CRTC delays new rules for buying U.S. TV shows

[CHIMO]

Canada's broadcast regulator is holding off on introducing new conditions that would change how the country's big television networks buy programming from Hollywood studios.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission was considering a rule that would require conventional networks such as CTV, Global and CITY-TV to spend one dollar on Canadian television productions for every dollar they spend in the United States.

The regulator has grown concerned about the amount the Canadian networks are spending to buy Hollywood shows to gain a larger share of the ratings against their rivals in prime time. Last year, the conventional television industry in Canada as a whole spent a record $775-million on foreign shows, which mostly come from Hollywood.

However, with the Canadian networks heading to Los Angeles next week to screen the new slate of prime-time programming from the major U.S. studios, the regulator decided there wasn't enough time to enact the rule for the fall of 2009, since many programming spending commitments in Canada have already been made.

http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090515.wcrtchollywood0515/BNStory/Business/home

It's simple to me. Canadian airwaves should have a buy Canada note to it!