Cinema Canada (Aug 1976)

be found to accommodate a full range of Canada’s cultural and creative production resources. In its 1975 position paper, the Commission said “We are determined that pay-television shall develop to primarily benefit Canadian broadcasting, the programme production industry and Canadian creative talent.” That assessment was based on the knowledge that technical innovations and facilities will develop and need no encouragement or added momentum from government authority. The physical system for pay-TV is there to be introduced. There will be no hesitation in structuring the physical system. It has a seduction of its own. There is, therefore, no value in a sterile demonstration against technical progress. However, to allow an opportunity to slip by to convert technical systems to a national purpose with a conscious and dedicated restructuring of the national broadcasting and cultural system, would be inexcusable. The Commission, therefore, has been called upon by the Minister to continue its earlier process of June, 1975, and to issue a public announcement requesting further views on “the structural development of pay-television and its integration into the Canadian broadcasting system.’’ The Commission will, therefore, issue a public announcement requesting comments on the issue of the structure of a pay-television network operation. The deadline for receipt of representations will be September 1, 1976. The Commission will be asking for responsible and informed comments on proposals for the establishment of entities to formulate and distribute pay-TV programme packages in French and in English. I would suggest that you also up-date any pay-TV submissions you may have on file with the Commission, and submit them to the CRTC along with your answers to the Minister’s request for suggestions on how the structure which provides the programme package should be formulated in order that pay programming can be delivered to operators to be licensed in the normal way by the Commission. It is my understanding that the Minister and her cabinet colleagues wish to fully consider the national implications of the pay-TV programme organization on not only broadcasting but also on related cultural and cre SORRORL IRGOS GRLOB avs MA: 2EGIa OZ Ne V =) I Vos ative organizations in Canada. Following a policy decision on the form and structure of such an organization, the Commission will proceed by normal procedures to establish regulatory guidelines and call for formal license applications for distribution of the pay-television service to subscribers. We anticipate that this call will be possible well before the end of this year with an early hearing of the individual applications. There is a tremendous challenge in the introduction of pay-television in Canada. Inherent is the concern that it must provide opportunities for Canadian creative talent and that as it increases in strength and resources there will be provision for a corresponding enhancement of Canadian programme production. If I may recapitulate, The CRTC will formally call for suggestions concerning the introduction of pay-television to be received by September 1, 1976. We anticipate many will wish to up-date submissions which are already in the hands of the Commission. Others may wish to submit entirely new proposals concerning pay-television distribution. By September 1, 1976, we also anticipate receiving responses to the request by the Minister of Communications for specific proposals on the structure of a suitable organization to provide programming for distribution to licensed broadcast undertakings. Following a policy decision on the national dimension of the programme supply structure, the Commission will proceed with its normal regulatory and licensing functions in connection with the formal introduction of pay-television. We consider the introduction of pay-television to be an important and serious first step towards the repossession of a Canadian broadcasting: system and anticipate the full co-operation of cable operators, public and private broadcasters and all concerned parties. 0 Statement given at the Nineteenth Annual Convention and Trade Show of the Canadian Cable Television Association, Toronto, June 2, 1976 9/ pay-tv