Rogers Television and CTV must maintain the current levels of domestic programming on their over-the-air (OTA) stations, following a series rulings by Canadian regulators.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) this week rejected three separate but similar requests from the broadcasters to loosen the minimum Canadian content requirements at some 35 OTA stations across the country, from 60% to 55%.
CTV and Rogers said they wanted to get a jump on the new, more flexible regulations that take effect next September. The former also argued that its six-station mini-network - the A Channels - needs relief from its current financial trouble.
The CRTC answered that its policies are not to be implemented "piecemeal" or without extending the same consideration to Rogers and CTV's competitors.