FRIENDS in the News

November 4, 2008 - Sydney Morning Herald: CanWest debt a cloud over Ten by Miriam Steffens
Australian media analysts say a heavy debt load may force Canwest to sell its broadcast holdings in that country.

October 31, 2008 - Canadian Press: CRTC tweaks TV system, helps consumers as regulator rejects extra charges
FRIENDS says the CRTC has balanced the competing interests of the broadcasting industry.

October 30, 2008 - CTV: Video: Decisions made by the CRTC by Graham Richardson
FRIENDS spokesperson Ian Morrison says cable companies such as Shaw Communications may not be happy with having to put more money into local television programming.

October 30, 2008 - CBC News: Changes will increase choice for Canadian TV viewers: CRTC
FRIENDS says the CRTC has listened to advice that the cable monopolies and satellite companies are too powerful to be allowed even more discretion to control what's on TV.

October 30, 2008 - BNN: FRIENDS on BNN's SqueezePlay
Video of FRIENDS spokesperson, Ian Morrison, saying that Canadian citizens, as "shareholders" of the broadcasting system, were well served by a CRTC decision on the cable industry.

October 30, 2008 - CBC Radio One: CRTC set to unveil new regulations in the television industry
In a radio report, FRIENDS says that the global financial crisis has shown that appropriate regulation can play an important role in Canada's economy.

October 30, 2008 - CBC News: CRTC to deliver review of TV industry
FRIENDS says if the CRTC bows to cable industry deregulation it may mean more American stations and less funding of Canadian-made television.

October 30, 2008 - Canadian Press: CRTC review could expand Canadians' TV viewing choices and costs by Julian Beltrame
FRIENDS says the CRTC has started to realize how the lack of money in the over-the-air television system has the potential for a broadcast equivalent of a market disaster.

October 27, 2008 - Playback: Digital Media: CRTC readies for new media rethink by Mark Hand
FRIENDS says the motivation behind a CRTC review of new media is to ensure that the audiovisual Internet - the equivalent of radio and television online - has some shelf space for Canadian content.

October 24, 2008 - The Tyee: Why Did I Buy CanWest Stock? by Marc Edge
FRIENDS says that with a slumping stock price and financing deal with Goldman Sachs, it is possible that the Asper family could lose control of CanWest.

September 20, 2008 - CBC News: Dion promises more support for arts
Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion questions a Conservative party fundraising letter (released by FRIENDS) in which supporters are asked if the CBC is a good or bad use of taxpayers' dollars.

September 20, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Dion makes $530-million in promises for arts, culture by Andy Blatchford
Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion says the Conservatives are polling people about whether they feel the $1.1-billion budgeted for the CBC is money well-spent.

September 5, 2008 - Vancouver Sun: The New CBC Radio 2: Listeners rebel, broadcaster hangs tough by Nicholas Read
A CBC spokesman has admitted that the broadcaster has received "thousands" of complaints about its decision to change Radio Two from a mainly classical music format to one emphasizing pop, jazz and blues.

August 22, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: Radio 2 changes are for the better by Chris Boyce
The Toronto Program Director for CBC Radio says new Radio 2 programming will better fulfil CBC's mandate of representing the musical diversity of Canada.

August 20, 2008 - Torontoist: The All-New CBC Radio 2 Is For You
FRIENDS says CBC Radio 2 moving away from something only the public broadcaster can do towards programming many private broadcasters already do.

August 19, 2008 - Canadian Press: CBC Radio Two scales down classical music as part of fall relaunch
FRIENDS research indicates that what CBC Radio Two's average 1.1 million listeners per week like best about the station is classical music.

August 19, 2008 - Ottawa Citizen: CBC to announce Radio 2 remake in pursuit of younger audience by Chris Cobb
FRIENDS says CBC is substantially moving away from its responsibility to transmit world classical culture to new generations of Canadians.

July 31, 2008 - Playback: The Small Screen: Rogers looks to forge new identity for CityTV by Tamsen Tillson
FRIENDS says the organization is watching the Rogers takeover of CityTV closely to ensure commitments of the sale are honoured.

July 26, 2008 - Vancouver Sun: Olympics beamed to a TV or BlackBerry near you by Don McGowan
Broadcasters hope new media technology will lead to lucrative new forms of revenue and a wider/younger market for their content.

July 11, 2008 - Variety: Entertainment One makes power play by Brendan Kelly
FRIENDS says Entertainment One is bringing together former players from Alliance Communications in a "critical mass of talent and capacity."

June 19, 2008 - Toronto Star: CRTC report finds `strong growth' at cable firms by Rita Trichur
FRIENDS says record profits for Canada's cable and satellite companies demonstrate the existing TV distribution system works well.

June 9, 2008 - Toronto Star: A lesson for today's politician: Get yourself on YouTube by Fraser MacLean
Dalton Camp Award winner says YouTube is bound to play a key role in the next federal election.

June 5, 2008 - Canadian Press: CRTC says private broadcasters, CBC should have separate financing for TV shows by Julian Beltrame
FRIENDS agrees with CRTC recommendation to keep the status quo on Canadian content rules for the CTF.

June 1, 2008 - Canadian Press: Mass audience or culture? Changes in fund will impact shows on Canadian TV by Julian Beltrame
FRIENDS says recommendations on the reform of the Canadian Television Fund will reveal whether the CRTC has the courage to stand up to the cable companies.

May 29, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Denying tax credits for films could kill industry, Gross says by Gloria Galloway
Actor Paul Gross tells the Senate banking committee that Bill C-10, which proposes to deny tax credits to productions deemed "contrary to public policy," could spell the end of his industry.

May 24, 2008 - Globe & Mail: Jeopardy! to bump Marketplace from its slot by Marsha Lederman
FRIENDS says CBC should be running Canadian programming, not U.S. syndicated shows like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.

April 27, 2008 - Toronto Star: 'It'd be nice to work where I live' by Bruce DeMara
FRIENDS mentioned in an article about the reasons why Toronto actors, such as RH Thomson, have challenges finding work in their home community.

April 24, 2008 - Playback: TQS news cuts set stage for fight in Ottawa by Patricia Bailey
FRIENDS says plans to shut down TQS news outlets across Quebec likely won't happen because it goes against CRTC rules and could hamper Prime Minister Stephen Harper's chances of winning seats in Quebec.

April 24, 2008 - Canadian Press: Fiery hearings on Canadian TV's future end by Julian Beltrame
FRIENDS says the Canadian broadcasting system is an ecosystem where each of the components is inextricably linked so that a change in one will affect the others.

April 17, 2008 - Mediacaster: Canadian Television in Jeopardy
Interview series on ichannel's @iSSUE, one episode of which features FRIENDS' Ian Morrison, addresses issues arising from CRTC broadcast distribution hearings.