Group Calls for OTA Community TVNovember 24, 2009
OTTAWA: The Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations
(CACTUS) is submitting to
regulators tomorrow a proposal to revive locally produced over-the-air programming.
The submission, made in response to the Canadian Radio-Television and
Telecommunications Commission consultation notice
on community TV, proposes what CACTUS says is “a novel and cost-effective way
to maintain, support and increase local programming content.”
Traditionally, the Canadian community television sector has depended upon the
cable industry for studios and channel space. Instead CACTUS is asking the CRTC
to shift monies earmarked for community access to an independent production
fund directed at volunteer community TV boards. These boards, CACTUS contends,
would offer free over-the-air community television, free training to community
participants and free access on all platforms, including new media.
“We see community TV much like a public library. It should be the
communications hub and active voice of Canadians in their cities and towns,” said
CACTUS spokesperson Cathy Edwards.
CACTUS views the analog-to-digital transition as an opportunity for community
television to develop new business models that will help ensure that public and
private stations remain available free over-the-air across Canada. Deadline for
comments on CRTC 2009-661 are due by Feb. 1, 2010.
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