CBC/Radio-Canada becomes full EBU member

CBC/Radio-Canada has become a full member of the European Broadcasting Union following a vote at the EBU’s 96th General Assembly in Prague.

The Canadian public broadcaster had been an associate member since 1950. Full membership gives CBC/Radio-Canada access to member-only networks covering investigative journalism, verification, digital news and data, as well as the Eurovision News Exchange and Euroradio Music Exchange.

“CBC/Radio-Canada has been part of the EBU family since our foundation in 1950. As one of the world’s leading public broadcasters, it has already contributed hugely to our Union — helping us set and uphold the standards of public service journalism that matter most right now. Full Membership means we can now do even more together: on platform accountability, on trusted news, on the resilience that public broadcasters need to build for the years ahead. Canada’s voice in this community makes us stronger,” EBU Director General Noel Curran said.

CBC/Radio-Canada also announced that it would participate fully in the Eurovision News Exchange. The service allows participating broadcasters to share news footage and live video.

“As a full Member, we are hitting the ground running by announcing our full participation in the Eurovision News Exchange. This will allow more Canadian news and perspectives to reach audiences in Europe, and bring more international coverage to Canadians,” CBC/Radio-Canada President and CEO Marie-Philippe Bouchard said.

The membership vote followed the General Assembly’s approval of revisions to the EBU’s statutes. The revised framework allows organizations outside Europe to become full members when their countries have public service media systems aligned with core Council of Europe standards and hold formal observer status with the Council of Europe.

Canada meets both requirements, the EBU said.

CBC/Radio-Canada was founded as a radio broadcaster in 1936 and now provides television, radio and digital services in English, French and eight Indigenous languages.

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The EBU’s membership now includes 115 organizations in 57 countries.