The CRTC recognized that there was an exceptional need for a national multilingual and multi-ethnic discretionary television service that could offer Canadians new, affordable and timely shows from a Canadian perspective in several languages. On May 23, 2019, following a competitive process, the CRTC granted a licence to Rogers Media Inc. to allow it to operate a national multilingual and multi-ethnic television service offering programs in 20 languages.
Among other things, the service contributes to Canadian expression and reflects Canadian attitudes by ensuring that a significant portion of its programming is produced by independent producers, is diverse and meets the needs of various ethnic and third-language communities across Canada from a Canadian perspective. The service will also help achieve the objectives of the Broadcasting Act.
Under the CRTC decision, the OMNI Regional service must therefore now be included in all basic digital television packages in Canada so it can be offered to the widest audience.
All Canadians, including new residents and citizens whose mother tongue is not English or French, who subscribe to a cable or satellite distribution undertaking can have access to the multilingual and multi-ethnic news and information programming offered by the OMNI Regional service.
As this is a conventional television service, it can also be accessed locally by antenna.
The OMNI Regional service must be distributed in the basic packages of all cable or satellite companies and receive a royalty. From September 1, 2020, to August 31, 2023, the rate paid shall be USD 0.14 (CAD 0.19) per month per subscriber.
| Name of partner | Type of entity |
|---|---|
Rogers Media Inc.
| Private Sector
|
All cable and satellite companies
| Private Sector
|