XN QUEBEC REACTS TO THE REPORT “THE FUTURE OF PROGRAMMING DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA” PUBLISHED BY THE CRTC

Xn Quebec, the Association of digital experience producers, took note of the report The Future of Programming Distribution in Canada published by the CRTC on May 31^st, and was happy to read that the Commission believes in the importance of involving every player of the industry – even the foreign ones – to finance the production and promotion of Canadian content.

The CRTC report echoes some of the recommendations made by Xn Quebec in its brief presented during the consultation period in December 2017. These recommendations essentially focused on the necessary conditions for the stimulation of the market of digital content and its distribution.

Hence, in the report, the CRTC emphasizes the necessity to make sure that Canadian content creators maintain the rights associated to their creations and are able to exploit those rights, a recommendation made by Xn Quebec in its brief.

On the question addressing business models that might contribute to the growth of the domestic market, Xn Quebec noted in its brief the importance for companies to have a toolbox to help them adapt to new business models. In this regard, the Commission recognises that approaches on the legislative and regulatory level have been lagging behind current technological and social realities. It recommends prioritizing the development of future tools that are flexible enough to constantly adapt themselves.

About the financing strategy of the federal government, the report of the Commission mentions that it should “integrate or at minimum align the existing contributions of the federal government directed to audio and video content.” Xn Québec recommended this action and wishes to see it implemented not only at the federal level, but at every level of government.

The report of the Commission underlines the importance of user data, that would however remain the exclusive propriety of the services collecting it. Xn Quebec shares these observations and reiterates its conviction that pooling knowledge and date, particularly user and consumption data, would foster the acquisition of collective intelligence about the market, which is necessary for its development.

Finally, Xn Quebec is glad that the Commission underlines the importance of openness to international markets, in terms of financial partnerships as well as exportation of the national production and development of innovative ways to transmit our experience worldwide.

Xn Quebec will attentively monitor the reception of the report’s observations and recommendations by the government.