Local TV Day 6: Access programming shouldn’t take a financial hit in favour of local OTA stations

By Perry Hoffman

GATINEAU – The industry needs increased levels of funding for access programming said executives from MTS, who appeared before the CRTC’s local and community TV hearing on Monday. The company has proposed that the more access programming BDUs carry on their community TV channels, the more money they should get.In opening remarks, Paul Norris, VP of residential solutions at MTS, noted viewers want to see local programming that goes beyond news and that access programming is important for locally reflective expression.“Access programming fulfills a unique role that is not available from conventional broadcasters or from social media platforms like YouTube,”...