Source: Inside the CBC

The CRTC reached a decision today on the acrimonious fee-for-carriage fight.

And the CBC is the odd man out.

The decision released this afternoon allows private broadcasters to negotiate with cable and satellite companies for fees for this signals, just like the specialty channels higher up on the dial.

But the CBC has been denied the same right.

This latest development will be a bitter pill for CBC executives. And they seem angry.

“The CRTC’s decision defies logic,” CBC President, Hubert Lacroix, said. “The Commission wants to save Canadian programming. CBC/Radio-Canada invests more in Canadian programming than all of the other broadcasters combined.”

The decision is especially difficult because, despite some reservations, the CBC joined forces with the private broadcasters last September under the Local TV Matters campaign. And while that campaign probably helped sway public opinion and encourage the CRTC into making this decision, the CBC gained nothing.

“This will solve the economic problems of private sector players but will not bring the system back into balance. It leaves the player who delivers more than anyone else in the system without a viable business model.”

Lacroix added that the decision will impact CBC finances and operations.

“One thing is clear: this will force us to cut programs and services, and our ability to fulfill our mandate has been compromised. The independent production sector, the cultural community, and the public will all suffer as a consequence. But we need to study the decision in more detail and present a plan of action to our Board before I can share more,” Lacroix said.

© Inside the CBC