CRTC to allow English Canadian broadcasters to air more ads if they broadcast more Canadian drama, boost audiences and increase investment in drama production.
CRTC replaces market access restrictions for foreign third-langage services with "safeguards"; CCTA sees decision as "important first step" for further relaxation of rules governing Canadian market.
Article says most stakeholders applaud CRTC decision to relax policy on approving new foreign third-language services that compete with Canadian services; but some Canadian services expect to lose viewers.
CRTC announces it will allow general interest foreign third-language digital satellite services provided their distribution is linked to the Canadian services they compete with.
Columnist questions new Gemini Awards format, explains to private broadcasters how they will benefit from CRTC advertising incentives.
Culture section of the pre-budget report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, in which the Standing Committee recommended that the federal government increase funding for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Radio-Canada.
FRIENDS' response to a proposal from Industry Canada and Heritage Canada to "clarify" the Canadian government's satellite-use policy for the delivery of broadcasting services.
The future looks bleak for the Canadian film and television industry, although innovative programming gives reason for hope.
Article says that the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is hurting Canadian programming by restricting press coverage of two thirds of The Gemini Awards ceremony.
Pierre Berton's Canadian stories attracted an audience both at home and abroad.
Broadcasters face chicken-and-egg dilemma with high-definition television programming.
Teenagers are reportedly rejecting traditional radio in favour of new media.
Incoming Telefilm CEO Wayne Clarkson expected to take a more Canadian approach to strengthening Canada's film industry then that practiced by his predecessor, Richard Stursberg.
ACTRA calls on CRTC to impose spending and content requirements, not merely incentives, for private broadcasters to increase Canadian drama programming in prime time.
Article says that the greatest challenge Canada will face in the coming decades is avoiding assimilation by the U.S.
ACTRA calls for regulation to require Canada's private broadcasters to invest in Canadian drama.
Conservative leader addresses convention of Canadian private broadcasters, states that the Conservative Party would "seek to reduce CBC's dependence on advertising revenue and its competition with the private sector for these valuable dollars".
The federal government will appeal Quebec court's finding that Radiocommunications Act provisions restricting access to foreign satellite signals are unconstitutional.
Global's executive shuffle has everyone wondering what kind of programming they will resort to in order to boost ratings.
Canada must bolster its sovereignty, says Ignatieff, and do so in a manner consistent with role of U.S. as both its greatest friend and the greatest threat to its independence.
Funding cuts have forced CBC to become dependent on sports programming in order to meet statutory obligations.
Canadian Association of Broadcasters questions choice rationale underlying cable industry argument for permitting greater carriage of foreign programming.
Lower ratings at the CBC are a sign of stale programming, article claims.
CBC President Robert Rabinovitch seeks permanent funding to restore CBC local and regional programming capacity on English television.
Columnist argues technology has created an unprecedented opportunity to revitalize Canadian cultural policy.
FRIENDS gives CBC President Robert Rabinovitch a C- for his performance on a variety of performance measures, including CBC funding, regional programming, Canadian content, and CBC Radio.
Movie Night in Canada unlikely to generate same advertising revenue as Hockey Night in Canada despite similar ratings.
According to a national survey about Canadian attitudes towards the media, Canadians are much less cynical about our news channels then Americans.
Article questions whether Canadian cultural, broadcast, and telecommunications policies can survive in the age of the Internet.
Head of cable industry lobby opposes "open skies", but says CRTC should significantly relax regulations governing genre exclusivity, carriage of third-language services, and competition among news services, and increase penalties for satellite signal theft.
CRTC lectures satellite pay radio applicants on the low levels of Canadian content in their proposals.
CHUM and Astral promise to reach 75 per cent of Canada's radio listeners if granted the only satellite pay radio licence, but declined to specify targets for providing new Canadian artists with access to the airwaves.
CHUM Ltd. says its satellite radio proposal demonstrates that a "truly Canadian" pay radio service is both "realistic and achievable".
