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August 8, 1996

The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) today urged the cable industry to voluntarily support strong community channels and, at the same time, flatly denied reports that it in any way advocates their elimination.

"Frankly, we're shocked and surprised that the cable industry has grossly misrepresented our position to community groups," said CAB President Michael McCabe. "Contrary to what they're saying, we recognize the usefulness and importance of the community channel and have said so publicly."

In a recent brief on new Distribution Regulations, CAB states: "The cable community channel is a useful outlet for a number of viewers. It provides Canadians in their communities with information on community events and concerns and provides community groups with an outlet to convey those concerns. The community channel has been an important part of how the cable industry has defined itself to its customers."

CAB's proposal to the CRTC is that the cable industry, like other distributors, contribute 5% of its gross revenues to an independently-administered production fund open to all Canadian producers.

"The CAB expects that support for community programming and community access is guaranteed in a competitive marketplace," stressed McCabe. "A community channel is an important marketing tool for cable. You'd think they'd want to provide it voluntarily, not look to the CRTC for a requirement. But if community groups are concerned cable will abandon its community channel responsibilities, they should call on the CRTC to impose a funding requirement on top of the 5% all distributors must contribute to Canadian programming."

"Some cable operators obviously are twisting our case to imply we want community channel funding eliminated altogether," added McCabe. "We can assure them and any concerned community groups that simply is not the case."

CAB estimates that an annual 5% programming contribution from all distributors would leverage other funding resources that could support over $200 million in additional Canadian drama, variety and kids shows.

Broadcasters' position that all distributors should make maximum and equivalent Canadian programming contributions to an independently administered fund is supported in the government's new Convergence Policy.

CAB represents the vast majority of Canada's local serving, advertising supported television and radio stations.

For information contact:

Susan Tolusso
Director, Communications
(613) 233-4035 ext. 331
(stolusso@cab-acr.ca)