Alberta: Porn valley north?

Northern Peaks, a Canadian digital pay TV channel, was approved by federal regulators (the CRTC) this week. It plans to air “adult only” content and to program at least 50 per cent Canadian content at night.

In its application to the CRTC, the service was described as "Canada's first adult video channel offering significant Canadian content". Northern Peaks has pledged to produce its own movies, in addition to events and series from Canada. The company also pledges to devote not less than 50 per cent of the evening broadcast period to Canadian programming over the course of the broadcast year, spending a minimum of 25 per cent of its subscriber revenues on Canadian programming, including at least $1-million in its first broadcast year.

The applicant (Real Productions) is based in Sherwood Park, Alta and already produces adult content for Starz, Playboy TV and HBO.

As a condition of granting its license, Northern Peaks must show the CRTC that at least one cable or satellite carrier has agreed to pick up the service. The channel has three years to secure such an agreement. The channel is a Category 2 pay television service, which means that it is discretionary for cable and satellite carriers to pick up

The CRTC did not receive any interventions at hearings held in May about the application from other broadcasters or interest groups opposed to the bid. In granting the license the regulator reminded cable and satellite companies that due to the adult nature of the programming, this service shall only be distributed at the specific request of the subscriber. Carriers would not be permitted to package the service such that customers are required to subscribe to Northern Peaks to access other channels. Additionally the CRTC will require distributors to take measures to fully block the reception of both the audio and video portions of the service for customers who do not wish to receive it.

The service will broadcast 24 hours, is required to close caption, but will not broadcast in HD.

The applicant (Real Productions) is based in Sherwood Park, Alta and already produces adult content for Starz, Playboy TV and HBO.

More details here