Sirius Canada states that the Canadian arm would have complete control over content; CHUM says only its proposal meets current Canadian content regulations.
FRIENDS says the CRTC should not licence two United States-based satellite radio service applicants, or if it does, should impose substantial conditions of licence to address the harm they will inflict on the Canadian market.
Columnist Eric Reguly analyses the "real" reasons behind the CBC decision to partner with Sirius to bring satellite radio to Canada.
CRTC must weigh the potential risk of grey market activity if U.S. satellite radio services are not licensed against a significant threat to Canadian content.
The Coalition Against Satellite Signal Theft says that Quebec court ruling on satellite signals threatens the Canadian broadcasting system.
John Bitove Jr. is championing satellite radio in Canada; if his hundred million dollar investment is approved by the CRTC, he may become the next major media player in Canada.
FRIENDS criticizes low quantity of Canadian programming in two of the three proposed satellite pay radio applications currently before the CRTC.
Satellite radio will be the next big thing in Canada - the question is whether the CRTC wants to "get in front of the wave or get knocked over by it", says columnist.
Windsor Star editorial board uses CBC involvement in a satellite radio application to argue the public broadcaster should not exist at all.
Coalition Against Satellite Signal Theft recommends appeal of Quebec decision, notes that satellite signal theft remains illegal, and that U.S. satellite providers lack programming rights to sell to Canadians in any case.
Quebec Court decision finds grey market satellite restrictions contravene freedom of expression, but extends one year grace period before ruling will take effect.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development urged Canada to drop its restrictions on foreign ownership, including in broadcasting - a suggestion rejected by Industry Minister David Emerson.
CBC leads in number of nominations in this year's Gemini Awards.
The debate surrounding satellite radio in Canada will come to a head when the CRTC rules on how 'Canadianized' the various bids are.
CCTA proposal to insert Canadian ads on U.S. specialty channels seen in Canada would undermine Canadian content rules, says CAB.
Article says satellite radio is the future, notes it is already available in Canada on the Internet.
Quebec court ruling to allow Canadians access to grey market satellite systems could have significant repercussions for Canadian broadcasting system.
FRIENDS says the CBC should replace Hockey Night in Canada with Canadian junior league hockey instead of Hollywood films.
FRIENDS responds to letter from CBC executive, says CBC underestimating audience demand for live hockey.
CBC defends decision to air foreign film programming instead of Canadian hockey on Hockey Night in Canada despite effect of tripling foreign content during prime time.
Canadian show Degrassi: The Next Generation is a hit in the United States, tackles subjects U.S. teen series do not.
FRIENDS recommends the CRTC uphold its policy of opposing the entry of foreign programming services likely to offer substantial competition to existing Canadian services.
Telefilm has recently come under criticism because of new funding policies promoting commercial success.
CBC's Opening Night and The Newsroom as well as CTV's Corner Gas are nominated for International Emmy Awards.
Canadian Association of Broadcasters says a Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association proposal to sell Canadian commercials on U.S. services carried in Canada would violate CRTC policy and endanger Canadian content.
CRTC to consider whether or not to let in American satellite radio providers; pose real threat to conventional commercial radio.
Director Ivan Reitman says that Canadian filmmakers would be more successful if they stopped looking for government handouts and started to produce films that would appeal to "the true arbiter of taste, the general public".
FRIENDS opposes two satellite-based radio applications which in our view pose a threat to the integrity of Canadian broadcasting policy by coming nowhere near established Canadian content exhibition requirements.
The Canadian Television Fund announces its new board of directors.
Statscan study of trade in television programs shows Canada imports more than it exports from the U.S., but that the opposite is true for other trade partners such as the European Union; the U.S. has become "Canada's dominant supplier of culture services."
ACTRA disappointed that CBC, Global and CTV plan Canadian mini-series, films of the week and reality shows this fall, but are not investing in continuing Canadian drama series.
Spokesperson for Liza Frulla affirms that the Minister was only referring to the size and potential of American culture when she warned Americans not to "smother" Canadian culture.
