Ottawa accepts CRTC's approval of TQS licence renewal despite news cut
Source : Canadian Press
September 5, 2008
OTTAWA — The federal government has accepted the CRTC's decision to permit the TQS television network in Quebec to replace traditional newscasts with current-events programming.
TQS lost $225 million over 22 years. Its conventional TV network competes with the larger TVA network, which is part of Quebecor Inc. (TSX:QBR.B), and the French-language service of the government-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
Heritage Minister Josee Verner said Friday the Conservative government has decided not to intervene in the regulatory process after taking into consideration viewers' interests, local information and the economic viability of TQS.
"Under the current circumstances, we are making the best and the only conceivable decision to ensure the diversity of voices in the French-language television market, as well as the network's survival and growth," she said in a statement.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission renewed the licences June 26 until 2015 and approved Remstar Diffusion Inc.'s purchase of television stations in Montreal, Quebec City, Trois-Rivieres, Sherbrooke and Saguenay.
In its decision, the CRTC allowed Remstar to replace traditional newscasts with a new concept that features local programming, in which current events are discussed and analyzed.
Remstar must include at least two hours of local news as part of weekly programming in Montreal and Quebec City.
Stations in Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivieres and Saguenay must broadcast one hour of local news, while at least 30 minutes of news must be provided on weekends.
Verner said the CRTC decision is in line with the government support of maintaining locally or regionally produced information.
"Our objective is to enable TQS to rebuild its audience and improve its financial position, so that francophones can continue to have access to a third general-interest television network and a diversity of voices and news."
A dissenting CRTC commissioner had questioned if there was a place for a third TV network in Quebec.
Remstar was heavily criticized in Quebec for curtailing its news coverage, which would result in the layoff of 270 people.
© Canadian Press
TQS lost $225 million over 22 years. Its conventional TV network competes with the larger TVA network, which is part of Quebecor Inc. (TSX:QBR.B), and the French-language service of the government-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
Heritage Minister Josee Verner said Friday the Conservative government has decided not to intervene in the regulatory process after taking into consideration viewers' interests, local information and the economic viability of TQS.
"Under the current circumstances, we are making the best and the only conceivable decision to ensure the diversity of voices in the French-language television market, as well as the network's survival and growth," she said in a statement.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission renewed the licences June 26 until 2015 and approved Remstar Diffusion Inc.'s purchase of television stations in Montreal, Quebec City, Trois-Rivieres, Sherbrooke and Saguenay.
In its decision, the CRTC allowed Remstar to replace traditional newscasts with a new concept that features local programming, in which current events are discussed and analyzed.
Remstar must include at least two hours of local news as part of weekly programming in Montreal and Quebec City.
Stations in Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivieres and Saguenay must broadcast one hour of local news, while at least 30 minutes of news must be provided on weekends.
Verner said the CRTC decision is in line with the government support of maintaining locally or regionally produced information.
"Our objective is to enable TQS to rebuild its audience and improve its financial position, so that francophones can continue to have access to a third general-interest television network and a diversity of voices and news."
A dissenting CRTC commissioner had questioned if there was a place for a third TV network in Quebec.
Remstar was heavily criticized in Quebec for curtailing its news coverage, which would result in the layoff of 270 people.
© Canadian Press
