Streamers like Netflix, Disney Plus get court reprieve from paying for Canadian content
CBC
The Federal Court of Appeal says big streaming companies won't have to pay for Canadian content until it hears their appeal of a CRTC decision ordering them to pay.
In June, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said foreign streamers must contribute five per cent of their annual Canadian revenues to a fund devoted to producing domestic content, including local TV and radio news.
Big global streamers like Netflix and Disney Plus launched court challenges of that order, which the regulator made under the Online Streaming Act.
Earlier this month, the Federal Court of Appeal agreed to hear the case.
A judge said Monday the streamers won't have to make the payments, estimated to be at least $1.25 million each annually, until that court process plays out.
The parties have agreed to an expedited schedule, meaning the court hearing would take place in June before the bulk of the money is due in August.