Canada is one of the many countries negotiating a UNESCO treaty that would protect the right to subsidize the cultural sector despite free trade agreements. Liza Frulla emphasizes that in Canada, culture is strongly subsidized and a great economic force.
Columnist notes irony in Canwest Global call for CRTC protection for its Men TV channel because in other instances it has argued for more foreign investment and less CRTC regulation.
TSN and MuchMusic are examples of successful channels that have retained a distinctively Canadian flavour.
FRIENDS' written comments regarding RAI provided to the expert panel appointed by The Minister of Canadian Heritage to study policies and access to third language public television services. The panel invited FRIENDS to an in-person meeting held August 26, 2004.
Toronto International Film Festival promises many North American and global premieres.
Unhappy viewers say that CHUM's new "mainstream" programming isn't part of the New VI bid they supported.
The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network has benefited the Canadian television industry and grown successfully since it was launched five years ago.
Former Lincoln Committee chair appointed to panel studying broadcasting content in languages other than English or French in the Canadian broadcasting system.
Canadians want to see programming that caters to a set of distinctively Canadian values, article says.
Broadcasting space is no longer a scarce resource, and the CRTC is therefore obsolete, columnist says.
CRTC rulings, CBC display "left wing biases", opinion editorial says.
Small producters say the production of Canadian entertainment, especially children's shows, comedy and documentaries, can be lucrative, but state no sustainable business model exists for Canadian drama.
CRTC decision to cancel CHOI FM licence a case of the cure being worse than the disease.
Ruling to pull CHOI's licence gives vulgar radio hosts more fame than they deserve, editorial says.
Neither killing CHOI nor placing conditions on Al Jazeera is justified, editorial says.
In an era of digital radio and satellite TV, CRTC's mandate to distribute scarce broadcasting resources is outdated, columnist says.
RAI is examining legal recourse following CRTC rejection of its application for carriage in Canada.
Broadcasters have refused to denounce the CRTC's ousting of CHOI because the regulator helps protect their markets, columnist says.
Criticism of RAI, Al-Jazeera rulings is often exaggerated rhetoric, and both stations, as well as Fox News, should be allowed in Canada, editorial says.
CHOI is not more offensive than Al-Jazeera and should not have had its licence revoked, columnist says.
CRTC's decision to police offensive content from within Canada while allowing potentially offensive content from abroad is contradictory, columnist says.
Censorship of content that is merely offensive, not hateful, is an unnecessary exercise of government power, editorial says.
CHOI owner Patrice Demers' appeal of ruling will put CRTC itself on trial, editorial says.
Observers can't agree on whether CRTC Quebec radio licence ruling violates right to free speech.
CRTC regulation is more about politics than quality broadcasting and should be overhauled, columnist says.
Shutting down CHOI FM sets a dangerous precedent for free speech, editorial says.
Joint Canada-U.S. digital radio proposals currently before the CRTC are much stronger than the Canadian-only one, but all three should be approved so that the market can decide, columnist says.
Cable carriers seek approval for proposal to run either paid ads or ads promoting their own services in time usually reserved for promoting domestic shows.
A proposal currently before the CRTC may allow cable companies to sell ads during time in American shows' commercial breaks that is normally reserved for public service announcements and promoting upcoming programs.
Cable and broadcasting associations disagree on the proposed risks and benefits of a proposal to sell ads during time now set aside for program promotion and public service announcements.
The New VI's new owner, CHUM, may not provide the local programming for which the station's licence was originally granted, columnist says.
The CRTC will rule on three services; one has only Canadian content and is available only in major urban centres, while the other two have less Canadian content and are available across the country.
CHUM says New VI job cuts result from station performing below expectations.
TVO should be cut off from tax support and turned into a not-for-profit entity like America's PBS, editorial says.
Bloc and NDP power in Liberal minority government means culture-oriented industry groups have an unprecedented chance to gain support and resources, columnist says.
CCTA's "Remember Convergence?" paper says Canada's media policies are outdated, calls for change.
