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CBC Licence Renewal Decision to be Released on Thursday

Jan 5, 2000

For Immediate Release

On Thursday, January 6, the CRTC will release its decision concerning the renewal of CBC Radio and Television Network licences.

In a break from past practice, the CRTC traveled from coast to coast to give Canadians the opportunity to tell the Commission what they want to see from CBC in the future.

The CRTC’s efforts to reach out and gather input from the public were widely applauded and demonstrate a new, more inclusive approach.  The end product – the CRTC decision – provides a litmus test for the new process … was it window dressing or did the Commission genuinely want input from Canadians?

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting will be watching the decision closely and FCB Spokesperson Ian Morrison will be available in Toronto to comment shortly after its release.  For information or to book an interview contact: Jim Thompson (613) 567-9592. 

Background

Earlier this year the CRTC held a hearing to consider renewal of the broadcast licenses for CBC radio and TV, French and English services.

In all, the Commission heard from more than 4500 individuals and organizations who wrote to the CRTC or appeared during the three week hearing in Hull (the hearing took place between May 25 and June 8).  The vast majority intervened to support CBC’s role and performance as a significant Canadian cultural institution. 

Canadians from all walks of life, ranging from truck drivers to teachers to Premiers and former Premiers took the time to participate and express their views on their CBC.  Here’s what some of them said:  

The Honourable William G. Davis I am here, Madam Chair and Members of the Commission, really in a very unabashed way in support of 'public broadcasting'. So I am here today to say very simply the views I expressed in my letter are those I believe very strongly. They are personal, but I like to think they reflect some degree of experience in public life and public policy of this country

D.C. Dawson

Ms DAWSON: I was just thinking of what a long day you people have had and how tired you must be. Since I drove 12 hours plus to get here --

THE CHAIRPERSON: Did you? Where are you coming from?

Ms DAWSON: From Saint John, New Brunswick. Through the years I have lived in five provinces from Nova Scotia to Manitoba and my children have lived in three others, and the thread that connects us is the CBC.  It is discouraging to see what is happening to CBC.

Patrick Binns, Premier of PEI

The people of PEI value the CBC highly. For many years, the CBC has performed a great service to the Island and to Canada and despite greatly diminished resources, the Corporation continues to play an important role in national unity.

Several themes emerged during the hearing:

  • CBC television has grown overly dependent on advertising and sports programs.
  • Commercial considerations are distorting the CBC’s public service mandate.
  • CBC’s budget is too small to deliver on the job given to it by Parliament.
  • Private sector broadcasters argued forcefully for CBC funding cuts.  Canwest Global boss Izzy Asper said CBC should get out of national news, local news, sports and even cartoons.

New Approach

The CRTC took the unusual step of holding pre-hearing public meetings in 11 large and small centres across the country.  More than 650 people attended.  In many centres, the meetings were over-subscribed and had to be extended or held over.

Generally speaking, people who attended the meetings told the Commission:

  • CBC is a treasured service
  • CBC needs to drastically improve the amount of programs “about my area” on TV and radio
  • Consolidation in the print media adds to the need for a public broadcaster
  • Cutbacks have diminished the quality of CBC Radio.  Programs are repeated far too often.

What to Watch For in the Decision  

Friends will be judging the merit of the CRTC’s decision based on the answers to a number of questions.  Will the CRTC:  

  • Endorse the commercialization of CBC Radio, as proposed by CBC?
  • Push CBC to reduce repeat programming on radio?
  • Discourage the launch of new CBC specialty TV services?
  • Listen to the public and reflect what the Commission heard during public meetings before the hearing in Hull?
  • Encourage the CBC to enhance regional programming on TV and Radio?
  • Push CBC to better reflect the cultural and racial reality of Canada?
  • Compel CBC to reduce the amount of sports broadcast on English TV?
  • Compel CBC television to reduce its dependence on advertising?
  • Grant a rate increase of 8 cents/subscriber to allow Newsworld to improve its programming?
  • Push CBC to broadcast more children’s programs?

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For information:

Jim Thompson (613) 567-9592