News Releases
March 15, 2000
CBC/Radio-Canada Announces Permanent Investment in CBC Radio Services
Ottawa — CBC President and CEO Robert Rabinovitch announced today that the CBC Board of Directors has approved a plan to enhance Canada's public radio service with a new investment of more than $10 million in CBC's French and English Radio operations.
"CBC's Radio service is the cornerstone of public broadcasting in this country and Canadians have clearly said that it is an important part of their lives," said Rabinovitch. "I am pleased that the CBC Board of Directors shares my view of the importance of investing in our radio services."
An additional $4.2 million will be allocated to the budget of French Radio and $6 million will go to English Radio. Both services will use the funds to enhance and enrich the quality of their program schedules, as well as developing new initiatives that will extend CBC Radio's public service to more Canadians. "This is consistent with our strategy of enhancing and properly funding our core services," said Rabinovitch.
The additional funding for CBC Radio is effective April 1, 2000 and becomes part of the radio service's base budget, allowing CBC Radio to develop long-term strategies and plans based on additional operating money.
According to the most recent Statistics Canada Report, more than 50% of Canadians listen to CBC's French or English Radio. "CBC's radio services connect Canadians from coast to coast to coast and offer them a unique window on the world," said Rabinovitch. "That's a very good reason to ensure that the public radio services we provide are of the highest possible quality."
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
