The Commission stated its intention to implement a number of policy determinations at the renewal of television licences owned by large English- and French-language ownership groups, which expire on 31 August 2024.
As a first step, and in accordance with the new procedures announced in Broadcasting Information Bulletin 2024-116, the Commission requests that the licensees listed in the appendix submit renewal applications so that the Commission has time to process them before the expiration of the licences.
Given that there is no licence renewal application form for television services owned by large ownership groups, the Commission has sent customized letters to each group today. Licensees are required to respond to questions set out in the letter. These questions and the responses provided will comprise the application, which will be published at a later date.
Unless otherwise required or authorized, the licensees must submit their renewal application by no later than 4 April 2024. Licensees who do not wish to renew their licences beyond the expiry date indicated in this notice must advise the Commission in writing by no later than 4 April 2024.
The applications will be reviewed once they have been received and may be subject to questions. The Commission will thereafter issue another notice of consultation, at which time interested persons will be given the opportunity to comment on each group's renewal application.
Rogers Media Inc.
In Broadcasting Decision 2024-8, the Commission denied applications by the Urban Alliance on Race Relations and Unifor Local 723M seeking an expedited public hearing on the broadcast of local third-language newscasts on Rogers Media Inc.'s (Rogers) OMNI stations. It also announced in that decision that it would review the OMNI stations' ongoing performance and requirements, including their obligations regarding the provision of local third-language programming, as part of the upcoming licence renewals.
Consequently, on 12 January 2024, Commission staff sent a letter to Rogers requesting that it file a licence renewal application for its services by no later than 7 March 2024. After having received this letter, Rogers requested an extension. As a result, Rogers must now file the information required for its OMNI stations by no later than 7 March 2024 and complete the application by filing the information for its other services by no later than 1 April 2024.
Application by Shaw
In Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2024-22, the Commission announced that it had received an application by Shaw Communications Inc. on behalf of Shaw Media Inc. and its licensed subsidiaries (SMI), for authority to effect a multi-step intra-corporate reorganization by transferring all the voting shares of SMI to Corus Entertainment Inc. or one of its subsidiaries (Corus).
The renewal of the licences that are relevant to SCI's application will be dealt with as part of the present process.