Rupert Murdoch says good programming can no longer be supported solely by advertising revenues.
The nearly billion-dollar battle between U.S. broadcasters and cable operators over programming fees has gone public.
Columnist says there is a disconnect between what Canadians say they want from television and what they actually support with their viewing habits.
TV and movie screenwriter says it cannot be believed that after years of gouging customers and raising rates, Cable companies have suddenly discovered a consumer conscience.
Columnist notes that CTV, Global and now Rogers-owned Citytv spend more than ten times as much buying American TV shows than they do on Canadian programs.
Columnist says that publicly available broadcast industry revenues and expenses can be massaged to look affirming or damaging, depending on your point of view.
A 14-year-old boy running "pirate" radio station in Ottawa has heeded warnings from Industry Canada and shut down operations.
The executive director of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre says it is time for policy-makers to step away from the past collegial supervision of cable/satellite companies and deliver a framework that is responsive to consumer needs.
FRIENDS spokesperson Ian Morrison discusses the Conservative government's decision to overturn a CRTC ruling.
FRIENDS recommends that the CRTC re-regulate the basic service of the big four cable monopolies and ensure that cable distributors do not pass along signal compensation charges to their subscribers.
CRTC chair says "we seem to have a debate that nobody understands, we have a huge publicity campaign that nobody understands, and we have figures and concepts swirling around that don't make sense."
CTV, Global and CBC recommend the CRTC implement a "skinny" basic cable package that would cost consumers about $20 a month depending on the market.
Consumer hearing will form the basis of a CRTC report to the federal heritage minister on the fee-for-carriage issue.
The CRTC has kicked off the public portion of hearings into the fee-for-carriage/compensation for signal TV battle being waged between Canadian television providers and broadcasters.
Ottawa is urging TV viewers to go to a government Web site to offer their opinion on whether broadcasters should be paid for retransmission of their local TV station signals.
Industry Canada has ordered a 14-year-old Ottawa boy to shut down an unlicensed radio station.
Article highlights some of the nearly 200,000 submissions to the CRTC on the debate on the value of "local TV."
CRTC launches website soliciting opinions on fee-for-carriage dispute between networks and distributors.
Columnist asks that given the level of public misunderstanding of the fee-for-carriage issue, how much hope is there for constructive debate?
The Executive director of the Writers Guild of Canada says it's time broadcasters were told to take a Canadian-first approach to TV.
The Professor Emeritus of Carleton University says the battle between broadcasters and distributors is about the past and the disappearing present and not about the future of traditional television.
Editorial calls for fair compensation for TV broadcast signals.
http://television.askingcanadians.com seeks public's input on how the CRTC should deal with the escalating war between television broadcasters and cable companies.
Columnist says broadcasters are looking to the CRTC and consumers for more money to defend an old business model that is not working any more.
Major cable and satellite providers in Canada indicate willingness to carry Qatar-based Al Jazeera English TV network.
Now that the the CRTC has approved the Canadian transmission of Al Jazeera English, columnist says it is time to also approve Al Jazeera Arabic.
Canadian cable, satellite and telco TV carriers can now add Al-Jazeera English to their channel lineups.
The president of Quebecor, which owns both a cable company and a TV network, says some of the fees paid by carriers to specialty channels could be redirected to private over-the-air broadcasters.
Columnist says broadcasters are seeking to block U.S. signals, leave some Canadian communities without over-the-air television, and delay the transition to digital television transmission until 2013.
Canada's largest media union says Canada's broadcast regulator should force cable and satellite companies to pay for the local TV stations they use.
Canadian senator, political strategist, author, and commentator makes a speech about democracy and journalism.
CEO of Shaw Communications says it's time to move on from fight between broadcasters, cable and satellite firms.
Canadian independent producers are calling for minimum domestic programming spending requirements to be imposed on Canadian broadcasters.
Columnist says the public is desperate for a technology that will do for television what iTunes and the iPod have done for music and movies: enable "content-providers" to charge viewers for what they choose to watch.
Columnist notes that Shaw recently paid $300 million for Mountain Cablevision in Hamilton, while Canwest sold the Hamilton television station, CHCH, for $6.
CBC says the Canadian broadcasting system has become so imbalanced that the network cannot commit to maintain current programming levels without changes to the funding system and the channel line-up.
Quebecor Media president calls for a rebalancing of the Canadian TV system that would see some subscriber fees now earmarked for specialty channels diverted to conventional TV.
The Writers Guild of Canada says Canadians are losing out in the fight between cable and broadcasters.
Quebecor's Pierre Karl Péladeau says the business model is broken well beyond the effects of the recession for all established media.
Columnist says that officials with Heritage Canada are closely watching the Local TV debate to see how Canadians will be impacted before a possible election.
Quebecor president says conventional broadcasters deserve the same fees cable and satellite carriers now pay specialty channels.
Columnist asks why Canadians should be asked to subsidize conventional TV broadcasters but not newspapers and other sectors of the media industry.
Analysts say within a matter of years the Internet will become a major threat to many of the companies that currently dominate the TV world.
Canwest president says cable companies have gained so much power they have become a threat to Canadian broadcasting.
Bell says its satellite TV service has consistently lost money for more than a decade, and levies proposed by networks will damage its business further.
The CBC proposes an all-Canadian cable package that would cost less and would allow for dollars to flow back to the conventional TV stations.
CRTC chief says 'I don't know why you two don't realize it's in your long-run interests to come to some solution, rather than scaring the daylights out of Canadians.'
