Article discusses business prospects of U.S. satellite radio services in Canada; FRIENDS continues to see CRTC approval of satellite radio with low Canadian content requirements as slippery slope for regulatory regime that enabled the success of the Canadian music industry.
U.S. Senate approves deadline for U.S. broadcasters to turn off analog television signals, complete move to digital broadcasting.
Despite government subsidy, cost to U.S. consumers to upgrade to digital technology by 2009 deadline expected to top US$3.5 billion.
Corus CEO calls for looser foreign ownership rules, says foreign takeovers and partnerships essential to survival of broadcasting sector.
Radio-Canada, Télé-Québec labour unions launch coalition to support French-language public broadcasting.
Networks plan more control in televised election debates, aim to tone down anarchy, shouting, force substantive debate.
Industry sources say national public broadcaster requires sustained funding commitment.
Shaw follows Videotron in terminating membership in cable industry association.
Article says that arts and culture supporters must come up with viable election strategies in order to achieve their goals.
FRIENDS says next federal government will be forced to address the scarcity of funding for production of Canadian television programs; notes current funding model effectively helps to subsidize the cost of acquiring U.S. shows.
Columnist takes issue with Auditor General's report, says cultural spending must be justified in cultural, not just arithmetical terms.
Liberal government allocates new money to Canada Council for the Arts, effectively doubling its budget over three years.
Canadian actors visit Parliament Hill, call for increased funding for CBC, CRTC to do its job to preserve Canadian airwaves for Canadian programming.
Heritage Committee adopts motion calling on the federal government to tighten broadcasting policies so that Canada retains control over radio and television broadcasting in Canadian territory, as recommended in the Lincoln Report.
Auditor General finds weaknesses in Department of Canadian Heritage strategic management of cultural funding, as well as governance and control of organizations through which funding is administered.
One of two Republicans on Federal Communications Commission steps down.
U.S. President nominates Republication, renominates Democrat to positions on the Federal Communications Commission.
Holder of CRTC licence for satellite radio service authorized to air predominantly U.S. content plans $50-million IPO.
U.S. satellite radio licensee to launch IPO to fund rollout of Canadian service, which will feature minimal Canadian content.
Joint press release by ACTRA and FRIENDS reaffirms criticism of CRTC decision to license U.S. satellite radio services with low Canadian content requirements, welcomes CRTC decision to proceed with radio policy review, calls on CRTC to reject demands for reductions in Cancon by conventional radio broadcasters.
Media reporter writes that if Parliamentarians care about the future of CBC, they must properly fund it.
Astral Media agrees to supply programming to U.S. satellite broadcasting licensee Sirius, seals fate of collaborate venture with CHUM for CRTC-approved terrestrial digital radio service.
FRIENDS tells Finance Committee pre-budget consultations that the Committee should focus on two broadcasting issues: increasing the size and stability of CBC's parliamentary grant, and ensuring increased resources are deployed at the grassroots level in communities across the country, rather than in Montreal and Toronto operations.
Public Interest Advocacy Centre issues declaration criticizing the federal government's telecommunications policy review and recommending changes; FRIENDS has endorsed the declaration.
Cable lobbyist calls for simultaneous reform of telecommunications and broadcasting regulation and a reassessment of Canadian content regulations in light of broadband technology.
Comments by President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters on the impact of new technologies on broadcasting policy.
Data show that increased expenditures at CBC over the five-year period 2000-2005 have significantly exceeded growth in revenues.
CBC President Robert Rabinovitch, English Television Vice President Richard Stursberg and other CBC executives respond to extensive questioning by MPs at post-CBC lockout meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
Lockout can be explained in part by a cult of management at odds with CBC's public broadcasting mission; author notes management has never faced consequences of its bad decisions, including other lockouts, reductions in local programming.
Liberal lobbyists were reportedly paid lucrative success fees to save U.S. satellite radio providers' CRTC licences in face of Cabinet appeal.
Conservative MP responds to letter from FRIENDS supporter regarding CRTC decisions on satellite radio.
Report alleges U.S. satellite radio firms retained several well-connected Liberals to lobby on their behalf to oppose cabinet appeal of CRTC subscription radio decisions.
Editorial argues CBC must follow BBC's lead and articulate a clearer vision for public broadcasting.
