CBC, private broadcasters oppose CPAC’s licence renewal proposals

The Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) is facing opposition to its licence renewal application from both the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and private broadcasters as it was appearing at press time at a CRTC public hearing. The CBC and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) are objecting to CPAC being granted dual status, expanded programming categories, and a wholesale rate. In its licence renewal application, CPAC asked the CRTC to award it a wholesale rate of 10 cents per subscriber per month – 3 cents to be paid by CPAC affiliates and not passed onto subscribers and 7 cents to be charged to customers – for the first two years of its renewed licence (CCR, Feb. 15/02, March 15/02). The CAB argues that CPAC should be restricted to its current program categories and as such would not need additional funding for expanded programming. "The CAB submits such massive increases in operating expenses, to support ambitious and unjustified programming plans that go well beyond CPAC’s historical mandate, are unreasonable. They should not be accepted as justification for a new pass-through fee," the CAB states in an intervention filed with the commission. The association adds, "The expansion of permissible program categories would also detract from CPAC’s ability to focus on its primary objective, which is to provide a wide variety of long form coverage programming that would not otherwise be available. The result would be a significant loss of diversity in the Canadian broadcasting system." According to CPAC general manager Colette Watson, the public affairs channel is focusing on making the channel more visible to Canadians. Last year, it introduced PrimeTime Politics, a two-hour in-depth look at the political events of the day, and other shows. The CBC charges that CPAC has already so significantly changed its service that it is violating the conditions of its current licence. The public broadcaster says an analysis of the current CPAC schedule reveals that about 40 per cent is made up of programs from category 2(a), which it is not authorized to deliver. Category 2(a) includes programs on various topics that include analysis or discussion, talk or panel shows, consumer affairs or reviews, news magazines and documentaries that do not fall under category 2(b). Like the CAB, CBC opposes the addition of more programming categories on the grounds that it would have a harmful impact on other authorized services. The public broadcaster urges the CRTC to issue only a short-term licence and ensure that CPAC returns to compliance with its existing licence conditions. Moreover, it states that if the CRTC is ready to consider fundamental changes to the nature of the Parliamentary service, then it should initiate a competitive application process for the channel. If that were to occur, the CBC notes that it would file such an application. The CAB and the CBC are also opposing CPAC’s request for dual status carriage. The public broadcaster contends there would be no benefits in terms of increased accessibility to audiences since CPAC is on basic cable. "Indeed, the only ‘benefit’ to be achieved from the designation of CPAC as a dual carriage status specialty service is that the designation would allow distributors to trigger a pass-through fee...," the CBC notes. The CBC points out that if the proposed amendments to CPAC’s licence are approved, then the Parliamentary portion of the service will become just one component of a channel, "which is attempting to broaden and transform itself into a mainstream, competitive service, paid for by Canadian cable and satellite subscribers".

CBC, private broadcasters oppose CPAC’s licence renewal proposals

Broadcast | May 9, 2002

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