CRTC chair urges the two sides in the local TV debate to voluntarily craft a "grand bargain" to stabilize the system with as little impact on consumers as possible.
Cogeco Cable executive says carriage fees will burden Canadian cable and satellite customers without getting anything in return.
CTV says it will black out signals and continue to shutter local television stations if it can't get paid by cable companies for local programming.
The New Democrat Critic for Culture and Heritage, Charlie Angus, says the latest round of CRTC hearings will only propel further deregulation.
FRIENDS says facts are in short supply in the ad war over Local TV.
Columnist says Canada needs a bold, broad new framework for an era of on-demand programs, Internet downloading and sparse advertising dollars.
Columnist says hearings before broadcast regulator on the value of "Local TV" could alter the Canadian media landscape dramatically.
Representatives of Canada's television industry are set to go before a CRTC over the issue of whether cable companies should pay for the right to carry conventional television.
Article looks at the front-lines of the "Local TV" debate in Hamilton, ON and Red Deer, AB.
The head of Rogers Communications says that regulation will not create innovation.
Roundtable discussion on the issue of fee-for-carriage, featuring broadcast industry observers including FRIENDS spokesperson, Ian Morrison.
CEP's Vice-President of Media says the CRTC's collection, but not timely public disclosure, of basic cable rate data unfairly deprives Canadians of making informed submissions to a November hearing.
Broadcasters say more than 130,000 comments were submitted to the CRTC in support of local TV.
Columnist says it's time for the cable monopolies to share their large profits with the TV networks.
Article says the federal broadcast regulator has been inundated with emails from consumers who are lining up on both sides of the battle over local TV.
Canada's national public broadcaster is calling for cable and satellite services to offer basic packages of essential TV channels at a regulated price.
FRIENDS says CRTC should protect consumers from skyrocketing basic cable TV rates in the face of price increases of up to 85% since 2002.
FRIENDS recommends that the CRTC re-regulate basic cable rates, ensure that big cable companies do not pass along signal costs to subscribers and new compensation be divided among local conventional stations based on viewership of Canadian programs.
Columnist says the broadcasters should be allowed to charge a fee for their signals, but cable companies should be under no obligation to carry them.
Former federal Commissioner of Competition says it is crucial that Canada co-ordinate changes to broadcasting regulations with a broader strategy of meeting the challenges of the digital economy.
Editorial says the federal cabinet should uphold Canada's foreign ownership restrictions and not overturn a CRTC decision regarding Globalive wireless.
Columnist calls fee-for-carriage "a reasonable proposal."
Industry Minister Tony Clement says he is reviewing a CRTC decision preventing wireless challenger Globalive from entering the Canadian market.
The executive director for the Public Interest Advocacy Centre says the CRTC and the country's politicians must do more to direct genuine consumer-centred reform in the broadcasting industry.
Globalive Wireless's bid to become the country's fourth major cellphone provider was denied by the CRTC saying the company was controlled by its foreign backer and offside with Canadian telecom law.
A Nanos Research research study shows about 70% of respondents support the statement: 'local TV stations should receive a portion of the amount that customers pay on their monthly bill for cable or satellite TV'.
A CRTC commissioner says the regulator will hold steady on a distanced approach to the carriage fees debate between local television stations and cable and satellite companies.
Columnist says broadcasters should have the right to negotiate carriage fees with cable companies, and to withhold their shows if they can't strike a deal.
A Nanos Research study shows strong support for local television stations securing financial compensation from cable and satellite companies.
The president of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies says "It's time to get rid of the antiquated rules that control Canada's communications industry."
In a National Post editorial meeting, executives from Rogers, BCE Inc. and Shaw suggest it is high time for regulators to reconsider the existing broadcast structure as a whole.
Editorial says it's long past time for cable to pay for carrying conventional television stations.
The Canadian Paediatric Society is poised to recommend no television for children under 2 years old - a reversal of their long-standing position on babies and television.
Cable and satellite TV companies continue to push the message that fee-for-carriage is nothing more than an unnecessary and costly federal bailout.
PM's admission that he watches mainly American broadcasts draws surprise and scorn.
Canada's big telecom firms will be allowed to regulate traffic on their Internet networks, but only under strict guidelines.
Industry observer says "The CRTC has created some significant conditions on what they see as appropriate ways ISPs may manage their networks."
The CRTC says big telecommunications companies should use "economic measures" such as new investment and usage limits to combat Internet congestion, but can "throttle traffic" as a last resort.
Newfoundland broadcaster NTV, has joined CTV, 'A', CBC, Global, CHEK NEWS and V in the Local TV Matters campaign.
The CRTC will shortly issue two key internet rulings — one on net neutrality and the other on metered internet usage.
Columnist says a perfect storm of the recession, new technologies and shifting tastes has threatened the way conventional broadcasters like Canwest, CTV and the CBC have operated for decades.
Quebec French-language broadcaster "V" has announced it will take an active part in the Local TV Matters campaign.
Actor and screenwriter says revenues from fee-for-carriage must be seen on the screen in the form of new, original local, dramatic and comedic programming.
The TV Alliance calls for a level playing field for meaningful consumer participation in the upcoming public hearing on billing practices for TV services in Canada.
On an Alberta radio call-in program, CBC's president and CEO talks about the present and future state of Canada's public broadcaster.
Email sent to Bell customers regarding the battle over fee-for-carriage.
Viral video guru helps local TV stations take anti-cable message online in bid to win carriage-fee fight.