City-by-city look at Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton TV markets.
Official Languages Commissioner's examination of the CBC is an assault on the broadcaster's journalistic independence, editorial says.
The new federal minority government may provide a welcoming space for culture groups to articulate their concerns.
Martin should look at Canada's previous minority governments for guidance in managing his own, columnist says.
FRIENDS supports Directors Guild in opposing Corus Entertainment application to distribute pay television channel unencrypted on discretionary analog tier.
Directors Guild opposes Corus Entertainment application for approval to distribute pay TV channel MovieMax! on a discretionary analog tier; among other factors, Corus makes no commitment to increase Canadian programming exhibition and expenditure if a change in status were awarded.
Despite what may be an increasingly savvy electorate, the arts and culture were not emphasized during this year's federal election campaign.
The Liberal Party, the NDP, the Green Party and the Bloc Québécois replied to cultural coalition letter regarding their arts and culture policies.
CRTC framework should be preserved; it can be used to regulate availability of offensive or dangerous Internet material, former Commissioner says.
Policy proposal to scrap the CRTC would give government direct control over broadcast licensing, would remove protections that have allowed Canadian entertainment events like the MuchMusic Video Awards to take form.
TV Festival is marred by technical difficulties, but delegates still create a positive atmosphere.
The Liberal response to cultural groups' concerns hasn't been sufficient, columnist says.
Election has failed to treat culture is an issue of national importance, editorial says.
Government-funded art doesn't break even because it's a lecture instead of entertainment, columnist says.
The CBC is a vital expression of Canadian nationhood, letter-writer says.
Industry representatives, NDP candidate Ian Waddell say Conservative plan to eliminate corporate grants and subsidies reflects misunderstanding, would destroy B.C. film industry.
Actors' gathering at CBC headquarters urges public to ask why cultural issues are being ignored in the election campaign.
Speakers at ACTRA-organized gathering at CBC broadcast headquarters criticize party leaders for making no mention of cultural policy issues during televised leaders' debate.
Canadian people, not just television and film industry spokespeople, should be concerned about Conservative cultural and broadcasting policies.
Text of Hélène Chalifour Scherrer's speech at the Banff Television Festival.
Speakers at the Banff Television Festival call for political parties to disclose their cultural platforms.
Arts groups and Liberals criticize Tory arts policies; Conservatives and some commentators say there's nothing to worry about.
At Banff Television Festival, Minister of Canadian Heritage denounces Conservative cultural policies, while Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union asks the Liberals to come clean about their own.
With the federal election just two weeks away, political concerns overshadow traditional workshop topics at Banff Television Festival.
Well-known Canadians join FRIENDS in expressing concern over policies proposed in Conservative party briefing note to candidates.
Well-known Canadians join FRIENDS in urging Conservative leader to reconsider broadcasting policies contained in briefing note to Conservative candidates.
Liberal Heritage Minister to criticize Conservative cultural policies in speech at Banff Television Festival; dismissed by Conservatives as fear-mongering.
Minister of Canadian Heritage discusses Liberal Party position on culture and broadcasting.
Global programming vice-president Global sees reality television as a "new genre of programming" that is "delivering week in and week out audience numbers and, frankly, opportunities for our clients. It can't be questioned."
Daryl Duke, who will be awarded the John Drainie Award at the 2004 Banff Television Festival, says Canadian broadcasting and Canadian identity are under threat. Duke is a member of the Steering Committee of FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting.
A Conservative government would relax Canadian content requirements and foreign ownership restrictions in the broadcasting sector.
Liberals, CFTPA say removing foreign content restrictions would ruin Canadian TV industry; cable executives say Canadians already use technology to bypass restrictions.
Columnist theorizes that the Conservative party will be unable to make radical changes to the Canadian broadcasting system, and that Canadians will be "worse off" has a result.
Unveiling of fall schedules reveals different personalities of Canada's television networks.
CTV and Global have both scheduled their strongest U.S. shows on Thursdays, the most important weeknight for broadcasters and advertisers.
