The survival of our television may well depend on the crucial CRTC consultation, which begins on November 20th.
Over three weeks, 129 speakers will appear before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to discuss the future of television. This umpteenth consultation follows the entry into force of the Law on Continuous Online Broadcasting on April 27th.
If my information is correct, Pierre Karl Péladeau will appear first. An appearance that should be very entertaining, because the man doesn’t have his tongue in his pocket and TVA, the jewel of the Quebecor television empire, is no longer swimming in gold. Even as television ratings in Quebec remain at surprising levels, major advertisers are gradually abandoning linear television in favor of platforms and social networks.
Dozens of interventions will follow Mr. Péladeau’s. Most will go in the same direction as him. Producers, directors, writers and artists, almost everyone in the world of media is aware that if major platforms like Netflix, Disney+ and others do not contribute to our broadcasting system, traditional television will slowly die. There will be few dissenting voices, including some broadcasters seeking relief from their obligations and Michael Geist, the University of Ottawa’s irascible guru.
A CRUCIAL TOPIC
Most viewers are unaware of the challenge of linear television. If the current situation continues, news and public affairs programs and series that reflect our image will decline dramatically. Platforms that will cost us more and more will replace the free terrestrial television that we have had since its existence or the low-cost television via cable, fiber or satellite.
This final CRTC consultation session is the culmination of a process that began with the appointment of Mélanie Joly to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage on November 4, 2015. The plan back then was to convince Netflix, which was pumping millions of dollars into our broadcast system, to make a modest contribution to our broadcast system. Even the idea of Netflix charging GST was very flippantly dismissed by new Prime Minister Trudeau, endorsing the stupid stance of his predecessor, Stephen Harper.
STILL FAR FROM THE GOAL
Eight years and four heritage ministers later, we have come a long way, but we are still far from the finish line. Netflix and the like have not yet contributed a cent to our broadcasting system. They have barely produced or purchased a few Canadian productions. They handed out candy here and there and produced mostly American productions, benefiting from our reduced dollar and generous tax credits.
Over the last decade, our television landscape has become much bleaker. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians have given up cable and satellite, cash cows of the federal government’s media fund, without which our television would be bloodless. People under 35 to 40 don’t watch it anymore. As they make occasional forays into Crave, Illico and tou.tv to find out what their parents enjoy, they find their enjoyment on YouTube, Netflix and other American platforms.
The contribution of the major platforms to our broadcasting system is a matter of life and death for television and therefore for our culture.
