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Television broadcasting industry

Coalition Petitions Cabinet to Review Licencing of Two Canadian Arts Channels

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A coalition of 15 Canadian cultural organizations, led by Directors Guild of Canada president Allan King, has petitioned the federal cabinet to review the recent licensing of two Canadian arts specialty television channels, Bravo! and Arts et Divertissements. The coalition argues that these channels are designed primarily to address promotional and arts marketing concerns, rather than provide a wide range of Canadian performance programs. The petition comes as Cabinet has 45 days to decide whether to act on the request. The coalition is concerned that the licensing of these channels could be misconstrued as a satisfactory response to the need for English and French-language cultural and performance channels, potentially preventing more "appropriate" cultural channels from being licensed in the future.

Key Takeaways:

  • The petition is signed by 15 Canadian cultural organizations, including the Directors Guild of Canada, ACTRA, and the Writers' Union of Canada, representing over 15,000 Canadians employed in the creative community.
  • The coalition argues that Bravo! and Arts et Divertissements are designed to address promotional and arts marketing concerns, rather than provide a wide range of Canadian performance programs.
  • The petition states that the fact of their existence could prevent other, more "appropriate" cultural channels from being licensed in the future.
  • The coalition is requesting that Cabinet set aside or postpone the introduction of both channels, or order the CRTC to call for applications and licensing of truly alternative television programming services.
  • Consultant Paul Audley notes that Bravo! is expected to function as a Canadian culture channel with revenues from cable subscribers of only 2 cents more per household than the Weather Channel gets.
  • Paul Gratton, station manager for Bravo!, promises that the channel will be more than "talk and reruns" and that performance will definitely be a significant part of the schedule.

Statistics:

  • 15 Canadian cultural organizations have signed the petition: Directors Guild of Canada, ACTRA, Association of Canadian Film Craftspeople, Canadian Actors' Equity, L'Association des artistes du domaine repute des arts visuels du Quebec, Federation of Canadian Music Festivals, Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, and Writers' Union of Canada.
  • The coalition represents over 15,000 Canadians employed in the creative community.
  • Bravo! is expected to generate revenues of only 2 cents more per household than the Weather Channel.

Sources:

  • Directors Guild of Canada: Allan King, president
  • CRTC: Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
  • Bravo!: Paul Gratton, station manager
  • ACTRA
  • Association of Canadian Film Craftspeople
  • Canadian Actors' Equity
  • L'Association des artistes du domaine repute des arts visuels du Quebec
  • Federation of Canadian Music Festivals
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
  • Writers' Union of Canada

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