Why can’t Canadians watch those multi-million dollar US Super Bowl commercials?
The CRTC has published its annual explanation on its website.
So why are Canadian commercials substituted on the US channels?
When broadcasters buy programs from American and Canadian producers or networks, they pay for exclusive distribution rights in their home markets. The simultaneous substitution regulation, set out in the CRTC’s Cable Regulations, is designed to protect those rights.
It comes down to protecting the Canadian rights holders.
Why are Superbowl commercials so entertaining? Ad time is running $2.6M for 30 seconds this year. At that price, many of the commercials will have been specially prepared just for this one insertion, hoping to keep your attention so you don’t choose to be flushing at the time.