The CRTC announced that the Local Programming Improvement Fund will have over $100 million to distribute during the 2009-2010 broadcast year. The fund was created in October 2008 to support local television programming in markets with a population of less than 1 million.
" 'Canadians have made it abundantly clear that they value local programming,' " said Konrad von Finckenstein, chairman of the CRTC. " 'We have taken steps to ensure that broadcasters, and particularly those in smaller markets, continue to provide Canadians with programming that reflects their needs and interests.' " As a temporary measure for the upcoming broadcast year, cable and satellite companies will contribute 1.5 per cent of their gross broadcasting revenues to the fund, an increase of 0.5 per cent. As a result, the total funds available will rise from $68 million to over $100 million. Television stations in smaller markets will be able to draw on these funds to maintain their spending on local news and other types of local programming. The Commission will consider the appropriate long-term provisions for the Local Programming Improvement Fund at a public hearing to be held this fall. In addition, the Commission has harmonized its requirements for the broadcast of local programming in English- and French-language markets. Each week, local television stations will have to air a minimum number of hours of programming (14 hours per week for large markets and 7 hours per week for small markets) that is produced locally and that speaks to, and about, the community.
" 'Canadians have made it abundantly clear that they value local programming,' " said Konrad von Finckenstein, chairman of the CRTC. " 'We have taken steps to ensure that broadcasters, and particularly those in smaller markets, continue to provide Canadians with programming that reflects their needs and interests.' "
As a temporary measure for the upcoming broadcast year, cable and satellite companies will contribute 1.5 per cent of their gross broadcasting revenues to the fund, an increase of 0.5 per cent. As a result, the total funds available will rise from $68 million to over $100 million. Television stations in smaller markets will be able to draw on these funds to maintain their spending on local news and other types of local programming. The Commission will consider the appropriate long-term provisions for the Local Programming Improvement Fund at a public hearing to be held this fall.
In addition, the Commission has harmonized its requirements for the broadcast of local programming in English- and French-language markets.
Each week, local television stations will have to air a minimum number of hours of programming (14 hours per week for large markets and 7 hours per week for small markets) that is produced locally and that speaks to, and about, the community.
Source: Broadcaster, 07/06/2009