OTTAWA – The CRTC today approved an application for 9(1)(h) status made by The News Forum Inc. for its national news service.
“That order does not require broadcasting distribution undertakings to distribute national news services as part of the basic service. Rather, Broadcasting Order 2013-735 requires national news services to be offered to subscribers and establishes requirements relating to packaging and the negotiation of affiliation agreements,” the CRTC’s decision explains.
Back in May, the Commission approved The News Forum’s application for a broadcasting licence to operate its national news discretionary service, which was launched in 2020 and was previously operating as an exempt service.
As part of its application for a licence to operate, The News Forum requested 9(1)(h) status. The Commission found the service generally met the criteria but was unable to determine whether it provided updated news reports every 120 minutes and as such denied the initial request.
The CRTC’s decision today indicates The News Forum has provide the necessary information to determine it meets all necessary criteria. The Commission noted “no substantive issues regarding distribution were raised as part of this proceeding.” There were also no interventions submitted on the application.
The Commission also issued an updated broadcasting order for the distribution of Canadian national news discretionary services today reflecting its decision to grant The News Forum 9(1)(h) status.
For more, please click here.
