CACTUS seeks answers on community programming spending at TV fee hearing

The Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS) has told the CRTC that it is concerned about the lack of transparency on the money cable subscribers pay for community programming. CACTUS told commissioners on day one of a hearing exploring the implications and advisability of a compensation regime for local television signals, that cable subscribers pay an additional 2% to 5% for community programming yet this amount does not appear in the records of Broadcast Distribution Undertakings or those of the CRTC. “As many government inquiries have established, transparency matters. But while community TV programming has existed in Canada for more than thirty years, its costs and funding lack transparency,” said Cathy Edwards, co-founder of CACTUS. Edwards told commissioners CACTUS had filed requests for information regarding the amount—estimated at $100 million a year—but got no positive response from the CRTC. She noted that while cablecos are required to store information on the money for community programming for one year, the commission has never requested them to divulge this information to it. As a result, the CRTC said it does not have the information. Edwards said this was surprising because the CRTC has been auditing cableco spending on community channels, notably Rogers and Shaw, since the 1990s and the 2000s. “We therefore ask you to report back to the government that CACTUS’ position is that the CRTC should implement the principle of transparency through clear public accountability for all cable subscriber revenues, before it considers a new funding regime that BDUs want to pass directly to consumers,” said Edwards. However in their questioning, commissioners did not respond to Edwards’ assertion. The hearing, which was ordered in September following a directive from the federal government, continues until Dec. 11. The directive stipulates that the CRTC must take into account the views of the general public on the impact of a signal value regime on consumers. As well, the directive also states that the hearing should explore how the implementation of a signal regime would impact the broadcasting system as it embarks on a digital path. The CRTC is also required to issue a report to the government following the hearing. CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein said this hearing is unique from others examining the challenges facing the broadcast industry, noting that the commission’s decision will solely be based on evidence presented during the November hearing on group-based licensing. About 73 groups and individuals are expected to testify this week.

CACTUS seeks answers on community programming spending at TV fee hearing

Broadcast | December 7, 2009

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