CRTC Declares War on Podcasts – The CRTC now controls who can speak on the internet through podcasts

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

I have some horrible news readers; I recently heard some news that further helps me realize just how bad things are getting here in Canada; it is like we are slowly slipping into darkness, so slowly that some of us don’t even realize it.

It’s likely you may have heard the old analogy of a frog who was put in a pot of cold water where it was moving and bouncing around happily (Canadians living in Canada). The frog was content with the temperature of the water and was content to be there even though it was constrained by the pot of water it found itself in. However, what the frog doesn’t know but as the analogy describes, the pot of water was controlled by a person who could raise the temperature quite quickly or increase the heat slowly and see the frog’s reaction (The Canadian Government).

This is an experiment related to survival. The analogy describes the person (The Canadian Government) not as cruel but wanting to measure how aware a frog (Canadians) would be of a pot of water in two different scenarios of change.

The first scenario is where the temperature of the pot is raised slowly over minutes where the frog would not have a keen enough awareness that it would eventually be too hot for him or her to swim in and jump out before it would be boiled alive.

The second scenario involves the pot of water being raised immediately in terms of heat causing the frog to jump out immediately to save itself since it is not accustomed to such a rapid change in temperature causing an abrupt reaction that would be self-preserving like any other creature would do.

The first scenario of this analogy explains what is happening in Canada right now, how easily we have been lulled into a false sense of security before it’s too late to change our surroundings. When things decline or worsen (as they are right now), you can rationalize it away, or just be ignorant of the changes enough so you can be too complacent causing your own success or survival to be jeopardized.

A rapid change of any kind will jolt you awake or spur us into action right away especially if left unaddressed could be fatal. What I am doing right now is turning the temperature up, and I am hoping that this warming will cause a change of behavior to preserve your sense of normalcy and safety. I need people to move on what I am sharing, because every day, quietly behind the scenes, our freedoms are being stripped from us, and many of us are sitting out here comfortably like the frog in the first scenario.

What have they decided to attack next? Podcasts. The CRTC is working towards clamping down on the podcasts we can currently access and freely listen to over the internet. With their newfound powers granted by C-11, the CRTC has declared war on all individuals hosting podcasts on their own websites or subscription platforms that “Are not explicitly excluded from the Broadcasting Act” and “Will be required to register with the federal institution.”

As a form of media, we cannot deny that podcasts have become essential for sharing and discussing various topics that are impacting our world today. Podcasting has become an increasingly popular form of accessing entertaining and informative content in Canada and worldwide. With podcasts covering various topics and genres, there is something for every listener. It is also a growing platform for advertisers and content creators alike.

A podcast is a form of digital media that allows users to download or stream content on demand over the internet. It has similarities to radio broadcasting, but rather than being broadcast over the airwaves, the content is delivered on the internet. The other key difference to radio broadcasting is that podcasts can be accessed and listened to at any time that suits the listener. It is one of the reasons why podcasting has grown in popularity in recent years, because of its flexibility, easy access, and the ability to listen to them on the go using a smartphone or another mobile device.

Based on the data from Statista, the percentage of monthly podcast listeners was just 14% of Canadians in 2010. By the third quarter of 2021, the percentage of Canadians listening to podcasts every month had risen to 33%.

According to Canadian Podcast Listener, 53% of Canadians have listened to at least one podcast even if they are not regular listeners. If we widen the age range to include everyone over 12 years old, then 71% of Canadians have listened to a podcast. 7% of Canadians listen to podcasts every day. 29% of Canadian podcast listeners are so-called power listeners who listen to at least five hours of podcasts per week. Let’s take a look at some other statistics that demonstrate how popular podcasts are to Canadians.

Podcast Statistics for Canadians

• 71% of Canadians have listened to at least one podcast at some point.
• 29% of Canada’s monthly podcast listeners spend at least five hours per week listening to podcasts.
• 42% of Canadian monthly podcast listeners are aged 18 to 34 years old.
• Canadian men are slightly more likely to be monthly podcast listeners than Canadian women.
• Spotify and YouTube are the most popular platforms for listening to podcasts in Canada.
• 81% of Canadians have listened to podcasts at home and 74% of regular listeners use portable devices to access podcasts.
• Listeners are most likely to find new content based on recommendations on podcasts they already listen to.
• Comedy is the most popular podcast genre in Canada.
• Revenue from podcast advertising is expected to reach $127.1 million in Canada in 2023.
• Brands have seen 89% higher brand awareness after advertising on podcasts.
• 51% of bi-weekly podcast listeners have bought a product after hearing about it on a podcast.
• 17% of podcast listeners always turn off or skip advertising.

Brands that have used podcasts for marketing and to grow brand awareness have seen 89% higher awareness and 57% higher brand consideration. They have also seen 24% more brand favourability, 14% improved purchase intent, and 16% higher engagement. Almost half, at 46% of podcast listeners aged 13 to 35 are happy for brands to promote their products or services on podcasts. 18% of listeners in this age group like to hear brand promotions on podcasts.

Perhaps the most important and interesting statistic for advertisers is that 51% of bi-weekly podcast listeners have been converted into buyers after hearing an advert for a product or service on a podcast.

The value of podcasts cannot be understated, and our government is turning up the temperature by making November 28^th, the last day podcast “media services” have to be registered with the CRTC.

You, myself, and they know the vital role podcasts play in helping us and our fellow Canadians hear valuable opinions and learn about critical issues our world is currently facing.

According to a blog post by Michael Geist, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, the CRTC’s power to regulate podcasts comes directly from the passing of the Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11). With Bill C-11, the CRTC has the same power to regulate the Internet here in Canada as any other type of broadcast media (think over-the-air Television and Radio waves or Network Cable channels).

The CRTC stated in their new guidelines that large independent podcasters who publish on privately owned personal websites, or crowdfunding platforms (like Patreon) and podcast providers (like Spotify and Apple Podcasts) are “media services” when their privately owned websites or subscriber base generates an annual revenue of $10 million or more.

These creators must register with the federal institution as the CRTC would consider them on the same level as big traditional broadcasting companies (like Bell and Rogers). By forcing podcasters to register and be “approved” for Canadian audiences, the CRTC controls who can speak on the internet through podcasts.
This will reduce the number of podcasts available for us. Only government-approved and registered podcasters and providers will be allowed on the internet here in Canada. We also run the risk of losing international podcasts. If they make $10 million Canadian or more, then they are also likely to be forced to register with the CRTC.

This overreach to control the voices of independent creators stands counter to our Freedoms of Expression and Association. According to Section 2(b), of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

1. freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication.

The protection of freedom of expression is premised upon fundamental principles and values that promote the search for and attainment of truth, participation in social and political decision-making and the opportunity for individual self-fulfillment through expression

Finally, this directive contradicts the CRTC’s mandate, which emphasizes the importance of a balanced mix of information, enlightenment, and entertainment.
It will become impossible for us to find and share diverse perspectives on various social issues from podcasts.

So, now what Canadians? Are we still chilling in the pot? Is it hot enough for you yet? I guess we will wait and see.