CRTC reviews rules for French-language music on the radio

OTTAWA and GATINEAU, QC, July 20, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today launched a proceeding to ensure that French-language music is better supported in the current digital context.

The CRTC wants to examine the current regulatory framework for French-language vocal music to ensure that it takes into account the current and future environment. In light of industry transformations and changing consumption habits, this proceeding aims to ensure better discovery, promotion, creation and consumption of French-language vocal music.

Canadians' consumption habits are changing with the advent of new broadband-driven technologies. Canadians continue to appreciate commercial radio, but many, particularly young people, are moving away from it to listen to and discover music on other platforms.

In certain markets such as Montreal and Ottawa-Gatineau, listeners are migrating from French-language stations to English-language stations. In addition, more and more streaming music services are available in Canada, creating changes in listeners' habits.

The places where listeners used to enjoy commercial radio (in the car, at work, at home) now have access to broadband and provide several options for listening to music.

This proceeding will serve to ensure that French-language content is present in music programming and to provide French-language vocal music listeners with access to programming that reflects their needs, interests and culture.

Comments regarding these issues must be submitted to the CRTC by September 3, 2015, in one of the following ways:

• by filling out the online form
• by writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, or
• by sending a fax to 819-994-0218.

The CRTC will hold a public hearing as part of this proceeding starting on November 16, 2015, in Quebec City.

Quick facts

• The CRTC is launching a proceeding to examine the framework for French-language vocal music to foster its discovery, promotion, creation and consumption in the digital era.
• The music consumption habits of Canadian Francophones are changing, and the music and radio industries must adapt to those changes.
• The CRTC will hold a public hearing in Quebec City to discuss these issues starting on November 16, 2015.
• Comments must be submitted to the CRTC by September 3, 2015.
• The CRTC had announced this initiative it its Three-Year Plan for 2015-2018.

Quote
"Broadband is changing Canadians' daily lives. We are now connected almost everywhere we go and have more and more options to discover and listen to French music from around the world. The framework surrounding French-language music must adapt to make sure that it is part of those choices and to more efficiently support francophone artists, including creators from here.

We encourage the various members of the industry to participate in great numbers in this process and suggest innovative ideas and solutions for the future. After all, this proceeding aims to foster better promotion, discovery and consumption of French-language music."

Jean-Pierre Blais, CRTC Chairman

Related links

• Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2015-318 - Review of the regulatory framework for French-language vocal music applicable to the commercial radio sector

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

For further information: Contacts: Media relations, 819-997-9403; General inquiries, 819-997-0313, Toll-free no.: 1-877-249-CRTC (2782), TTY: 819-994-0423