECTORS COUNCIL