Canadian Television in Jeopardy

[cablewithaview]

Satellite and cable companies, along with television content providers are embroiled in a debate that will effect what Canadians get to see on television.

The industry's entire regulatory structure could change as a result of public hearings held by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), concluding on April 28th, giving cable and satellite businesses sole discretion on determining Canadian broadcast content.

From April 21st to 24th on @ iSSUE, ichannel interviews stakeholders from every side: TV producers, Television Service Providers, Broadcasters and Watchdog Groups who represent the viewing public.

The series launches on Monday April 21st at 8:00pm and 11:00pm, with a discussion by "The Creators", production companies who develop television shows, the broadcaster describes. The panel includes: Monique Lafontaine of Director's Guild of Canada, Richard Nielsen of Norflicks Productions and Cathy Edwards from TimeScape Productions.

The series continues on Tuesday April 22nd at 8:00pm and 11:00pm, featuring a conversation with "The Providers": Ken Englehart, VP of Regulatory Affairs at Rogers Communications and Michael Hennessy, VP Wireless, Broadband and Content Policy at Telus.

On Wednesday April 23rd at 8:00pm and 11:00pm, @ iSSUE is joined by "The Broadcasters": Glen O'Farrell, President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, Communications Lawyer and Consultant Peter Miller and Bill Roberts from S-Vox.

The series culminates on Thursday April 24th at 8:00pm and 11:00pm on the viewers' side, featuring Ian Morrison from Friends of Canadian Broadcasting and Jim MacDonald, a Television Broadcast Consultant.

ichannel is also airing an encore telecast of the critically acclaimed documentary "TV WARS - Media, Money and the Battle for Canada's Airwaves" on Wednesday, April 23rd at 9:00pm.


mediacastermagazine.com - Mediacaster - 4/17/2008