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Decision
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Ottawa, 6 April 1989
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Decision CRTC 89-115
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Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
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Winnipeg, Lac du Bonnet, Piney, Flin Flon, Pukatawagan, Fisher Branch, Jackhead, Fairford, Manigotagan, Grand Rapids, Easterville, The Pas, Moose Lake, Snow Lake, Gillam, Wabowden, Cross Lake, Norway House, Nelson House, Leaf Rapids, South Indian Lake, Lynn Lake, Thompson, McCusker Lake, Oxford House, Waasagomach, Gods Lake Narrows, Little Grand Rapids, Churchill, Manitoba; Big Trout Lake, Kenora, Sioux Narrows, Fort Frances, Atikokan, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Ignace, Savant Lake, Osnaburgh, Pickle Lake, Pikangikum, Sandy Lake, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Ontario; Island Falls, Pelican Narrows and Cumberland House, Saskatchewan - 881138200
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Following a Public Hearing in Winnipeg on 12 October 1988, the Commission renews the broadcasting licences for CBWT Winnipeg and its rebroadcasting undertakings from 1 September 1989 to 31 August 1994, subject to the conditions of licence specified in the appendix to this decision and in the licences to be issued.
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Through its principal transmitting facility in Winnipeg and a system of 47 rebroadcasting undertakings, CBWT provides the English-language CBC television service to the province of Manitoba, the eastern border of northern Saskatchewan and to 15 communities in northwestern Ontario. CBWT described itself as the most successful regional television station in the CBC system, despite strong competition, budgetary cut-backs and difficult regional economic conditions. In its presentation, CBWT stated that its operating budget has been reduced by more than 40% and that it has lost some 100 staff positions over the last five years.
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In the context of these constraints, CBWT maintains that it has reached its second place position in the Winnipeg market by providing high-quality, daily information programming that emphasizes the community. CBWT attributes its strong position to the fact that the more than 500 hours of local programs broadcast annually "are conceived, produced and scheduled against a careful reading of the communities' direct local needs and patterns of interest, and reflective of their cultural and ethnic roots."
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In terms of regularly-scheduled local programming, CBWT concentrates on producing successful news and information programs. As a result of changes in the network schedule in the 1987/88 season, CBWT's late night news programming was reduced by 30 minutes weekly. The station has, however, increased its spending on news production, despite overall reductions in program budgets. Currently, CBWT broadcasts 9 hours 20 minutes of news programming weekly.
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CBWT's successful, regular prime time series "Breakaway", a human interest, entertainment/information magazine, attempts to cover the broad interests of its viewers by travelling to various locations within the station's extensive coverage area on a regular basis. During the last season, the program presented items from 39 communities outside of Winnipeg, ranging from Churchill through northwestern Ontario.
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In CBWT's last major licence renewal (Decision CRTC 82-928), the station was encouraged to broadcast more locally-produced drama and in this regard, the Commission notes that CBWT indicated that it has undertaken 15 drama projects with independent producers over the current licence term. These include the following drama productions produced for the network and broadcast by CBWT in 1987/88 and 1988/89: "Last Stand", "Niagara Falls", "Punch Line", "Mask of the Bear" and "Cowpunk". The Commission notes that CBWT plans to undertake an additional four drama projects in 1988/89.
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CBWT indicated that its involvement with the independent production community will continue to be of prime importance in the new licence term. In order to ensure continued support for the local Manitoba independent production community, the licensee proposed to broadcast on CBWT at least four dramas produced in Manitoba in each year of the new licence term. The Commission encourages the licensee to fulfill this undertaking.
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The Commission stresses the important role of local stations in the development and promotion of creative talent through locally-produced drama, music and dance and variety programming. The Commission notes that CBWT does not produce any regularly-scheduled programming in the latter category, however, it acknowledges that some activity has been undertaken in this area with the production of a number of variety specials including the annual "Christmas In Exchange" and the "Children's Hospital Telethon", as well as a musical documentary on the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
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The national, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg branches of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) submitted interventions expressing concern about the importance of maintaining a professional pool of creative talent for local drama and entertainment productions on CBC stations. ACTRA strongly supports the development of local and regional talent and takes issue with the centralization of decision-making at the network level in respect of the production funds allocated to individual CBC television stations. The Winnipeg brief also suggested that the local information and drama programming of CBWT should reflect the various ethnocultural groups that constitute its viewing audience in a manner that is representative of their contribution to Canadian society.