Industry watcher says the fight between networks and distributors is intensifying because fee-for-carriage has twice been rejected by the television regulator.
Columnist says that in the fee-for-carriage debate, broadcasters need to clean up their message, fess-up to increased costs and advocate for consumer choice.
Cable and satellite providers say a coalition of broadcasters is presenting "biased, inaccurate information"
Columnist says duelling campaigns over fee-for-carriage leave consumers confused and not knowing what to believe.
ACTRA National President says "It's time to stop the cable rip-offs and get more Canada on Canadian TV."
Heritage Minister James Moore says the government and Canada's broadcasters have decided to walk away from their Part II fee legal battle.
Industry analyst says Canwest's restructuring will likely involve a change in the ownership and management structure that could trigger foreign ownership issues.
In a radio interview, FRIENDS spokesperson, Ian Morrison, discusses the need for "fee-for-carriage" to preserve local television and the misinformation being presented by Canada's cable monopolies.
After a deal to purchase the local CTV station in Brandon, MB, Bruce Claassen lays the blame on the direct-to-home satellite companies and the CRTC.
U.S. authorities are forcing bloggers to disclose their relationships with the companies they write about, but jurisidictional confusion means no similar mechanisms exist in Canada.
Canadian cable and satellite TV operators have launched a media blitz to counter calls by local broadcasters for a new TV subscriber charge.
Bell, Bell Aliant, Cogeco, EastLink, Rogers and Telus have joined forces on lobbying campaign which they say is designed to ensure "that Canadians hear the whole story".
Globalive made several changes to its corporate structure in hopes of convincing the CRTC that it qualifies under Canada's foreign ownership rules.
CHEK NEWS, Vancouver Island's employee-owned television station, is the latest broadcaster to join the Local TV Matters campaign advocating for fee-for-carriage.
U.S. regulators want to lay down new rules to ensure that Internet traffic is treated equally, a move that could put pressure on the CRTC to do the same in Canada.
New wireless player Globalive will have to show that it's a Canadian-controlled company at a CRTC hearing.
"The government has told the CRTC that it wishes to make the ultimate decision," says Bell Canada executive.
CRTC says Rogers has violated broadcasting regulations by subjecting Canadian pay-TV service Super Channel "to an undue disadvantage."
Canadian telephone subscribers can expect to receive rebates after a court decision upheld an order to reimburse about $300 million in overpayments.
TValliance.ca, a new grassroots initiative to promote a better and more transparent TV broadcasting and distribution system for Canadians has launched.
The Conservative government is taking steps to block Canada's big television networks from charging for their signals in what could be a serious blow to the hopes of CTV, CBC and Global.
Heritage Minister James Moore has inserting himself into the fee-for-carriage debate by ordering the CRTC to hold a separate set of hearings to consider consumer interests on the matter.
The Government has issued an Order-in-Council requesting the CRTC "hold hearings and provide the government with a report on the implications of implementing a compensation regime for the value of local television signals."
A CRTC order issued nine months ago that requires phone companies to give wholesale customers access to faster internet speeds is in limbo as the regulator decides whether it should be enforced.
Article looks at submissions to the CRTC by cable/satellite companies and broadcasters on the issue of fee-for-carriage.
CTV, 'A', Global and CBC have joined together to launch a national campaign - Local TV Matters - aimed at rallying viewers and all Canadians to support local television.
FRIENDS recommends that Cable broadcast distributors should share a portion of their considerable profit with local TV broadcasters and that those fees should be divided based upon the total audience assembled for Canadian programs.
Community radio co-op asks concerned parties to file a CRTC intervention and oppose the Rogers expansion on Gabriola Island, BC.
The country's major television networks and its biggest cable companies are set to launch public appeals for support in their debate over new fees on customer bills.
CTV, Global and CBC launch localtvmatters.ca, along with TV, radio and print advertisements in their ongoing fight to collect fees from cable and satellite companies.
The Star Choice satellite television company has been told it should offer the CBC Regina signal to subscribers.
Text of an email sent to Rogers customers urging them to join the company's fight against fee-for-carriage.
FRIENDS says cable and satellite TV providers are misleading their subscribers by slapping a 1.5% fee on monthly bills and then trying to shift blame to the CRTC for the price hike.
The CRTC has released the standard conditions of licence for competitive Canadian mainstream sports and national news specialty services.
Columnist says a feud between public broadcasters in Europe and their private-sector rivals is getting nastier.
Editorial says the U.S. broadcast regulator needs to ensure that customers have an array of choices among cable providers, and that there is real competition on price and program offerings.
The president and chief executive of Quebecor says "a monopoly isn't the most efficient way to manage a business or meet customer expectations."
U.S. cable companies are reportedly gearing up to launch "TV Everywhere" - an initiative that could require Web users to subscribe to cable video before they can watch TV programs online.
New report indicates nearly 70% of Canadian TV viewers say being able to access their cable channels on the web or mobile is a good idea.
Canada's TV regulator has removed all restrictions on the number of ad minutes domestic broadcasters can carry per hour.
Major TV networks, including CBC and CTV, say they have no immediate plans to boost their ad inventory in primetime.
In a radio interview with host Roger Currie, FRIENDS spokesperson, Ian
Morrison, discusses recent changes in Canada's TV industry.
The CRTC has sealed the fate of Canwest Global Communications' secondary E! network by approving the transfer of ownership of CHCH in Hamilton and CJNT in Montreal to Channel Zero.
