The #wantCancon Twitter Discussion

The #wantCancon Twitter discussion was prompted by a recent announcement by Telefilm Canada and the CMF (Canada Media Fund) that they were launching an national initiative in April to enhance visibility and expand audiences for Canadian content. Check out the press release HERE.

"The goal is to establish dynamic public-private partnerships, to generate innovative ideas and locally tailored solutions to improve the visibility of, and demand for all Canadian content: feature film, television and interactive digital media."

This initiative was no doubt inspired by the lack of success of the infamous 5% solution - a Telefilm devised measuring stick of Canadian film performance via box office returns - thus causing a need to reevaluate the ruler and 'move the goalposts' as it were...outlined HERE. But since I've seen a lot of studies get commissioned and reports get reported and initiatives get initiated over the years - which usually meant waiting a year or so for a bound pretty printed document to be released that would, after a lot of meetings and consultations and lobbying and hearings, explain the 'state of the industry' and a list of 'ways to fix or improve it'...but wouldn't really, or at least wouldn't seem to go far enough because nobody wants to upset the applecart too much or something. So I figured: Hey I know a lot of smart industry people with good ideas about how to increase visibility and demand of Canadian content....why wait...let's start talking now, on Twitter.

I've posted the transcript mostly just to have a record of this valuable and informative discussion, but also to demonstrate how difficult achieving any new initiatives will be. The problems with visibility and demand for our Canadian Film & Television & New Media industry have been the same problems for a long long time. For example, read this piece by John Harkness entitled "3 Modest Proposals for the Canadian Film Industry" written over 15 years ago HERE. And then read this article summarizing a Canadian Film Industry policy review written more than 5 years ago HERE. It's shocking how many of the problems in our business still exist today and sobering how many of the suggested proposals or changes could work but still haven't been implemented or tried even. Because the changes would be radical. And no one likes radical change.

The following is a transcript of the hundreds of tweets contributed by dozens of generous tweeters. I also know of several dozen sidebar discussions about same subject that went on at the same time but didn't use the #wantCancon hashtag. I know it is kinda hard to follow because of the Twitter 140 character restriction, but if you read with attention it more or less tracks. A lot of really great suggestions were made and, yes, radical ideas for change were presented...thanks to all who played for playing.



Transcript from March 12, 2011 to March 17, 2011


March 12, 2011

6:49 pm wcdixon: Read the Telefilm/CMF release http://bit.ly/eHxgZ9 and let's start listing strategies to increase demand/visibilty at #wantCancon

6:51 pm wcdixon: Seriously, why wait for a report released a year from now? List strategies for increasing demand and visibility of Cancon at #wantCancon

8:41 pm DecencyLegion: Start by replacing anybody at Telefilm with more than 5 years seniority. Why keep rewarding failure at mapping the future. #wantCancon

8:42 pm DecencyLegion: They do it with a losing hockey or baseball team and it works. #wantCancon

9:04 pm wcdixon: @DecencyLegion Well if you're gonna follow that path you should replace the development & production execs at most of the TV networks. #wantCancon

9:05 pm wcdixon: @DecencyLegion And in feature film land replace most of the decision makers at most of the Canadian distribution companies. #wantCancon

9:13 pm wcdixon: I actually wasn't going to go to the 'just make good shows' place as strategy to increase demand/visibility for Canadian content... #wantCancon

9:15 pm wcdixon: 'Good shows' is very subjective...better shot at success taking aim at gatekeepers - movie exhibitors, TV networks, and ISP's. #wantCancon

9:18 pm wcdixon: More Cancon on more movie screens/TV channels/websites all being better promoted will go long way to increase demand/visibility #wantCancon

9:21 pm wcdixon: And I DON'T believe the answer is to do more US/Canada movie or TV co-productions or relax funding rules to allow Hollywood types in #wantCancon

9:23 pm JasonChesworth: RT @wcdixon: I DON'T believe the answer is to do more US/Canada movie or TV co-productions or relax funding rules to allow Hollywood types in #wantCancon

9:33 pm lol_tori: Interesting discussion on this hashtag #wantCancon

9:56 pm ZaNiaCmedic: As @heywriterboy said, CanCon shouldn't mean more beavers on screen. Anything written by a Cdn will have CanCon perspective. #WantCanCon

10:03 pm wcdixon: RT @madpulpbastard Remove simulcasting. It has undercut you... Don't try to be "Hollywood North"...be different to be noticed. #wantCancon

10:28 pm DecencyLegion: Agree w/ @heywriterboy & @madpulpbastard Much good Cancon never passes gatekeepers if there's no Beavers or US copycatting (1/2) #wantCancon