Conservative party document reveals it would significantly alter CRTC, no longer make it responsible for regulating content.
A new Conservative policy handbook outlines the party's intent to loosen Canadian content reguations in the broadcasting sector.
CBC's broadcast of Stanley Cup final round draws record numbers of viewers.
CTV says 52-week programming initiative will mean fewer repeats and a record number of US series.
New study shows Canadian broadcasters pay the lowest licence fees, have the lowest per capita ad revenue and spend the most money on foreign programming of any English-speaking country surveyed.
French-language Habs games will no longer be available on network television now that La Soirée du hockey has been pulled from Radio-Canada.
CanWest Global CEO tells newspaper conference that the media industry is doing well, but must embrace change by charging for online content and having editorial teams work more closely with marketing, advertising and circulation personnel.
With its production business virtually eliminated, Alliance Atlantis is focusing on its "core business" of broadcasting.
Repository for Canadian broadcasting memorabilia and history could open as early as 2006.
Global adds 23 American shows to fall lineup to replace long-running shows "Friends," "Frasier" and "The Practice."
CHUM expected to play larger role in funding and airing Canadian drama on English-language television as other broadcasters retrench.
Paul Gross tells ACTRA conference the CRTC must do more to ensure Canadian private broadcasters fund domestic programming.
Actor Paul Gross praises CRTC decision to provide incentives for broadcasting Canadian drama, but says broadcasters need a stick, not just a carrot.
Canadian broadcasters, fresh from buying U.S. shows in Los Angeles, rush to finalize schedules and prepare sales pitches to advertisers.
CBC's chief programmer says attracting audiences to Canadian programming is difficult but is the CBC's job.
CBC programming president Klymkiw says fall lineup is aimed at cutting through clutter of viewing choices and presenting programs that will be talked about.
CBC says by not airing simulcast American shows in prime time it must be smarter in its programming in order to attract audiences.
CBC faces the challenge of luring viewers away from popular and expensive American shows on other Canadian networks, without the benefit of including such shows in its schedule.
FRIENDS, Heritage Canada Foundation aim to keep cultural issues part of pre-election debate.
Federal leaders are using patriotism as a campaign tactic, and Stephen Harper, to some, comes up short.
FRIENDS releases two new polls on state of public broadcasting, informs Senate committee and Dalton McGuinty of the results.
Pre-election polling commissioned by FRIENDS shows strong voter support for Canadian culture, Canadian content, and an independent and well-funded CBC. Voters also strongly support maintaining domestic control of Canadian communications/broadcasting companies and limiting media concentration. Includes links to opinion poll results, press releases, media coverage, and other documents.
Major Canadian broadcasters' request that Spike TV be delisted are hypocritical, columnist says.
Canada's national TV networks unveil a lineup of reality shows; supporters say it will satisfy Canadians' tastes, while critics say it will hurt Canadian drama.
Canadian TV buyers in Los Angeles this week expected to focus on reality shows.
On the eve of a federal election, a major union is calling on Canada's political parties to come clean with their policies on foreign ownership, media concentration, and the CBC.
Pre-election poll commissioned by FRIENDS shows strong support among voters for strengthening Canadian culture and enhancing the CBC. This summary shows a breakdown of results by political party.
Ipsos-Reid pre-election poll commissioned by FRIENDS shows Canadian voters support strengthening Canadian content, culture and identity as a means to balance closer integration with the United States.
FRIENDS' pre-election poll shows strong support for safeguarding Canadian content, culture and identity to balance closer economic integration with the United States.
Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper suggests his party may revisit government funding of CBC English television and Radio Two.
CBC demonstrates anti-Israel and anti-US biases that are a disservice to taxpayers, editorial says.
Friends poll shows Canadians want a stronger CBC, less media concentration and a Canadian-owned broadcasting system.
FRIENDS tells Senate committee that CBC still has widespread support.
Richard Stursberg's apparent efforts to promote more commercially-oriented Canadian movies and recruit Canadian actors living in Hollywood have drawn criticism from the domestic film industry.
