Canadians divided on TV system issues: CRTC report

Canadians who took part in a CRTC consultation “want more” from their television services, including more diverse and higher-quality programming, as well as more choice to subscribe to the individual channels they want, the CRTC said. In a report released Wednesday that summarizes comments the commission received from a public consultation on the Canadian broadcasting system, the CRTC said respondents voiced complaints about the quality of available programming, and about inflexible and increasingly expensive TV channel packages. “Most who participated in … this process want more from their television services. They call for greater choice in content and meaningful competitive alternatives,” the commission said in the report, which summarized the 1,320 comments it received during the public consultation in October and November. “Participants generally state that Canadian television should be more responsive to their demands for entertainment, information and local reflection.” The CRTC launched in October a public consultation on television services, asking the public for input into questions related to the Conservative government’s promise to unbundle television channels. The consultation, called “Let's Talk TV: A Conversation with Canadians,” will have three phases, the CRTC said, building up to the launch of a public proceeding starting in the spring of 2014 to review any proposed changes to the broadcasting system. That proceeding will involve a public hearing in September 2014. In its report Wednesday on the first phase of the consultation, the CRTC said a “majority” of respondents favoured increased channel packaging flexibility and a move to a pick-and-pay regime that would allow customers to subscribe to the individual channels they want as opposed to larger bundles of channels. “Many consider that this approach would reduce overall costs for subscribers,” the commission reported, adding that other respondents said the cost of individual services could climb under a pick-and-pay television model. Many of the participants said “some sort of rate regulation” is “necessary” to ensure consumers have access to television services at a “reasonable cost,” the commission added. Scott Hutton, the CRTC’s executive director of broadcasting, said in a telephone interview Wednesday that respondents’ focus on choice and cost were evident in the consultation responses. “I would almost think it’s a question of value for your money,” he said. “When you put the two together that’s what seems to jump out at us, that Canadians certainly are seeking value for money and that’s what they’re telling us.” In its report, the CRTC said that many of the consultation’s respondents reported that basic TV packages “have become too large, and that they are forced to purchase services that are neither compelling nor relevant.” Some said they object to the commission’s approach that requires broadcast distributors to carry particularly channels, while others objected to the idea that they have to order a basic service package before they can order the specific channels or packages they want. “This is not to say that the notion of a basic service package is entirely rejected,” the commission said. “Some suggest different approaches to the basic service that would see a reduced number of channels offered at an affordable price,” it added, noting that respondents had proposed basic service packages that consist entirely of Canadian channels, or those that consist of over-the-air stations as well as news and educational channels. Among other things, the consultation respondents said they wanted to see a greater diversity of programming options, including more international programs, while others told the commission that they “actively seek out” Canadian programs. The commission said respondents were “mixed on the notion of Canadian content” in general, with some calling for the abolition of funding programs to support Canadian programming and the end of CRTC-imposed quotas that require broadcasters to air Canadian content during prime-time viewing hours. Others “feel that Canadian content should continue to be well supported financially as a means to ensure that jobs in the creative sector are protected,” the report said. Respondents also took opposing views on the importance of the public broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada, with some objecting to its programming and the fact that it receives public funding, and others stating that there is a need for “a strong national public broadcaster.” “Others see a continued need for the CBC but objected to the CBC’s practice of broadcasting advertising given that it is already well funded by the tax payer.” Some consultation respondents also complained about the CRTC’s “simultaneous substitution” regime, which requires service providers — at the request of broadcasters — to replace television signals from distant Canadian or U.S. stations with those of a more local station when the same program is being shown at the same time. “Some suggested that this practice be restricted or banned outright,” the commission said. The CRTC said it heard from respondents that they also want to see programming available on a wider variety of platforms, including online, mobile and video-on-demand services. “Many point to Netflix as an affordable, on-demand, commercial free model that should serve as an example for the future,” it added. Hutton noted Wednesday that the CRTC’s consultation was the first phase of a comprehensive consultation on the broadcasting system that will end with a commission hearing in September. During the next phase of the consultation, he noted, the commission will ask Canadians to fill out an online questionnaire that will be based on the responses the commission received in the fall. The commission, he added, is also partnering with a private research firm to conduct public opinion polls to gain the opinion of a more representative sample of the Canadian population. “We’re trying to both invite to participate and get the more scientific side worked into that also,” Hutton said. “All of the information that we have will go on the public record.” — With reporting by Nicholas Kyonka at nkyonka@thewirereport.ca and editing by Derek Abma at dabma@thewirereport.ca

Canadians divided on TV system issues: CRTC report

Broadcast | January 29, 2014

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Canadians divided on TV system issues: CRTC report

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