[As part of Jericho Fridays here at Cultural Learnings, we’re taking questions and comments from fans or anyone in general really. You can send your own questions or comments to cultural.learnings @ gmail.com, and they might be answered in this new feature, Jericho Q & A]
Jericho Q & A
August 17th, 2007
Jane, the hard-working and dedicated Jericho fan who runs a multitude of blogs on the subject, asked that I investigate or at least address a particular question about Jericho fans in the Great White North…which happens to be where I live!
From Jane:
One topic I find interesting is that CBS will gladly accept Canadians paying for advertiser’s products but won’t let them watch on Innertube.
And so, the question is born:
Why can’t Canadians watch on Innertube?
This answer is on one hand decidedly simple, and on the other entirely complicated.
The simple answer? Canadians can’t watch Innertube thanks to the CRTC, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Council.
Wikipedia – The CRTC
But, it’s more complicated than that. The CRTC is not inherently evil, even if they’ve made some unpopular decisions. The important thing to know is that the principle they uphold, the Canadian autonomy over broadcast rights specifically, is what is keeping Canadian viewers from watching on Innertube.
For all the details, and what Jericho fans might be able to do to get their show streaming in Canada, keep reading after the jump.
What the CRTC Is:
I’ll forego Wikipedia and simply say that basically the CRTC regulates all forms of communication in Canada, and enforces strict rules in terms of Canadian content and autonomy.
What the CRTC Does:
On a basic level, they ensure that Canadian content and the Canadian people are being upheld, and that Canadian companies are given a fair shot in their home market.
What does the CRTC have to do with Jericho?
Well, let’s turn to Wikipedia for a second:
In a major May 1999 decision on “New Media”, the CRTC held that under the Broadcasting Act the CRTC had jurisdiction certain content communicated over the internet including audio and video, but excluding content that is primarily alphanumeric such as emails and most webpages.
Now, this basically means that the CRTC is able to implement their same basic rules on internet streams broadcast within Canada as they are television and radio broadcasts.
The problem with Innertube is that CBS is exerting their own broadcasting rights, in the United States specifically, in streaming it online with the support of advertising. That is their decision, and as a result they are able to provide it to their viewers.
However, the CRTC is designed to make sure that CBS doesn’t try to take that autonomy and use it to subvert the Canadian network who owns the rights to Jericho, mainly CityTV (A network owned by CHUM, recently purchased by CTV). When it comes to online broadcasting in Canada, those rights fall to its Canadian simulcasting partner, not to CBS itself.
Now, if there was no CRTC, perhaps CBS could get away with it. And, most online sites do, since there is no Canadian equivalent offering the same product. However, since there is a Canadian corporation who has the right to distribute this material, CBS and other online media outlets (Including other networks, MTV, etc.) are forced to limit their content just to where their distribution methods are viable.
This sucks for Canadian fans, however, since CityTV does not offer online episodes of Jericho. In fact, they aren’t currently streaming any of their shows online, which is really quite uncool.
What Fans Can Do About It
However, there is a course of action here: if Canadian fans want to watch Jericho online, CityTV is the network who holds the rights and therefore are the ones who could stream the show online for Canadian viewers. The network is currently transitioning thanks to being bought out by CTV, who actually has a fairly substantial broadband network.
Thus, now might be the time to see if they have any plans on keeping Jericho on the radar in the fall by streaming episodes before the new episodes air. If you feel passionately about this, you can visit CityTV’s Contact Page which allows you to submit your comment. [Note: This defaults to Toronto’s contact page, Canadian fans can adjust accordingly]
CityTV Contact Page
So, Jane, the short answer is that even though Canadians often watch American broadcasts of certain shows, the default rights go to CityTV. And, unless we can get them to do something about it, Canadians will just have to find another way to watch. Let’s see if maybe some Jericho fans could change that.
Cultural Learnings 
Wow! Thank you. I have Canadians as well as people from other countries always asking me about this subject so I’m trying to find out all I can. It seems some people want to blame CBS but that’s not always who stands in the way.
I think it’s time to let CityTV know what Jericho fans want, don’t you?
That was really interesting, thanks for the explanation re: the CRTC and broadcast rights. I’m feeling bad for the Canadians…but it does look like they have the power to have their voices heard by CityTV. And Jericho fans are ALL about having their voices heard! Thanks again for a great article.