Details of secret arrangement between Alberta Conservative government and Enron, the matter being pursued by popular Alberta radio host Don Hill at the time of his sudden dismissal from the CBC.
CBC Radio interview with CBC President Robert Rabinovitch about the lockout and the future of the national public broadcaster.
Both Ottawa and Quebec helped define and seek the adoption of the international convention on cultural diversity recently approved by UNESCO.
Bertrand Hall condemns CBC lockout decision, says CBC permanence, excellence and relevance should be affirmed.
NDP Heritage Critic says seven-week lockout at CBC the direct result of the patronage system used to appoint the CBC president.
FRIENDS advisory council member recommends public consultations on future of CBC, calls for government to implement recommendations contained in 2003 Lincoln Report.
Former CBC president comments on the future of CBC post-lockout.
Columnist says CBC lockout would not have happened if the public broadcaster had sufficient federal funding.
CHUM asks for changes to subscription radio licence to allow commercials, more channels, more foreign content, and more programming already broadcast on conventional radio; seeks level playing field with U.S. satellite radio services recently licensed with low Canadian content requirements.
Columnist criticizes prime minister for allowing "Canada-hating bean-counters" to keep CBC off the air for seven weeks and counting.
Federal NDP leader outlines NDP position on CBC lockout and Parliamentary initiatives to end it.
Bloc Quebecois MPs challenge Minister of Labour on federal response to CBC lockout.
The federal government's feature film policy, introduced in 2000, is failing; only 1.6 per cent of English language box office films were Canadian in 2004.
Conventional radio broadcasters hint they will seek lower Canadian content requirements following recent CRTC decisions, upheld by Cabinet, to approve low requirements for U.S. satellite radio services.
Majority of Atlantic caucus signs letter to CBC management stating concerns about how lockout is affecting their region.
Canadians break law to receive satellite radio signals.
Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage asks CBC president to appear before the Committee, report on the CBC lockout.
CHUM expects it will not launch its proposed Canadian subscription radio service after CRTC licences awarded to U.S. satellite radio services with low Canadian content requirements were upheld by cabinet.
Members of the Bush administration blame slow response to Hurricane Katrina on alleged media stories claiming that New Orleans had "dodged a bullet"; Wall Street Journal reports no such story was found.
Quebec cultural organizations lament that CRTC satellite radio decisions and federal cabinet decision to uphold them blatantly contradict the founding principles of the Broadcasting Act, set a precedent that could lead to complete marginalization of Canada within its own radio broadcasting industry.
FRIENDS appeal of CRTC satellite radio decisions based in part on the risk that conventional broadcasters would demand reductions in Canadian content obligations to compete with licensed U.S. services.
Cabinet decision on satellite radio appeal characterized by heavy last-minute lobbying by U.S. satellite radio providers.
Liberal politics cited as one reason the Aspers may not be in a hurry to sell the National Post.
Last minute offer of slight increase in Canadian content, lobbyist efforts cited in cabinet decision to uphold CRTC ruling on satellite radio.
FRIENDS expects conventional radio broadcasters will eventually ask Ottawa to reduce their Canadian content obligations in wake of cabinet decision to uphold CRTC decisions on satellite radio.
Text of press release stating that the federal cabinet has upheld CRTC decisions licensing two U.S. satellite radio providers with low Canadian content requirements.
Cabinet upholds CRTC decisions to issue satellite radio licences with unprecedented low Canadian content obligations; Canadian content policy dealt blow; FRIENDS calls decision a black day for Canada.
Artists' groups oppose ghettoization of Canadian content on U.S. satellite radio services, urge cabinet to send licensing decisions back to CRTC.
ACTRA, AFM, CCMIA, CIRPA, CRIA, SOCAN, SAC urge federal government to send satellite radio decisions back to CRTC.
The federal cabinet has reportedly delegated satellite radio appeal decision to its operations committee.
Conservative Heritage critic calls for parliamentary debate on future of CBC, hints that continued public funding, particularly of CBC English language television, may no longer be justified.
U.S. satellite radio services make last-minute conditional offers for slight increases in Canadian content in effort to sway federal cabinet decision.
Federal cabinet has reportedly yet to decide whether to overturn CRTC satellite radio decisions or return them to the CRTC for reconsideration.
