Netflix, Apple, and Amazon fight against the CRTC rule as they push back on the Canadian order to fund local news and culture
Why the legal fight?
Live Events
Canadian broadcasters respond
Unintended consequences
Looking ahead
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
When Netflix, Spotify Apple , and Amazon show up in court Monday(June 9), they won't just challenge a regulation, they'll bring the voices of creators, broadcasters, and everyday Canadians into the spotlight.Under Canada's Online Streaming Act (Bill C‑11), which became law in April 2023, the Canadian Radio‑television and Telecommunications Commission ( CRTC ) gained powers to regulate streaming services. Any service earning more than $25 million in Canada must invest 5 percent of its Canadian revenues into Canadian content from Indigenous and francophone programming to local indie news. That is expected to generate roughly $200 million annually.Apple, Amazon, and Spotify argue the CRTC exceeded its authority under the Broadcasting Act. Spotify says the charge is a hidden tax, while Amazon claims it's unfair to treat foreign services differently from Canadian media companies. Apple adds that the rule is premature and inequitable as it requires five times the contribution of radio, yet leaves out access to the very funds streamers pay into.Meanwhile, the Motion Picture Association–Canada (representing Netflix, Paramount Disney , others) takes issue with a 1.5 percent local news fund contribution. It argues streamers don't produce news, have no news licenses, and can't access the funds they're asked to support.The Canadian Association of Broadcasters counters that traditional media has shouldered the burden of funding Canadian content for decades, while online players escaped unscathed. Broadcasters warn streaming giants have accelerated a funding crisis for local news and independent outlets.Local TV journalist Sarah MacDonald from rural Ontario shared, 'Our newsroom covers everything from high‑school sports to floods, without this funding, what happens to people's stories?' Meanwhile, Ottawa-based media watchdog Joe Patel cautions: 'These contributions aren't taxes, they're investments in Canadian identity.'But critics, including University of Ottawa professor Michael Geist, warn the 5 percent levy could raise subscription costs or spark market exits, just as Spotify did in France when similar regulations hit.Canada's Federal Court of Appeal will likely rule this summer. The decision could redefine 'fair' regulation in the digital age, balancing global services and Canadian culture, while deciding who ultimately pays for your local news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Standard
21 minutes ago
- Business Standard
A weak dollar hasn't prevented rupee from trading near record lows
Despite the US dollar index weakening by 9.53 per cent in the current calendar year, the rupee is trading near its lowest against the greenback. The local currency has depreciated by 2.3 per cent in the current calendar year so far. The dollar index measures the value of the greenback relative to a basket of six currencies, including Euro, Yen, British Pound, Swiss Franc, Canadian dollar and Swedish Krona. Market participants said that the domestic currency has remained under pressure despite favourable conditions from a weaker dollar, as subdued capital inflows and external headwinds weighed on investor sentiment. The recent US tariff hikes on Indian exports to the world's largest economy, of up to 50 per cent, have heightened trade tensions, dampened investor confidence, and triggered foreign portfolio outflows. 'It is only the tariffs, which is a concern right now. Otherwise, we typically weaken by 1 per cent to 2 per cent in a year. So, whatever excess weakness has happened is because of tariffs. We are expecting FY26 to close at an average rate of 87 per dollar,' said Abhishek Goenka, chief executive officer at IFA Global. Higher US tariffs are believed to weigh on India's exports, leading to lower forex earnings for the country, and thus higher demand for the greenback in the domestic market. Additionally, a surprise 50-basis-point policy rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in June eroded carry trade appeal and lowered forward premiums, leaving the rupee more vulnerable to external shocks. Against other major currencies, Euro and British Pound, the rupee has witnessed 12 per cent and 7 per cent depreciation, respectively, so far. Analysts said that global investors are increasingly shifting capital towards developed markets, which are currently trading at record highs. Foreign portfolio investors have net sold Rs 10,147 crore worth of equities so far in August (till 11th). 'The dollar index has softened, which means the dollar has weakened against other currencies like Euro and Pound in the basket because of tariffs,' said the treasury head at a private bank. 