Source : Ottawa Citizen

Re: Shaw pulls millions out of Canadian TV fund, Jan. 11.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation does not receive any money from the Canadian Television Fund. The money goes to independent producers to help them make Canadian programs that will be broadcast on Canadian television.

The Canadian Television Fund was created to provide financial support to independent producers who make distinctly Canadian television programs. This fund ensures that Canadians can watch programs, particularly drama programs, that reflect Canada.

Contrary to Jim Shaw's claim that it supports programs that "few watch," the Canadian Television Fund has made possible many highly successful Canadian programs including Shania: A Life in Eight Albums, H2O, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Trailer Park Boys and Little Mosque on the Prairie. Without the fund, independent Canadian producers could not afford to make these programs because the Canadian market is too small to finance the high cost of these shows.

Private broadcasters carry some Canadian programs but fill the majority of their prime-time schedules with more profitable American programs. CBC/Radio-Canada is the only Canadian broadcaster with the "shelf space" in its schedule to show the most Canadian programs in prime time, when the greatest number of Canadians are watching television. It is in recognition of this fact that the federal government has set aside 37 per cent of the fund -- not for CBC, but for independent producers who make programs that are in turn broadcast on CBC or Radio-Canada.

The competitive protection provided to the cable industry by the Canadian television system has been central to its financial success. Mr. Shaw may not like having to support the television system that has ensured his company's well-being, but attacking CBC/Radio-Canada in order to try to avoid funding independent Canadian producers is simply unwarranted.

Bill Chambers, Ottawa,
Vice-president, communications, CBC/Radio-Canada

© Ottawa Citizen

Related Documents:

January 11, 2007 - Ottawa Citizen: Shaw pulls millions out of Canadian TV fund by Deirdre McMurdy
The CEO of Shaw Communications says he's prepared to breach CRTC regulations and stop contributing five per cent of his company's revenues to the Canadian Television Fund.