10:30 pm DecencyLegion: Canadian Gatekeepers need to be directed to serve Canadian audiences and artists first. The latter come from the former. (2/2) #wantCancon

10:58 pm prairiecunning: RT @DecencyLegion: Canadian Gatekeepers need to be directed to serve Canadian audiences and artists first. The latter come from the former. (2/2) #wantCancon
11:13 pm madpulpbastard: @DecencyLegion @wcdixon - the important thing is the CON not necessarily the CAN. #wantcancon #anyconthatsgood


March 13, 2011

12:33 am debnathan: What would happen if bcasters had to pay the full shot for CanCon. No govt handouts or subsidies. #wantCancon

1:39 am carolinegodin: Marketing money. Give producers access to marketing $$ to promote shows at home since most networks won't do it. #wantcancon

1:40 am carolinegodin: Also reinstate federal export marketing fund that got killed about 3 years ago. #wantcancon

1:41 am carolinegodin: Change rules so channels can't count shows as Cancon in logs if the producer pays for the airtime. It's double dipping. #wantcancon

1:42 am jill380: RT @carolinegodin: Marketing money. Give producers access to marketing $$ to promote shows at home since most networks won't do it. #wantcancon

1:44 am carolinegodin: Add sliding scale so shows lose % value in logs after 5 yrs. Flashpoint & Littlest Hobo count for same % of Cancon for CTV. #wantcancon

1:46 am jill380: @carolinegodin great ideas. everyone of them #wantcancon

2:00 am RobboMills: RT @carolinegodin: Marketing money. Give producers access to marketing $$ to promote shows at home since most networks won't do it. #wantcancon

2:01 am RobboMills: RT @ZaNiaCmedic: As @heywriterboy said, CanCon shouldn't mean more beavers on screen. Anything written by a Cdn will have CanCon perspective. #WantCanCon

2:54 am wcdixon: RT @carolinegodin: Change rules so channels can't count shows as Cancon in logs if the producer pays for the airtime. It's double dipping. #wantcancon

2:54 am wcdixon: RT @carolinegodin: Marketing money. Give producers access to marketing $$ to promote shows at home since most networks won't do it. #wantcancon

2:54 am wcdixon: RT @carolinegodin: Add sliding scale so shows lose % value in logs after 5 yrs. Flashpoint & Littlest Hobo count for same % of Cancon for CTV. #wantcancon

2:58 am wcdixon: Keep Japan in our thoughts, but also keep listing suggestions and strategies for increasing demand/visibility of Cancon at #wantCancon

3:00 am wcdixon: RT @debnathan What would happen if broadcasters had to pay the full shot for their Canadian content. No government handouts or subsidies. #wantCancon

4:19 am DecencyLegion: Like Caroline's take on marketing and logs. Removing stale dated product would offer more new content options. Then market them! #wantCancon

4:40 am wilzmak: Howzabout we realize culture can't be mandated, monitored, graded, cajoled, imposed, stimulated, compelled, or tallied. #wantCancon

4:44 am wilzmak: Let's STOP talking about "culture." Let's not fall into that trap anymore. That quicksand. That straw man. #wantCancon

4:44 am heywriterboy: @wilzmak AGREE. Let Culture Take Care of Itself! #wantCancon

4:49 am garryoakgirl: @wilzmak okay, so we do what with Canada Council, CMF, arts councils, etc? #wantCancon

4:55 am wilzmak: There is no such thing as Canadian CONTENT... #wantCancon

4:56 am wilzmak: When cooking, would you say "butter" is French content? Nope... #wantCancon

4:58 am wilzmak: I repeat. There is no Canadian content, only Canadian EXECUTION. And that should be promoted, celebrated, & encouraged. #wantCancon

5:00 am wilzmak: Be rid of them - @garryoakgirl: okay, so we do what with Canada Council, CMF, arts councils etc? #wantCancon

5:01 am garryoakgirl: @wilzmak NO Cdn content? Repeat yet again. We have no stories, no traditions...? #wantCancon

5:06 am wilzmak: @garryoakgirl Traditions & stories we have. Plenty of them. They shouldn't become mandates. #wantCancon

5:23 am SCCreativeDev: RT @wcdixon: More Cancon on more movie screens/TV channels/websites all being better promoted will go long way to increase demand/visibility #wantCancon

5:29 am heywriterboy: .@wilzmak THORNE a total CRACKER show. Sandra Oh shows up with ridiculous Brit accent. Quebec, Can tax credits, CMF money. WTF? #wantcancon

5:30 am heywriterboy: Countries love to partner with Canada cuz we sellout our writers for a few editing & VFX jobs. #wantCancon means Canadians above line, period.

