What use is a Canadian broadcasting system if it only brings us foreign content?
Canadian performers have provided the CRTC with a prescription to rejuvenate Canada’s ailing broadcasting system. ACTRA’s proposal would ensure that Canadians can see our own dramatic programming in prime time while making sure broadcasters and cable companies do their fair share to support the broadcasting system that serves them so well.
“It’s clear TV’s status quo isn’t working. However, rather than tear down our regulatory system like the broadcasters and cable companies would have us do, we should work together to build and improve the system. We’re urging the CRTC to seize the opportunity presented by these hearings to take a bold and creative approach,” said Ferne Downey, ACTRA National President.
In its submission to the CRTC’s wide-ranging broadcasting policy review, ACTRA proposes:
keeping Cancon spending and programming rules in place for specialty TV channels and expanding that model to conventional broadcasters;
setting broadcast-group-based expenditure and exhibition requirements for drama, docs and children’s programming; and
requiring cable companies to pay conventional broadcasters fairly for their signals if broadcasters commit to spending the new revenues on Canadian programming.
“The Canadian broadcast industry has been facing economic challenges just like other industries in this recession. Unfortunately the dearth of Canadian TV drama in prime time is the biggest challenge over the past 10 years and broadcasters don’t want to talk about,” said Stephen Waddell, ACTRA National Executive Director.
Canadian English-language drama has been a rarity on prime time since 1999 – the year that the CRTC relaxed the rules for private broadcasters. Since then, private broadcasters have been filling Canada’s prime time schedules with U.S. shows. Last year they spent $740 million on U.S. and foreign programming and just $54 million on Canadian English-language drama.
“What use are Canadian broadcasters if they only air foreign content? It’s time to end the free ride for broadcasters and big cable and make them earn the money Canadian consumers give them by giving something back,” said Downey.
“Instead of licensing high-quality, distinctive Canadian drama to attract audiences, the broadcasters consistently whine about their current minimal regulatory obligations. And big cable is poised once again to pass the buck to Canadians if fee-for-carriage is finally approved – that’s wrong. It’s only fair that those profiting most from the system should be reaching into their own pockets to contribute back to its ongoing vitality,” said Waddell.
ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the national organization of professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of 21,000 members across Canada – the foundation of Canada’s highly acclaimed professional performing community.
Contact:Carol Taverner Public Relations Officer (416) 644-1519 ctaverner@actra.ca
“Ǝvolution” Comes Full Circle At The Chelsea Film Festival
The Chelsea Film Festival, running from October 16th through October 20th, 2024, at Regal Cinemas here in Union Square, is set to host the East Coast premiere of Ǝvolution, a thought-provoking experimental micro-short film that proves big ideas can come in small packages and in perfect circles.
In just 1 minute 16 seconds, this cinematic gem by Award-Winning Director Romina Schwedler, with original music by Argentine Composer Ignacio Montoya Carlotto, explores a cycle as old as time: life leads to progress, progress leads to destruction, and destruction, well, leads back to life. But is this vicious circle unbreakable? Ǝvolution suggests the answer is yes, unless we decide to open our eyes.
Inspired by the overwhelming number of recent events that threaten human existence, Ǝvolution, possibly the shortest film in this 12th edition of the festival, plays out entirely through the symbolism of circles, cleverly illustrating —in the blink of an eye— the repeating patterns of history, and confronting viewers with the uncomfortable truth that our so-called “progress” may, in fact, be guiding us to our own ruin.Premiering at the Regal 14 Union Square, New York City, on October 18, 2024, at 11 a.m., Romina Schwedler's micro-short, featuring Leah Young with cinematography by Alan J. Carmona, will be sure to spark conversations longer than the film itself! Forcing viewers to reconsider the true meaning of evolution, not just as a biological process, but as a reflection of our collective journey as humans.
With a string of festival appearances across the globe, including CineGlobe at CERN (Switzerland/France), Oscar®... Read More