CCR Update

Changes sought to several specialty channel licencesSeveral specialty channel broadcasters are asking for changes to their conditions of licence. Astral Media Inc and Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc want to amend their licence for Séries + so that the $900,000 it must now spend on original French-language feature-length fiction movies for television can also go toward specials, miniseries and movies for theatrical release. As well, CTV Inc has asked the CRTC to add long-form documentaries, informal education/recreation and leisure, and professional and amateur sports as programming genres that can be broadcast on its new Category 2 digital news channels. PrideVision, the Category 1 gay and lesbian channel, wants to be able to add programming about religion, music and dance, and music video programs on its schedule. More details. Craig gets extension for MDS launch in B.C.The CRTC has approved a request by Craig Broadcast Systems Inc for a year’s delay to launch its wireless cable system in British Columbia. Craig now has until July 6, 2002 to deploy its MDS service. Craig’s SkyCable Pacific Inc. was licensed in July 2000 to provide wireless cable service to Victoria, Vancouver, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon. More details. Satellite deals unlikely for Leafs TVJohn Shannon, executive producer of Leafs TV, says the new regional Category 2 digital specialty channel is close to finalizing carriage deals with Rogers Communications Inc and Cogeco Cable Inc. However, he tells Canadian Communications Reports that it doesn’t look like Leafs TV will be distributed by either of Canada’s national satellite TV companies – Star Choice Communications Inc and Bell ExpressVu LP. CRTC issues revised distribution and linkage rulesThe CRTC has issued revised distribution and linkage requirements consisting of additions and amendments necessitated by various commission decisions over the past year. Among the changes noted, both direct-to-home satellite TV and Class 1 and 2 cablecos are prohibited from offering adult Category 2 channels in such a way that other channels must be purchased along with them. The adult channels must also be blocked out to households that request it. More details: Public Notice CRTC 2001-90 Public Notice CRTC 2001-89 Wireless cable, satellite TV gain subscribers in 2000 but still fail to show profitSatellite TV and multipoint distribution systems (MDS) increased their market share to 10.8% in the 2000 fiscal year ending Aug. 31 from 6.5% in 1999 but still did not show a profit, according to Statistics Canada. The number of subscribers to wireless TV distribution services grew 74.6% to 967,800. The subscriber gains, primarily due to the start up of the wireless alternatives to cable, were offset by high promotion and technical expenses. The rise in wireless cable and satellite subscribers came primarily at the expense of small- and medium-sized cable operators, of which 60% lost customers, according to StatsCanada. More details. Star Ray TV owner called before the CRTCThe CRTC is calling Jan Pachul of Star Ray TV to a public hearing on Sept. 19 to determine whether it should issue a mandatory order requiring the pirate TV station to cease and desist until it receives a licence or an exemption as a low-power television station. Star Ray TV has been broadcasting in the Beaches area of Toronto, despite being denied a licence by the CRTC on Aug. 24, 2000. More details: Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2001-8-1 Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2001-8 Look gets seven-day reprieveWireless cable operator Look Communications Inc scored a minor victory last week in its ongoing battle to remain in business. The cash-strapped company received a seven-day extension from the Bank of Montreal and the Bank of Nova Scotia on $98 million in loan payments in order to come up with a new business plan and new financing. The extension to Aug. 9 allows Look to continue discussions with the banks and its two principal investors, Charles Sirois’ holding company Telesystem Ltd and Montreal-based BCE Inc. "During the extension period, Look will continue to have discussions with Teleglobe, Telesystem, and the banks. There can be no assurance that Look will renew its credit facilities or that it will secure additional funding," Look stated in a news release. More details. CRTC wants broadcasters to take action on cultural diversityThe CRTC has asked the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, on behalf of the broadcasting industry, to establish a task force to examine and improve the representation of Canada’s cultural diversity on television. The task force, to consist of industry and community representatives, will sponsor research, identify best practices, help define the issues and prepare an action plan. The task force will be financed in part by CTV Inc and CanWest Global Communications Corp, which were quizzed about their plans for ensuring fair representation of Canada’s cultural diversity on their airwaves during their recent licence renewal hearings. More details. CTV, Global welcome licence renewals; unions unhappyTop executives at both CTV Inc and CanWest Global Communications Corp say they are happy with the CRTC’s decision to renew their television licences for seven years. Calling the licence conditions "comprehensive and fair", CTV said the licence renewals allow it to pursue its convergence initiatives. Union leaders from CUPE and The Newspaper Guild of Canada say the CRTC’s conditions regarding newspaper and TV newsroom operations are too lax, calling the decision "bad news" for journalism in Canada. "The Canadian public would have been much better served by a substantially stronger decision explicitly separating TV and newspaper newsrooms at the operating level – something along the same lines as the commission’s decisions to keep Quebecor Inc’s print and TV properties separate," says Newspaper Guild spokesperson Jan Ravensbergen. More details: CTV granted licence renewals for seven years CRTC renews Global and CH licences for seven years CRTC decision stifles discussion, debate and democracy CRTC decision bad for journalists and public, says TNG Canada Alliance Atlantis completes public offeringAlliance Atlantis Communications Inc has raised about $131.5 million through public offerings of 8 million Class B non-voting shares at $17.30 per share. The money will be used to pay down debt and to launch its new digital specialty channels. More details: Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. completes its public offering in the United States and Canada Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. prices offering of 8 000 000 class B non-voting shares in the United States and Canada

CCR Update

Broadcast | August 8, 2001

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