CNM Newsmakers

Following is an excerpt of a letter sent by CTV Television Inc. president of CTV programming and chair of the media group Susanne Boyce to the CRTC in the wake of a July 11/03 story in Canadian NEW MEDIA relating to the Groundbreaker Fund. Canadian NEW MEDIA was not contacted by CTV prior to it sending the letter. An article in the July 11, 2003 issue of Canadian NEW MEDIA has been brought to my attention which discusses Canadian Idol and the BCE-CTV Benefits. The theme of the article is that Canadian Idol is an inappropriate program for support by the benefits. While the tone and content of the article surprise me, normally such an article would not prompt me to write to the Commission. However, because it references the Commission, and it contains a number of inaccurate statements respecting the Groundbreaker benefit, I wanted to provide the Commission with the actual facts. The article cites the "consternation of many in the new media producer community". However, CTV is not aware that any producers are concerned about Canadian Idol or any of the projects receiving support under this benefit. Indeed, we have not received a single negative comment from producers that would support the author’s assertions. CTV is proud to fund Canadian Idol through Groundbreaker. It fully meets the requirements of the Groundbreaker benefit, being an interactive television series produced largely in the regions and designed to allow experimentation and innovation... The article implies that the interactive features of Canadian Idol are not sufficiently novel or inventive. The interactive component of Canadian Idol, described in more detail below, is an integral part of the show and fundamental to its success. It is the first time, on such an ambitious scale, that Canadian viewers have the opportunity to interact with and determine the outcome of a Canadian show. In essence, in Canadian Idol the audience is determining the end of the story, which is interaction at its most dramatic... We disagree with the article’s statement that the project fails to push the boundaries of interactivity. In our opinion, the path towards often concentrates on new technology and better "gizmos", which often isolates a significant number of viewers. The course we have set focuses instead on how to involve a mass viewership and enhance storytelling... In addition to the article, the same author also takes the opportunity to include in his editorial column various derogatory comments and accusations, which I will not address here, as they presumably fall under his right to his own opinion. However, even in commentary the facts should be right, and there is one accusation therein that I feel I must comment upon. The editorial accuses CTV of "misappropriation of funds set aside for the public benefit." Not surprisingly, CTV disagrees in the strongest possible terms with this serious, damaging and irresponsible accusation. The BCE-CTV benefits package, including Groundbreaker, had the benefit of enormous input from the production and broadcasting sectors during its formulation, and was the subject of a full review at the hearing. The spirit and nature of the benefits were examined thoroughly, and approved by both the production community and subsequently by the CRTC itself. Our stated goal for these benefits is to reach as wide an audience as possible with the best possible programming, and this goal will be realized through the shows that are selected and aired. So far we feel that we are succeeding. The article and editorial share a not-so-hidden thesis that projects with little or no audience appeal but which declare themselves to be "edgy" and "pushing technological boundaries" and which are deemed by a segment of the new media community to be sufficiently avante garde are the only deserving recipients of Groundbreaker money. This is nonsense. As stated repeatedly, Groundbreaker and other benefits are about supporting television projects that aim to connect and excite many Canadian viewers, and, with Canadian Idol, we are succeeding beyond anyone’s dreams. How many other English-language priority programs have achieved this kind of viewer connection and viewer interaction?...

CNM Newsmakers

News | 09/26/2003 4:00 am EDT

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