Broadcasting Distribution Regulations

32 (1) In this section, direct programming expense means an expenditure for the production or acquisition of programming, including

• (a) expenditures on volunteer training and volunteer program development and community outreach, but excluding expenditures related to technology, sales, promotion and administration as well as general expenses; and

• (b) expenditures related to the acquisition of programming produced by community-based digital undertakings, community-based low-power television stations or community television corporations.

(2) Except as otherwise provided under a condition of its licence, a licensee shall direct at least 50% of its direct programming expenses in a broadcast year to community access television programming.

(3) Except in the final year of the term of its licence, a licensee may defer up to 5% of the amount of direct programming expenses required to be directed in a given broadcast year under subsection (2) to the following broadcast year.

(4) Except as otherwise provided under a condition of its licence, the licensee shall direct to direct programming expenses for its community channel at least the following percentages of any contributions to community programming that are allowable contributions to local expression made by either the licensee or an affiliate:

• (a) 60%, for the broadcast year beginning on September 1, 2017 and ending on August 31, 2018;

• (b) 65%, for the broadcast year beginning on September 1, 2018 and ending on August 31, 2019;

• (c) 70%, for the broadcast year beginning on September 1, 2019 and ending on August 31, 2020; and

• (d) 75%, for each successive broadcast year beginning on September 1, 2020.