'The rupee is under pressure because of the continuous outflow from equities,' he added. In early 2025, Europe's major currencies strengthened significantly against the US dollar as growing concerns over the US economic outlook prompted investors to shift portfolio allocations toward Europe and the UK. The rupee had touched its record low of 87.95 per dollar on February 10, 2025. Between March and early July, it regained some ground, appreciating about 2.5 per cent to trade near 85.59 per USdollar on the back of improved trade sentiment, foreign portfolio inflows, and reduced speculative positions. However, renewed concerns on US tariff hikes, persistent capital outflows, and weakening investor sentiment in August pushed the rupee back toward its lows, hovering in the 87.80–87.88 range. RBI interventions in the spot and non-deliverable forwards (NDF) markets have so far prevented a breach of the 88 mark, said market observers. On Monday, the rupee settled at 87.66 per dollar, flat against the previous close. Latest data by the RBI show that the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) of the rupee fell to 100.36 in June, down from 101.12 in May. The REER adjusts the Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) to account for inflation differentials between India and its major trading partners. A REER value above 100 indicates an appreciation of the rupee relative to the base year, potentially making Indian exports less competitive in global markets. On the other hand, the RBI's interventions in the NDF and spot forex markets to avoid the rupee's decline past 88 per dollar resulted in a significant depletion of foreign exchange reserves, marking the steepest decline of 2025. India's foreign exchange reserves fell by $9.3 billion to $688 billion in the week ended August 1, the highest weekly fall since the week ended November 15, 2024. The RBI sold around $6.9 billion in the spot market because the rupee was under pressure during the week, whereas, there was a revaluation loss of about $2.1 billion.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Travel collapse! Canadian tourists vanish overnight — Montana's vacation towns in panic mode
US-Canada border tourism trends 2025: Montana's tourism sector is facing a downturn as Canadian visits have significantly decreased, impacting local businesses. Border crossing data reveals substantial drops at key entry points, with some ports experiencing declines of up to 29%. A decline in Canadian credit card spending further confirms this trend. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Canadians Make Up a Key Part of Montana's Tourism Economy Canadian Tourists Decline: Montana's Vacation Towns Sound the Alarm Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Border Crossings Drop at Every Port of Entry Credit Card Spending Confirms the Decline in Tourism Dollars Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Montana's popular vacation towns are facing a sudden crisis as Canadian tourists, once a reliable source of visitors, seem to have vanished almost overnight, as per a report. Local businesses and tourism officials are sounding the alarm as cross-border visits plunge, putting the region's economy on edge, according to a NBC Montana Michael, director of the University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research, has shared that Canadians have traditionally made up about 8% of Montana's non-resident visitors, as reported by CNBC. But recent data tells a worrying story as the number of Canadians coming into Montana has sharply declined, sparking concern among tourism-dependent communities, as per the READ: From $32 million loss to just $4.7 million, AMC's big comeback sends shares soaring over 8% CEO of Montana's Glacier Country tourism group, Racene Friede, pointed out that though Canadians are still visiting, but the numbers are declining, according to the NBC Montana said that, "They are absolutely coming especially if you were to talk to the businesses on the ground, Canadians are here, but we are most certainly seeing a decrease in visitation," as quoted in the READ: Is Google's AI revolution a threat to website traffic for digital publishers? Here are strategies to stay ahead Data from US Customs and Border Protection shows Canadian crossings at Montana's key entry points have fallen recently, reported NBC Montana, citing May's the Del Bonita port, crossings dropped nearly 25% compared to 2024, while Piegan and Roosville saw declines of about 12% and 29%, respectively, according to the report. Even the busy Sweetgrass port recorded a 28% drop, compared to last year, as per NBC Michael pointed out that, "not every Canadian visitor to Montana enters this way – but it is a decent indicator," as quoted in the READ: 10 must-change iOS 18.6 settings that'll make your iPhone feel like day one again Local tourism leaders are backing up the border data with insights from consumer behavior, like Diane Medler, executive director of Discover Kalispell, noted that Canadian credit card spending in the area has dropped by roughly 37% per month so far this year, with March seeing the steepest fall, as reported by NBC the