The fact that cabinet is reviewing the CRTC satellite radio decisions reduces the independence of the CRTC.
Company serving independent musicians argues the alternative to approving U.S. satellite radio services is "lawlessness" on Canadian airwaves.
CRTC spokesperson maintains CRTC chair's former directorship, stock options in CD Radio (later Sirius) not a conflict of interest.
Editorial says satellite radio licences have raised fundamental broadcasting policy issues, and Parliament, not the CRTC, is the appropriate forum to debate them.
Canadian Heritage minister discusses CBC lockout, cabinet deliberations on satellite radio.
Editorial contends that technology makes broadcasting regulation, Canadian content obsolete.
A committee of the federal cabinet reportedly failed to reach a consensus on whether CRTC satellite radio decisions should be overturned.
Conflict of interest alleged after documents surface which show CRTC chair Charles Dalfen once served on board of directors of predecessor of U.S. satellite radio provider Sirius, whose Canadian representative was recently awarded a broadcasting licence in Canada.
Committee of senior federal cabinet ministers to discuss CRTC satellite radio decision in conference call; results to be presented to full cabinet on Thursday.
FRIENDS disagrees that technology renders Canadian content regulations obsolete, notes that satellite radio market will remain small for some time to come.
Advertisement sponsored by ACTRA, FRIENDS, CIRPA, SOCAN in Ottawa's Hill Times concerning results of opinion poll showing 64% of Canadians want the Government of Canada to intervene in CRTC satellite radio decisions because the proposed services offer too little Canadian content.
Ipsos Reid/Friends of Canadian Broadcasting poll concerning CRTC decisions approving two U.S. satellite radio services in Canada.
Ottawa-area Liberal MP calls on CBC management to resume normal service first, then negotiate a settlement.
FRIENDS releases public opinion survey showing two out of three Canadians want the Government of Canada to overturn CRTC decisions to license two American satellite radio companies.
U.S. satellite radio services stage media forum in Toronto, arrange for artists to voice objection to the appeals of CRTC licensing decisions.
CHUM vice-president corrects facts in Globe & Mail editorial supporting CRTC satellite radio decisions.
CRIA and CIRPA spokespersons lament lack of policy hearing on cultural policy implications of subscription radio.
U.S. satellite radio licensees announce they will now offer four of their eight Canadian channels in French.
Survey says only 10 percent of Canadians interested in subscribing to satellite radio; expert finds flaws in Sirius polling methodology saying otherwise.
Editorial says government should not interfere in CRTC decisions: satellite radio is the way of the future.
SOCAN CEO says U.S. satellite radio services should not be allowed to undermine Canadian content regime for sake of a few hundred thousand potential subscribers to an "interim" technology.
Organizations representing Canadian recording industry urge reconsideration of CRTC satellite radio decisions, release poll showing strong public support for Canadian content regulations.
Sirius Canada plans to announce more French language programming to address concerns over CRTC licensing decisions.
U.S. satellite radio licensees face opposition not just from CHUM/Astral, but also from a wide range of other sources.
Editorial calls for end to "heavy-handed" regulation keeping U.S. satellite radio out of Canada.
U.S. satellite radio providers condemn politicization of CRTC licensing decision; critics say a mistake for CRTC not to have held a policy hearing first.
Editorial says CRTC decisions on satellite radio should stand.
Columnist says government should let satellite radio decision stand, find new ways to protect and nurture Canadian culture.
U.S. satellite radio rallies car manufacturers, electronics retailers, musicians, celebrities to speak in favour of CRTC licensing decisions.
Columnist announces cabinet decision to ask CRTC to reconsider satellite radio rulings as fait accompli.
Editorial concludes federal cabinet should not second-guess CRTC on satellite radio decisions.
FRIENDS expects federal cabinet will give CRTC guidelines if it decides to send satellite radio decisions back for review.
U.S. satellite radio services warn that overturning CRTC licensing decisions will boost grey market.
U.S. satellite radio provider releases survey showing widespread support for Canadian satellite radio services.
U.S. satellite radio licensees, car manufacturers claim losses, growth of grey market if CRTC decisions are overturned or sent back for reconsideration.
Editorial says Ottawa must decide if having a national public broadcaster is important, and if so, provide sufficient funding.
U.S. satellite radio licensee announces plans to increase French-language offering to four channels from three in effort to address concerns behind calls for reversal of CRTC licensing decisions.
