Canada law may force streaming services like Apple TV+ to promote local content
The Canadian government is working on approving a bill that would require all streaming services that service the country including Apple TV+ and Apple Music, to finance, distribute, and promote Canadian-made content.
The bill, known as Bill C-10, would subject major streaming services to the same requirements as traditional broadcasting companies. Companies affected would range from Apple's streaming services to companies like YouTube, Netflix, and even TikTok.
Justin Trudeau's government drafted it in the hope of protecting domestic cultural industries as more and more Canadians turn to the internet for entertainment. The Canadian government hopes to limit the influence of U.S. culture in particular, as much of the content that users are engaging with comes from content producers who live within the United States.
According to Bloomberg, those opposed to the bill worry that it would place limitations on free speech.
Other critics also worry that it would be difficult to enforce in the first place. The bill's language has been called "ambiguous," suggesting that the legislation won't regulate user activity, but that content produced by user-driven sites would be.
The bill targets "discoverability" in specific, and would require companies to promote Canadian content producers over those elsewhere. However, for user-driven sites, namely YouTube and TikTok, the concern is that the government would have too much overreach. Critics worry that the government could suppress free speech based on a creator's location.
It's currently unclear whether or not the bill will become law, as it still needs to pass through the Canadian Senate. Canadian elections later this year could significantly influence the legislation's ability to pass. If the senate kills the bill, the government would need to redraft it and start the process again.
Toronto has a large film industry, with shows like the now-ended Supernatural and current Star Trek: Discovery being filmed there. It isn't clear how this content will be counted towards the requirements proposed by C-10.
Canada isn't the only country to suggest such a bill, either. In December of 2020, European Union lawmakers proposed legislation that would require streaming giants to feature 30% European content or face a block.
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The bill, known as Bill C-10, would subject major streaming services to the same requirements as traditional broadcasting companies. Companies affected would range from Apple's streaming services to companies like YouTube, Netflix, and even TikTok.
Justin Trudeau's government drafted it in the hope of protecting domestic cultural industries as more and more Canadians turn to the internet for entertainment. The Canadian government hopes to limit the influence of U.S. culture in particular, as much of the content that users are engaging with comes from content producers who live within the United States.
According to Bloomberg, those opposed to the bill worry that it would place limitations on free speech.
Other critics also worry that it would be difficult to enforce in the first place. The bill's language has been called "ambiguous," suggesting that the legislation won't regulate user activity, but that content produced by user-driven sites would be.
The bill targets "discoverability" in specific, and would require companies to promote Canadian content producers over those elsewhere. However, for user-driven sites, namely YouTube and TikTok, the concern is that the government would have too much overreach. Critics worry that the government could suppress free speech based on a creator's location.
It's currently unclear whether or not the bill will become law, as it still needs to pass through the Canadian Senate. Canadian elections later this year could significantly influence the legislation's ability to pass. If the senate kills the bill, the government would need to redraft it and start the process again.
Toronto has a large film industry, with shows like the now-ended Supernatural and current Star Trek: Discovery being filmed there. It isn't clear how this content will be counted towards the requirements proposed by C-10.
Canada isn't the only country to suggest such a bill, either. In December of 2020, European Union lawmakers proposed legislation that would require streaming giants to feature 30% European content or face a block.
Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast -- and get a fast news update from AppleInsider Daily. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too.If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player.AppleInsider is also bringing you the best Apple-related deals for Amazon Prime Day 2021. There are bargains before, during, and even after Prime Day on June 21 and 22 -- with every deal at your fingertips throughout the event.
Comments
Apple should ask Canadian politicians, "Would you like more Canadian content in exchange for Apple removing its production for American shows outside of Canada?" But Apple is quite timid and doesn't know how to pick a fight, as I see so often with these monopoly and App Store issues.
I do agree that streaming services should promote the local content that they do have available, though that's about the limit of what I would legislate.
So is "Letterkenney", or "Trailer Park Boys", something that Ottawa really wants "discoverable"?*
*For the record, I've watched multiple seasons of both, and "Trailer Park Boys" was refreshingly offbeat for the first couple of seasons, then kind of lost its way, and "Letterkenney" has some brilliant writing for it's four core characters, but retreats to reprisals of its niche skits/sets often enough that it is tedious to watch. There's only so much you can do with hockey, native gangs, goths, and partying.
It seems more like a codification rather than punishment.
If it's like the (obsolete) CanCon rules AppleTV+ should be safe.
'Apple should ask Canadian politicians...'
We all should ask all politicians to just think. I suspect many just see what's on social media and try to gauge what will get them 'likes' from their chosen user base.
This is just Canadian pride and extortion of businesses. I hate how we are allowing the government to own tech companies. These non techie politicians know nothing yet they want to run tech companies.
Who's next? Mexico? Kazakhstan? Thailand?
What happens if the U.S. demands 30%, Canada demands 30%, U.K. demands 30% and Australia demands 30%? That’s 120% of English language content. Will that content stay local?
Will the country bit*hing pay for production? (Of course not).
Drake and The Weeknd are fine (who I believe no longer reside in Canada so could be a problem) but if Apple is forced to fill 30% of Apple Music’s catalogue with Canadian artists, that’s absurd.