News Releases

CBC/Radio-Canada welcomes commitment to Canadian Television Fund

(Ottawa, January 26, 2007) - CBC/Radio-Canada welcomes today’s announcement by the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, about the Government’s decision to contribute $200 million over two years to the Canadian Television Fund (CTF). The Government’s commitment to the CTF is an acknowledgement of the importance of investing in Canadian programming.

"This renewed support for the independent production industry means Canadians will continue to have access to original, high-quality Canadian content," CBC/Radio-Canada President and CEO Robert Rabinovitch said. "Canadian television now has an opportunity to better reflect the nation’s culture in airing programs by, for and about Canadians. Just as important, producers and broadcasters now have a multi-year horizon within which to plan future projects."

The CTF is a critical source of supplementary funding that helps independent television producers finance high-quality Canadian programs. CBC/Radio-Canada does not receive any money from the Fund, however, 37 per cent of CTF productions are earmarked for CBC/Radio-Canada because it is the single largest investor in original Canadian programming.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. With 28 services offered on Radio, Television, the Internet, satellite radio, digital audio, as well as through its record and music distribution service and wireless WAP and SMS messaging services, CBC/Radio-Canada is available how, where, and when Canadians want it.

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, in nine languages on its international Radio service, Radio Canada International, and in eight languages on its Web-based Radio service RCI viva, a service for recent and aspiring immigrants to Canada.

For additional information, please contact:

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