Tech & Biz

CTV wants to raise cable fees to pay for local news

by mtippett | May 22, 2009 at 01:25 pm

272 views | 25 Recommendations | 7 comments

With advertisers increasingly reluctant to support local television Canadian networks are finding it hard to make ends meet. So instead of relying on ads to support their shows, CTV is launching an initiative aimed at getting cable companies to pay them for their programming.

Current regulations in Canada allow cable and satellite companies to take CTV and ‘A’ programming without compensation. These companies then charge you, the consumer, for the programming they take for free. Most TV subscribers in Canada hold the false belief that part of their basic monthly bills goes to their local TV stations. This isn't true. Television service providers, including cable and satellite companies, are reaping huge profits at the direct expense of local Canadian TV stations that are going out of business. As a consumer, you are at risk of losing local programming options on the dial.

What do you think? Would you pay more for cable for local news?

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Amy Judd

at 13:37 on May 22nd, 2009

I would not pay I have to say..

Jarrett Martineau

at 13:54 on May 22nd, 2009

I wouldn't pay. And I bet the money would just go toward Lloyd Robertson's plastic surgery anyway. ;)

corey_246

at 14:05 on May 22nd, 2009

Tricky subject. On one level Local News Stations are suffering funding wise, and we need local news for one reason look at the news stations such as CNN etc. I've seen Paris Hilton and Britney on there far to much for my liking when actual news is taking second place. But we also need to know and support what is going on in our communities and cities as well as the world.

The problem is exactly what Jarrett said, the money probably wouldn't go where it is needed which is usually -- and sadly -- the case.

Paschen

at 15:47 on May 22nd, 2009

That is back to the way it used to be in the beginnings...

In Germany, France, Russia and Japan still today local and public television are funded mainly by the TV Tax, and not adds. For every Television one has to pay taxes as one would for a house or car as well. All TV's are registered and it does work.

I am not against it either, since we do need good news coverage and reliable news coverage of local maters and well as neutrally and objectively reported as much as possible.

albertacowpoke

at 16:04 on May 22nd, 2009

Paschen this a different issue than the Rundfunk Steuer in Germany. These stations are presently being carried on satellite and cable channels and the providers are not paying for them. Canadian networks have asked to be paid by the carriers without aval. They are threatening to cut local news on these networks. CTV has put a petition on line asking for people to support them.

albertacowpoke

at 16:13 on May 22nd, 2009

They will still do ads Paschen. They want to be paid by the carriers that carry their broadcasts. The public would have a ..... fit if they taxed them for tv here.

Paschen

at 20:02 on May 22nd, 2009

I did not say they tax them, they charge a fee, or get paid a chair by the carrier wish is in essence the same idea and the result is this the same, only a different name and another principle. That is what they want, getting paid a chair of the Cable fee.

Public TV does have adds as well in some cases, yet less and better regulated then private TV.

The Word Tax is a little of a paranoia in North America and especially in the US, however what ever you call it in the end service requires money to be maintained or given.

The cost of the adds as well is reflected in the coast of the products sold and ends up being paid by the Citizen in the same fashion as taxes do.

It just seems to be an easier pill to swallow for North America then the word Taxes or fee. in the end though it is nothing but brain wash and living out of touch with reality.

North America rather pay Cable fees then Cable Taxes and yet they do pay taxes on tht service as well even though not mentioned as such.

Where as in other parts of the Globe they pay a tax that is clearly for public media and in some parts even the private media can profit from it if the service is of public nature such as local news.

Angry (not verified)

at 07:24 on May 28th, 2009

CTV does not produce LOCAL programming....Your Cable Provider DOES. The Community Channel produces HOURS UPON HOURS of local programming, fundraising and event coverage in EACH community. What does CTV do in your home town other than featuring stories on accidents, abuse, and other hardship???

Your local community channel brings you a true local voice, and good news stories....thousands of hours per year, and does not charge for content. You can't say that about CTV. In fact, they skim upwards of 30% from the total monies raised during their IWK telethon goes to pay overtime for staff who work the fundraising event......

Stephen R (not verified)

at 07:34 on May 28th, 2009

Did you know that CTV is provided free over the air. They appealed to the CRTC a few years ago to charge cable providers for carrying their signal and the CRTC refused.

Why should cable subscribers have to pay for a service that non-cable subscribers get for free? I for one wouldn't. I say drop them from the cable lineup--I can watch their "primetime" programming on the American channels from which they receive it.

Also, how does CTV's signal get sent to each household over the air if that home is in a "dead zone" and can't receive the signal with rabbit ears. They didn't assist the cable companies when cable systems werre designed and built--yet, they reap the benefits of airing their revenue producing commercials on the cable distribution. How much of a hit would their revenue take if they had to resort back to rabbit ears for signal distribution? And has the cable industry asked for their fair share of CTV's commercial $$$ ?