Ipsos-Reid poll commissioned by FRIENDS on the eve of a federal election shows Canadian voters favour maintaining foreign ownership rules, limiting media concentration, and strengthening CBC.
FRIENDS' pre-election opinion poll shows Canadian voters favour maintaining foreign ownership rules, limiting media concentration, and strengthening CBC.
CTF will help finance This Hour has 22 Minutes and The Eleventh Hour for 2004-05.
FRIENDS to release pre-election poll on media issues Thursday, May 13, 10:45 a.m.
Al Gore may be able to make Newsworld International successful by emphasizing its differences from conventional American TV.
Canadian broadcasters unveil an unprecedented amount of reality shows for next season.
Liberals appear poised to remove foreign ownership restrictions for telephone and cable companies, will be pressured to do the same for broadcasters.
FRIENDS responds to RCMP request, asks that broadcasters no longer air one of four FRIENDS' public service announcements.
FRIENDS responds to RCMP request concerning depiction of a Mountie in one of four FRIENDS public service announcements promoting the telling of Canadian stories.
RCMP complains about use of background image of Mountie in one of FRIENDS' Tell Canadian Stories public service announcements.
FRIENDS withdraws one of four Tell Canadian Stories public service announcements at request of RCMP.
RCMP objects to use of Mountie image in FRIENDS public service announcement, despite having licensed intellectual property to Disney in the 1990s.
CRTC announces new ad-time incentives for Canadian programming; Global reveals a reality-heavy season lineup.
CRTC issues public notice and call for comments on proposed package of incentives to encourage Canadian broadcasters to air more Canadian English-language drama and increase audiences and expenditures to Canadian drama programming.
CRTC proposes advertising minutes incentive for broadcasters to air Canadian drama in prime time, calls on government for long-term solution to drama funding problems.
Support for firing Don Cherry reflects views of Canadian media establishment, not what many Canadians actually think, Globe columnist writes.
Quebec filmmakers' domination of Genie Awards reflects a banner box-office year.
Paul Martin can only alleviate Canadians' insecurities about close US ties by devoting counterbalancing resources to Canadian culture.
A more commercially-minded production process and improved capital support could do wonders for Canadian film; Telefilm mulling options.
CHUM puts its own spin on attracting TV audiences to annual Genie Awards for Canadian film.
2004 Genie Awards host Scott Thompson hopes to take advantage of internationally-acclaimed Canadian movies to draw attention to Canada’s film industry.
Columnist argues CBC's treatment of Don Cherry makes it a "left-leaning laughingstock", should forego public subsidy if it fires the controversial sportscaster.
Don Cherry may leave the CBC and Coach’s Corner due to conflict with station officials and concerns about political correctness.
Former Canadian Alliance strategist says CRTC’s refusal to allow Fox News to broadcast in Canada undermines Canadian media diversity and cultural development
Canadian arts personalities’ 1956 suggestions for improving the CBC bear striking similarity to today’s recommendations.
In the wake of second quarter losses, CanWest says it will spend more on programming to revive ratings and increase advertising revenues.
Fox news application driven by satellite signal piracy, need for cable industry to generate interest in digital television; may succeed on second try.
Craig deal will bring CHUM closer to national network status.
Focus on instant ratings in the U.S. is resulting in cancellations of good series and damping innovation.
Culture is inextricably linked to national identity and must be preserved in trade negotiations.
Internal policy document leaked to media shows Conservative Party would relax or remove communications sector foreign ownership restrictions (p. 11), downsize and limit the role of the CRTC (p. 13) and remove protection for Canadian programming in the satellite distribution market (p. 14).
Problems with Canadian production funding helped but not solved by restoration of funding to Canadian Television Fund.
CHUM joins Canadian Satellite Radio and an alliance of CBC and Standard Radio in contest for first Canadian subscription-based satellite radio licence.
CCTA concerned over CAB suggestion of levy for foreign specialty television services.
