CBC asks for an extra $100M to save regional programming by Chris Cobb

CBC president Robert Rabinovitch wants to rebuild the public broadcaster's regional television service across the country and wants the federal government to guarantee another $100 million to help it do the job.

"We feel that is the type of money we need to do quality programming in English and in French," Mr. Rabinovitch said yesterday after a historic appearance before a parliamentary committee.

For each of the past four years, the federal government has topped up the CBC's budget by $60 million -- funding the government considers temporary, but Mr. Rabinovitch wants it increased by $40 million and made permanent.

The CBC's base funding from government is $873 million. The broadcaster made $282 million in advertising revenue and program sales during the last financial year, plus another $227 million in other revenue from property and other non-programming sales.

"Our parliamentary appropriation, including the $60 million in additional funding, is still $415 million less than it was in 1990," said Mr. Rabinovitch.

Mr. Rabinovitch became the first CBC chief executive to have his appointment vetted by Parliament when he appeared before the all-party heritage committee of MPs yesterday.

Prime Minister Paul Martin has "recommended" Mr. Rabinovitch's five-year term be extended by another three years. CBC executives and members of its board have traditionally been appointed by the prime minister without the input of parliamentarians.

Mr. Rabinovitch's initial presentation to the committee took on the appearance of a job interview, with the CBC president going over his educational qualifications, work experience and general worthiness for the job.

Conservative MP Gary Schellenberger called it a "historic day" and noted that since the CBC was founded in 1936, various governments have given CBC appointments to 150 people, often friends with political ties.

But most committee members wanted to talk about deficiencies in local and regional programming on the English and French TV networks. Services were drastically cut five years ago after the Chretien government slashed the broadcaster's budget by $400 million.

The CBC has lost more than 200,000 viewers to its local and regional supper hour programming since the cuts.

"Was that a mistake?" NDP Charlie Angus asked Mr. Rabinovitch.

"We had to live within our budget. The supper hour shows were on a downward (ratings) slope for most of the 90s, but we realize we must revitalize them," he replied

CBC's money problems have not been helped by the NHL lockout, which is costing the broadcaster $20 million in lost revenue, he said. And the CBC also lost money on the Summer Olympics, which failed to generate the expected advertising revenue.

Mr. Rabinovitch refused to be specific about the CBC's future programming strategy, but did say the plan would involve spending another $75 million over the next three years on regional TV programs.

Mr. Rabinovitch refused to comment on rumours that the CBC national flagship supper hour show Canada Now might be axed. "I am not at the point of saying we want to cancel it," he said. "But I am willing to say that we are seriously evaluating how and what we do during that whole hour."

Mr. Rabinovitch admitted the CBC could get a funding cut, which would directly affect programming, he said.

© Ottawa Citizen

November 15, 2004 - Fact Sheet: CBC President Tells Media, Not Parliament About Plans for Local/Regional Programming
In an extraordinary development, CBC president tells media scrum about plans for CBC local/regional programming after refusing to tell parliamentary committee about them.

November 15, 2004 - House of Commons Hansard: Transcript of Parliamentary Committee Examination of CBC President
Members of the House of Commons Heritage Committee question CBC President Robert Rabinovitch pursuant to an order-in-council proposing his reappointment for three years and referring the matter to the committee.