Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Trade Deal Could Have Major Impact on Radio Industry

The cultural industries exemption was one of many hot potatoes during negotiations

Kevin Curran, Nov 8, 2018

For as long as there has been broadcasting, the North American nations of Canada, the United States and Mexico have closely guarded their domestic radio and, later, television, industries.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission would not permit a licensee to have more than 25 percent foreign ownership, while Canada and Mexico forbid non-citizens from owning a broadcasting station. Recent changes in these rules could have a major effect in the U.S. and Mexico. However, it does not appear that change is on the horizon in Canada, and that could have made it difficult to negotiate a three-nation free trade agreement.

Students of broadcast history will remember the “Border Blasters” — high-powered AM stations along the Mexican line that carried programming for an American audience. additional story at: https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/trade-deal-could-have-major-impact-on-radio-industry