Citizens bombard CRTC with their views on whether broadcasters should be paid for their signals

Television consumers, whose voices aren’t always as prominent as those of big companies at CRTC hearings, have submitted a total of 1800 comments, expressing a range of opinions on the contentious fee-for-carriage issue. Some voice support for fee-for-carriage while others criticize Canadian broadcasters for calling for a compensation regime. The deluge of comments comes in the wake of a cabinet directive ordering the CRTC to convene a hearing on the implications of implementing a compensation regime for the value of local television signals in mid September. The deadline for submitting comments was Nov. 2. In the directive, Heritage minister James Moore ordered the CRTC to consider the concerns of consumers in the hearing slated for Dec. 7. Some of the comments echo the long-standing battle between broadcasters and the cablecos over the airing of American programming on Canadian television. Toronto resident David Gebe says he supports the idea that broadcasters should get paid for their signals, but decries the presence of American programs on Canadian television. Arguing that the broadcast landscape has changed, Gebe notes that cable and satellite providers are reaching more homes, yet broadcasters receive no compensation for their signals. “What would happen if all of a sudden I decided to open a cable company and took their signal and redistributed it without paying them?....would that be alright?...I don't think so!” Writing from Winnipeg, April Letwin also urges support for Canadian programming but warns against increases in her cable bill. “I support local television and Canadian programming. In fact, I prefer many of our local programs and TV shows over the "imported" ones. We are avid viewers of "Breakfast Television", "Cityline", "Corner Gas", "Being Erica" and all local news shows to name but a few… please continue to support local and Canadian programming without my cable company charging me more for the same services at my expense. Local TV needs more opportunities and support.” Diane Stoliker, from Kelowna, B.C, says cablecos have too much say in pricing. She also denounces the presence of foreign programming on her television set. “I don't believe we should be held hostage by the cable companies. Canadians shouldn't have to pay more for local TV to become informed on what is happening in their area. There is too much U.S. information and culture as it is. Time to support Canadians and Canadian content!” A sizeable portion of comments voice support for local television, and are written according to guidelines offered in a sample letter crafted by CTV Television, Canwest Global Communications, and the CBC. The three broadcasters launched a national media campaign to counter “misinformation” by cable and satellite companies on fee-for-carriage a couple of months ago. The campaign website, www.localtvmatters.ca, urged the public to write to their MPs in support of a signal compensation regime. Two days after the Nov. 2 deadline, Paul Sparkes, executive VP, corporate affairs, CTVglobemedia, said over 1,300 comments in support of local television were submitted by the public. “We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of clear and unequivocal support for our position,” he said in a statement. “Canadian consumers were not fooled, they understood the issues, and we can't thank them enough." But other members of the public sharply criticized the broadcasters, saying if their finances are in a mess, it is because of unwise financial decisions. Victor Miranda, from Winnipeg, attributes broadcasters’ financial difficulties to costly buyouts, saying “if they weren't spending billions buying out every other company like CHUM and Alliance Atlantis,” things would be alright. “One of my biggest complaints and concerns is that the CRTC is protecting these big corporations too much and that the fee-for-carriage tax would just be more protectionism. What I would love to see is more American channels approved and less protection and that would hopefully force companies like CTV and Global to better themselves or risk going out of business altogether.” Miranda also doubts if broadcasters are as broke as they claim, noting that “the same corporations are seeing increased revenue in their specialty channels, yet they claim they have no money?” Other respondents see the argument over fee-for-carriage as a money grab for both broadcasters and cablecos. “Since we are already paying for local TV, the cable companies wanting to charge more for it is just another way to raise their profits even more,” writes Judy Adams from Newmarket, Ont.

Citizens bombard CRTC with their views on whether broadcasters should be paid for their signals

News | 11/13/2009 8:09 pm EST

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