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In response to these concerns, CBWT indicated that it plans to continue to develop proposals for musical specials and that for the coming licence term, it has submitted to the network plans for five other musical specials that include the symphony, and profiles of specials on artists in the community. The Commission notes CBWT's commitments in this regard and, in line with the CBC's intention to make available to its English-language regional stations an additional 30 minutes per week of local programming in the evening, as referred to in the Public Notice introducing this and other renewal decisions released today, the Commission encourages the licensee to broadcast in that period local drama, music and dance or variety programming designed to develop and feature Manitoba performers.
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In terms of contributions to network programming, CBWT currently provides more than 300 hours per year, including the weekday children's series "Fred Penner's Place", the weekly agricultural and food program "Country Canada", the Sunday afternoon program of religious music, "Hymn Sing" and the Canadian version of "Sesame Street". In addition, CBWT contributes regularly to network news and information programs. The Commission notes that of the 15 dramas produced over the current licence term, 12 received network distribution.
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In a period of diminishing resources, the Commission acknowledges that many of the CBC's television stations undertake co-operatively-produced programming as an effective means of improving the quality and quantity of local programming. In this respect, CBWT stated that in addition to the daily collaboration of the CBC regional stations in news and information, CBWT contributes regular segments to the children's program "Switchback", which is broadcast in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. In addition, the station participates in the coverage of western sporting and other events such as the Briar Curling Championship and the Western Canada Games.
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With respect to children's programming, the Commission notes that CBWT's production of the program series "Switchback", referred to above, was recently cancelled and that it is now produced in Regina. CBWT contributes segments to the program on a weekly basis and maintains a producer in Winnipeg for this purpose. The Commission notes CBWT's commitment to continue this practice, as well as its plans to have the program originate in its entirety from its Winnipeg studios on a number of occasions, in the coming year.
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Decision CRTC 82-928 also stated that CBWT should enhance the level of service to viewers in northern parts of the coverage area and the Commission notes that during the current licence term the licensee has provided access to its northern transmitters for the production of "Mikisew Morning", a magazine program produced by Native Communications Inc., which promotes the preservation of Indian culture and language. Beginning in May 1985, the program was broadcast Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. In December of 1987, the program was expanded to Saturday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and Sunday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and CBWT has assured the Commission that it will continue to grant access to its transmitters for this program.
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CBWT has committed to produce 15 hours 50 minutes of original local production weekly during the new licence term, an amount over 5 hours less than the level established in the station's current Promise of Performance. The Commission notes CBWT's commitment to continue to provide high-quality, community-oriented daily information programming, its successful "Breakaway" series, a number of "Town Hall" specials and a variety of other community specials focussing on local music, sports, parades and other activities in the new licence term. The Commission expects the licensee to ensure that CBWT, as a minimum, achieves the level of local production set out in the Promise of Performance submitted as part of its licence renewal application.
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The Commission notes that CBWT has submitted five proposals to the network for various music specials, as well as a proposal for a new national information program. In the area of drama production, CBWT indicated that it has begun preliminary discussions with the network on the possibility of a series based on the feature film "The Outside Chance of Maximillian Glick".
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According to the expenditure projections set out in its renewal application, CBWT will spend $13.3 million on Canadian programming in the first year of the new licence term, increasing to $15.2 million in year five. The Commission notes that according to percentage allocations for local productions filed by the licensee, virtually all of these projected expenditures are to be allocated for programs to be produced by CBWT itself and exclude funds which may be secured from the network for regional/local productions for network broadcast.
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Representatives of CBWT stated at the hearing that over the current licence term it had concluded 18 sponsorship agreements totalling $463,000 with various community organizations for the production of programs ranging from Christmas specials to high school athletic championships.
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CBWT's renewal application forecast expenditures of $20,000 in each year of the new licence term for the development of drama productions for the network. In this respect, the Commission refers the licensee to the program development expenditure criteria set out in the Public Notice introducing this and other television renewal decisions released today.
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CBWT also committed to budget for capital expenditures of over $2 million during the next three years, most of which will be allocated for the acquisition of new studio equipment.
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While CBWT made no specific commitment to provide access to its programming for the hearing impaired, the Commission notes the CBC's plans with regard to its regional stations, as discussed in the Public Notice introducing the decisions released today. In this respect, the Commission expects CBWT to acquire as soon as possible, the necessary equipment to caption at a minimum, headlines and appropriate scripted portions of its early evening newscasts during the new licence term.
