The question of the balance to be struck between Radio Canada’s digital and traditional services is at the heart of the CRTC’s public broadcasting licensing hearings, which began around Monday morning.
From the start, CRTC Chair Ian Scott indicated that he had received at least 20,000 interventions from Canadians and interested parties at this hearing.
Throughout the day, Monday, Radio Canada’s CBC Department responded to CRTC’s questions.
The Chairman of the Radiocommunication Commission (CRTC) noted that in its license renewal request, CBC-Radio-Canada “required a great deal of flexibility” in order to fulfill its mandate.
Mr. Scott noted that the approach adopted by the Radiocommunication Committee to verify compliance with its mandate by CBC-Radio-Canada had so far focused on a portion of its activities, specifically radio and television activities. the television.
However, online services are growing, especially among the younger generations. President Scott added, “We need a broader view of CBC-Radio-Canada’s activities.”
Radio Canada wants to be scrutinized as a whole – its traditional and online services constitute a whole, according to it – and not by silos, given that its commitments regarding Canadian programming are respected.
Michel Bessonette, Senior Vice President of French Services at Radio Canada, determined that 25% of people watch Radio Canada on traditional television, 25% watch digitally only, while 50% use both forms of broadcasting. .
“If we do not want to lose a generation, it is more important than ever that we offer them a varied and high-quality alternative that speaks French. Above all, we must continue to innovate, as we did a little over ten years ago, by creating ICI tou .tv, which today allows us to reach a new audience, otherwise I won’t see our shows, ”Mr. Bisonet added.
“Along with services like TVA Plus, Crave and Club Illico, ICI tou.tv is our best defense against giants like Netflix, Apple, Disney and Amazon,” he added.
Financing
The long-running public-private funding dispute between Radio Canada was discussed briefly by CBC-Radio-Canada CEO and CEO Catherine Tate. Radio Canada has always wanted to keep its blended funding, which comes from government subsidies, advertising and commercial revenue.
According to its 2018-2019 annual report, the Crown Foundation received $ 1.214 billion in public funding, compared to $ 1.208 billion in 2017-2018.
Additionally, it had 490 million in revenue in 2018-2019 compared to 573 million in 2017-2018 (Olympic year).
“The revenue we’re making isn’t insignificant. It doesn’t matter. The number is not small. In this respect, that money is essential, in terms of reinvesting in more services, more journalism, more programs and shows for Canadians.”I am tight.
The CRTC sessions are scheduled to extend through January 27. The CBC-Radio-Canada licenses will expire on August 31.
“During the next few days, many stakeholders want to take advantage of this hearing to discuss the mandate and funding model for the public broadcaster. These are matters within the jurisdiction of Parliament and are linked to the broadcasting law – a law currently under review.”I am tight.
It differs from special
When asked at the end of the day what distinguishes Radio Canada from private broadcasters, Catherine Tate, Executive Director, replied: “We have a very special role to play, along with our colleagues in the private sector. We don’t see ourselves as competitors at all.”
It cites the duty to serve all Canadians in the official languages and the diversity commitments as evidence.
She also noted, as a standout, “the creative risks we take every day to discover and promote Canadian content. Every day we wonder what we could do differently from our colleagues in the private sector.”
