GATINEAU – After nearly a full day Monday examining corporate aspects of CBC/Radio-Canada’s licence renewal, the CRTC began a thorough study of the specifics of the broadcaster’s proposals late that day and through Tuesday.
Commission chair Jean-Pierre Blais brought up CBC’s commitment to seven hours of programs of national interest (PNI) per week. He wondered how the corporation decided on the number particularly since some interveners believe the corporation should be committing a greater amount each week to PNI.
Christine Wilson, executive director of content planning for English Language Services at CBC, said the corporation wanted to come up with a number that showed a significant commitment to PNI, “a number that was substantial… but at the same time was realistic.” Given that PNI is the most expensive programming to produce, it only makes sense to air during prime time where there is the greatest number of viewers, she added.
Vice-chair of broadcasting Tom Pentefountas wondered how the corporation’s commitment to Canadian content will position it for the future. Kirstine Stewart, executive director of English Services, argued that CBC is well positioned for the long term in this regard. There is an opportunity to make Canadian content available not only in Canada but worldwide, she said, adding that Being Erica is a prime example, being the number two show sold by BBC International.
With respect to French services, Louis Lalande, executive VP of French Services, carried forward a theme prevalent in every media discussion these days – highlighting the significantly different landscape that exists now compared to the last time CBC was before the Commission seeking a licence renewal. He noted 35% of francophones watch TV online, 19% use video on demand another 25% use CBC’s Tou.TV free on-demand digital French-language TV service (which includes content not just from the CBC, but a number of Canadian and international broadcasters).
While the CRTC explored many aspects of CBC French Service’s proposals, the one involving mandatory carriage of ARTV outside of Quebec may not get settled. This aspect of the corporation’s licence renewal caused a little difficulty. CBC wants ARTV to be distributed by all terrestrial BDUs so that French speaking Canadians outside of Quebec can have the choice of subscribing to the channel. Currently, cable companies aren’t required to carry the channel, so many don’t.
“All we’re asking is that ARTV be offered, so that a francophone living outside of Quebec who subscribes to a terrestrial BDU can, if desired, choose ARTV. That’s it,” explained Anne-Marie Migneault, director of regulatory affairs with CBC, noting that the request is similar to 9(1)(h), “but in a softer way.”
CRTC chair Jean-Pierre Blais noted the difficulty the Commission may have in granting CBC’s request (especially in light of the new 9(1)(h) proceeding just announced). This is more about placing obligations on the BDUs and “the difficulty we have is we don’t see the regulatory mechanisms to achieve the objective you’re looking for, even if we were convinced that this was a good idea,” the chairman said.
Next April when the Commission intends to hold a public hearing on 9(1)(h) services might be a more appropriate time to deal with this because the BDUs will be appearing.
While the CRTC took CBC to task on a number of French and English language services on the second day of the hearing, the public broadcaster found itself having to defend its decision to seek the right for national advertising on its Radio 2 and Espace Musique radio properties at the end of the first day.
Commissioner Elizabeth Duncan initiated the foray into radio advertising when she asked what the impact would be on the two services if the CRTC were to refuse CBC’s request for advertising. “We have no intention of shutting down Radio 2 and Espace Musique. We would change surely some of the content in the format that they are in because we can't support them that way,” said CBC chief executive Hubert Lacroix. “The mandate of Radio 2 and Espace Musique (the presentation of independent, non-mainstream artists) would still be the same; we would go at it differently.”
Chris Boyce, executive director of radio and audio services with English Services at CBC, described some real impacts of not having advertising on these two radio properties. For example, the Honens International Piano Competition and the Banff International String Quartet Competition are two events that would have to be cancelled. In the future, this could affect others as well including an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Oscar Peterson’s Night Train release.
“We would still be on the air but some of that depth, some of that extra, some of the live, some of the stuff that nobody else does, unfortunately, would be the stuff that we would regrettably I think be faced with losing,” Boyce said. Lacroix (who added his own personal preference was listening to Radio 2) explained that without this new revenue (projected to reach just $35 million a year by 2020), the impacts would be felt across a broad spectrum of programming services.
“So should you deny ads on Espace Musique and on Radio 2, not only are we going to change because we don't have a choice,” he said, “it would affect other pieces of our programming.”
The hearing continues tomorrow as the Commission will begin hearing from the lengthy list of interveners.
