News Releases

January 6, 2000

CBC Response to CRTC Decisions

Ottawa, January 6, 2000 — The CBC is satisfied with today's decisions with respect to four of its core services. The decisions on the Corporation's two all news television services, CBC Newsworld and RDI, and its support of both English and French radio networks demonstrate the Commission's confidence in the CBC.

However, CBC President and CEO, Robert Rabinovitch, expressed concern regarding the new conditions of licence imposed on English and French Television by the CRTC today as fiscally irresponsible and unacceptable intrusions into CBC's managerial and programming independence.

The disputed conditions, which include a prohibition on the airing of foreign films and programming the prime time schedule, were not discussed with the CBC during the licence renewal hearings last spring. At the time, CBC committed to a wide range of programming initiatives in drama, culture, documentaries, sports, regional production and reflection, as well as increased support for Canadian feature films, all of which the CRTC has endorsed.

"Canadians view CBC as Canada's most important cultural institution. I agree that fundamental changes are required to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, and the CBC must continue to provide distinctive, high-quality programming," said Mr. Rabinovitch. "I am deeply concerned at the CRTC's apparent lack of consideration of the financial impact. The new conditions imposed today will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to implement and will limit my ability to undertake the reengineering, move towards decommercialization and a basic review of our operations," added Mr. Rabinovitch.

The CBC is equally concerned with the programming impact of these decisions, particularly for French Television. This seems like an attempt to turn the CBC into PBS North - an elitist programmer. That is inconsistent with the Broadcasting Act and the CBC's mandate.

"CBC must maintain control over its programming. The ultimate responsibility for the Corporation must remain with its Board and Management," said Mr. Rabinovitch.

The CBC will continue its fundamental review of all operations as the President was mandated by the CBC Board and by Government. It will review all of its commitments in light of the CRTC television decisions. Under all circumstances, it will continue to operate in a fiscally responsible manner.

For more information, contact:
Sheila Gervais
Director of Public Relations
(613) 724-5698

Remarks by Robert Rabinovitch at the press conference following the announcement, and integral text of Mr. Rabinovitch's answers to the journalists, and text of his interview by Brian Stewart.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. CBC/Radio-Canada reaches Canadians through eight national radio and television networks, its full-service Web sites, local/regional stations and affiliates, as well as the digital television channel Country Canada and the continuous music network Galaxie. In addition, CBC/Radio-Canada has forged partnerships with other broadcasters and is a partner in the satellite radio service SIRIUS Canada as well as in the specialty television services ARTV and The Documentary Channel. Through this array of activities, CBC/Radio-Canada brings diverse regional and cultural perspectives into the daily lives of Canadians in English, French and eight aboriginal languages. (2006)

For additional information, please contact:

Katherine Heath-Eves
Media Relations
CBC/Radio-Canada (Ottawa)
Tel: (613) 288-6235
heathevk@cbc.ca
www.cbc.radio-canada.ca