New TV rules allow broadcasters to air as many advertisements as they wish and cable customers will start to see a 1.5 per cent increase to their bills.
The CRTC has ordered Radio-Canada to apologize to its viewers for segments of last year's Bye Bye show, which featured cracks about blacks, anglophones, spousal abuse and the U.S. president.
The CRTC has given the go-ahead for the E!-branded TV stations in Hamilton and Montreal to be acquired and rebranded by indie broadcaster Channel Zero.
Data show the revenue for Canada's private radio broadcasters increased in 2008, in part because transfer of AM radio stations to FM.
The CRTC wants Bell Canada to explain the prices it plans to charge wholesale internet customers when it rolls out a new billing model.
Journalism professor says changes to CBC's local suppertime news is all about maximizing ad revenue for the network.
A petition to abolish the CRTC will be presented to Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore if it amasses 10,000 signatures.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has given Bell Canada approval to charge its wholesale ISP customers based on the bandwidth usage of their end users.
The President and CEO of VisionTV says it is "hardly onerous" to propose that the cable and satellite companies should put aside a modest 1.5 per cent of their revenues for local programming.
Small Internet providers are worried Bell's plan to implement usage-based billing for its wholesale Internet customers could result in higher bills for their users.
Bell Canada has dropped its court action against the federal broadcast regulator after the CRTC added the controversial network fee issue to its fall hearings.
An deal between the American show's distributor and Apple iTunes Canada makes Mad Men the first top-rated TV show to bypass Canada's conventional TV protocols as a paid digital download.
CTV says the CTRC should once again regulate the billing practices of cable and satellite companies.
The CRTC has approved a request by Bell Canada to implement usage-based billing for its wholesale internet customers.
The broadcast regulator has been flooded with more than 700 complaints since Rogers and Bell began informing customers their bills would inflate again next month.
Message sent from CTV's Save Local TV website about cable and satellite companies increasing their fees.
Cable and satellite bills are set to rise this fall as those TV service providers begin collecting a mandatory new fee to subsidize local television stations in small markets across Canada.
Rogers and Bell television cable subscribers are being told they will see their monthly fees hiked by 1.5 per cent beginning September in order to satisfy new regulations ordered by the CRTC.
The CRTC, after being slapped with legal action by BCE, is giving the television industry an extra week to craft submissions regarding carriage fees.
CRTC report says the communications industry contributed $54 billion to the Canadian economy in 2008.
The owner of the country's largest satellite service alleges the CRTC has overstepped its jurisdiction and asks a judge to intervene in the fee-for-carriage debate.
Satellite TV provider Bell is challenging the CRTC in court over the issue of carriage fees.
Canadians spent more time online, while watching slightly less TV last year, according to the CRTC's Communications Monitoring Report.
The National President of ACTRA says Canada's copyright law needs to be modernized, for the sake both of artists and consumers.
A consultation in Winnipeg on copyright reform is not open to the public and Canadian Heritage won't release a list of who was invited to participate for a number of days.
Report states Canadian telecommunications services generated $40.3 billion in revenue last year, up $2.1 billion or 5.5 per cent, from the prior year.
A report issued by the CRTC shows the price of cable, satellite and pay-television services has risen 29% in Canada since 2002.
In a submission to the CRTC, FRIENDS supports Channel Zero's applications to acquire the television stations CJNT and CHCH.
84% of residents in Kamloops B.C. say it is unfair that they will be deprived access to free TV signals.
In a memo to the U.S. broadcast regulator, editor says the FCC needs to address the troubles of TV broadcasting and take steps to bolster the financial health of the industry.
Canadians with disabilities should be able to enjoy some of the new
communication tools that the rest of the public enjoy, says the federal
telecom regulator.
The CBC's top official in the North says the Yukon government's move to extend the CBC's lease for its AM transmitter in Whitehorse does not necessarily mean the broadcaster will scrap plans to switch from AM to FM.
Columnist says since the debut of broadcast television in this country more than 50
years ago, millions of Canadians have grown to expect free access to
local television signals. Last week, Canada's broadcast regulator issued a decision that will
bring the era of free local television to an end for many Canadians.
Columnist reports The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has
slapped down a request from Rogers Broadcasting that its CITY-TV
stations in Toronto and Vancouver no longer be mandated to air 100
hours of Canadian films a year in prime time.
Broadcasters should make “meaningful commitments” to Canadian content, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has re-stated in its decision to reject a request from Rogers Broadcasting to reduce requirements for airing Canadian content.
A Canadian Citizen says CBC’s funding has been reduced by every government since Brian
Mulroney’s — both Conservative and Liberal. All federal governments, it
seems, dislike the CBC and have found it an easy target. That means
it’s up to ordinary Canadians to speak up for the CBC.
Columnist say Canada's largest Internet providers are having a chilling effect on
independent filmmakers by slowing down certain Internet technologies
that enable producers to distribute movies and other programming
online, federal regulators heard Wednesday.
The CRTC's move to boost funding for local TV programming may not be enough to save some stations, the networks say.
Columnist says the long battle between conventional-television broadcasters
and the digital TV providers who carry their content swung in favour of
the former Monday after federal regulators — for the first time --
suggested that cable and satellite providers such as Rogers
Communications Inc. should pay for the content.
Columnist says television broadcasters have won concessions from Ottawa that will help
pay for programming, in a move that escalates their long-running battle
with the cable and satellite companies that carry their signals.
Shaw Communications says the CRTC has betrayed Canadians' trust with its announcement of two new taxes on consumers.
