Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller at a news conference in Ottawa, on June 10.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Listen to this episode by clicking above or subscribe to The Decibel on your favourite podcast app or platform: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts and YouTube.
Canada’s Online Streaming Act is a thorn in the side of the U.S. administration. The law, passed in 2023, brings streaming platforms like Netflix, Paramount and Disney under Canada’s broadcast regulations, and requires them to support and promote Canadian content. But the implementation of the law has been slow, and the regulator, the CRTC, has been taken to court by U.S. streaming platforms. Now, the Canadian government is asking the CRTC to back down on some of its funding requirements.
Today, we speak with Barry Hertz, The Globe’s deputy arts editor and film editor. He explains the holdups in getting the Online Streaming Act off the ground, the impact on the industry and how the minister in charge of this file defends his government’s decision to push for a rollback on funding requirements for Canadian content.
The edit of this episode now includes a clarification note from Netflix on Canadian revenue contributions.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com