CHUM, Astral appeal CRTC satellite radio decision
By Adnews Staff
CHUM Limited and Astral Media, along with CHIN Radio Television, Jazz FM91, Fairchild Radio Group, O.K. Radio Group, Newcap, Larche Communications, Aboriginal Voices Radio, Rock 95 Broadcasting, Evanov Radio Group and Radio-Nord Communications, have filed a Notice to Appeal the recent CRTC decisions granting satellite subscription radio licences to Canadian Satellite Radio and Sirius Canada. In the notice, these broadcasters claim that the conditions of licence in these decisions do not place enough emphasis on the use of Canadian content and the multicultural nature of Canadian society. The notice also claims that the two services referenced will not be effectively owned and operated by Canadians. "Irrespective of CHUM and Astral Media's interests as licensees, we do not believe that the regulatory framework created by these decisions allows for a sustainable broadcasting system", said Paul Ski, executive vice-president for radio at CHUM. "The low threshold of Canadian content requirements imposed on the US supported satellite licensees is a dramatic departure from historical broadcasting precedent. If allowed to stand, this will inevitably cause significant harm to not only Canadian artists and radio broadcasters, but to the Canadian broadcasting system as a whole." According to the companies, the full appeal will be filed with the Privy Council before the July 31. Two other appeals against this ruling have already been filed, one by a coalition of French-language cultural groups and another by the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, CRIA, CIRPA, ACTRA, the Writers Guild, the Directors Guild and member groups of the Canadian Labour Congress.