OTTAWA – The CRTC’s decision to revoke paid advertising on Radio 2 and ICI Musique “shows a lack of understanding about the reality of public broadcasting”, says CBC/Radio-Canada.
Responding to the Commission’s decision Wednesday to rescind ads on the two music services, the public broadcaster said that it that the regulator got it wrong when it said that the federal government’s commitment to increase funding over the next five years makes additional revenue from radio advertising unnecessary.
“The Government's reinvestment ($75M this year, rising to $150M in following years) is vital to stabilizing the Corporation so it can implement its 2020 strategic priorities to make its programming and services more Canadian, more local, and more digital”, reads the statement. “By cutting off a source of revenue, the CRTC is simply ensuring there are fewer resources available to do that. That does not help CBC/Radio-Canada serve Canadians.”
CBC/Radio-Canada also expressed surprise that the CRTC would wait until the last day of its three-year existing authorization to air advertising, noting that it will take some time to make the necessary changes.
“That is simply not in keeping with modern business practices”, continued the public broadcaster.
