Collected Data
"Asked for further comment, the CRTC referred to a letter CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais sent to the national president of ACTRA on Aug. 31 that also stressed the international marketplace."
In announcing the decision, the CRTC acknowledged the concern that the change could result in “fewer opportunities for Canadians,” but added that non-Canadian actors and creators “may increase a project’s attractiveness and visibility in international markets.”
It also said some stakeholders say the change will give producers “creative flexibility” in developing Canadian productions with “international market appeal and the potential for international investment.”
“American writers won’t guarantee better content,” Mr. Heaton said. “And to say that Canadian programs [need] help [in] the international market is confusing when we have so many examples of successful Canadian shows already.”
Heritage Minister says she will not reverse Cancon rules for TV industry
"The future of Canadian culture cannot lie in eliminating the Canadians who create it. Unless the goal is to have our highly experienced talent (and our young up-and-comers) respond in the way some are now saying they will, by leaving Canada."
The changes to the commission’s policies on CIPFs are significant and sweeping. Chief among them is the elimination of the requirement of a licensed-broadcaster trigger for CIPF funding, the reduction of the number of Canadian certification points required to access CIPF funding, the eligibility of co-ventures, and the approval to allow script, content development and promotion/discoverability initiatives to qualify for funding.
The elimination of the requirement of a broadcast licence or development agreement from a licensed broadcaster is restricted only by a criteria that producers “must demonstrate that the production will be available on a platform accessible by Canadians” (thus eliminating the possibility that a property commissioned by and aired exclusively on a U.S.-only service would qualify for CIPF funding).
In its decision, the CRTC wrote that eliminating the requirement will give producers more flexibility to distribute their projects on whichever platform they choose by removing distribution exclusivity. In a familiar refrain under Jean-Pierre Blais’ CRTC, the Commission said it will “allow producers to take more risks” since the projects would not have to fit the traditional TV parameters, as well as giving them more bargaining power and creative control.
CRTC overhauls indie production fund framework
Read the full decision here.
Not everyone is happy.
Greg David;
“This is hugely disappointing,” says WGC Executive Director Maureen Parker. “That the CRTC, a public authority charged with regulating Canadian broadcasting, would effectively denigrate Canadian showrunners and screenwriters and suggest our country’s creators cannot deliver international success is shocking. It’s also verifiably untrue.”
The CRTC decision is not, however, an isolated instance of what the WGC views as an entirely misguided outlook. It’s an increasingly pervasive view that suggests Canadian tax dollars should not be put towards productions created by Canadians. This unfortunate notion — that reducing the presence of Canadian talent is the ticket to more international funding — is taking hold.
CANADIAN CULTURE AT RISK: THE ATTACK ON CANADIAN CREATORS
John Doyle;
Reaction was swift from the self-described “creatives” in the Canadian industry. Outrage, anger, despair and more outrage. Using Facebook and Twitter, some are claiming they will walk away from the industry. Others are saying they’re heading for Los Angeles because employment opportunity in the Canadian business is now considerably diminished. Some of this reaction borders on hysteria. Some of it is anchored in a kind of happy-clappy nationalism beloved of children, not thinking adults.
First, however, the decision is truly appalling. It suits a commercial industry that is already heavily protected, arrogant and uncaring about investing in a medium from which it profits vastly. Second, the CRTC decision comes, suspiciously, without the usual public and industry debate. It looks like a major favour being done for outlets who want to dodge responsibility. Third, it arrives when a Liberal government, one that loudly proclaims its support of Canadian culture, is in power.
CRTC’s Canadian content changes are terrible, but no one cares
Having read his writing, Mr Doyle shouldn’t be so quick with those quotes around creatives.
"Today's CRTC decision sends a shiver down the spine of Canada's independent producers, who now face the hard realities of a hyper-consolidated broadcasting sector"
In announcing its approval Wednesday, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission noted that fact, saying the change in ownership "does not result in a change in effective control of either entity."
Meanwhile, it said the transaction positions Corus as a stronger player with enhanced scale that can offer better services and higher-quality programming to Canadians, consistent with the regulator's goals.
However, the Canadian Media Producers Association said it was worried that the deal will see Corus dominate women's, lifestyle and children's programming in Canada, "ultimately reducing the diversity and quality of programming available to Canadian audiences."
CRTC approves Corus purchase of Shaw Media
"Without broadcast regulation and Canadian ownership requirements, spending on Canadian programming could be less than a third of what it is today,"
In launching the hearings into local TV, the regulator said it's convinced there's already enough money in the broadcasting system to ensure stations can create quality local programming, including local news coverage.
But it said there may have to be a rebalancing of resources within the system.
But "robbing Peter to pay Paul" won't alleviate the revenue crunch that has backed some TV stations against a wall, said Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
"Just redistributing the funds that the cable and satellite companies pass on from their subscribers would be, at best, a stop-gap measure and not a solution to the problem," said group spokesman Ian Morrison.
CRTC hearings on local TV get dire warning that half of all stations could close by 2020
"Canadians are moving toward mobile technology."
"A roadmap to maximize choice and affordability for Canadian television viewers."