executive director at Explore Whitefish, Zak Anderson, said that Canadian credit card spending has fallen 25% in Whitefish through May, according to the report. Anderson pointed out that it is important to note that "the increase in domestic travel and visitation to Glacier Park has also had an another impact," as quoted in the NBC Montana Friede said that the fall in Canadian tourists lead her company to launch a Canadian marketing campaign, saying that, "It's really all about letting the Canadians know that we miss them, that we don't think of them as a target market, we think of them as neighbors, friends, family. We share a history, we share so much more than just a border," as quoted in the READ: As the July jobs report paints a grim picture, 114 companies plan layoffs in August - is yours on the list? Yes, but far fewer than in previous years. Border data and spending trends show a sharp typically make up about 8% of all non-resident visitors.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Travel collapse! Canadian tourists vanish overnight — Montana's vacation towns in panic mode
US-Canada border tourism trends 2025: Montana's tourism sector is facing a downturn as Canadian visits have significantly decreased, impacting local businesses. Border crossing data reveals substantial drops at key entry points, with some ports experiencing declines of up to 29%. A decline in Canadian credit card spending further confirms this trend. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Canadians Make Up a Key Part of Montana's Tourism Economy Canadian Tourists Decline: Montana's Vacation Towns Sound the Alarm Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Border Crossings Drop at Every Port of Entry Credit Card Spending Confirms the Decline in Tourism Dollars Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Montana's popular vacation towns are facing a sudden crisis as Canadian tourists, once a reliable source of visitors, seem to have vanished almost overnight, as per a report. Local businesses and tourism officials are sounding the alarm as cross-border visits plunge, putting the region's economy on edge, according to a NBC Montana Michael, director of the University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research, has shared that Canadians have traditionally made up about 8% of Montana's non-resident visitors, as reported by CNBC. But recent data tells a worrying story as the number of Canadians coming into Montana has sharply declined, sparking concern among tourism-dependent communities, as per the READ: From $32 million loss to just $4.7 million, AMC's big comeback sends shares soaring over 8% CEO of Montana's Glacier Country tourism group, Racene Friede, pointed out that though Canadians are still visiting, but the numbers are declining, according to the NBC Montana said that, "They are absolutely coming especially if you were to talk to the businesses on the ground, Canadians are here, but we are most certainly seeing a decrease in visitation," as quoted in the READ: Is Google's AI revolution a threat to website traffic for digital publishers? Here are strategies to stay ahead Data from US Customs and Border Protection shows Canadian crossings at Montana's key entry points have fallen recently, reported NBC Montana, citing May's the Del Bonita port, crossings dropped nearly 25% compared to 2024, while Piegan and Roosville saw declines of about 12% and 29%, respectively, according to the report. Even the busy Sweetgrass port recorded a 28% drop, compared to last year, as per NBC Michael pointed out that, "not every Canadian visitor to Montana enters this way – but it is a decent indicator," as quoted in the READ: 10 must-change iOS 18.6 settings that'll make your iPhone feel like day one again Local tourism leaders are backing up the border data with insights from consumer behavior, like Diane Medler, executive director of Discover Kalispell, noted that Canadian credit card spending in the area has dropped by roughly 37% per month so far this year, with March seeing the steepest fall, as reported by NBC the executive director at Explore Whitefish, Zak Anderson, said that Canadian credit card spending has fallen 25% in Whitefish through May, according to the report. Anderson pointed out that it is important to note that "the increase in domestic travel and visitation to Glacier Park has also had an another impact," as quoted in the NBC Montana Friede said that the fall in Canadian tourists lead her company to launch a Canadian marketing campaign, saying that, "It's really all about letting the Canadians know that we miss them, that we don't think of them as a target market, we think of them as neighbors, friends, family. We share a history, we share so much more than just a border," as quoted in the READ: As the July jobs report paints a grim picture, 114 companies plan layoffs in August - is yours on the list? Yes, but far fewer than in previous years. Border data and spending trends show a sharp typically make up about 8% of all non-resident visitors.
