AHMET YARALI via Getty Images Some entertainment groups are describing the CRTC's move as

TORONTO — Canadian entertainment associations are applauding the reversal of a decision that would have decreased the amount private-sector television groups are required to spend on Canadian programming.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said Thursday that it had reconsidered a decision it made last year and will now require Bell Media, Corus Entertainment Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. to spend 7.5, 8.5 and five per cent respectively of their previous year's revenues on Canadian programming. The trio previously had to allocate five per cent of their revenues to such content.

The CRTC's decision also means French-language television groups Quebecor Inc. and Groupe V Medias will have to invest 75 per cent of their original programming expenditures in original content in a year, up from 50 per cent in the prior ruling.

An 'important battle' for performers

Groups in both the English and French market will also be required to allocate an average of $5.5 million a year to support the production of musical programs.

The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), a national union representing 25,000 professional performers in the country, called the decision "a win for Canadian storytelling."

"This was an important battle for us and our members to say it should not be a liability or a problem for broadcasters to produce Canadian stories. It should be in their interest," said Elliott Anderson, the director of public policy and communications.

Broadcasters argued that they shouldn't be saddled with the burden of telling Canadian stories because they are competing with U.S. streaming giant Netflix.

"I think it was nice that the CRTC did not side with the argument and (said) this is something that is worthy," he said.

Scott Garvie, chairman of the Canadian Media Producers Association advocacy group and the senior vice president of production company Shaftesbury, was equally enthusiastic about the decision.