#CRTC calls hearing for May 25 on renewal of CBC’s broadcasting licenses, announces start of Facebook consultation. (Because we know the most thoughtful and measured comments come from the public on Facebook.) https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2019/2019-379.htm

Among changes to conditions of licence the CBC is proposing are lower quotas for scripted programs, and a lower local programming requirement for TV stations, including eliminating the requirement for non-news local programming (which is fulfilled with Our Montreal et al) #CRTC

CBC is also proposing increases to mandatory fees for CBC News Network (in French-language markets) and RDI (in English-language markets), from $0.15 to $0.20 a month and from $0.10 to $0.13 a month per subscriber, respectively. #CRTC

As part of its licence renewal, CBC commissioned a study of the perception of CBC News Network by Quebec anglos versus the rest of Canada. Turns out they’re about the same. Few significant differences.

CBC also commissioned a comparative analysis between CBC NN and CTV News Channel by Cormex Research. "CBC relied more extensively on its local journalists (the majority reporting from the field) for reporting and commenting on events…

... while CTV relied more heavily on third-party speakers and experts, as well as US-based reporters."

"CBC journalists filed or provided commentary on almost 49% of the network’s international coverage, compared to 24% for CTV."

"CBC reporters tended to give more airtime to experts (18%) compared to CTV (12%). CTV reports filed by its journalists saw a higher share of politicians."

"CBC News Network is the most popular Canadian English news service in the province of Quebec and second overall behind CNN."

Though Numeris does not specifically measure francophones outside Quebec, CBC calculates that 622,000 people outside Quebec watched RDI for at least five minutes in 2018-19.

The #CRTC asked the CBC about its assertion that "digital platforms provide the most efficient and convenient way to expand the Corporation's local presence” versus over-the-air broadcasting, and how that helps the 11% of Canadians without internet access...

CBC’s answer: "CBC/Radio-Canada is not in a position to provide Internet access to the 11% of Canadians who either cannot afford or choose not to subscribe to Internet access services.” It says internet affordability is the responsibility of the government and the #CRTC

Over three questions about how people without high-speed internet access can consume CBC’s services that are moving increasingly online, the public broadcaster’s response has been, essentially, “not our problem.” #CRTC

"CBC/Radio-Canada does not have any plans to shut down any originating stations or rebroadcasting transmitters over the course of the next licence term.” #CRTC

CBC/Radio-Canada is also proposing a new biannual regional consultation with Indigenous communities and producers, similar to its biannual consultations with official language minority communities. #CRTC

CBC on the use of HD Radio: "Within the next couple of years, CBC/Radio-Canada plans on expanding its HD Radio services in Vancouver (Radio One), Toronto (Radio One) and Ottawa (Radio One and ICI PREMIÈRE). We do not have plans to create new content for 
HD channels.” #CRTC

CBC tells the #CRTC it has converted 51 low-power transmitters from AM to FM since 2013. It says it has not received a single complaint about this, and in fact has received many comments that the signal has improved.