1998-1999 Canadian Broadcasting Regulatory Handbook

Part 3

Class 3 Licensees

Television Programming Services that Must Be Distributed as Part of the Basic Service

[131-183]
32.  (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section or under a condition of its licence,
         a licensee shall distribute as part of its basic service

  (a) the programming services of all local television stations; and
  (b) the programming services of all regional television stations other than
      affiliates or members of a network of which a local television station
      is an affiliate or member.  [SOR/97-555, in effect January 1, 1998]

[131-184]
     (1) A licensee of a cable distribution undertaking shall distribute
     the programming services referred to in subsection (1) beginning
     with the basic band of its undertaking.  [SOR/97-555, in effect January 1, 1998]


Part 4 

DTH (direct-to-home) Distribution Undertakings

Television Programming Services that Must Be Distributed as Part of the Basic Service

[131-192]
37.  Except as otherwise provided under a condition of its licence, a licensee shall distribute
     as part of its basic service

  (a) the programming service of at least one of each of the Corporation's English-language
      and French-language television network affiliates or members; and
  (b) the programming service of at least one affiliate of each television network
      licensed on a national basis.  {SOR/97-555, in effect January 1, 1998]


[189-31]
A Classification System for Violence in Television Programming

  [NOTE: The following system was submitted to the CRTC by the Action Group on Violence
         on Television  (AGVOT) on 30 April 1997, and approval by the Commission in
         Public Notice CRTC 1997-80, 18 June 1997, set out below at 357.]

[189-32]
EXEMPT                  CTR~E
Descriptive
   Exempt programming includes: news, sports, documentaries, and other information programming;
   talk shows, music videos, and variety programming.

[189-33]
CHILDREN                CTR~C
Descriptive
   Programming intended for children with this designation must adhere to the provisions
   of the Children's Section of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB)
   Voluntary Code on Violence in Television Programming.
   As this programming is intended for younger children under the age of 8 years,
   it will pay careful attention to themes which could threaten their sense of security
   and well-being.  As programming for children requires particular caution
   in the depiction of violence, there will be no realistic scenes of violence.
   Depiction of aggressive behaviour will be infrequent and limited to portrayals
   that are clearly imaginary and unrealistic in nature.
Violence Guidelines
   - might contain occasional comedic, unrealistic depictions.

[189-34]
CHILDREN over 8 years   CTR~8+
Descriptive
   This classification is applied to children's programming that is generally considered
   acceptable for youngsters 8 year and over to view ontheir own.  It is suggested
   that a parent/guardian co-view programming assigned this classification
   with younger children under the age of 8.
   Programming with this designation adheres to the provisions of the Children's Section
   of the CAB Voluntary Code on Violence.  These include not portraying violence
   as the preferred, acceptable, or only way to resolve conflict; of encouraging children
   to imitate dangerous acts which they may see on the screen.
   Programming within this classification might deal with themes which could be unsuitable
   for younger children.  References to any such controversial themes shall be discreet
   and sensitive to the 8-12 year age range of this viewing group.
Violence Guidelines
   - any realistic depictions will be infrequent, discreet, of low intensity,
     and shall portray the consequences of violence.
   - violence portrayed must be within the context of the storyline
     or character development.
   - might include mild physical violence, comedic violence, comic horror,
     special effects; fantasy, supernatural or animated violence.

[189-35]
FAMILY                  CTR~FAM
Considered acceptable for all age groups.  Appropriate viewing for the entire family.
Descriptive
   This is programming intended for a broad, general audience.  While not designed
   specially for children, it is understood that younger viewers may be part
   of the audience.  Therefore programming within this classification shall contain
   very little violence, either physical, verbal or emotional.
   it will be sensitive to themes which could threaten a younger child's sense
   of security, and will depict no realistic scenes of violence which minimize
   or gloss over the effects of violent acts.
Violence Guidelines
   - minimal, infrequent.
   - may contain comedic, unrealistic depictions.
   - contains no frightening special effects not required by storyline.

[189-36]
PARENTAL ADVISORY       CTR~PA
Descriptive
   This programming, while intended for a general audience, may not be suitable for
   younger children (under the age of 8).  Parents/guardians should be aware that there
   might be content elements which some could consider inappropriate for unsupervised
   viewing by children in the 8-13 age range.
   Programming within this classification might address controversial themes or issues.
   Cognizant that pre-teens and early teens could be part of this viewing group,
   particular care must be taken not to encourage irrational behaviour, and consequences
   of violent acts shall not be minimized.
Violence Guidelines
   - any depiction of conflict and/or aggression will be limited and moderate;
     it might include physical, fantasy, or supernatural violence.
   - any such depictions should not be pervasive, and must be justified within
     the context of theme, storyline or character development.

[189-37]
OVER 14 Years           CTR~14+
Descriptive
   Programming with this classification contains themes or content elements which might
   not be suitable for viewers under the age of 14.  Parents are strongly cautioned
   to exercise discretion in permitting viewing by pre-teens and early teens without
   parent/guardian supervision, as programming with this classification could deal
   with mature themes and societal issues in a realistic fashion.
Violence Guidelines
   - while violence could be one of the dominant elements of the storyline,
     it must be integral to the development of the plot or character.
   - might contain intense scenes of violence.

[189-38]
ADULTS                  CTR~18+
Intended for adults 18 years and older.
Descriptive
   This classification applies to programming which could contain content elements
   that would be make it unsuitable for viewers under the age of 18.
Violence Guildlines
   - contains depictions of violence which, while integral to the development of plot,
     character or themes, are intended for adult viewing, and thus are not suitable
     for audences under 18 years of age.

NOTE: Canadian free-to-air networks are: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (government/federal);
       CanadianTeleVision (Bell GlobeMedia); CityTV (Chum); Global/Prime/CH (CanWest);
       various regional/provincial and local broadcasters