CRTC Hits Two Stations With Restrictions On Music 'Montages'

Fines Two

The CRTC has placed restrictions on the use of music montages by ASTRAL French Top 40 CKTF (RADIO NRJ)/GATINEAU-OTTAWA and COGECO French Top 40 CKOI/MONTREAL, limiting the montages to no more than 10% of weekly programming.  The montages, with clips of several songs, are considered a single song for purposes of Canadian content regulation, but the two stations were allegedly airing the montages, composed of English-language, non-Canadian music, at levels up to 18% of all programming.

The Commission also hit RNC MEDIA French Rock CFTX (CAPITALE ROCK)/GATINEAU-OTTAWA with a shortened license renewal period of five years for failure to comply with content regulations regarding French vocal music.  And it also announced that it will gather data on French-language radio and hold a symposium this WINTER to determine the extent of the problem of non-compliance with content regulations through the use of montages.

"There is a widespread trend on the part of some French-language broadcasters to use montages inappropriately," said CRTC Vice Chairman/Broadcasting TOM PENTEFOUNTAS. "Some licensees appear to be using montages to circumvent the requirements for French-language vocal music. We are finding that for some Francophone commercial stations, the current quotas represent a particular challenge given their target audience and the market they serve."

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