OTTAWA, May 17 /CNW Telbec/ - As a result of the Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) new approach for
Canadian conventional television, it is a great day for broadcasters airing
U.S. programming, but the future of Canadian programming is much less
promising.
By increasing the number of advertising minutes in American programming
aired by Canadian private conventional broadcasters, both English and French,
the CRTC has effectively increased the value of this programming, and removed
the incentive for private broadcasters to create more Canadian drama.
In addition, by refusing to make conventional broadcasters eligible to
receive fees for the carriage of their local conventional television signals,
while recognizing their full jurisdiction in this area, the Commission has
missed another opportunity to help ensure a sustainable future for Canadian
programming.
CBC/Radio-Canada is disappointed in today's decision. Over the longer
term, the net result will be fewer opportunities for Canadian stories to be
told.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its
largest cultural institutions. With 28 services offered on Radio, Television,
the Internet, satellite radio, digital audio, as well as through its record
and music distribution service and wireless WAP and SMS messaging services,
CBC/Radio-Canada is available how, where, and when Canadians want it.
Through this array of activities, CBC/Radio-Canada brings diverse
regional and cultural perspectives into the daily lives of Canadians in
English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, in nine languages on its
international Radio service, Radio Canada International, and in eight
languages on its Web-based Radio service RCI viva, for recent and aspiring
immigrants to Canada.
For further information: Katherine Heath-Eves, Media Relations,
CBC/Radio-Canada (Ottawa), (613) 288-6235, heathevk@cbc.ca
