TORONTO – It sounds like Rogers isn’t interested in making any changes to their community channels.
As the CRTC began its review of the community TV policy framework, Canada’s largest cable operator released a survey that found that over 70% of its cable customers “strongly value” their Rogers community television service, just the way they are.
The research, conducted by The Strategic Counsel last month, determined that Rogers cable customers in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland “support the community channel as is and reject proposals to substitute programming created by those with special interests”.
Rogers’ customers advocated that local information programming (82%), festivals and parades (82%), local sports (75%), local talk shows (69%) and multicultural programming (64%) should make up the programming available on community television. And the majority of customers (57%) reported that the existing lineup was the "right mix of programming for community television."
“We’re very proud of our track record in our communities," said Colette Watson, VP of Rogers TV, in a statement. "Last year almost 30,000 community groups or individuals accessed Rogers TV. These survey results validate our performance as the unparalleled provider of local community television in the markets we serve.”
Rogers community television, which is comprised of 34 stations, will produce 17,000 hours of original local programming with the assistance of community volunteers this year alone, the company said.
The telephone survey of 600 respondents was conducted in March, 2010.
