Law / News of Interest to the Disabled Community
with respect to Multi-media access
Decision CRTC 2001-457
Ottawa, 2 August 2001
The following is excertpted from the Canadian Radio-television
and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) website for your convenience.
Please visit www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/eng/decisions/2001/db2001-457.htm
for the whole document.
jump to the part on service
to the hearing impaired
jump to the part on service to the visually impaired
Licence renewals for the television stations
controlled by CTV
The Commission renews the licences for the television stations controlled
by CTV for a seven year term. The licence renewal applications for
these stations were considered at the 17 April 2001 public hearing
held in the National Capital Region. A list of conditions of licence
common to all stations controlled by CTV is set out in Appendix
2 to this decision.
...
Service to the hearing impaired
61.
In the past, closed captioning requirements for private English-language
conventional television stations have differed depending on the
level of revenues. At the hearing, the Commission explored with
the licensee the possibility of requiring all of its stations, regardless
of revenues, to meet requirements for closed captioning by September
2001, and to caption all news programming, not just local news.
The Commission notes that, at the hearing, the licensee indicated
that it had been successful in selling sponsorships for its closed
captioning.
62.
At the hearing, CTV indicated that all of its major stations could
meet requirements related to closed captioning by September 2001.
It was, however, concerned that such an early implementation could
result in problems with respect to the quality of captioning at
its smaller stations. CTV therefore suggested that smaller stations
be obligated to reach the required levels by September 2003. The
licensee agreed that captioning requirements should apply to all
news programming that is broadcast.
63.
After discussion at the hearing, and in light of commitments made
by the applicant, the Commission has decided that it is reasonable
to require all of CTV's stations, regardless of revenues, to caption
90% of all programming that they broadcast, including all news (category
1) programming. The Commission is imposing these requirements as
a condition of licence for each of the CTV stations being renewed
today, except stations affiliated to the CBC. The imposition of
a condition of licence emphasizes the importance that the Commission
places on commitments with respect to closed captioning and does
not reflect any concerns with CTV's performance in meeting previous
requirements. The Commission reminds the licensee that closed captioning
obligations include live feeds.
64.
For all stations earning $10 million or more in annual advertising
revenues and network payments, the condition of licence will be
effective on 1 September 2001, the beginning of the new licence
term. For CTV stations earning less than $10 million in annual advertising
revenues and network payments, the condition of licence will come
into effect starting 1 September 2003. The Commission considers
that some short-term flexibility for smaller stations is appropriate.
65.
In the case of CBC-affiliated stations, the Commission recognizes
that, other than local programming, most of the schedule of these
stations is provided by the CBC. The Commission notes that Decision
CRTC 2000-1 requires the CBC to ensure that at least 90% of the
programming distributed nationally is closed captioned in each year
of the licence term. Consistent with the approach adopted for the
CBC, the Commission therefore expects CBC-affiliated stations owned
by CTV to provide captioning of at least 90% of all programming,
including 100% of all news.
66.
The Commission notes that the 90% obligation is based on the recognition
that requiring 100% captioning at all times may not be reasonable
or appropriate. Thus, the obligation is designed to provide some
flexibility to cover unforeseen circumstances (such as late delivery
of captions, technical malfunctions, or the lack of availability
of captions for programs acquired outside North America), or programming
where captioning may not be feasible, such as third language programming.
67.
The Commission further expects CTV to focus on improving the quality,
reliability and accuracy of captioning on each of its stations,
and to work with representatives of the deaf and hard of hearing
community to ensure that its captioning continues to meet their
needs at a consistent high quality level.
Service to the visually impaired
68.
"Audio description" and "video description"
or "described video" are methods of improving the service
that television broadcasters provide to the visually impaired. Audio
description involves the provision of basic voice-overs of textual
or graphic information displayed on the screen. A broadcaster providing
audio description will, for example, not simply display sports scores
on the screen, but also read them aloud so that the visually impaired
can receive the information.
69.
Video description, or described video as it is also known, consists
of narrative descriptions of a program's key visual elements so
that people who are visually impaired are able to form a mental
picture of what is occurring on the screen. These descriptions can
be provided on the Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) channel. Not
all broadcasters are currently equipped to deliver a SAP signal.
Thus, the introduction of descriptive video via the SAP channel
requires significant capital expenditures to upgrade a licensee's
transmission facilities.
Audio description
70.
CTV indicated that it is committed to its general practice of providing
audio description of important graphic information. It conveys all
emergency information, such as weather warnings, in audio form as
well as in video form. The Commission notes this commitment, and
expects CTV to ensure that it provides audio description where appropriate.
It further expects the licensee to take the necessary steps to ensure
that its service responds to the needs of visually impaired audiences.
Described video
71.
At the hearing, CTV made a significant commitment to roll out descriptive
video programming. CTV originally proposed a seven-year plan for
upgrading the technical facilities of all of its stations so that
they could transmit described video. Roll out would begin in the
largest markets, and other markets would be upgraded over the licence
term. At the reply stage of the hearing, however, CTV committed
to an accelerated schedule, making a commitment that it would complete
the process by the end of the second year of the licence term.
72.
CTV also committed to a ramp up of the amount of described programming.
As they are upgraded, stations will provide two hours a week of
described Canadian priority programming within the first two years
of the licence term. This minimum level will increase to three hours
per week in the third year, and to four hours per week in year five.
At least 50% of the described video programming aired each week
will be original, with the remainder consisting of program repeats.
The Commission commends CTV on this significant commitment.
73.
The National Broadcast Reading Service (NBRS) recommended that obligations
with respect to described video relate to all categories of priority
programming. The Commission notes, however, that some types of programming
lend themselves more readily to video description. These types of
programming are drama, long-form documentaries and children's programming.
The Commission considers that requirements related to described
video should apply, first and foremost, to these types of programs,
aired during peak viewing time.
74.
In light of the above, the Commission is imposing a condition of
licence on each CTV station relating to the provision of described
video. The condition requires CTV's largest stations (in Toronto,
Ottawa and Vancouver) to broadcast, between 7:00 p.m. and 11 p.m.,
an average of two hours per week of described video programming
during the first two years of the licence term. All of CTV's stations
are required to provide three hours per week in year three, and
four hours per week in year five. A minimum of 50% of the hours
must be original broadcasts. This programming must be Canadian and
be from categories 2 (b) and 7. The licensee may, however, count
toward fulfilment of this condition a maximum of one hour per week
of described video programming that is directed to children and
broadcast during an appropriate children's viewing time.
75.
The Commission further expects CTV, wherever possible, to acquire
and exhibit described versions of the Canadian and non-Canadian
programming that its stations broadcast. It notes that some American
programs already include descriptions in order to fulfil requirements
in this area that are in effect in the United States. Finally, the
Commission commends the licensee for making concrete proposals with
respect to the broadcast of programming that includes described
video. The Commission considers that the presence of such programming
in the Canadian broadcasting system is an important contribution.
The previous was excertpted from the Canadian Radio-television
and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) website for your convenience.
Please visit www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/eng/decisions/2001/db2001-457.htm
for the whole document.
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