Canada's conventional television broadcasters praised a ruling Monday
that they say takes an important step towards fairly compensating them
for their programming while boosting funding for local shows.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission today
announced that the Local Programming Improvement Fund will have over
$100 million to distribute during the 2009–2010 broadcast year.
The Commission today launched a public proceeding to develop a new
regulatory framework for conventional television broadcasters. The
proceeding will include a public hearing starting on September 29,
2009, in Gatineau, Que.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
today announced that the Local Programming Improvement Fund will have
over $100 million to distribute during the 2009–2010 broadcast year.
Canada's broadcast regulator has opened the doors to fee-for-carriage, increased the size of a yet-to-launch local TV fund, and harmonized the amount of local programming the English-language networks have to broadcast.
Columnist says Canadian Jewish groups have indicated to the CRTC that they will not
oppose making the English version of the Al Jazeera available to
Canadians.
CRTC has a big day coming up on Monday. Not only is the network management hearing beginning that day, the Regulator is also launching a new proceeding seeking structural reform of the TV sector while releasing new rules (and potentially a new amount) for its yet-to-be-launched Local Programming Improvement Fund.
Rita Cugini spoke at a meeting held by RTNDA Canada on concerns about the loss of local programming as a CRTC official set the stage for crucial upcoming decisions by the federal regulator that will impact the future of conventional Canadian television.
The CRTC has granted licences for 10 new digital channels to Asian Television Network, covering movies, sports and music.
The Canadian Press has learned that a unanimous report by the House of Commons heritage committee, to be tabled tomorrow, makes no recommendation about whether broadcasters should be able to charge cable companies for carrying their signals, referred to as "fee for carriage."
Report says both access and local origination principles have suffered in Canadian community television since 1997, when the sector was partially deregulated.
Columnist says a national regulatory strategy for digital media for Canada is long overdue.
The CRTC says Canadian private radio stations enjoyed increases in both revenue and profits before they hit severe turbulence in the fall caused by the recession.
Current TV has been granted a channel license by the CRTC.
Shaw Communications has launched an e-campaign against fee for carriage.
The Chairman of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission speaks about new media policy.
ACTRA and the Writers Guild of Canada have both spoken out against the CRTC's recent decision to not regulate new media.
The news that the CRTC will continue to exempt new media broadcasting services from its regulation got high marks from Internet service providers Telus and Rogers.
CRTC commissioner says that it is impossible to apply the Broadcasting Act, which was last updated in 1991, to a transformative technology like the Internet.
Former CRTC chairperson says the current regulated environment in the media industry stifles creativity and threatens the survival of mainstream newspapers and television networks.
Following months of deliberation, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission says it would not impose the same domestic content regulation it applies to television and radio.
Imposing 'net-neutrality' regulation on broadband providers will raise prices and hurt consumers
The managing director of Al Jazeera English is confident that the network will get regulatory approval to broadcast across Canada, perhaps as soon as the fall.
In a submission to the CRTC, FRIENDS calls for greater financial transparency in Canada's broadcast industry.
Charles Dalfen, the chairman of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission from 2002 to 2006, called the creation of new Canadian TV shows a matter of "national self-respect."
In a radio interview with host Kathleen Petty, FRIENDS spokesperson Ian Morrison, discusses the challenges facing Canadian TV broadcasters and the debate over 'fee-for-carriage'.
In response to the CTV "save local TV" campaign, the publisher of the Winnipeg Free Press says "local news and news coverage is not threatened".
Columnist says Canadian television networks may get the right to pull their feed from cable and satellite services, and possibly black out shows on U.S. channels, if the broadcasters can't reach a deal with distributors on compensation for their signals.
Canada's democracy would be enhanced if media organizations reformed some of their most basic practices and approaches, according to the winners of the 2009 Dalton Camp Awards.
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has ruled that CTV violated provisions of the Code of Journalistic Ethics in its airing of an interview with Stéphane Dion during the October 2008 federal election campaign.
Charles Dalfen, the former head of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and a respected telecommunications lawyer has passed away.
Industry observers say Canadian broadcasting is at a tipping point as it endures both technological shifts and economic challenges that have left it in a precarious financial position.
The federal broadcast regulator says TV networks will have to make meaningful commitments to local news and programs if they want financial relief.
The chairman of the CRTC says he simply misspoke when he suggested to heritage committee members that the broadcast regulator wasn't allowing broadcasters to charge cable companies a fee for carrying their signals because the broadcasters weren't going to direct the money they received to local programming.
CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein tells parliamentarians, rather than regulating a new, set, fee-for-carriage, it would be better to have distributors and broadcasters get together and come up with their own payment plan.
Columnist profiles the debate over "fee-for-carriage" between broadcasters and cable/sattelte companies.
The dean of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto says the CRTC should regulate the amount of Canadian-content viewership rather than the amount of Canadian-content programming.
Cable company says local TV doesn't need saving and that Canada's major
broadcasters should be responsible for their own businesses instead of
looking for a new TV tax.
The CRTC has indicated the revenue could be generated through a "negotiation" between the conventional broadcasters and cable and satellite operators — as opposed to a carriage fee the regulator would impose.
CTV has accused cable operators of killing local news shows, and cable companies have accused broadcasters of downloading billions of dollars in bad business decisions onto defenceless consumers.
A push by federal regulators to place restrictions on how Canadian television networks buy prime-time shows in Hollywood has been put on hold.
