OTTAWA – News that Bell must carry Canada’s seven independent community TV channels as part of its basic service by next year was welcomed by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS), who said that the move may spawn the creation of more such services.
"This is the first decision that the CRTC has made since 2002 to encourage the distribution of truly community-based television programming services", said CACTUS spokesperson Catherine Edwards, in a statement.
The CRTC included the directive during its approval of Bell’s purchase of CTV last week. The seven channels are among 43 local channels the CRTC has asked Bell to carry following the upgrade of customer set-top boxes from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4, which is scheduled to be completed by September, 2012.
While there were once approximately 300 cable-administered community channels in Canada, Edwards said that there are now only seven independent community television channels that are owned and administered by communities themselves – St. Andrews, NB; Telile, NS; Leamington, ON; Neepawa, MB; Valemount, BC; Chetwynd, BC; and Hay River, NWT.
"The few independent community channels that have managed to make a go of it rely on bingos, advertising, sales of their DVDs, bake sales – you name, they do it”, Edwards continued. "But the CRTC’s ruling on Bell carriage will make a big difference. Once they’re on satellite, residents of other remote communities nearby will be able to enjoy a channel that originates in their own region for the first time. We’re pleased that the CRTC has recognized the important role the community sector can play in meeting Canadians’ need for local content".
