CAB outlines efforts being made to combat satellite TV signal theft

The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) on February 16 sent a letter to the CRTC to provide a progress report on the legal and public affairs activities it has undertaken over the past several months with respect to TV signal theft. An excerpt of the letter appears below. Legal Since the last update, the CAB and its members have continued to pursue businesses that deal in illegal satellite reception equipment. The civil action in the Federal Court involving the CAB and CCTA continues to progress. During the fall settlement agreements were entered into with the three Quebec-based defendants wherein they agreed to voluntary injunctions against any activities in violation of the Radiocommunication Act. However, not all the terms of agreements have been met and Court Orders have been obtained compelling compliance. In addition, a hearing has been scheduled for February 24, 2004, in Montreal to determine whether one of the defendants will be found in contempt of the voluntary injunction. As for the actions against the remaining Ontario-based defendants, preparations are well underway to move to the next step in the trial process. Public Affairs The CAB continues to work through CASST (Coalition Against Satellite Signal Theft) on public affairs activities designed to increase the awareness of the public and decision makers on this issue with respect to the need for enforcement, legal actions and increased penalties under federal legislation. CASST has just completed the third cycle of its bilingual multimedia campaign with the broadcast of the PSA Dad you steal/Mais Papa, tu voles (produced by Shaw Cable and adapted in French by Vidéotron), that ran from October 27, 2003 to January 25, 2004. This campaign has been extended for one month in French as some broadcasters’ reception of the video was delayed. Throughout the various cycles of this campaign, private broadcasters have committed millions in airtime. The coalition will also arrange a fourth cycle of the PSA to run in early Summer 2004. Special mention should go to private radio broadcasters, many of whom have no specific ownership stake in television or specialty services, but whose unwavering support for this initiative ensured Canadians everywhere heard the message Theft is Theft. The CAB Television Board and the Specialty and Pay Board officially recognized the contribution of CAB radio members to this campaign during the CAB Board meeting in Quebec in November 2003. With new ministers in relevant portfolios and new senior officials in related line departments, the Canadian broadcasting industry is committed to keeping this issue at the forefront of the government’s agenda. In order to maintain visibility, CASST has developed a new communications strategy, elements of which will be initiated following the expected Spring election. In preparation CASST is reviewing the available research in order to update with respect to signal theft. In the meantime, all CASST members have been encouraged to highlight this issue at all opportunities, during conferences, speaking engagements, in the media, in customer communications, and when meeting with decision makers. The Shaw/Vidéotron Dad you steal/Mais Papa, tu voles PSA will also be made available to air during receptions and in registration areas at industry events. Web site information, fact sheets and supporting documentation will be updated to reflect current 2004 information. Throughout all these activities ongoing proactive media relations will be maintained.

CAB outlines efforts being made to combat satellite TV signal theft

Broadcast | February 27, 2004

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