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Canadian Regulator Threatens To Impose New Netflix Regulation

Posted by Soulskill on from the play-ball-or-go-away dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Netflix appeared before the Canadian broadcast regulator today, resulting in a remarkably heated exchange, with threats of new regulation. The discussion was very hostile — the CRTC repeatedly ordered Netflix to provide subscriber information and other confidential data. As tempers frayed, the Canadian regulator expressed disappointment over the responses from a company that it said "takes hundreds of millions of dollars out of Canada." The CRTC implicitly threatened to regulate the company by taking away its ability to rely on the new media exception if it did not cooperate with its orders.

6 of 324 comments (clear)

  1. why does the CRTC need this list? by ganjadude · · Score: 5, Insightful

    why does anyone other than netflix need to know who their customers are?

    --
    have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
    1. Re:why does the CRTC need this list? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The CRTC is in the pockets of companies that don't like netflix, aka cable companies.

    2. Re: why does the CRTC need this list? by NeutronCowboy · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Wow. Every regulatory agency is just there to expand its own powers? They do nothing else?

      The reason people point you at Somalia is because your hyperbole leads you directly there. Want to have a civilized discussion about the optImal size of government? Great, start by dropping the ridiculous hyperbole.

      --
      Those who can, do. Those who can't, sue.
    3. Re:why does the CRTC need this list? by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I'm not sure if anyone commenting on this story is actually Canadian, but the Canadian Content mandate has existed for years. It's not about favouring Canadian production companies so much as encouraging Canadian content for cultural reasons. Being so close to the USA leaves us vulnerable to sort of being swamped, culturally.

      Radio stations are required to play a certain amount of Canadian music as well. It's not really anything new.

      Personally, I like the idea of that. It encourages and funds a lot of Canadian artists that might otherwise get swamped out of the market by monied American interests.

    4. Re:why does the CRTC need this list? by kristianbrigman · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Except.... cable companies program what they are going to play. Netflix plays what their subscribers want to see. What are they supposed to do, put up a notice saying 'You can't watch the next episode of "Under the Dome" until you first watch your quota of 3 of these other Canadian shows?' The rules don't even make sense for the Netflix model.

  2. Easy solution... by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I've got a solution that will make everyone happy:
    Have NetFlix partner with the NFB to distribute NFB content... globally. Nothing like providing global access to Canadian content. NetFlix could even provide it for free to everyone in Canada with an account but no current subscription. Under this setup, the CRTC wouldn't have a leg to stand on, as at that point, they will get their Canadian Content on NetFlix (not sure about the French/English ratio though).

    HOWEVER

    I'm pretty sure this really has nothing to do with NetFlix and EVERYTHING to do with the new consortium raising a Canadian NetFlix "competitor" (Shomi) whispering nasty things in the CRTC's ear. Yes, blame Rogers/Shaw for this fracas, as they're likely where the blame really lies.