OTTAWA – To kick off today’s CRTC hearings on the Canadian Television Fund (CTF), actors, producers, writers and directors release results of a new poll that said “a strong majority (71%) of Canadians believe it is important to have access to Canadian television programming distinct from American programs.”
And, “the poll also reveals that an overwhelming majority of Canadians feel the government and cable and satellite TV companies should invest resources to help ensure that Canadians have access to television programs that reflect Canada and its people,” reads the release.
The Harris/Decima poll commissioned by the Directors Guild, the Writers Guild, actors union ACTRA, and the Canadian Film and TV Producers, “shows that not only is it important to Canadians to have access to Canadian programming that distinguishes itself from foreign programs, they also want to be able to choose programming that reflects national identity. Over three-quarters of Canadians (78%) say that it is important to them to have a choice of television programs that reflect Canadian society, values, and perspectives,” reads the press release.
“Respondents were informed via the survey that the ‘federal government spends a fraction of a percent of its budget on the Canadian Television Fund, which is a national program that helps finance the production of Canadian television programs’,” it continues.
“When asked their views after being provided with this information, fully 86% agree that the government should make this investment to help ensure that Canadians have access to Canadian TV programs that reflect Canada and its people. Respondents were also informed that cable and satellite TV providers are required to contribute a small percentage of their revenues to the CTF in return for certain protections and benefits they receive as part of their broadcast licenses. More than three-quarters (82%) of Canadians agree with this policy. These results demonstrate that Canadians strongly support the investment the Government of Canada and cable and satellite TV providers make towards the CTF,” the release reads.
Representatives from the Canadian television production industry are in Ottawa to address the Canadian Television Fund, which is being examined in a CRTC hearing all week.