The 2004 federal budget restores funding cut from the Canadian Television Fund in last year's budget.
Doyle offers commentary on nature of Canadian television industry, CBC radio.
Actors' union applauds federal government for restoring funding cut from Canadian Television Fund, calls on private broadcasters to reinvest profits in production of Canadian television drama.
National Post contributors argue CBC should be cut off entirely from public financial support.
Alternative federal budget discusses importance of public investment in CBC, Canadian broadcasting and Canadian culture (see pp. 33-34).
Cancellation of Mike Bullard Show eliminates the only Canadian talk show from Canadian television.
Communications professors who advised House of Commons Heritage Committee on Our Canadian Sovereignty report say there is no going back if foreign ownership limits are removed.
Insiders say Mike Bullard shocked and saddened by cancellation of show.
Low ratings cited as reason for Mike Bullard Show's cancellation.
Despite early cancellation of Mike Bullard Show, Global says it is committed to producing original Canadian programming.
Major programming overhaul forecast at CBC once executive vice-president of English television Harold Redekopp retires.
John Doyle comments on television repeats, originality and reality programming.
Canadian TV drama will get a lift by having the stories of internationally renowned Canadian authors adapted for TV.
FRIENDS meeting channels public concern over plans to open Canadian media and communications sectors to foreign ownership.
Author describes the coming of local television to southwestern British Columbia.
Rogers chief says new CRTC funding rules unfairly penalize Canadian specialty pay-TV channels that turn a profit,
Astral says a single major deal among Canada's media companies will create a "domino effect" of transactions.
Columnist says CBC failed to act early and decisively to censure Cherry.
Zerbisias says the CRTC, not a private purchaser, should decide the fate of Craig Media's Toronto1.
Both CBC and CTV this week unveiled ambitious plans, pending funding from the Canadian Television Fund, for a variety of new Canadian prime time drama series, sitcoms and movies of the week for the 2004-2005 season.
CTV says it plans to air six original Canadian series in 2004-05 - provided there is adequate government funding.
NDP argues private broadcasters cannot replace CBC.
Regional perspectives are being lost because of the reduction in the number of Canadian critics working at daily newspapers.
While indigenous Canadian drama usually does not sell well abroad, performing-arts productions typically impress international audiences.
The National Film Board is said to be enjoying success by following its original mandate of making important social issue documentaries.
New shows suggest Canadian drama is thriving; in reality, cuts to government funding of film and television production have created a deepening crisis.
National Post editorial argues the CBC should be scaled down, receive only modest public funding and not air sports, sitcoms or mainstream dramas, so government can focus resources on "real priorities".
Despite two new Canadian productions taking Cold Squad's place, American series filmed in B.C. still outnumber Canadian.
Columnist praises CBC for investing in "sophisticated", "humorous", "biting" shows like The Newsroom.
CFTPA head says cancellation of two long-standing English-language Canadian drama series by CTV and Global confirms Canadian drama is in the process of becoming extinct.
Two more hour-long English-Canadian drama series cancelled.
The growing proportion of film and television funding provided by private funds emphasizes the need for renewed public support of Canadian production.
Differences between Rogers' strategy and U.S. cable company Comcast's has much to do with different regulatory and business environments.
Telefilm criticized for taking money from successful Quebec producers and giving it to English Canadian ones.
Taping Conan O'Brien Show in Toronto unlikely to change its audience's perceptions of Canada.
CanWest plans to seek relief from various "egregious" government regulations, such as CRTC policy limiting Canadian broadcasters to 12 minutes of commercials per hour.
Canadian Association of Broadcasters opposes cable's efforts to bring more U.S. specialty channels to Canada as direct feeds, argues competitive with existing Canadian services.
Even at a half million dollars in fees per game, the television rights for the Toronto Maple Leafs will likely lose money for the network that buys them.
Quebec film producers are unhappy with an announced reduction in Telefilm funding for French-language productions, which apparently punishes them for their success.
