As CBC’s funding increases, will it have to change course?

Following last fall’s election, the government is set to boost CBC/Radio-Canada's funding, but when that will happen and under what conditions is unclear. It also remains to be seen whether the public broadcaster will continue the long-term plan it began under the former Conservative government. The new Liberal government plans to hold a consultation prior to making additional funding available, though it’s not disclosing when it will happen, how comprehensive that consultation will be or how it might affect CBC’s current plans. CBC spokeswoman Alexandra Fortier said in an email that the public broadcaster plans to continue its current strategy, writing that "one thing the success of our Strategy 2020 has shown so far is that we need to keep going.” That document was released in June 2014 and outlined the CBC’s plans to focus its priorities on digital and mobile. Fortier said the CBC “would use additional funding to support our key priorities like new multiplatform content, our digital shift and high profile events that bring Canadians together, like Canada’s 150th anniversary,” she said. “We will also invest in programs and services important to Canadians, like radio programs and international coverage.” During the election campaign, when the Liberal party promised to restore CBC funding the Conservatives had cut in 2012 through a $150 million a year increase, it also specified that it would “work with CBC/Radio-Canada, and in consultation with the Canadian cultural community, on a new strategic plan that incorporates this renewed funding.” The government still plans to hold that consultation, though Heritage Canada spokesman Roger Maalouf would not specify whether that means CBC will have to come up with a new strategic plan. He said in an email that the government “plans to consult with the broadcaster and the Canadian cultural community.” CBC, “like all media, must adapt to the new viewing habits of Canadians. CBC/Radio-Canada must continue its modernization, prioritizing the digital shift and using the new technologies. The national public broadcaster can count on our government to support this approach,” he added. He declined to offer details about the timing of the renewed funding, indicating only that the increase would take place after the consultation. “One of the top priorities for the minister of Canadian heritage is to restore and increase funding for CBC/Radio-Canada, following consultation with the broadcaster and the Canadian cultural community,” Maalouf said. In a document posted on the CBC website Monday, Louis Lalande, executive vice-president of Radio-Canada, used the word "modernization" in reference to the direction the broadcaster is taking, noted Ian Morrison, spokesman for independent watchdog group the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, in a phone interview. “In the recent past, I don’t remember ever hearing them say they were going to 'modernize,' so all of a sudden this is part of the vocabulary,” he said. He said both government and CBC using the same wording indicates “there’s some kind of sync going on.” In the post, Lalande said the broadcaster implemented its “multiscreen strategy” in 2015, citing as an example its pre-release of the new season of its Série noire drama exclusively on its Tou.tv Extra service, which costs $6.99 a month and is free for Telus Corp. and Rogers Communications Inc. customers. It was launched in March 2015. Lalande wrote that pre-release was “a resounding success,” generating more than 250,000 views to date. Barry Kiefl, president of Canadian Media Research Inc., said in a phone interview he doesn’t think the English arm of CBC will launch its own subscription video-on-demand service because of the saturation that exists in the English streaming market, with the presence of Netflix Inc., Rogers and Shaw Communications Inc.’s Shomi and BCE Inc.’s CraveTV. He said the time is right for the government to hold a consultation on the CBC. It doesn’t seem like the broadcaster has “very many ideas about how to spend the money,” other than continuing with its current path, Kiefl said, adding that the government should “probably undertake some sort of major serious research project as to what Canadians want from CBC.” “So it seems to me that now is probably the perfect time for Heritage Canada, and the government in general, to undertake serious study as to what the CBC should be doing, not just with the additional funding but with the existing level of funding,” he said. Kiefl said such a study would look at issues like “the importance of existing TV and radio services,” adding CBC has taken money out of radio at a bigger proportion than TV, and that English TV is “floundering.” While the Senate wrapped up a study on the CBC last year, Kiefl said that wasn’t “a serious study or a serious review. It was an attempt to punish CBC management,” which included covering issues like the salaries of senior anchors. “To me, this was not an independent review,” he said. “This was a bunch of political appointees trying to have their view of the world, rather than asking Canadians in general. … They didn’t even think about undertaking a survey of public opinion toward the CBC.” Morrison said in an earlier interview he agrees it’s the right time to have a consultation. He noted that the previous strategic plan was developed under CEO Hubert Lacroix, who was appointed by the previous Conservative government under former prime minister Stephen Harper. “If they’re stuck with that, that’s a Harper presidents’ plan,” he said. CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said the Liberals promised to restore CBC funding the Conservatives had cut in 2012 and increase it by $150 million a year. — With reporting by Anja Karadeglija at akarad@thewirereport.ca and editing by Derek Abma at dabma@thewirereport.ca

As CBC’s funding increases, will it have to change course?

Broadcast | January 20, 2016

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As CBC’s funding increases, will it have to change course?

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