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In renewing these licences, the Commission also authorizes CBWT to make use of the Vertical Blanking Interval. The Commission expects the licensee to adhere to the guidelines set out in Appendix A to Public Notice CRTC 1989-23 dated 23 March 1989 entitled "Services Using the Vertical Blanking Interval (Television) or Subsidiary Communications Multiplex Operation (FM)".
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The Commission also expects CBWT to obtain a telephone device for the deaf (TDD) during the first year of the new licence term and install it wherever it is most appropriate, such as in the master control room, to ensure access to the station by deaf and hearing-impaired viewers over the entire broadcast day.
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The Commission received four interventions in support of CBWT's renewal application from two independent production companies, the Children's Hospital Research Foundation and the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association.
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Mr. Robert Kindrachuk, National President of the Canadian Television Producers and Directors Association (CTPDA), appeared at the hearing, to convey the CTPDA's view that the CBC is failing to fulfill its mandate to serve regional needs. The CTPDA asked that the Corporation reassess the role of regional production and local stations and restructure its commitments and priorities accordingly. While supporting the notion that the regions be given the means to produce programming for the network, the CTPDA stated that stations must be provided with sufficient air time and resources to continue to operate effectively at the local level.
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The Government of Saskatchewan commented with respect to all of the CBC Prairie stations about the centralization of decision-making at the network level and the importance of exhibiting regional productions in parts of Canada other than where they were first produced. In reply, the CBC stated that two important aspects of the Canadianization plan are strengthened regional production and wider exposure for programs.
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Having assessed CBWT's past accomplishments, including the station's enhanced local news and information service and its extensive co-operation with the Manitoba independent production community in the creation of dramatic programming, and taking into account the licensee's commitments for the next five years, particularly in terms of increased activity with independent producers and its proposed initiatives to provide exposure for local and regional musical talent, the Commission is satisfied that this licence should be renewed for a full term.
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Fernand Bélisle
Secretary General
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APPENDIX
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Conditions of licence for CBWT Winnipeg and its rebroadcasting undertakings CBWT-2 Lac du Bonnet, CBWT-3 Piney, CBWBT Flin Flon, CBWBT-1 Pukatowagan, CBWGT Fisher Branch, CBWGT-1 Jackhead, CBWGT-2 Fairford, CBWGT-3 Manigotagan, CBWHT Grand Rapids, CBWHT-2 Easterville, CBWIT The Pas, CBWIT-1 Moose Lake, CBWKT Snow Lake, CBWLT Gillam, CBWMT Wabowden, CBWNT Cross Lake, CBWOT Norway House, CBWPT Nelson House, CBWQT Leaf Rapids, CBWQT-1 South Indian Lake, CBWRT Lynn Lake, CBWTT Thompson, CBWUT McCusker Lake, CBWVT Oxford House, CBWWT Waasagomach, CBWXT Gods Lake Narrows, CBWZT Little Grand Rapids, CHFC-TV Churchill, Manitoba; CBWT-1 Big Trout Lake, CBWAT Kenora, CBWAT-1 Sioux Narrows, CBWCT Fort Frances, CBWCT-1 Atikokan, CBWDT Dryden, CBWDT-1 Sioux Lookout, CBWDT-2 Ignace, CBWDT-3 Savant Lake, CBWDT-4 Osnaburgh, CBWDT-5 Pickle Lake, CBWDT-6 Pikangikum, CBWDT-7 Sandy Lake, CBWET Red Lake, CBWJT Ear Falls, Ontario; CBWBT-2 Island Falls, CBWBT-3 Pelican Narrows and CBWIT-2 Cumberland House, Saskatchewan
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1. The licensee shall adhere to the CBC guidelines on sex-role stereotyping, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission. Until such time as the Commission has approved the revised CBC guidelines, the CBC shall adhere to its current guidelines on sex-role stereotyping (as set out in Part C of Appendix A to Public Notice CRTC 1986-351 dated 22 December 1986) and, as a minimum, to the CAB's guidelines on sex-role stereotyping, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
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2. The licensee shall adhere to the standards for children's advertising set out in the Corporation's Advertising Standards Policy C-5 dated 4 June 1986 and entitled "Advertising Directed to Children Under 12 Years of Age", as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission, provided that the policy meets as a minimum the standards set out in the CAB's The Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children, revised in January 1988, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
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Further, the licensee shall not broadcast any commercial message during any child-directed programming or any child-directed commercial message between programs directed to children of pre-school age. For the purpose of this condition, programs directed to children and scheduled before 12:00 noon during school-day morning hours will be deemed to be programs directed to children of pre-school age.
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