Conventional broadcasters have applauded a decision from the CRTC to shelve plans that would impose conditions on the purchase of U.S. programming.
FRIENDS says the CRTC has come up with a "good, sensible decision" in not imposing the requirement on broadcasters who face considerable financial headwinds already.
Performers are pleased by the CRTC's announcement that it will look into re-instating programming expenditures for Canadian programming this fall.
Canada's major television networks have been told they will most likely lose their bid to charge cable and satellite carriers for their signals unless they dramatically alter their approach in Ottawa.
The president and CEO of Quebecor Media says "rather than using quotas and regulatory requirements... the evolution of Canadian broadcasting must be driven by the success of Canadian programming".
In a presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, FRIENDS cites a survey that says three-quarters of Canadians believe annual support to the CBC should rise to at least $40 per Canadian per year.
Canada's largest media union says parliament should ensure Canada's broadcasting legislation keeps step with the times, including proper accountability and transparency.
A presentation regarding quality television in Spain.
In a submission to the CRTC, FRIENDS says the vast majority of the three million Canadians who rely on over-the-air TV reception will not be served by the Bell Television "FreeSat" proposal.
The CRTC calls for public comments on a proposal to allow Al-Jazeera English to broadcast in Canada.
The Canadian Media Guild opposes the broadcast industry's plans to shut down transmitters that send free TV signals to one-third of Canadians.
FRIENDS recommends that the CRTC policies should recognize the vital contribution of Canadian over-the-air TV broadcasters and ensure that they have the financial capacity to produce Canadian local programming and to tell Canadian stories.
Columnist says it's high time that television coverage of Ottawa politics was shaken up.
Rogers Broadcasting has received CRTC approval to buy two more Ontario radio stations, Kingston's K-Rock and KIX Country.
Columnist says the CRTC needs to realize that the moment has come to adapt to changing times and the brave new world of new media.
The CRTC has renewed all of CBC/Radio-Canada's licences for one year, until 31 August 2010, subject to the same terms and conditions as those contained in the current licences.
Columnist says local television is dying, and the most sensible strategy for saving it involves cable companies paying a fee.
CTVglobemedia president Ivan Fecan says the time might be right to start regulating cable rates again in order to save local television programming.
Heritage Minister James Moore appears before the House of Commons Heritage Committee and is grilled by Opposition MPs regarding the government's financial commitment to public broadcasting.
Canadians should be alarmed at the CRTC hearing now underway about their broadcasting system, and must hope that Parliament intervenes, says Canada's largest media union.
Columnist says conventional TV is worth saving and the CRTC should introduce fee-for-carriage and direct the funds to local services.
Columnist says there is chaos in the Canadian broadcasting industry and the CRTC looks "hopelessly unable to deal with it".
Columnist says the CRTC is trying to get CTVglobemedia and Canwest to commit to not closing money-losing stations in exchange for new financial concessions, but has failed to win the necessary assurances.
Rogers Communications is accusing conventional TV operators of engaging in a "public relations" campaign with the aim of generating a crisis and building support toward additional financial relief.
Canwest Global president Leonard Asper says CRTC rules are to blame for the problems plaguing the TV sector - not the economic crisis or the staggering debt his company faces.
Columnists says the debate about the financial future of Canada's television industry has come down to a key point - whether the country's big networks, such as CTV and Global, should have the same funding model as specialty channels.
CTVglobemedia's chief executive says CRTC decisions have lead to distributors making record profits while conventional broadcasters are losing money.
CRTC has released, for the first time, its own calculations of how much money television networks would collect if they were allowed to charge cable and satellite carriers for their signals.
Columnist looks ahead to six ways the Canadian television industry may change if the networks get their way.
CRTC data show revenues for the cable and satellite industry eclipsed $10-billion for the first time in 2008.
CTV and Global say they would commit new funds from fee-for-carriage to local programming, and would let the CRTC set the terms.
CRTC data show that total revenues for cable companies rose 16.1% in 2008.
CTVglobemedia and Canwest say they will sell or shut down local TV stations in small or medium-size markets if their pleas for new funding sources are turned down.
Some members of an online forum are upset the CRTC is posting personal information on its website along with participants' comments.
Broadcasters tell House committee profits are in decline and that they want to charge cable and satellite companies for their signals.
Executives from CTVglobemedia and Canwest Global tell MPs that the industry is in the midst of a crisis from which it can recover only with a second source of revenue and fewer regulatory obligations.
MPs on the Canadian heritage committee say they are concerned that Konrad von Finckenstein may have misspoken or misled the committee when answering questions recently about "fee-for-carriage."
In a radio interview, FRIENDS spokesperson Ian Morrison discusses, local programming, "fee-for-carriage", the plight of CanWest.
Rogers tells the government that despite pleas for protectionism, CTV and CanWest still managed to earn over $350 million in operating profits from television last year.
Rogers executive says the company would support a U.S. model for TV fees, which gives broadcasters the choice of either "mandatory carriage" or a negotiated fee-for-carriage.
Rogers Communications says TV networks are exaggerating their financial woes in order to get regulatory concessions.
The vice-chairman of Rogers Communications says the fee-for-carriage conventional broadcasters are pushing for is nothing more than a "tax on consumers," with the funds raised to be used on acquiring U.S. programming.
Quebecor chief executive says there could be bankruptcies in the TV industry unless broadcasters are given regulatory concessions and fee-for-carriage revenues.
Columnist advocates for a 'free market' approach to fix problems with Canada's television industry.
