OTTAWA – If you ask the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS), the CBC could learn a few things from Ontario’s educational broadcaster TVO.
CACTUS wants the national broadcaster to follow TVO’s lead by offering its analog TV transmitters that are scheduled to be shuttered this summer to their local communities. TVO, which is pulling the plug on its over-the-air signals on July 31st, has already contacted over 100 affected communities to offer them the towers and satellite equipment for free.
"This transmission infrastructure is worth millions and has already been paid for by Canadian taxpayers," said CACTUS spokesperson Catherine Edwards, in a statement. “Rather than being scrapped, communities should be given the chance to maintain it themselves. The transmitters and towers can be used not just to continue free CBC service, but also to set up local wireless Internet, mobile service, or community TV."
The CBC and Radio-Canada said in April that it would switch off 620 analog transmitters on July 31, 2012 in response to federal cuts to its budget. As part of a public consultation on the CBC’s transmitter plan, CACTUS is urging town and band councils, community colleges, community media groups and CBC viewers to ask the CRTC and CBC to make the transmission equipment available for local public use.
According to CACTUS, CBC is refusing to consult affected communities instead opting for "fair market value" for the equipment, even if communities agree to take over maintenance.
“There is no longer a business case for the large telecommunications companies – and now even the CBC and TVO – to serve many small and remote communities," Edwards added. "What most communities don’t realize is how cost-effective it has become to offer these services using digital technologies, especially if the towers are already there."
