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Canada's Local Television Broadcasters Deliver "Consumer First" Solution to the CRTC

OTTAWA, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - In a historic joint presentation before the CRTC today, CEOs from CTV, Global and CBC appeared together for the first time and delivered a consumer-first solution that provides affordable, accessible, and sustainable TV services for all Canadians.

"Canadian consumers and TV viewers deserve a choice, and a new affordable bundle of basic TV channels is a start," said Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO for CBC/Radio-Canada. "With a regulated capped rate, Canadians will be protected from fee hikes with a skinny basic bundle of channels, including the local TV channels consumers demand and expect."

"Canadians watch local television news and programming and they support it; these consultations have made that loud and clear," said Ivan Fecan, President and Chief Executive Officer, CTVglobemedia, and Chief Executive Officer of CTV Inc. "We want to continue to serve Canadian viewers and moving forward with the implementation of a negotiation for value regime now will lay the ground for a level playing field and sustainable future for local TV."

"Local TV viewers deserve access to the local stations they are already paying for," said Leonard Asper, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canwest Global Communications Corp. "Our solution will shift the balance towards the consumer, and ensure that viewers can access the local TV they demand."

In the formal consultation process leading up to the current hearings being held at the direction of the Government of Canada, more than 130,000 Canadians submitted comments to the CRTC in support of local TV and its right to negotiate with cable and satellite companies. Canada's broadcasters continue to be overwhelmed by an outpouring of support from Canadian consumers and TV viewers across the country from coast to coast to coast.

About Local TV Matters:

Local TV Matters is a campaign launched by local Canadian television broadcasters with a focus on the protection and preservation of local television for viewers across Canada. The campaign encourages all Canadians to share their voice and support local television by visiting www.localtvmatters.ca.

CTV Presents Pro-Consumer, Made-In-Canada Solution to CRTC for Local Television

Ottawa, Ontario — (November 16, 2009) - In its presentation today before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), CTV outlined in detail an easy-to-implement solution to sustain local Canadian television.

"Our plan is reasonable, practical and provides a future for local Canadian television," said Ivan Fecan, President and Chief Executive Officer, CTVglobemedia, and Chief Executive Officer, CTV Inc. "Signals and programming from our local TV stations deliver value, and Canadian TV viewers and consumers overwhelmingly agree."

At the centre of the CTV solution is the implementation of a made in Canada retransmission consent regime providing for Negotiation for Value (NFV) between broadcasters and TV distributors for local signals and programming.

"It's time for TV distributors -- not consumers -- to compensate us for the value of our local services," said Mr. Fecan. "We believe this new system will help ensure a viable broadcasting business in Canada benefiting viewers and consumers alike by offering more choice at affordable rates. We look forward to working with the Commission on implementing NFV within 2010."

At a recent CRTC call for comments on implementing a compensation regime for the value of local television signals, an overwhelming 81% were in support of local TV. A Nanos poll recently confirmed an overwhelming majority of Canadians, 70%, agree that local TV stations should receive a portion of the amount that customers pay on their monthly bill for cable or satellite TV. Further, 72% agree that the government should force cable companies and broadcasters to negotiate payment for local TV signals.

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Unprecedented Support for Local TV by Canadian Consumers

Toronto, November 4, 2009 - More than 130,000 Canadians from across the country submitted comments confirming local television matters as part of the CRTC public consultation process that ended Monday, November 2.

"We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of clear and unequivocal support for our position," said Paul Sparkes, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, CTVglobemedia. "Canadian consumers were not fooled, they understood the issues, and we can't thank them enough."

In comments submitted to the CRTC, Canadian consumers clearly recognized the value of local TV, urged the Commission to allow local TV the right to negotiate with cable and satellite companies, and called for the regulation of the cost of basic TV services.

In September, Heritage Minister James Moore directed the CRTC to consider consumers in the debate on the future of Canadian television. Consumers responded to the CRTC's call for public comment. In four weeks, the Commission received more than 130,000 comments in support of local TV (and results continue to be tabulated).

"Heritage Minister Moore asked to hear from consumers, and Canadian consumers have spoken out loud and clear in support of local TV', said Charlotte Bell, Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Canwest.

About Local TV Matters:

Local TV Matters is a campaign launched by local Canadian television broadcasters with a focus on the protection and preservation of local television for viewers across Canada. Local TV Matters' members include CTV, 'A', Global, CBC, CHEK NEWS, V and NTV, with thousands of supporters located across the country. The campaign encourages all Canadians to share their voice and support local television by joining the conversation at www.localtvmatters.ca.

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