The rules that govern how much homegrown music must be played by Canadian radio stations are up for review this week, with a fight on the cards as broadcasters look to relax current quotas, while the independent music sector pushes for them to be increased.
When the Canadian Association Of Broadcasters addresses the Canadian Radio, Television And Telecommunications Commission later today they will call for government playlisting rules to be relaxed because, they argue, regulations are making it harder for traditional radio stations to compete with new satellite and internet broadcasters, who are subject to less regulation.
The Association's President, Glenn O'Farrell, told reporters last week: "Radio faces unregulated competition in an open field of media and entertainment services. This does not mean that more regulation is required, but rather more effective regulation needs to be designed." They want the amount of Canadian music they are obligated to play to be reduced from 35% to 25% in return for commitments to playlisting more native emerging artists.
However the watchdog group Friends Of Canadian Broadcasting is calling for an increase in the quota to 40%. Their spokesman, Ian Morrison, adds: "And at least one-quarter of this minimum should be for new and emerging genres and artists. The industry has never been more profitable. There is an appetite for Canadian music when it's properly presented."
Morrison is likely to win the support of key Canadian independent labels, six of which quit the Canadian Recording Industry Association earlier this year because they said the main recording industry association was not prepared to be hardline enough in these negotiations. The CRIA is known to be happy to stick with the current 35% quota, though they are also pushing for new commitments regarding breaking talent. The indies, however, say they want the quota increased to 45%.
The Commission's review of the quota issue is expected to run for much of the week.