Watchdog group's pre-Gemini report gives thumbs up to Canadian TV by John McKay
Source : Canadian Press
Oct 25, 2000
by John McKay
For Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, it's a case of suspicions confirmed.
In a report entitled It's Good and We Like It, released just prior to this weekend's annual Gemini Awards, Canadian viewers are said to give high marks to Canadian TV drama.
The 30-page document defends public funding for the CBC – but raises questions about taxpayer aid to well-heeled private broadcasters.
"Canadians have a strong connection to Canadian programs," Friends spokesman Ian Morrison said Wednesday. "They like what they see and this report reveals remarkably strong marks on quality for Canadian television."
Previous studies by the lobby group for public broadcasting have reported on the success of Canadian news and public affairs programming, but Morrison said this report also finds strong viewer affection for such dramatic series as Da Vinci's Inquest, Wind at My Back and Cold Squad.
He added that it's encouraging to see so much high-quality Canadian content on TV, especially given the huge competitive budget and publicity advantage of U.S. network shows.
Morrison hopes the report will stimulate debate on the funding issue. After "so many years of funding cutbacks," the ability of the CBC to continue airing quality programs must be preserved, he said.
At the same time, "In the shadow of recent media mergers, we need to ask new questions about the capacity of private broadcasters to deliver quality Canadian programs without recourse to public assistance."
The Friends report drew heavily from a 1999 audience survey conducted for Nielsen Media Research and CBC, and was also based on analysis of Gemini Award winners and nominees.
