Local TV stations are trying by every mean possible to win carriage-fee fight. Our region is facing a local television crisis. Although support from viewers is strong, local television has been struggling financially for more than a decade, and has now reached a critical point. Advertising revenues for local stations, such as Global, CTV and A channel, have decreased and the traditional model of free local television is unsustainable and over a dozens of local TV stations and millions of dollars are at stake. Needless to say this is a serious issue.
Right now, cable and satellite provider collect money from users each month for local TV service. The fact is that cable and satellite companies do not compensate broadcasters for the right to carry their local programming. These local television stations are simply asking for what is fair, that cable and satellite companies pay them for their services. This is why local TV is coming forth to the CRTC (The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) and asking for what is rightly due, a regulated rate to be set by the CRTC for the distribution of local television signals.
As reported by the Toronto Star, Canada’s broadcasters have being trying some unusual tactics in their battle with cable and satellite companies. The broadcasters have released an advertising campaign “Local TV Matters”. The ads created are an attempt to win consumer support in the run-up to CRTC hearings on the issue set to begin in November.
“One is clearly an attempt at “viral” marketing. It features Canadian singer-songwriter Dave Carroll, who was himself made famous in a viral video in which he sang about United Airlines luggage staff damaging his guitar.”
This viral video, that can be seen on YouTube as well as on many of the broadcasters websites has lyrics such as “Seems they don’t think it’s worth a dime, for stories that are yours and mine. So come on now CRTC, it’s showtime.”
These local broadcasters are trying to fix a “broken” business model that is forcing the closure of local TV stations. The cable companies are equally fighting their part in this battle as well, trying to win consumers to their side, “taking out full-page newspaper ads calling any fee for local programming a tax.”
Without local television, communities would lose not only a voice, but a platform to showcase their local stories and identities. These stations are the place where people come together to learn about community news, municipal councils, festivals, sports teams, local weather, school closures, traffic delays and whatever else is happening in the community.
“The outcome of important public hearings set to be held in Ottawa this December will impact you, your TV service and how much you pay for cable. We demand local TV, and local choice, and they want to continue to deliver it for us. It’s time to stop cable and satellite companies from charging us more for the local TV we’re already paying for.”
- Maxine
Help keep local television : http://localtvmatters.ca/
Article can be viewed at : http://www.thestar.com/business/article/707787–local-tv-takes-on-cable-giants
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