MP for Barrie says Ottawa should be looking at all options – including new cable fees and an infusion of government advertising – to help ensure the survival of local television stations.
Rogers Communications is accusing conventional broadcasters of fear-mongering with their plans to shutter or sell some local stations.
Actor Dave Foley says he is in favour of a quota system for Canadian film, just like the one that is credited with kick-starting the Canadian music industry.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has commenced efforts to develop a national broadband Internet plan.
The Local Community Radio Act, a bill curently before the US House of Representatives.
Canada's privacy commissioner has opened an online discussion on a technology that allows internet service providers to intercept and examine packets of information as they are being sent over the internet.
U.K. media regulator Ofcom has fined the BBC £150,000 for its "flawed editorial processes".
China's State Administration of Radio, Film and TV has ordered all online content providers to apply for a license before broadcasting material on the Internet.
The CRTC has launched an online consultation on the traffic management practices of internet service providers, allowing Canadians to voice their opinion on the issue of "net neutrality."
FRIENDS' submission to the CRTC recommends that the quality and quantity of Canadian programming – especially local programming - be maintained as part of the private conventional television licence renewal process.
MPs criticize the CRTC for not moving quickly enough to address problems in the television industry that could cause several cities to lose local TV service.
CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein says that the broadcasting industry is in "desperate" need of a "systemic solution" to withstand the economic and structural storm that is hitting the sector.
A spokesman for the federal heritage department has confirmed that the government has drawn up plans for regulatory and tax changes to help private broadcasters deal with a growing TV ad revenue shortfall.
CBC English Television's report to the CRTC for the 2007/2008 Broadcast Year.
FRIENDS says if TV networks don't provide high-profile promotion and reserve online space for Canadian shows and news broadcasts, Canada's broadcasting industry will suffer.
Cable monopolies say a proposal to impose a levy on Internet service providers to fund Canadian new media content is an illegal idea that will burden consumers with higher costs.
The CRTC will hold a public hearing to determine whether the way that CBC re-branded specialty channel 'Country Canada' to 'bold' has negatively impacted "the integrity of the licensing process".
Columnist says the decisions by CanWest and CTV to cut staff and programs at small-market channels are part of a strategy to force regulatory changes.
The Canadian government has rejected a proposal by the CRTC to curb domestic broadcasters' spending on U.S. series.
Columnist professional hockey can be looked to as a model for to monetize new media content.
The company that owns the Weather Network in Canada alleges that the wireless industry is engaged in practices that stifle innovation by privileging access or controlling content on their networks.
Political editor says it is time for broadcasters to stop blaming new technologies and regulations for their financial problems and start attracting viewers by producing quality Canadian programming.
Op-ed says that at a time when Canadian television broadcasters should be thrown a lifeline, CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein is tossing them an anchor.
US President Barack Obama has nominated veteran technology executive Julius Genachowski to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Columnist says that without giving TVA, TQS and Radio-Canada access to new sources of revenue – such as fees-for-carriage – more dubbed U.S. programming appears inevitable on Quebec TV.
CTVglobemedia executive says "Without fee for carriage, we're only going to be witness to the demise of conventional television in this country."
Rogers has submitted licence renewal applications to the CRTC for its conventional TV stations, seeking a seven-year extension and telling the regulator it wants to focus on local programming.
Broadcasters call for lower local programming obligations and ending priority programming requirements in primetime.
Rogers is asking the federal broadcast regulator for permission to program more sitcoms, movies and hockey games on the Outdoor Living Network.
Columnist says the CRTC has limited its new media hearings by explicitly excluding issues such as net neutrality and the potential regulation of user-generated and non-commercial content.
In a submission to the CRTC ahead of upcoming licence renewal hearings in April, CTV said there is no point discussing short-term solutions for the industry amid a steep drop in advertising revenue.
FRIENDS says that it is time for the CRTC to grant over-the-air broadcasters fee-for-carriage revenues.
CBC executives say Internet Service Providers have become broadcasting distributors, and as such, should be required to contribute to program funding.
FRIENDS says a proposal from cable and satellite companies on the sale of advertising would have a negative impact on television broadcasters at a time of great financial peril, likely resulting in further reductions in local service.
CTV says it would rather close two Ontario stations in Windsor and Wingham than continue to absorb financial losses in those cities.
FRIENDS says CTV's decision to close two small Ontario television stations put's pressure on the CRTC to re-examine its ruling on fee-for-carriage.
Former New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord, on behalf of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, says the 2007 CRTC decision to exempt mobile content from broadcasting regulation should be upheld.
Columnist asks in the age of cross-ownership, when the proprietors of most major print publications also own broadcast outlets, will the CRTC look to regulate the print media next?
FRIENDS says it is reasonable to extend the same public policy and Broadcasting Act support for Canadian content in all media, including new media.
The Recording Industry Association of America has appealed a decision granting a request by a grad student to Webcast his trial for allegedly sharing music files online.
Editorial says Al Jazeera English provides an unique perspective from the developing world and should be approved for broadcast in Canada.
Columnist says Canada must start moving in a positive direction toward ensuring an accessible, open Internet for everyone.
FRIENDS presentation to the CRTC on possible regulation changes for Canadian broadcasting in new media.
The CRTC chair says the commission is inclined to introduce a condition of license for English-language broadcasters requiring a 1-to-1 ratio between Canadian and non-Canadian programming expenditures.
Cultural groups say introducing Canadian content regulations for radio helped strengthen Canada's domestic music industry and the same could be done for the country's new media creative community.
