CRTC renews licence of The Weather Network/MétéoMédia until 2018
Canada NewsWire
OTTAWA-GATINEAU, July 22, 2011 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) renewed the broadcasting licence of The Weather Network and MétéoMédia until 2018. These services will continue to be offered to every television subscriber as long as conditions related to the creation of a national emergency alert system are met.
Pelmorex Communications, which operates the two weather channels, has made specific commitments to improve The Weather Network and MétéoMédia's ability to provide weather forecasts, road safety information and other important messages to viewers. During the new licence term, it will:
- create three new regional feeds by December 1, 2012
- launch high-definition versions of The Weather Network and MétéoMédia
- increase the amount allocated to the production of Canadian programming to at least 44% of its annual gross revenues, and
- ensure its programming continues to be 100% Canadian.
The Weather Network and MétéoMédia will be offered as part of the basic television package for the duration of the new licence term provided that Pelmorex:
- ensures the appropriate federal, provincial and territorial organizations, including Environment Canada, are authorized to issue alerts through its system by January 1, 2012
- takes all necessary steps to ensure the participation of broadcasters and broadcasting distributors in the provision of emergency alerts to Canadians, and
- spends at least $1 million per year, over a two-year period, on a national campaign to increase public awareness of the alerting system.
Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-438
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-438.htm