Shaw backs out of deal on small stations

As predicted in this space a few months ago, the Shaw move to buy for $1 each small CTV stations in Windsor, Wingham and Brandon has fallen through. I noted it was just a cheap stunt for the benefit of the CRTC to argue that CTV/Global over-the-air stations don’t need fee-for-carriage and can be profitable [...]

MP’s boot fee-for-carriage back to CRTC

CP reports that MP’s have been studying the fee-for-carriage issue, but decided to send it back to the CRTC, which has twice rejected it. They did offer a sweetener, uping a $60 million fund for programming to about $150 million. Don’t get too excited the increase would come out of your cable/satellite fees, as would [...]

Arguments building for fee for carriage for CTV/Global (but not, apparently, CBC)

CRTC released info yesterday that digital/specialty channels made almost $690 million last year, while traditional over the air networks like CTV and Global made about $8 million. In line with the CRTC head testifying Wednesday before a parliamentary committe that fee for carriage (i.e. adding a cost to your cable/saellite bill to receive CTV/Global) “should [...]

Fee-for-carriage new mantra for private broadcasters

Nice summary article from the Globe today on the troubles hitting Canadian private broadcasters and the strategies CTV and Global are putting forward to correct them. The language is apocalyptic; every business is facing the same financial troubles these days, and when the recession lifts and ad revenues return, wonder if the privates will be [...]