Very interesting… and I thought it was CBS doing all the blocking. Nice to be set straight.
This is really interesting. I always wondered why Canada can’t watch Innertube. I know a lot of people up there aren’t too happy about it. Can’t say I blame them. Its amazing to me how popular Jericho is worldwide. I hope they come up with a way to make it available to them soon.
Yeah, CBS kind of has their hands tied with this one: rather than blocking it for their own purposes, Canadian law basically bars Canadian viewers from using the service.
Which is in the interest of fair competition…as long as Canadian networks are willing and able to offer the same level of programming. Which, as it seems, they are fairly slow in doing.
Thank you for this information! All of this time we’ve been upset at CBS for this problem! I really feel bad for our Canadian Rangers and other international Jericho viewers. It doesn’t solve the problem, but at least now we know the answer to the question why. A great start to your Jericho Friday series!
CBS should back their Canadian viewers on this issue. I’ve been involved in these message boards since last fall and some of the most consistent and dedicated viewers and posters have been Canadian. They should have the same benefits that we do in the US and that is the ability to view Innertube!
Of course it’s not just Jericho, but as far as Jericho is concerned, they bought nuts, they are involved in the organization of Jerichon, they’ve worked on the development of a fan club, I know two who went to Comic Con…….the fact that they can’t watch Innertube is beyond me.
Thanks for this article. It makes sense why innertube doesn’t work for Canada – but why won’t it work for those of us in the rest of the world as well? Or is it just being blocked for the rest of the world to keep the CRTC happy?
Chocofishie, I used Canada as an example because we’re in the frustrating position of being able to see the CBS broadcast of the series, and see their advertisements, but that doesn’t extend to online viewing.
The same principles apply to worldwide viewers: networks and companies in international markets pay big bucks for rights for these series, and CBS can’t subvert them by making the episodes available online streaming for free FAR ahead of international broadcast.
None of this has a thing to do with the CRTC.
The Canadian broadcasters are simply exerting their rights to shows the purchased as are the US broadcasters.
And please don’t whine and cry about a stupid piece of programming.
Learn how to use a proxy server and I assure you, no content will be blocked.
The only thing stopping you from seeing the content you want is ignorance, probably brought on by hours of viewing useless TV.
a) It is the underlying principles of the CRTC that designed and upholds the broadcast rights purchased by Canadian broadcasters. So, yes, it’s the CRTC’s fault.
b) This is not whining and crying: it’s providing the answer to a question I was asked. I’m not going to go into a subject (proxy servers) that I don’t fully understand (I don’t really have a need to, personally) with a group of fans who are already facing a large technology barrier.
c) Perhaps instead of insulting these individuals, and myself, maybe provide some information on such servers? As opposed to just attacking us for not being experts on them?
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Innertube doens’t work anyway, so who cares
This is a great site. Thank you for clarifying the issue. I have sent a message to CityTV and I hope more people do to so we can watch Jericho online in Canada.
I contacted the CRTC regarding this issue and they returned an email stating that they had decided not to regulate the internet in any way , this is what Forrest Green from the CRTC said: Although your concerns are appreciated, as a result of the above, on line services such as you have described and their owners do not fall under CRTC regulation. Nor am I aware of any other Canadian government agency, department or commission which might regulate the matter you have described.
All I can suggest is that you contact the web sites in question directly and ask what – if anything – might be done to change the current situation.
I hope this proves helpful
i was directed here: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ENG/NEWS/RELEASES/1999/R990517.htm
i hope someone could shed some light on the matter, and confirm that it is CBS’s fault, at least for not letting us see American shows,
Thanks
Income is really tight in my family correct now so a lot of extras are eliminated from our budget. The initial point to go was our cell phone plan and cable wasn’t far behind. At very first I thought this would be a huge issue as my husband likes to watch sitcom re-runs. Yet, this hasn’t been a difficulty as he is able to Watch FlashForward Online. as well as other favorites of his. I’m glad he found these as I do not want him to lose everything he loves. Thankfully, I am able to write part of our Internet fees off for my career so we didn’t have to get rid of that also. I imagine that would happen to be the final straw for him.
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