Middle East-based news and current affairs channel Al Jazeera English is asking the CRTC to add it to the list of eligible satellite services in Canada.
Tony Burman, managing director of Al Jazeera English, says he hopes the channel will obtain CRTC approval and be available in Canada by autumn of this year.
Canadian arts groups say the time has come to protect homegrown content by making Internet distributors obey the same rules applied to radio and television broadcasters.
A proposed scenario would see Internet service providers pay 3 per cent of their subscriber revenue - roughly $100-million - to a fund that would help produce Canadian programs for the Web.
While the call for new media regulation "doesn't mean the CRTC should regulate videos of kids or singing dogs on YouTube," says actor Colin Mochrie, inaction could mean "our stories will get lost and our culture will drown in a sea of non-Canadian content."
The cofounder of the SaveOurNet.ca says Canadians should take a stand against telecommunications companies that are undermining "Net neutrality" guidelines of the Internet.
Canadian actor says if the CRTC doesn't create shelf-space and funding for Canadian new media content, "our culture and our industry will drown in a sea of foreign content".
Carleton University professor compiles a list of factors that could affect the outcome of the CRTC hearings on new media.
Columnists says much of the CRTC new-media hearings will concentrate on whether there should be additional funding of Canadian programming for the Internet and wireless devices.
Industry analyst says the CRTC may loosen some traditional media restrictions for broadcasters in exchange for concessions in new media.
Columnist says the CRTC took the right approach not to regulate the Internet 10 years ago and reversing it would be a huge mistake.
FRIENDS says the prime responsibility of the CRTC is to ensure that a certain amount of Canadian content in the audio-visual system - including the Internet - is available to Canadians.
FRIENDS says a CRTC plan to issue one-year licences and review local programming rules will be good for TV companies but bad for viewers.
CRTC commissioners say they are considering a proposal that would require CTV, Global, CITY-TV and other TV Networks to spend the same amount on Canadian programming as they do on U.S. shows.
Canada's broadcast regulator says it wants to allow one-year licence renewals to conventional television broadcasters because of the financial issues faced by the industry.
ACTRA is optimistic the CRTC will heed Canadian performers' concerns that private TV broadcasters must do more to support Canadian programming.
Columnist says the CRTC is expected to announce a new kind of television licence designed to give some of the country's cash-strapped small-market TV stations some relief in an economic downturn.
The federal broadcast regulator says it is scrapping its limits on the number of "hit" oldies in English markets.
FRIENDS says a mandate to ensure shelf space for Canadian programming puts pressure on the CRTC to reconsider fee-for-carriage.
The deadline has been extended for submissions to the CRTC's hearings into the issue of "net neutrality" and the traffic management practices of internet service providers.
Data show revenues for private conventional television stations decreased by 1.5% last year while expenses increased by 4%.
Recent cutbacks and sharp shift in focus for the Canadian Association of Broadcasters is something that should be re-thought, say its independent broadcast members.
A national coalition of Internet democracy watchdogs are urging Canadians to get involved in the debate over Canada's open Internet and "Net Neutrality" before a February 16 deadline.
FRIENDS says about two million Canadians who use rabbit ears or rooftop antennas to watch American television will be affected when U.S. broadcasters switch to digital TV signals in June.
Major U.S. television networks CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox will transmit TV signals in analog until the new June deadline for a national switch to digital signals.
FRIENDS says the CRTC should not be making seven-year decisions about broadcasting entities in a recession, where one of the major players might be failing.
The U.S. House of Representatives have voted to extend the deadline for the signal switch to digital TV until June 12.
FRIENDS says broadcasters may ask for relief on what they must spend on local programming or Canadian drama at CRTC licence renewal hearings set for this spring.
Columnist says Canada's broadcast regulator is contemplating significant changes to the way it issues broadcast licences for the country's largest commercial television networks.
The Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission says it will narrow or reduce the scope of license renewal hearings for CTV and Global Television.
Columnist calls on the CRTC to apologize to the creators of Canadian "televised fiction" for the distress caused by the Commission's vice-chairman in charge of broadcasting.
CRTC vice-chair responds to an article that questions the appropriateness of his comments concerning Canadian drama programming.
President Obama appointed Michael J. Copps as acting chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Democrats cite mounting concerns that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals won't be ready for a proposed switchover to digital on Feb 17.
Canada's largest media union says the CRTC should demand that broadcasters who are threatening to shut down service in small Canadian communities return their licences now, and give others the chance to run them.
FRIENDS says the lack of a clearly defined transition plan from analogue to digital TV broadcasts will cause trouble for over-the-air viewers.
Columnist calls comments from the vice-chairman of the CRTC about not being interested in television comedy and drama 'indiscreet' and 'out-of-touch'.
Canwest wants to loosen the rules governing its newsrooms and has asked the CRTC to lift certain conditions of licence at its E! and Global stations.
The Commissioner of Official Languages says the CRTC and the federal government should contribute to strengthening the CBC's role in producing regional programming in both official languages.
Columnist says the CRTC and parliamentarians should enact and enforce policies that support the 'open Internet' in order to produce a more democratic media system.
The incoming Obama administration has submitted a former FCC top aide to the top job at the U.S. broadcast regulator.
A new report says people aged 14 to 25 spend less time watching television as other electronic devices become important sources for entertainment.
Records show that in November 2008, CanWest CEO Leonard Asper communicated with the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Industry Minister and senior CRTC representatives.