By March 2016, Canadians will be able to subscribe to an entry-level television service that costs no more than $25 per month.This service will prioritize local and regional news and information programs given that many Canadians spoke of their importance during Let's Talk TV. News and information programs enable Canadian citizens to better participate in Canada's democratic, economic, cultural and social life. Canadian consumers also expressed frustration that the basic packages offered by cable and satellite companies had become too large and costly. Canadians will now have alternatives.
Canadians, who choose to do so, will be able to supplement the entry-level television service by buying individual channels that will be available either on a pick-and-pay basis or through small, reasonably priced packages. If they so choose, they will have the option of selecting theme-based packages—such as sports, lifestyle or comedy—offered by their service providers.
By December 2016, Canadians will be able to subscribe to channels on a pick-and-pay basis, as well as in small packages. In addition, Canadians will have the choice of keeping their current television services without making any changes, if these continue to meet their needs and budgets
Let's Talk TV: CRTC sets out a roadmap to maximize choice and affordability for Canadian TV viewers
Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2015-96
"How can we be in the golden age of TV when Canada has not produced any shows with the stature of Downton Abbey or Game of Thrones?"
The Canadian Media Production Association estimates TV production volume in Canada was $2.3 billion in 2014 with more than 125,000 full-time jobs associated with the sector.
last week's announcement that more expensive dramas are to be encouraged could remove money from genre productions, such as cooking shows, children's programming and documentaries, areas where Canada already has proven excellence.
Most of those people do not make dramatic programming.
Baker argues that there is no formula for making a hit — and giving it a $2 million an hour budget is not going to solve the quality problem.
"We need quantity, just like they do elsewhere in this world, especially in the U.S. and U.K., where they have a tremendous quantity of shows so a few of them can rise to the top," he said.
This ruling feels like it was made by an accountant with no understanding of how other counties industries succeed.
You don’t buy hit shows. You buy 9 failures for every success. And that success pays for the failures.
CRTC quest for quality set to shake up Canadian production
"Television quotas are an idea that is wholly anachronistic in the age of abundance and in a world of choice"
The national broadcast regulator said Thursday it was cutting the quota for the ratio of Canadian programs that local TV stations must broadcast during the day from 55 per cent to zero. That's a recognition that stations have sometimes been broadcasting the same program episodes many times over the course of a day, or even over years, simply to satisfy the old Cancon rule.
CRTC eases Canadian-content quotas for TV
I’ll wait until smarter people review, but I have a bad feeling about this.
Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2015-86
"Watching everyday American commercials would be no great gain over watching everyday Canadian ones"
But the most serious problem with simultaneous substitution is that it creates a strong incentive for Canadian broadcasters to show U.S. programs. They can double or triple their market share when they’re showing what U.S. channels are showing. Is it any wonder our networks’ primetime schedules are dominated by U.S. shows, or that when U.S. networks move a show’s time slot, Canadian broadcasters jump to do the same?
Watson: Why does the CRTC subsidize U.S. television?
Mr Watson is wrong.
"Viewers would be up in arms if U.S. cable networks denied them access to popular American TV shows."
"Mere anecdotal evidence."
Netflix and Google told the hearings that Canadian content was thriving online. However, they did not provide the information the regulator was seeking to back up that claim.The regulator said the companies' refusal to provide any supporting evidence means it cannot evaluate the strength of their arguments.
CRTC to Netflix: Since you won't co-operate, we'll ignore you
"Life is sweet. But that’s about to change. "
Specialty channels in Canada are facing a shakeup in their industry that will likely result in the death of at least a few of them and reduced profit margins for many others. Two issues are at play as the CRTC moves to reset television regulation in Canada: pick and pay and genre protection.
Specialty TV channels risk failing with CRTC changes
"In 2013, the time spent watching traditional television each week decreased slightly across all age groups."
Television • Average weekly viewing of traditional television remained consistent, going from 28.2 hours in 2012 to 27.9 hours in 2013. Among Canadians 18 years of age and up, average weekly viewing decreased slightly, going from 29.5 hours in 2012 to 29.3 hours in 2013. • The percentage of households subscribing to cable and satellite services decreased slightly from 85.6%, or 11.93 million, to 84.9%, or 11.92 million. • For Canadians 18 years or older, average weekly viewing of Internet television increased from 1.3 hours in 2012 to 1.9 hours in 2013.
CRTC issues 2014 report on state of Canadian broadcasting industry
The sky is not falling. Yet.
For more detail (and charts) go to the full report.
"I've never promised that pick-and-pay would be cheaper"
There is enough political will and consumer desire to make pick-and-pay television happen, but consumers should not underestimate either the cost or the complexity of bringing the concept to life.
Pick-and-pay cable TV would offer greater choice, CRTC boss says
Careful what you wish for...
“The way of watching TV is morphing. It’s evolving with time and we don’t want to be stuck in a regulatory framework"
Consumers could wind up with many more choices about what they watch on TV and how they pay for it, given sweeping new proposals from the country’s broadcast regulator announced Thursday.
CRTC proposes pick-and-pay TV plan in draft paper prior to September hearing
The section to pay attention to is this...
For the first time, broadcasters could be allowed to count what they spend on original programming produced for the Internet toward what they are required to spend on Canadian programming. According to the draft, this would encourage broadcasters to make more Canadian content online. And it proposes allowing television stations and networks to count revenues from online or other delivery platforms toward their overall revenue base.
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