July 9, 2008 -
Re: Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2008-44 - Call for comments on the scope of a future proceeding on Canadian broadcasting in new mediaFRIENDS submission to the CRTC stresses the importance of ensuring the presence of thriving and dynamic Canadian content in the new media audio/visual environment.
May 8, 2008 - CRTC 2007-10: Final Comments
FRIENDS advises the CRTC against rule changes for Canada's cable and satellite companies that could reduce the exhibition of and expenditure on Canadian programming.
April 8, 2008 - Review of the regulatory frameworks for broadcasting distribution undertakings and discretionary programming services - CRTC 2007-10
FRIENDS presentation to the CRTC on possible regulation changes for Canada's cable and satellite industry.
February 22, 2008 - Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2007-10-01,02,03,04 – Review of the regulatory frameworks for broadcasting distribution undertakings and discretionary programming services
FRIENDS tells the CRTC that tinkering with TV regulations would most likely have long-term unintended and negative consequences that would undercut the stated objective of "ensuring a strong Canadian presence in the Canadian broadcasting system".
February 6, 2008 - Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2008-6: Public Disclosure of Aggregate Financial Data, Large Ownership Groups OTA-TV + Radio
FRIENDS tells the CRTC that financial disclosure is needed to ensure big media companies are living up to their Canadian content obligations.
January 25, 2008 - Review of the regulatory framework for broadcasting distribution undertakings and discretionary programming services CRTC 2007-10
FRIENDS recommends that the CRTC permit over-the-air television equitable access to subscriber cable/satellite fees in return for the expansion of local programming.
January 21, 2008 - Re: Public Notice CRTC 2007-18, items 15 & 27 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: Applications 2007-1423-9 & 2007-0363-8
FRIENDS recommends the CRTC ensure that granting CBC's applications to convert Radio One service in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Eastern Vancouver Island from AM to FM
January 11, 2008 - Submission to the Competition Policy Review Panel
FRIENDS urges the Competition Policy Review Panel to retain and protect foreign ownership laws for Canadian media and communication companies.
October 24, 2007 - Submission on the CRTC call for comments on a proposed Practice Direction on the Provision of Confidential Access to Confidential Information
FRIENDS supports the highest level of transparency and access to information possible in future CRTC proceedings.
October 19, 2007 - Submission to the CRTC on the review of the regulatory frameworks for broadcasting distribution undertakings and discretionary programming services
FRIENDS tells the CRTC that cultural sovereignty must come first and foremost in any redesign of the regulatory framework for big cable and satellite companies.
September 21, 2007 - Presentation to the CRTC Diversity of Voices Proceeding [PN CRTC 2007-5+41]
FRIENDS tells the CRTC BDUs have a huge impact on diversity of voices and should be a focus of the CRTC's review.
August 10, 2007 - Submission to the CRTC regarding the CanWest/Goldman Sachs Application to Acquire Alliance Atlantis
FRIENDS offers advice to the CRTC on CanWest's application to acquire Alliance Atlantis Communications.
August 2, 2007 - Rogers Media Inc. acquisition of CHUM City Stations
FRIENDS supports the Rogers acquisition of CHUM City Stations, but offers suggestions for the benefit of Canadian programming.
July 27, 2007 - Submission to the CRTC on the CTF Task Force Report
FRIENDS comments on proposals from a CRTC Task Force on the governance and operation of the Canadian Television Fund.
July 18, 2007 - Submission to the CRTC on the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council proposed Journalistic Independence Code
FRIENDS supports the CBSC proposal with the addition of two provisions to protect freedom of speech and access to employment in a changing media environment.
July 18, 2007 - Submission to the CRTC Diversity of Voices Proceeding
FRIENDS says unregulated services threaten to undermine the goals of the Broadcasting Act, and segments of the Canadian media industry now suffer from the negative impact of excessive concentration.
