Blamblog - Brett Lamb's Blog

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Canadian Content

Colin Mochrie, star of tv, film & fanimutation, has become the public face of a call to "regulate the internet" at some CRTC hearings. Could he become the CanCon Lars Ulrich of the new decade? When you consider how much the internet has loved Mochrie -- enough to cast him in the three-part epic, Colin Mochrie vs. Jesus H. Christ -- it must feel like quite a stab in the back. The only thing worse would be Nug declaring war on hot dogs ...

Here's what Mochrie suggests:

Here's how we can ensure that Canadians will be able to see and share Canadian stories: First, those who are streaming live programs from Canada, through the Internet or to mobile receiving devices, must be licensed and subject to rules equivalent to conventional TV broadcasters.

First, Kinsella just posted a video. Should he be licensed and subject to rules (I don't know what the rules are but I'm pretty sure they suck) equivalent to conventional TV broadcasters? You might argue 'no' because it's just a guy posting a video on his blog. What if there was a Canadian equivalent to Channel101? Do they need to be regulated? Or how about OVN.tv, since they actually charge for content?

The actors mucked it up by equating "broadcasting" with the internet. As soon as it hits the internet, even if it's a streamed episode of 90210, it's no longer broadcasting. Compared to a Channel101 show, that 90210 episode may seem clearly like broadcasting today ... but in terms of policy, they're the same thing and some day any apparent differences won't be there at all.

Mochrie continues:

Second, those who are using new media to make programs available from Canada for viewing at a time and place chosen by the viewer must be licensed and subject to regulations equivalent to other "on-demand" programming undertakings.

Hold on, he confused me! That first thing was about live events and this second thing is about pre-recorded content. I'm not quite sure why that distinction needed to be made in that way ... maybe because a live stream might actually be "broadcasting" if enough people watch it. Ok, he's concerned about his stand-up act being streamed from someone's phone.

Mochrie has one last thing:

Third, if the CRTC is going to create space for Canadian stories in new media, there must be stories to fill that space.

To that end, a levy should be imposed on Internet and wireless service providers to fund new media production, modelled on the levy on cable companies.

Shouldn't that have been the first thing? Where are his priorities? Anyhow, the most revealing bit comes in the paragraph that follows:

New media broadcasting is the future. We need to set out what the rules are going to be now so everyone knows what the terrain looks like and appropriate business models can develop.

This is a battle for the future.

Again, it's not "broadcasting". In this case you can pretty much assume that "appropriate business models" means "current business models grafted onto the internet." Remember how well that worked out for the music industry? That's why he (and the head of ACTRA) characterizes it as a "battle" ... the old business model isn't suited to the internet so it has to be imposed by force.

So, what's a cowboy to do?

First, look at what's working. Out in Calgary, istock managed to shake up a multi-billion dollar industry by starting small and evolving a new model. While lots of Luddites feel that the internet glass in half empty, istock showed that there are opportunities for people with a little imagination. I have over 1600 images available for purchase (please buy some or lots) all over the world through istock and Getty -- and that's Canadian content!

Second, the new business models are not going to come from the big, established companies or organizations so funding an 'appropriate model' through a levy is only diverting talent away from the appropriate task; coming up with a new model. istock was created by frustrated people who couldn't break into a stuffy, closed industry. I know lots of people in tv and film scrambling around trying to catch a break ... and one of these days one of them could have a great idea.

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