U.S. satellite radio licensees believe insufficient French-language content the only issue behind calls to overturn CRTC licensing decisions.
Liberal MPs from Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes have all reportedly urged federal cabinet to overturn CRTC satellite radio decisions.
Government sources suggest Cabinet will ask CRTC to rescind satellite radio decisions.
U.S. satellite radio services lobbying intensively for CRTC licensing decisions to stand.
Telesat Canada "thrilled" to be working on launch of U.S. satellite radio services in Canada.
Canadian Satellite Radio says it has pre-signed three thousand Canadian customers in anticipation of launching its satellite radio service.
A coalition of information technology companies has called for significant changes to the Telecommunications Act to better meet the stated objectives of competition, investment and commercialization.
Article says concerns with CRTC satellite radio decisions will be writ large when services begin carrying more than audio.
Summary of Bell Canada, TELUS and the CCTA submissions to the federal government panel appointed to review telecommunications policy.
CCTA makes recommendations to federal telecommunications policy review panel, advocates development of new communications policy to address convergence.
FRIENDS and fourteen other organizations ask Cabinet to overturn CRTC decisions granting applications by Canadian Satellite Radio and Sirius Canada for broadcasting licences to carry on satellite radio undertakings in Canada.
CAB comments on "potential impacts and potential unintended consequences for the Canadian broadcasting system that may be fostered by the policy rationale" used by the CRTC to approve two U.S.-based satellite radio services with low Canadian content requirements.
Ten French-language organizations ask Cabinet to set aside CRTC satellite radio decisions and order CRTC to hold a public hearing on a subscription radio policy.
Broadcasters join cultural coalitions in launching appeal against CRTC subscription radio decision.
CRTC report reveals that specialty, pay and pay-per-view revenues now equal those of English-language private conventional stations.
FRIENDS op-ed explains rationale for arts coalition appeal of CRTC decision on pay radio.
FRIENDS joins with eight other organizations to appeal CRTC decisions on subscription radio.
NDP caucus calls on Liberal government to overturn CRTC decision on satellite radio.
CRTC pay radio decision would undo years of efforts to promote and protect Canadian programming, say arts groups.
FRIENDS joins coalition of arts, labour and other groups in asking federal cabinet to overturn CRTC pay radio decision.
If the CRTC is in fact "redundant", the responsibility lies with Parliament to update the Broadcasting Act.
Satellite radio will have a profound impact on the future of broadcasting in Canada.
The Telecommunications Policy Review Panel issues consultation document, invites input from interested stakeholders.
Minister of Canadian Heritage Liza Frulla says that the United Nations Preliminary Draft of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions is a success for Canada, even though the U.S. did not sign.
Columnist says the proposed UN convention on cultural diversity, while supported by the vast majority of nations involved in negotiating it, is largely symbolic given that the United States has refused to ratify it.
CHOI-FM argues that CRTC violated freedom of speech in failing to renew its broadcasting licence.
Head of Canadian cable industry association discusses HDTV, VOIP, local/regional programming, and other communications policy issues and how they are being handled in the current political climate.
Critics accuse Prime Minister Martin of cronyism after he appoints friend and landlord of CBC's Ottawa head office to the CBC board of directors.
New Conservative party candidate and ex-CanWest Global anchor Peter Kent shares former employer's views towards the CBC.
The major networks are making recommendations on the federal leadership debates even before an election has been called.
Ratings show Prime Minister Martin's television address drew roughly as many viewers as U.S. programs Desperate Housewives and Survivor.
Snowball incident new evidence of Conservative leader Stephen Harper's attitude toward CBC.
Speaking at a Canadian Conference of the Arts panel discussion, MPs representing the four largest political parties agreed on the importance of establishing a federal cultural policy.
Columnist says that if the government is to have a meaningful cultural policy, it will have to show leadership on the issues at stake.
Columnist says government response to Lincoln Report effectively sweeps important reforms under the rug.
Government officially announces appointments to panel reviewing Canadian telecom policy and outlines terms of reference and "areas of interest" for the review.
Editorial says the government’s second response to the Lincoln report isn’t bad, considering all of the parties it has to appease.
FRIENDS says strength of government's second response to Lincoln Report is that it is a policy overview and has put a number of important processes in place.
