OTTAWA – In its appearance Wednesday before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, CTV called for “swift federal action” to address “the crisis” in local Canadian television, and offered a few ideas of its own.
CTV outlined a three point reform plan that it said will “provide a viable new framework for local television”.
Not surprisingly, the first point in the presentation called for the immediate implementation of fee-for-carriage.
"Fee-for-carriage does not need to impact the consumer nor will it invoke undue harm to the cable and satellite industry," said CTVglobemedia president and CEO Ivan Fecan, in a news release. "This is an industry-to-industry matter".
CTV’s plan then suggested satellite carriage for local TV stations.
"We simply would like the CRTC to uphold Parliament’s clear statement in the Broadcasting Act that calls for priority carriage of local television stations," Fecan continued.
Thirdly, CTV asked for a “hybrid” digital transition strategy in advance of Canada’s analog shut off set for August 31, 2011.
"We cannot justify an investment of several hundred million dollars to reach 9% of the marketplace, particularly when this investment produces no additional revenue in a business that is already teetering on the edge," he said.
Denying that he is seeking a bailout, Fecan said that what interests his company “is a plan to build a sustainable future for conventional television in Canada."
"Local (television) is worth fighting for. If we cut those roots, we will lose something invaluable as a nation," Fecan concluded.