5:32 am wilzmak: Try it this way: Gov. should not promote Canadian stories, themes, content, etc. They should promote *Canadians.* Full stop. #wantcancon

5:36 am Gharv: +1 - RT @wilzmak: : Gov. should not promote Canadian stories, themes, content, etc. They should promote *Canadians.* Full stop. #wantcancon

5:38 am MediaObsessed: RT @heywriterboy: Countries love to partner with Canada cuz we sellout our writers for a few editing & VFX jobs. #wantCancon means Canadians above line, period.

5:43 am joebodolai: RT @heywriterboy: Countries love to partner with Canada cuz we sellout our writers for a few editing & VFX jobs. #wantCancon means Canadians above line, period.

6:13 am carolinegodin: @heywriterboy @wilzmak Agree re: Thorne. Terrible. IMHO, CMF as is should be nixed. Change solely to tax credit system. #wantcancon

6:22 am carolinegodin: @heywriterboy @wilzmak I'm not against co-pros if they're done right. Murdoch Mysteries good example of right way. #wantcancon

6:22 am heywriterboy: I no longer think the #CMF or the #wantCancon system can be fixed. Govt. & Networks don't want it, bureaucrats serve selves, public doesn't care.

6:24 am RobboMills: RT @carolinegodin: @heywriterboy @wilzmak Agree re: Thorne. Terrible. IMHO, CMF as is should be nixed. Change solely to tax credit system. #wantcancon

6:26 am carolinegodin: Other peeve re #CMF is versioning fund. If you didn't get CMF but make a language sale, you don't qualify. Adds insult to injury. #wantcancon

6:27 am RobboMills: Only reason gov funding agencies exist is cuz of over reaction to 70's loophole abuse & US lobby pressure. #wantcancon

6:28 am RobboMills: Simple & effective tax incentives to invest will solve it. Good luck dismantling status quo bureaucracy & defying US media lobby #wantcancon

6:29 am RobboMills: Treat it like a true "industry" & give a reason for banks & other deep pockets to play for profit. Otherwise - fuck off. #wantcancon

6:30 am carolinegodin: Also think that simulcast as is is antiquated. Either grant to any channel regardless of tier or eliminate entirely. #wantcancon

6:32 am RobboMills: All other arcane endeavours & subsidies are doomed to a self imposed structure of failure. Let it make money. #wantcancon

6:33 am RobboMills: @carolinegodin Regional production lies outside of core funding issues. Let overall industry exist in profit making structure first. #wantcancon

6:34 am RobboMills: @carolinegodin Incentives to regions should not form the basis for an entire industry structure. That is gravy. #wantcancon

6:35 am RobboMills: @carolinegodin Make it all work as a business. Make it worthwhile to attract private investment. Then incentivise regions. #wantcancon

6:36 am RobboMills: @carolinegodin US lobby in the '70's (and beyond) pushed for unmanagable bureacratic fund. Stifles true market competition. #wantcancon

6:38 am RobboMills: @carolinegodin Manage the tax issues more effectively to create environment for private & corporate investment. Kill the funds. #wantcancon

6:39 am RobboMills: But how likely is any of that to happen once it's all become so well entrenched? #wantcancon #nobodyreadthereportbyfrancisfoxdidthey

6:40 am RobboMills: We are expected to behave like a "business" but we're not allowed or encouraged to be funded like a "business". #wantcancon

6:41 am juepucta: RT @RobboMills: We are expected to behave like a "business" but we're not allowed or encouraged to be funded like a "business". #wantcancon

6:41 am RobboMills: Canadian Content will assert itself & find a world wide audience when the creation of it is treated like a legitimate business. #wantcancon

6:41 am RobboMills: And not like a pathetic cottage industry. #wantcancon

6:44 am rachlanger: Reading through the #wantcancon tweets and getting marginally depressed.
7:20 am jennicaharper: Fund movies & series with a strong genre. Full-on comedy, rom-com, action, sci-fi. Not the apologetic versions of same. #wantcancon

8:18 am madpulpbastard: RT @wilzmak: I repeat. There is no Canadian content, only Canadian EXECUTION. And that should be promoted, celebrated, & encouraged. #wantCancon

9:13 am DecencyLegion: RT @wilzmak: Govt. should not promote Canadian stories, themes, content. They should promote *Canadians.* #wantcancon >> Wilz nails it!

2:54 pm rossmckie: RT @Gharv: +1 - RT @wilzmak: : