CRTC Proposes

[jdobbin]

http://ctv2.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/st...BN/ctv-business

Among the many recommendations, it suggests the CRTC consider:

• eliminating genre protection for Canadian specialty channels that prevent one cable network from encroaching on another's programming strategy. Market forces should determine how many channels should exist.

• focusing less on protecting the financial situation of an incumbent TV channel when applications for new services are received. This could make it easier for more competitors to enter the market.

• enforcing its rules with financial penalties. Unlike U.S. regulators, the CRTC lacks punitive power over broadcasters who break the rules, beyond revoking their licence which is seen as a last-resort.

• developing a digital media policy, but avoid regulating Internet broadcasting.

The report was commissioned by CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein in April to look at what regulations needed to be updated, and which were no longer relevant.

The CRTC isn't required to implement any conclusions of the report, however since it was commissioned by Mr. von Finckenstein, observers believe some of the suggested changes will be put to use during his five-year term there.

It will be interesting to see where some of these changes will go.

Right now the cable companies are battling it out over the Canadians Television Fund but it is hard to be sympathetic to them when they are so protected the way they are now with simulcasting and the ability to insert their own ads.

[White Doors]

I want HBO damnit!

[scribblet]

You can get it on cable if you pay extra for it. Satellite carries a lot of their shows on Showtime.

[White Doors]

Yeah, I know, but I have not seen anything liek you can get ion the states where you can get about 30 HBO channels.

[fellowtraveller]

I want an uncensored Al-Jazeera.

[M.Dancer]

I want an uncensored Al-Jazeera.

Al Jazzy was approved by the CRTC in 2004. Censored isn't the problem. Credible on the otherhand.....

[geoffrey]

Al Jazzy was approved by the CRTC in 2004.

Before or after FOX News?

I do enjoy FOX Sportsworld though.

Anyways, the fact that the leader of this group of hooligans (CRTC) is Konrad von Finckenstein definitely scares me. What kind of freaky name from beyond the grave is that? Sounds like a definite B-horror movie plot is about to transpire.

[jdobbin]

Anyways, the fact that the leader of this group of hooligans (CRTC) is Konrad von Finckenstein definitely scares me. What kind of freaky name from beyond the grave is that? Sounds like a definite B-horror movie plot is about to transpire.

He was appointed by Harper and serves till 2012. Unless Harper dissolves the board, he's there for a while.

[geoffrey]

Unless Harper dissolves the board, he's there for a while.

A dissolution of the board would be nice, but why pick someone with a name that just says evil dictator (no offense to the Dutch... or Dutch Jew? Do they exist?)?

Edited September 14, 2007 by geoffrey

[Michael Bluth]

Unless Harper dissolves the board, he's there for a while.

Any proof of Harper potentially dissolving the board?

Naw, baseless speculation aimed at purely smearing the Government is your modus operandi.

Interesting how the mods never have an issue with it.

Unfortunately for you Harper appears likely to win the next election.

Unless Stephane Dion learns how to speak English clearly, can unite his caucus and articulate a coherent alternative version of the Government.

Thankfully for Canada there is zero chance of all that happening.

[geoffrey]

Hey, why the hate, dissolving the board would be a huge coup for democracy and freedom in Canada. Harper should go for it and sell it as such.

Canadians would LOVE to end bundled programming. It's a popular selling move. 99% of Canadians don't give a flying f* about the Indian affairs channel. Give me CTV Newsnet, BBC World, FOX News, FOX Sportsworld, Sportsnet, TSN, Discovery, Discovery Civilization, National Geographic and my local Global channel (and CBC so I can watch Hockey Night in Canada). The rest is bullshit I don't want. Think of the cost savings.

I currently have about 350 channels when all is said and done. I watch the 11 above essientially exclusively. Why do I pay for the other 339? If I say want to catch 5 minutes of Iron Chef on Food Network, I should be able to buy the channel for the day (or even better, pay per use).

Wow. What a concept.

Canadians would love this instant liberation and essientially a regulatory tax cut of epic proportions, not costing the government a penny.

[jdobbin]

A dissolution of the board would be nice, but why pick someone with a name that just says evil dictator (no offense to the Dutch... or Dutch Jew? Do they exist?)?

I believe the CRTC chairman was born in Germany for whatever that's worth.

The Canadian TV and cable industry has been well protected for its owners, It has long been called a license to print money.

I have said many times that Canadians are not interested in Canadian TV. They have been voting with their satellite dishes.

It is time for a total revolution for the industry. I have said a few radical things about opening up the entire market to U.S. networks and service but to be fair, there are probably a lot of other voices out there to be heard on what is best for the consumer and to facilitate an industry in Canada.

At the moment, the Americans are making an issue of Canada using the tax system to lure production to Canada. Ironically, if the Americans win this trade challenge, they make themselves vulnerable to charges of dumping product in Canada at below cost.

Some of the CRTC proposals are worth looking at. The Canadian industry should not be coddled anymore.

[geoffrey]

The Canadian industry should not be coddled anymore.

See above. We completely agree.

[jdobbin]

Hey, why the hate, dissolving the board would be a huge coup for democracy and freedom in Canada. Harper should go for it and sell it as such.

If he decided to it, I certainly wouldn't be opposed.

If there is a desire to support Canadian production, it can be done separately from the networks and CRTC regulation.

[White Doors]

I live in Alberta. Why oh why do I have the 'Sasketchewan Legislative Network' bundled in my package?

my god..

Edited September 14, 2007 by White Doors

[M.Dancer]

I live in Alberta. Why oh why do I have the 'Sasketchewan Legislative Network' bundled in my package?

my god..

I guess they figure if you live there, you will watch just about anything....

[Shakeyhands]

Any proof of Harper potentially dissolving the board?

Naw, baseless speculation aimed at purely smearing the Government is your modus operandi.

Interesting how the mods never have an issue with it.

Unfortunately for you Harper appears likely to win the next election.

Unless Stephane Dion learns how to speak English clearly, can unite his caucus and articulate a coherent alternative version of the Government.

Thankfully for Canada there is zero chance of all that happening.

I think you may be losing it Bluth.... r-e-l-a-x take a breath and read his post again. Gawd.

[Michael Bluth]

I think you may be losing it Bluth.... r-e-l-a-x take a breath and read his post again. Gawd.

Has Harper threatened to dissolve the board?

Was anything I said or asked a mischaracterization?

Gawd, I'm sorry for not making this board Rabble part 2.

[White Doors]

I guess they figure if you live there, you will watch just about anything....

haha

perhaps. making the move to the maritimes in a few days so will report back if the flatlanders follow me there.

[Shakeyhands]

He was appointed by Harper and serves till 2012. Unless Harper dissolves the board, he's there for a while.

Here Bluth, I requoted for you and I will highlight the key word(s)

No where does JDobbin say he is going to dissolve anything. In your rush to discredit anything that you deem an attack on Steve you must have missed this.

No need to apologize for the personal attack on jdobbin, I am sure he/she is quite used to it by now.

[jdobbin]

Here is the reaction of broadcasters to CRTC proposals.

http://www.playbackmag.com/articles/daily/...913/report.html

The Canadian Association of Broadcasters is up in arms about a recent report suggesting that restrictions should be placed on a network's right to simultaneously broadcast American TV shows during primetime.

"We believe that the report's far-reaching recommendations, if not properly applied, could fundamentally undermine the foundation of the Canadian broadcasting industry," said CAB president and CEO Glenn O'Farrell in a statement.

"Simultaneous substitution is a mechanism of fundamental importance," he added. "To remove this mechanism would effectively expropriate rights holders. It is irresponsible to suggest such a recommendation without any rationale demonstrating an understanding of the economic underpinnings of the industry."

Under current CRTC rules, private networks such as Global and CTV simulcast American shows and insert Canadian ads, a practice which generates millions annually, but hurts Canadian content, which tends to get shuffled into marginal timeslots, says the CRTC report, authored by communications lawyers Laurence Dunbar and Christian Leblanc and released on Thursday.

But Canada's largest actors union, ACTRA, welcomes the report's findings. "This is really the first glimmer of hope we've had in a long time. We are really quite pleased," Stephen Waddell, ACTRA's national executive director, tells Playback Daily. "The broadcasters have made billions in revenue piggybacking on U.S. product... It's time for the broadcasters to wean themselves from this regulatory benefit. They can't have their cake and eat it, too."

[jdobbin]

No where does JDobbin say he is going to dissolve anything.

Yeesh. I had no idea it was such a big issue. My meaning all along was the CRTC chairman is a recent appointment and will be in place for some time barring the unforeseen.

[Shakeyhands]

amazing how this thread hasn't been further commented on... by any apologists anyway.

[Higgly]

I want an uncensored Al-Jazeera.

I'm with you!

[Higgly]

Here is the reaction of broadcasters to CRTC proposals.

These guys are upset about the simulcast provisions. Frankly I'm pretty fed up with simulcast. Consider some big sporting event comes on, for example the Superbowl. It is available from a Canadian station - say Global, and an American one - say CBS. You want to watch the CBS version because you want to see the Superbowl commercials that have been getting hyped for a month before the event. Instead what you see on the CBS channel is what people watching Global are seeing - including Canadian commercials. You are also seeing Canadian "paste-overs" so there is a big Labatts Blue beer bottle on the 50 yard line.

I am a consumer paying for a certain number of channels. It is bad enough that my cable company uses bundling to shove all sorts of worthless crap down my throat but I have to put up with this too. And why? So Global/CTV/whoever can yank in another couple of million dollars? What do I get in return? Do I get more Canadian content? No. I get pictures of Canadian TV execs living it up in Muskoka in Toronto Life. I have no sympathy for Canadian broadcasters and their cozy little sheltered country club.