CRTC increases funding for the Local Programming Improvement Fund

    OTTAWA-GATINEAU, July 6 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that the Local
Programming Improvement Fund will have over $100 million to distribute during
the 2009-2010 broadcast year. The fund was created in October 2008 to support
local television programming in markets with a population of less than 1
million.
    "Canadians have made it abundantly clear that they value local
programming," said Konrad von Finckenstein, Q.C., Chairman of the CRTC. "We
have taken steps to ensure that broadcasters, and particularly those in
smaller markets, continue to provide Canadians with programming that reflects
their needs and interests."
    As a temporary measure for the upcoming broadcast year, cable and
satellite companies will contribute 1.5 per cent of their gross broadcasting
revenues to the fund, an increase of 0.5 per cent. As a result, the total
funds available will rise from $68 million to over $100 million. Television
stations in smaller markets will be able to draw on these funds to maintain
their spending on local news and other types of local programming. The
Commission will consider the appropriate long-term provisions for the Local
Programming Improvement Fund at a public hearing to be held this fall.
    In addition, the Commission has harmonized its requirements for the
broadcast of local programming in English- and French-language markets. Each
week, local television stations will have to air a minimum number of hours of
programming that is produced locally and that speaks to, and about, the
community.
    On May 15, the Commission renewed the licences of the major
English-language networks for one year. At the same time, the licences of the
TVA Group's conventional television stations were renewed for two years. The
specific licence terms and conditions for these stations were made public
today.

    Developing a new regulatory framework

    The Commission today also launched a public proceeding to develop a new
regulatory framework for conventional television broadcasters. The proceeding
will include a public hearing starting on September 29, 2009, in Gatineau,
Que.
    "The rapid evolution of the communications industry is forcing everyone
to rethink the model for conventional television broadcasters," said Mr. von
Finckenstein. "This fall, we will develop a new framework that will give
broadcasting ownership groups the flexibility to adapt to this changing
environment."
    "However, in exchange for greater flexibility, we expect broadcasters to
make meaningful commitments regarding the production, acquisition and
broadcast of high-quality Canadian programming," added Mr. von Finckenstein.

    Through this public proceeding, Canadians are invited to share their
views on a number of specific questions related to:

    -   a proposed model to conduct future licence renewals on the basis of
        ownership groups rather than categories of television services
    -   the provision of revenue support for conventional broadcasters,
        including:
        -  the terms and conditions of the Local Programming Improvement Fund
        -  further safeguards to protect the integrity of Canadian
           broadcasters' signals, and
        -  mechanisms for establishing, though negotiation, the fair market
           value of these signals
    -   possible models for the transition to digital television, and
    -   Canadian programming commitments by English-language television
        broadcasters.

    Interested parties may submit their comments by August 10, 2009, by
filling out the online form
http://support.crtc.gc.ca/rapidscin/default.aspx?lang=en&applicant=2009-411 by
writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, or by fax at
819-994-0218.

    Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-406,
    http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-406.htm
    Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2009-411,
    http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-411.htm
    Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2009-409 (Canwest),
    http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-409.htm
    Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2009-407 (CTV)
    http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-407.htm
    Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2009-408 (Rogers),
    http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-408.htm
    Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2009-410 (TVA)
    http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-410.htm

    The CRTC

    The CRTC is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises
broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.

    Reference documents:  News release, "CRTC to issue short-term licences to
                          private conventional television broadcasters,"
                          May 15, 2009,
    http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/news/releases/2009/r090515.htm

                          Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2009-279,
    http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-279.htm

                          Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2009-113,
    http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-113.htm

    These documents are available in alternative format upon request.

For further information: Media Relations: MediaRelations,
http://support.crtc.gc.ca/CRTCSubmissionMU/forms/Mediarelations.aspx?lang=e,
Tel: (819) 997-9403, Fax: (819) 997-4245; General Inquiries: Tel: (819)
997-0313, TDD: (819) 994-0423, Fax: (819) 994-0218, Toll-free No.
1-877-249-CRTC (2782), TDD - Toll-free No. 1-877-909-CRTC (2782), Ask a
question or make a complaint, http://crtc.gc.ca/RapidsCCM/Register.asp?lang=E