CRTC ADJUSTS RADIO RULES
By Adnews Staff
Radio stations across Canada will have to raise the volume on its Canadian music content, according to a ruling last week by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Under the new rules, radio stations will have to raise their weekly Canadian content from 30% to 35%. Currently, the CRTC allows radio stations to play Canadian content 25% of the time between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. They can then increase their Canadian content during nights and weekends to make up their 30%. Under the new rule, radio stations will have to maintain the 35% Canadian content all day. Within the next five years, the CRTC plans to raise the percentage of Canadian content to 40%. In addition, the CRTC has changed ownership rules, allowing companies to own four stations in the seven biggest Canadian cities and three in other markets. Currently, they are restricted to owning one AM and one FM station in the same city.