Media Centre > News Releases > Archive > 1996 > October 7, 1996

Broadcasters call for 'quantum leap' in number of top Canadian shows

OTTAWA, October 7, 1996 - Coupling $130 million a year from a full 5% distributor contribution with the government's recently announced multi-million dollar television production fund will spark a huge increase in top quality Canadian shows viewers will want to watch, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) predicted today.

"If we're going to see Canada on our TV screens in the years ahead, we need more and better Canadian prime time shows," said CAB President Michael McCabe, in a statement at the start of CRTC hearings that will set rules for cable, DTH and other carriers. "That will take a lot more money and the place to get it is from the distribution system."

He said meshing major new resources will enable Canada's private and public broadcasters to compete with the world's best. "It'll generate the kind of money that can make a difference. It's the only way to get more and better Canadian choices on our screens."

CAB estimates the combined funding will fuel over $700 million in Canadian television production and hundreds of hours of new programming in underrepresented categories. With this level of support, the system could generate upwards of 700 hours per year of high quality Canadian drama and some 700 hours of kids' and variety shows and documentaries.

The additional support CAB is asking distributors to provide, above and beyond current voluntary contributions to the Cable Production Fund, would result in $80 million a year in new incremental funding for Canadian production. This is the equivalent of four new top quality prime time Canadian drama series.

But McCabe cautioned that the government's direct contribution to the Canada Television and Cable Production Fund, which does a great service in kick-starting the process, won't necessarily extend beyond the three years committed by Sheila Copps. "Obviously, the quantum leap we predict for Canadian programming will require the stable and long-term funding of a significant annual contribution from all carriers."

CAB has gained broad support for its proposed 5% minimum contribution to more and better prime time programming - several intervenors have called for 10% - and suggests cable devote an additional 1.5% of its gross revenues to local community access channels. "Clearly, the cable industry can afford that," stressed McCabe. "It seems reasonable for them to invest in the community channel - after all, they see it as a competitive advantage in their upcoming market battle with the phone companies."

Driving more resources into Canadian production is a key element of the CAB's four cornerstone 'Canadian Programming Initiative'. Other elements are access to audiences, recognition of broadcasters' program and signal rights, and fair competition.

With Access largely dealt with and Rights Protection slated for an upcoming CRTC hearing, McCabe said the current hearing should focus on resources and fair competition.

On the radio front, CAB wants local stations to be assured priority on all distributors and, at the option of broadcasters, for digital radio to be given priority over analog services.

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

Please contact:

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