The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is poised to release its long-anticipated decision today on a modernized definition of Canadian content — a move that will reshape how TV networks and online streaming platforms classify and produce Canadian programming.
The update comes after a two-week public hearing earlier this year, where broadcasters, creators, unions and digital platforms debated how Canadian storytelling should be defined in the era of global streaming giants. The regulator’s existing CanCon rules rely on a points-based system that awards credits when Canadians hold key creative roles such as director, writer, or lead performer.
But with streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and others now dominating the media landscape, the CRTC has been under pressure to modernize the criteria so it better reflects today’s production realities and ensures Canadian culture continues to be showcased and supported.
The review is part of the broader implementation of the Online Streaming Act, which updated Canada’s broadcasting laws to include digital platforms. Earlier decisions under the Act have already required major foreign streamers to contribute financially to Canadian content creation — a move designed to level the playing field with traditional broadcasters.
Today’s announcement is expected to set the new standard for what qualifies as Canadian content across both television and streaming, shaping funding eligibility, production incentives, and how Canadian stories reach audiences at home and abroad.