CRTC maintains cable-supported community television system

The CRTC issued a new regulatory policy for the community television sector Thursday that maintains the cable-company supported community television system but beefed up the requirements for community access programming. Under the current model, which will remain intact under the new policy, most of Canada’s community television channels are owned and operated by cable companies such as Rogers Cable Communications Inc., Shaw Communications Inc. and Cogeco Cable Inc. Cable companies with more than 20,000 customers are required to pay a broadcast levy that amounts to two per cent of the revenues collected from subscribers. In 2008, the levy generated $116 million for community television. Under the new policy, starting in 2014, the cable companies will be expected to increase their community access programming, from 30 per cent of the community channel’s total programming, to 50 per cent. The commission defines community access programming as that which originates from a community member not employed by the cable company and where community members can exercise creative control over the show. The CRTC held a proceeding, with a set of hearings in April, during which one of top issues was who should get access to the community television funds to create community programming. In its decision Thursday, the commission rejected a proposal from the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS) to establish community-run multimedia training and production facilities in 250 communities across Canada using the funding from the cable levy. The commission said current funding levels for the community television sector should be sufficient to support higher community access programming requirements. The CRTC is now asking for comments to determine the most effective mechanism for cable companies to continue to “contribute to local expression” under the new policy. The deadline for comments is Sept. 30, 2010. CRTC commissioner Michel Morin attached a dissenting opinion to the decision, in which he supported a community television sector with more independence from the cable companies. “ommunity groups or individuals must rely on Shaw, Rogers, Eastlink or Videotron, to name a few, to produce access programming,” he wrote, referring to the new policy. “Despite all the good intentions of distributors, arbitrary decisions and lack of predictability could stifle initiatives that could have given a boost to the Canadian broadcasting.”

CRTC maintains cable-supported community television system

Brief | August 26, 2010

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CRTC maintains cable-supported community television system

Brief | August 26, 2010

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