Department of Canadian Heritage chief of staff takes leave amid allegations of involvement in federal sponsorship scandal.
Columnist criticizes lack of specifics in government response to Lincoln Report.
MP and Official Opposition Heritage Critic Bev Oda criticizes government response to all-party Lincoln Report as all talk, no action.
Canadian actors tell government committee to create shelf space for Canadian films - more room on theatre screens and more airtime on television for Canadian films.
Government response to Lincoln Report affirms support for Broadcasting Act objectives, finds no need for major overhaul of federal cultural institutions.
Industry representatives say government response to Lincoln Report fails to reverse 1999 CRTC drama policy or take other action to redefine Canadian content.
U.S. cable industry seen likely to undergo consolidation.
New CRTC telecom vice chair says Canadian communications sector should be governed by a single set of laws.
FRIENDS says government response to the Lincoln Report is the most substantive attention paid to broadcasting policy since Mulroney era.
Many observers critical of government response to Lincoln report on Canadian broadcasting.
FRIENDS gives qualified praise to government's second response to the Lincoln Report on Canadian broadcasting.
Federal government tables second response to June 2003 Lincoln Report on the Canadian broadcasting system.
The federal government's appointees to the telecom policy review panel announced in the federal budget represent Internet, wireless and traditional telecommunications perspectives.
Heritage Minister Liza Frulla will table in Parliament a response to the Lincoln Report on Monday, April 4. FRIENDS, ACTRA and the CEP will be paying close attention to a number of key issues, and have prepared a primer on Ottawa's response to the Report.
FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting has given Heritage Minister Liza Frulla a suggested Memorandum to Cabinet designed to implement in public policy the principal recommendations of the Lincoln Report (Our Cultural Sovereignty).
Summary of arts and culture vision statement by MP and Official Opposition Heritage Critic Bev Oda to delegates at the Conservative Party of Canada’s National Policy Convention.
FRIENDS advertisement placed in the delegates' program for the Conservative Party policy convention, March 17-19, 2005.
Groups anxious that the recent federal budget made no mention of film tax credits or of extended funding to the Canadian Television Fund, fear that Telecommunications Act review may lead to changes in foreign ownership restrictions.
Telefilm head Wayne Clarkson tells Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage that Canadian production funding should increase and that the new aim should be for Canadian films to occupy 10% market share.
US Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue tells cabinet ministers and senior bureaucrats that it is critical to review telecom regulation because the sector is a major driving force behind labour productivity.
The centralization of decision making power with the Prime Minister and Clerk of the Privy Council causes delays and explains why many Crown corporation and other government vacancies are yet to be filled.
Telecommunication companies are pleased by the review of telecommunication policy and industry regulation announced in the federal budget.
Columnist says that the panel appointed to review telecommunications policy should recommend dismantling the CRTC.
Industry groups the Coalition for Competitive Telecommunications and the Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association applaud news of a review of the 1993 Telecommunications Act.
Minister of Canadian Heritage Liza Frulla appoints Quebec author and columnist Guy Fournier to the CBC's board.
CBC rumoured to be in line for a funding increase to revive local programming.
Sources expect the federal budget to fulfil the CBC's request for a budget increase, but Heritage Minister Liza Frulla has not confirmed the rumour.
The federal budget to be tabled Wednesday is expected to meet the CBC's demand for extra funding to revive regional programming; but government must take measures to ensure that the money is used for that purpose.
Government sources say Wednesday's federal budget will grant the CBC extra funding to revitalize regional programming.
The federal budget will demonstrate how successful Heritage Minister Liza Frulla's lobbying efforts on behalf of the cultural industry have been.
Conservative groups in the United States are joining forces to push for more restrictive, values-oriented legislation on the content of television programming.
Republicans reportedly fear political consequences if they leave the millions of television viewers who have not switched to digital without a signal on the analog switch off date.
U.S. may need to subsidize transition to digital television.
Article suggests minority Liberals are unlikely to face an election over the federal budget, set to be tabled February 23, 2005.
Text of CRTC Chair Charles Dalfen's speech before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, addressing the CRTC's mandate, linguistic duality, diversity, third-language programming and equal rights.
Article suggests the political climate in Ottawa is such that there are good chances some of the Lincoln Report recommendations will finally be implemented.
