Unprecedented Support for Local TV by Canadian Consumers

    - More than 130,000 comments submitted to the CRTC confirm support for
    local TV -

TORONTO, Nov. 4 /CNW/ - More than 130,000 Canadians from across the country submitted comments confirming local television matters as part of CRTC public consultation process that ended Monday, November 2.

"We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of clear and unequivocal support for our position," said Paul Sparkes, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, CTVglobemedia. "Canadian consumers were not fooled, they understood the issues, and we can't thank them enough."

In comments submitted to the CRTC, Canadian consumers clearly recognized the value of local TV, urged the Commission to allow local TV the right to negotiate with cable and satellite companies, and called for the regulation of the cost of basic TV services.

In September, Heritage Minister James Moore directed the CRTC to consider consumers in the debate on the future of Canadian television. Consumers responded to the CRTC's call for public comment. In four weeks, the Commission received more than 130,000 comments in support of local TV (and results continue to be tabulated).

"Heritage Minister Moore asked to hear from consumers, and Canadian consumers have spoken out loud and clear in support of local TV', said Charlotte Bell, Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Canwest.

About Local TV Matters:

Local TV Matters is a campaign launched by local Canadian television broadcasters with a focus on the protection and preservation of local television for viewers across Canada. Local TV Matters' members include CTV, 'A', Global, CBC, CHEK NEWS, V and NTV, with thousands of supporters located across the country. The campaign encourages all Canadians to share their voice and support local television by joining the conversation at www.localtvmatters.ca.

For further information: Name: Bonnie Brownlee, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, CTVglobemedia, Phone: (416) 384-7190, Email: Bonnie.Brownlee@ctv.ca; Name: John Douglas, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Canwest, Phone: (204) 227-1846, Email: jdouglas@canwest.com; Name: Jeff Keay, Head of Media Relations, CBC, Phone: (416) 205-3987, Email: jeff.keay@cbc.ca; Name: Douglas W. Neal, Senior Vice President, Newfoundland Broadcasting Co. Ltd., Phone: (709) 570-5236, E-mail: dneal@ntv.ca; John Pollard, CEO, CHEK Media Group, Phone: (250) 383-2435, Email: Jpollard@cheknews.ca; Yanick Lecours, Director of Communication, V, Phone: (819) 377-6053, Email: ylecours@vtele.ca