While broadcasters and cable companies fight it out over fee-for-carriage, performers are challenging them to commit to supporting Canadian programming, especially drama.
“With cable bills on the rise, broadcasters threatening to close local stations, and less Canadian programming on TV, Canadians aren’t getting what we’re paying for,” said Ferne Downey, ACTRA National President. “It’s time to stop the cable rip-offs and get more Canada on Canadian TV.”
The Canadian public grants broadcasters and cable companies the privilege of exploiting our airwaves for profit. In exchange, the Broadcasting Act requires them to ensure that Canadians have a voice on our TVs.
Unfortunately Canadian TV schedules have become dominated by U.S. programming. Last year private broadcasters spent $740 million on U.S. and foreign programming and just $54 million on Canadian English-language drama. It’s time for private broadcasters and big cable reverse this trend by giving more back to the system without passing the buck on to Canadians.
“Performers will support fee-for-carriage if broadcasters commit to putting the money back into producing Canadian programming. We agree that cable companies can and should contribute more to the system but we can’t support a new form of revenue for broadcasters if they’re just going to take the bag of money and spend it all in Hollywood,” said Stephen Waddell, National Executive Director, ACTRA.
“Broadcasters and cable need to stop this tit-for-tat game-playing and tell Canadians what they are going to do to stop flooding our airwaves with U.S. content and ensure that Canadians can see our own stories on our TVs in prime time,” said Downey.
ACTRA is urging the CRTC to step in and impose spending and content requirements for Canadian drama on broadcasters.
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
Asian World Film Festival Announces Dates, Opening and Closing Films, Special Programs, and Gala Awards Ceremony
The Asian World Film Festival (AWFF), Los Angeles' annual celebration of Asian filmmakers, announced the dates and highlights of its highly anticipated 10th anniversary edition. Taking place November 13-21, 2024, the festival will showcase a diverse range of new movies and special programs and celebrate Asian cinema’s legacy. Opening night will feature the critically acclaimed Korean drama, “A Normal Family,” while the Filipino romantic drama “Hello, Love, Again” is the closing film. Screenings will be presented at the Culver Theater, Culver City, November 13-20. A star-studded Closing Night Gala and Award Ceremony will be celebrated at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) complex November 21. Georges N. Chamchoum, AWFF Executive Director, said “We have chosen ‘heritage’ as this year’s theme to honor our first decade. This focus underscores AWFF's commitment to Asian cinema’s rich past as well as its ongoing efforts to champion contemporary and emerging Asian film.” OPENING AND CLOSING FILMS Directed by award-winning filmmaker Hur Jin-ho ("The Last Princess," "Happiness"), "A Normal Family" is a searing family drama that stars Sul Kyung-gu and Jong Dong-gun. Multi-layered yet accessible, the film was meticulously crafted in widescreen and premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim. The heartwarming sequel to Philippine box office phenomenon "Hello, Love, Goodbye," "Hello, Love, Again" reunites director Cathy Garcia-Sampana ("The Hows of Us," "One More Chance") with stars Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards. The filmmaker, actors, and other cast members will attend the screening at the film’s festival debut. MAIN PROGRAM - IN COMPETITION AWFF's main... Read More