for immediate release
CAB to CRTC at Regulatory Review: Build on Success!
Ottawa/Gatineau, April 10, 2008 – The Canadian Association of Broadcasters encouraged the CRTC to “build on success” in its appearance today at the hearing reviewing the regulatory frameworks governing cable and satellite companies and discretionary programming services.
In considering the five key questions set out for discussion by the CRTC, the CAB’s presentation highlights the extraordinary successes achieved in broadcasting. CAB President and CEO Glenn O’Farrell told the hearing panel that Canada has developed “the very best broadcasting system in the world and, not surprisingly, the very best example of tangible outcomes in the history of Canadian cultural policy.”
The CAB’s oral presentation provides specifics, noting that on a per capita basis, Canadian television consumers have more than twice as many programming choices as the UK, three times as many as France and more than 10 times as many as the U.S., the world’s media powerhouse. Furthermore, the system has succeeded convincingly as an instrument of cultural policy. “Through content support with access, preponderance and genre rules,” said Mr. O’Farrell, “this system delivers more than 70 % of English-language viewing and more than 95% of French-language viewing to Canadian channels and services.”
In responding to the CRTC’s questions, the CAB is proposing a model that would create a basic tier including local over-the air services, along with requiring carriage of services consumers currently enjoy (existing analog and category 1 digital services). Private broadcasters agree that consumers should have both access to and choice of programming. The CAB model accomplishes this by providing cable and DTH (satellite companies) with new flexibility to package services to meet consumer demand as long as every subscriber package includes at least an equal number of Canadian and foreign services.
The CAB is proposing to the CRTC that broadcast distributors be required to obtain the consent of OTA broadcasters prior to their distribution in distant markets.
“We retain a strong conviction that this Commission will build on the legacy of its predecessors in ensuring that Canadians will continue, prior to and after 2011, to have access to the best broadcasting system in the world,” concluded Mr. O’Farrell.
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters is the national voice of Canada’s private broadcasters, representing the vast majority of Canadian programming services, including private radio and television stations, networks, specialty, pay and pay-per-view services.
- 30 -
For more information, please contact:
Susan Tolusso
Director, Communications
(613) 233-4035 ext. 331
(stolusso@cab-acr.ca)