Michael Donovan, co-founder of Salter Street Films, reflects on Alliance Atlantis Communications' announcement of its plans to close Salter Street Films
Domestic TV producers are suffering from falling government subsidies, a collapsing international market, and less U.S. production due to the rise in the Canadian dollar.
Filmmaker Robert Lantos blames the state of Canadian film production on the government funding system and a lack of cultural financiers.
Heritage Minister says she is committed to helping the Canadian production industry, but cannot make funding decisions on her own.
Canadian films are bumped off Canadian cinema screens because of deals the country's theatre chains make with U.S. movie distributors.
Commercials run during the U.S. Super Bowl cost twich as much as those run during the Canadian Stanley Cup or Grey Cup.
New Heritage Minister, Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, believes mandate is to establish a vision for guarding the Canadian identity, not necessarily "know what books were published last week".
CRTC increases spending requirements for Canadian programming on most profitable specialty channels.
Toronto expected to star as itself, boost tourism during Conan O'Brien Show's relocation to Toronto in February.
FRIENDS believes that support for CBC and strengthened cultural sovereignty are consistent with the Paul Martin government's stated goals.
CRTC grants 40 percent increase to The Score's wholesale cable subscription rate.
Zerbisias says allowing Ontario Liberal Premier to sell off TVOntario to grapple with the provincial deficit would be a serious blow to public broadcasting.
New statistical analyses are needed to allow broadcasters and producers to understand what will attract audiences to Canadian drama.
An interview with Canadian Television Fund president Sandra Macdonald.
The Canadian film and television community is looking for signs of a long-term commitment from government to encourage Canadian production.
Canadian Association of Broadcasters head says the Canadian government needs an action plan for drawing audiences to 'market sustainable' Canadian programs.
New CEO of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association says cooperation and restored government funding needed to make the Canadian production industry viable.
Columnist says the new Heritage Minister's absence from the Canadian Forum on Cultural Enterprise in Paris is symptomatic of the Martin government's approach to cultural issues.
Poll shows Canadians would oppose a federal government decision to reduce foreign investment limits in telecommunications and take a dim view of corporate media ownership.
Nielsen ratings for CBC Television's Monday night line-up of new shows exceeded expectations.
Helene Scherrer's early meeting with five Ontario arts organizations gives hope she will address the problems facing the arts community.
CBC unveiled three new Canadian shows in one night: Rick Mercer's Monday Report, The Newsroom and This is Wonderland.
Star of new CBC series This is Wonderland is the kind of talent that justifies a Canadian star system.
In an attempt to boost ratings, the restyled Mike Bullard Show on Global will look "lighter", follow a less stringent format, and focus more on guests.
Summary of expenditures that resulted in 10-year high in culture spending by government in fiscal 2001-2002.
Private broadcasters and Alliance Atlantis point to U.S. competition and advantage to explain the lack of Canadian stories on domestic television screens.
Government spending on culture increased at its fastest rate in a decade in 2001/02, as the federal government pumped a record amount into cultural activities. Combined, all three levels of government spent a total of $6.8 billion on everything from libraries to the performing arts.
Ten-year-old TVO current affairs program Studio 2 has survived despite initial antipathy from private broadcasters and government ministers.
The fate of Canada's film and television sector is in the hands of three new federal cabinet ministers, including one political unknown.
CRTC says spending on Canadian news and information programming increased 36% between 1998 and 2002, while the figure for drama and comedy programming was only 11%.
National Post advertises new magazine, the Western Standard, as an "antidote" to "mushy, left-wing, politically correct media" such as the CBC.
Alliance Atlantis is being criticized for withdrawing from film and television production after having acquired, with public subsidies, some of the country's most successful independent production companies.
If Canadian director Denys Arcand's The Barbarian Invasions is nominated for an Academy Award, it will be a test for how Paul Martin and his Heritage Minister plan to approach cultural issues.
A private firm is helping to accelerate the development of narrated, 'described video' versions of television programs for the benefit of visually impaired audiences.
Profile of Canadian television producer John Brunton credits risk-taking for the success of his productions.
