Major streamers must pay 15% of revenue to Canadian content, CRTC says – National

The federal broadcast regulator says large online streaming services must contribute 15 per cent of their Canadian revenues to Canadian content.

That’s three times the five-per-cent initial contribution requirement the CRTC set out in 2024, which is being challenged in court by major streamers, including Apple, Amazon and Spotify.

Contribution requirements for traditional broadcasters, which currently pay between 30 and 45 per cent, will be lowered to 25 per cent.

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The CRTC also set out rules on how the money must be spent for both streamers and broadcasters, including contributions toward production funds and direct spending on Canadian content.

The rules apply to streamers and broadcasters with at least $25 million in annual Canadian broadcasting revenues.

The CRTC made the decisions as part of its implementation of the Online Streaming Act, which the U.S. has identified as a trade irritant ahead of trade negotiations with Canada.