CRTC announces cross-media ownership rules that change little, or nothing

The Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) has brought in new regulations that won't change media concentration in Canada. That's right, won't. Media owners cannot own more than two outlets (say local television and radio stations) in one market...unless they already own more than two outlets in one market. According to a story on CBC.ca, if a media group did own two or more local outlets and wanted to purchase another (a newspaper, say, or a magazine), they would have to sell one of their original holdings.

While this new regime by the broadcast regulator may have some impact on future deals, it leaves in place all existing media conglomerates and exempts "national" outlets like the Globe and Mail and the National Post.

The new regulations are the outcome of hearings held over the past year as the result of two high-profile takeover deals: CanWest Global's purchase of Alliance Atlantis Communications; and CTV's acquisition of Chum Ltd. But, of course, neither of these deals is affected, which makes the new regulations something of a non sequitur.