CMPA questions APTN relationship with Animiki See

The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) asked the CRTC to look into Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc.'s production arrangement with Animiki See Digital Production Inc. Michael Hennessy, president of the CMPA, told CRTC commissioners at a hearing Tuesday that most of APTN's production is conducted through Animiki See, requiring independent aboriginal TV producers to partner with the production company. “We are told that APTN spends the majority of its licensing dollars on shows that Animiki See is a partner on, leaving whatever money is left over for the independent Aboriginal producers,” Hennessy said, according to his speaking notes. Hennessy, who represents independent producers, asked the commissioners to question APTN about its arrangement with Animiki See during the hearing's reply phase. “This issue goes to the heart of APTN’s mandate; hence our call for APTN to be required to file transparent and comprehensive annual independent production reports,” Hennessy said. APTN chief executive Jean LaRose said in a phone interview Tuesday that the channel complies with its licence condition that 80 per cent of its programming come from independent, aboriginal producers, and that Animiki See's productions represented about 2 per cent of APTN's on-air programming on the channel last year. “CMPA may have been provided incorrect information by individuals who don't know,” LaRose said. The CMPA appeared Tuesday for the CRTC's hearing on applications for mandatory carriage orders for TV channels under 9(1)(h) of the Broadcasting Act. APTN is asking to renew the channel’s mandatory carriage licence on basic cable with a 15-cent increase to its wholesale fee, from 25 to 40 cents per subscriber per month. CMPA supports APTN's application, as well as an application for Starlight: The Canadian Film Channel, for mandated carriage on basic and a wholesale fee of 45 cents.

CMPA questions APTN relationship with Animiki See

Brief | April 30, 2013

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