ARCHIVED - Broadcasting - Commission letter - CBC re: year 3 annual reports

Letter

Ottawa, 22 June 2004

SENT BY FAX: (613) 288-6257

Ms. Lanny Morry
Director, Regulatory Affairs
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
250 Lanark Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1Z 6R5

Re: Year 3 Annual Reports Pursuant to Public Notice CRTC 2000-1

Dear Ms. Morry:

This is to acknowledge that the Commission accepts the third annual report filed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) / Société Radio-Canada (SRC) (the Corporation) on 30 November 2003, pursuant to A distinctive voice for all Canadians: Renewal of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's licences - A preamble to the Commission's decisions on the CBC licence renewals: Decisions CRTC 2000-1, 2000-2 and 2000-3, Public Notice CRTC 2000-1, 6 January 2000. These annual reports relate to the following decisions: Licences for CBC English-language television and radio renewed for a seven-year term, Decision CRTC 2000-1, 6 January 2000, Licences for CBC French-language television and radio renewed for a seven-year term, Decision CRTC 2000-2, 6 January 2000, and Licences for Newsworld and RDI renewed for a seven-year term, Decision CRTC 2000-3 (the renewal decisions), pertaining to the renewal of the English and French television and radio networks and individual station licenses, as well as Newsworld and Le Réseau de l'Information (RDI).

The Commission notes that the licensee has indicated that the English Radio Network services, French radio's La Premiere Chaîne, Newsworld and Le Réseau de l'Information are fully in compliance with their conditions of licence, and have fully addressed the requirements and expectations set in the renewal decisions. The Commission further notes the Corporation's efforts to ensure that Canadians in all provinces have access to La Chaîne culturelle and the abridged timeframe in which the Corporation is meeting this requirement. The reports also indicate that the English and French television services have met or exceeded the Commission's conditions, requirements and expectations in nearly all areas.

With respect to the English-language television services, the Commission again notes that the CBC's strategic "Transformation" has resulted in the reduction of local/regional programming levels from those undertaken by the CBC and reflected in Decision CRTC 2000-1. The CBC's local news programming now consists of half-hour supper hour local/regional newscasts produced at CBC owned-and-operated stations across the country, which are combined with a half-hour national newscast.

Furthermore, the Commission notes the CBC's efforts in relation to addressing representation and reflection issues and the CBC's position that it "is essential that the full diversity of Canadian society be reflected day in and day out as a naturally occurring facet of Canadian life". The Commission encourages the CBC to continue to strive to reflect the full diversity of Canadian society and to report on its activities in this regard, including the reflection of persons with disabilities. Similarly, the Commission reiterates the importance of making CBC programming available to as broad an audience as possible, through initiatives such as described video.

With respect to Music and Dance and Variety programming broadcast on the French-language television services, the Commission notes that the CBC scheduled a total weekly average of 5.4 hours, including programs scheduled in regions or on the network outside of the peak viewing period (7:00 - 11:00). The Commission reiterates its requirement by condition of licence to broadcast an average of 5 hours weekly of Categories 8 and 9 Canadian programming during the peak viewing period. As a result, for the purpose of the condition, the weekly average arrived at is estimated at 3.5 hours. While this average is superior to the average of 3 hours weekly established for the first two years of the licence, this average does not meet the requirements for the five remaining years of the licence. Consequently, please inform the Commission of the measures the CBC intends to put in place to remedy this situation.

In addition, beginning with the next annual report relating to the French-language television services, the Commission requests the CBC to report in further detail on its news and information programming and Canadian feature films activities.

The annual reports and related correspondence will be placed on the Commission website and CBC and SRC public examination files.

Yours sincerely,

Diane Rhéaume
Secretary General