Why Canada Needs an Anti-Siphoning List to Protect Access to Major Cultural Moments
From the Olympics to the Stanley Cup Final, some events are more than entertainment; they’re shared national experiences that foster a sense of community among Canadians. They bring us together, spark conversations across generations, and become part of our collective memory.
But as global streaming platforms increasingly compete for exclusive broadcasting rights, more of these moments risk moving behind paywalls, threatening to diminish accessible shared experiences for Canadians.
Many countries have already taken steps to prevent that from happening. Canada has not.
An Anti-Siphoning List is one policy solution that could help ensure Canadians continue to have broad access to the events that matter most.
What Is an Anti-Siphoning List?
An Anti-Siphoning List is a policy tool designed to protect public access to events of national and cultural significance.
Rather than allowing exclusive broadcasting rights to be held by subscription-based services alone, an Anti-Siphoning List helps ensure that important events remain available through free or widely accessible television services.
The objective is not to prevent streaming services from participating in the broadcasting market. Instead, it is to ensure that Canadians can continue to watch nationally significant events without cost becoming a barrier.
Why Does Canada Need One? Protecting access to culturally significant events is vital to maintaining our national identity and shared cultural fabric.
Canada currently has no Anti-Siphoning framework, raising questions about whether all Canadians, including rural and Indigenous communities, will have equitable access to nationally important events. Without safeguards, these communities risk exclusion from shared cultural moments, underscoring the need for policies that promote inclusivity and fairness.
Without safeguards, Canadians could face several challenges.
Major events could disappear behind paywalls.
Exclusive streaming agreements can limit access to events that have traditionally been available to broad audiences.
Not every household can afford multiple streaming subscriptions. When nationally significant events are available only through paid services, access depends on income rather than the public interest.
Shared cultural experiences become fragmented.
Major sporting events and national celebrations create moments that Canadians experience together.
Events such as the Olympic Games, the IIHF World Junior Championship, FIFA tournaments, Canada Day celebrations, or the Stanley Cup Final featuring a Canadian team are part of Canada’s shared cultural experience. If access becomes fragmented across multiple subscription platforms, fewer Canadians can participate in those moments together.
Canadian perspectives become less visible.
When global streaming companies acquire exclusive broadcasting rights, Canadian broadcasters have fewer opportunities to provide Canadian journalism, commentary, storytelling, and local context around nationally significant events.
Supporting broad access also helps maintain a strong Canadian broadcasting ecosystem.
Rural and lower-connectivity communities may be left behind
Many Canadians continue to rely on traditional television because reliable high-speed internet is not universally available.
If important events become streaming-exclusive, Canadians living in rural or remote communities—or those with limited internet access—could face additional barriers to participation.
Other Countries Have Already Acted
Several countries have introduced Anti-Siphoning Lists or similar protections to preserve public access to culturally significant events.
Examples include:
- Australia
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Several member states of the European Union
While many countries have adopted Anti-Siphoning Lists, implementing such policies in Canada may face legal and regulatory challenges, including the need to balance free-market principles with public access. Addressing these concerns upfront can strengthen the case for government action and reassure policymakers about the policy’s viability.
Why Canada Should Act Now
Canada’s broadcasting landscape is changing rapidly.
Sports leagues and rights holders are increasingly negotiating long-term exclusive agreements with broadcasters and streaming platforms. Once those rights are secured under exclusive contracts, they may remain unavailable to the broader public for years.
Establishing an Anti-Siphoning List now can help Canada adapt to rapid media evolution, ensuring that future broadcasting rights and technological developments do not undermine public access. This forward-looking approach reassures stakeholders that the policy will remain relevant amid ongoing changes in the media landscape.
What Could an Anti-Siphoning List Achieve?
An Anti-Siphoning List could help Canada:
- Protect nationally significant cultural and sporting events.
- Preserve shared national experiences that bring Canadians together.
- Ensure equitable access regardless of income or geography.
- Support Canadian broadcasters and Canadian storytelling.
- Keep major events widely available as Canada’s media landscape continues to evolve.
Protecting Public Access in the Streaming Era
Streaming has transformed how Canadians watch television, offering more choice and flexibility than ever before. But as viewing habits change, access to nationally significant events mustn’t be limited to those who can afford additional subscriptions.
An Anti-Siphoning List is not about limiting innovation or competition. It is about protecting fairness, accessibility, and Canada’s cultural sovereignty by ensuring that the moments that bring Canadians together remain within everyone’s reach.
Learn More
Countries that have implemented Anti-Siphoning protections or similar frameworks include:
- European Union (various member states)
Their respective legislative and regulatory frameworks demonstrate how governments can balance evolving media markets with the public interest while protecting access to nationally significant events.
As Canada’s media landscape continues to evolve, Friends of Canadian Media will continue to advocate for policies that protect public access to the cultural moments that unite us.