OTTAWA – Noted filmmaker and TV producer Robert Lantos isn’t letting last year’s failure to secure a licence for a must-carry all Canadian movie channel get in his way. His proposed endeavour Starlight is up for consideration as a Category B specialty service in a CRTC hearing next week (as a non-appearing item).
The English-language specialty television channel, which also has the backing of Victor Loewy and David Kassie among others, aims to be a showcase for Canadian feature films. Its plans are to air feature films and documentaries intended for theatrical release, including made-for-TV movies and programs with or about Canadian creators. Feature films intended for theatrical release will be presented without commercials.
In its application, Starlight argues, just as it did in a public hearing in April 2013, that there is no competing channel available in Canada.
“No Category A service is similar to the service we are proposing, because there is currently no English-language linear service to which one can tune for Canadian movies,” reads the application. “For instance, Canadian movies accounted for only 5.2% of programming on the English-language pay television services in 2011, and has hovered around 10% on the English-language ‘mini-pay’ services.”
Starlight adds the proportion of Canadian feature films shown is even lower “by a significant margin” on Category A specialty services.
The channel has proposed conditions of licence it believes will ensure the vast majority of programming is Canadian. Over a broadcast month, Starlight commits to air no less than 85% of its programming and 85% of its evening broadcast of Canadian programs, no more than 25% of its programming from theatrical feature films aired on television (category 7d), and no more than 10% of its programming combined from music video clips or music video programs (categories 8b and 8c).
Starlight says the first condition of licence will ensure that content that meets Canadian content certification requirement occupies the vast majority of airtime, but provides flexibility so the channel can meet its qualitative nature of service with programming that may not be certified as Canadians.
“While this level is far higher than for any other drama-oriented service in Canadian history, we believe it may be commercially sustainable assuming prudent management,” says Starlight’s application.
The second condition of licence works in conjunction with the qualitative nature of service and the 85% Canadian content condition to ensure that non-animation oriented Category B services do not compete directly with Teletoon.
