Media Centre > News Releases > Archive > 1996 > September 9, 1996

New Canada Television and Cable Production Fund great for Canada: broadcasters

OTTAWA, September 9, 1996 -- Private television broadcasters today hailed the new Canada Television and Cable Production Fund as a catalyst for doubling Canadians' opportunities to see themselves and their stories on their television screens.

"The Fund is great news for the broadcasting system and great news for Canada. Clearly, viewers are the big winners," said Michael McCabe, President of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB).

"Sheila Copps has delivered in spades on the government's budget speech commitment to bolster Canadian programming. She has quickly recognized that more and better Canadian television is the key to preserving our culture and competitiveness in the global marketplace." Broadcasters look forward to an early launch of the fund and to consulting with the government and other industry players on administrative details.

"This fund is expected to double the amount of top quality Canadian entertainment programming in the system," said McCabe. "It is the beginning of a valuable government/industry partnership that will generate an ongoing stream of Canadian shows capable of competing with the world's best."

CAB predicts the new initiative will leverage over $600 million worth of top quality Canadian television programming in the areas of drama, children, variety and documentaries.

"Poll after poll confirms viewers want more and better Canadian shows," continued McCabe. "Private and public broadcasters, specialty services, independent producers and other players consistently demonstrate their ability to produce it. The challenge now is to make Canadian programming a business opportunity to ensure its presence on the Information Highway. The Canada Television and Cable Production Fund is a huge step in that direction."

The new money, along with CRTC's proposed 5% contribution from cable, DTH and other distributors, would support the CAB's broad vision for a Canadian Programming public policy. A key element of that initiative is to drive more resources into underrepresented program categories. Other elements of CAB's four cornerstone strategy are access to audiences, recognition of broadcasters' program and signal rights, and fair rules and competition.

A critical cultural industry, broadcasting contributes more than $3 billion a year to Canada's GDP and directly or indirectly employs 50,000 Canadians. Private television stations capture 57% of all viewing of Canadian shows as well as 52% of all viewing.

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

Please contact:

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