April 5, 2007 - Submission to the CRTC regarding the CTVglobemedia application to acquire all common shares of CHUM
FRIENDS recommends that in exchange for approving CTVglobemedia's acquisition of CHUM's radio and specialty television assets, CTVglobemedia should be required to divest the five CHUM/City stations and to retain CHUM's six A-Channel stations
March 14, 2007 - Presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in Vancouver
FRIENDS presents recommendations to parliamentarians on the role of the Public Broadcaster in the 21st Century.
March 8, 2007 - Submission to CRTC re Canada One Television (Diversity Television Inc.) [PN CRTC 2007-1: Application 200700072]
FRIENDS supports application of Canada One Television for a CRTC licence.
February 26, 2007 - Role of the Public Broadcaster in the 21st Century
FRIENDS recommends to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage that CBC governance should be free from patronage, the public broadcaster should better reflect Canada's regions and Parliament should increase CBC's budget by $100 million per year for the next five years.
December 6, 2006 - Presentation to the CRTC on the regulatory framework for over-the-air television [CRTC 2006 – 5]
FRIENDS encourages the CRTC to grant carriage fees to over-the-air broadcasters in return for commitments to local and drama programming and to reinstate a policy of requiring a percentage of revenue to be spent on the production of Canadian programming.
September 27, 2006 - Submission to the CRTC regarding the regulatory framework for over-the-air television
Friends makes recommendations on advertising regulations, subscriber fees, public broadcasting funding, out-of-market tuning, time shifting, Canadian programming, local programming, the benefits policy and HD issues.
September 19, 2006 - FRIENDS statement to the House of Commons - Standing Committee on Finance
Friends recommends that funding for Canadian public broadcasting should be increased to at least 0.14% of GDP, and in return for reducing, or eliminating its reliance on advertising revenues, the CBC's public funding should be increased.
September 5, 2006 - Pre-Budget Consultation Brief to the Finance Committee
FRIENDS recommendation to the Finance Committee states that the CBC's public funding should be increased in return for reducing, or eliminating its reliance on advertising revenues.
September 1, 2006 - Submission to CRTC re the Future Environment facing the Canadian Broadcasting System
FRIENDS reccomends that public policy should ensure that all entities which benefit from access to Canadian viewers and listeners make appropriate contributions to support Canadian content, especially drama on television.
June 11, 2006 - Submission to CRTC re Rogers Cable satellite subscription radio application [PN CRTC 2006-58: Application 2006-0196-5]
FRIENDS recommends that the CRTC not approve a satellite subscription radio application from Rogers Cable until sufficient Canadian audio programming is offered in accord with the Commission's policies.
May 24, 2006 - Written response to a question from the Commercial Radio Policy Review [PN CRTC 2006-1]
Responding to a question posed by the CRTC Chair during the hearings on Commercial Radio Policy, FRIENDS provides information regarding its organization and financing.
May 15, 2006 - Presentation to CRTC re Review of Commercial Radio Policy [PN CRTC 2006-1]
FRIENDS says the CRTC's recent annual reports reveal that despite audience fragmentation, the private radio industry is healthy and capable of making a substantial contribution towards the development of Canadian music and talent, and should be required to do so according to its means.
April 5, 2006 - Submission to CRTC re Bell Globemedia [Application 2005-1504-1: PN CRTC 2006-24]
FRIENDS supports the arguments in the joint submission of ACTRA, the Directors Guild of Canada and the Writers Guild of Canada that allowing Bell Globemedia to transfer ownership without payment of public benefits will create a significant and dangerous precedent; questions Bell Globemedia's reluctance to propose a benefits package consistent with that approved in BCE's year 2000 acquisition of CTV.
March 15, 2006 - Submission to CRTC re Review of Commercial Radio Policy [Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2006-1]
FRIENDS recommends that the CRTC increase the minimum airplay requirement for Canadian popular music on commercial radio to 40%, with at least one quarter of this minimum for new and emerging artists and genres, and comments on other important aspects of commercial radio regulatory policy.
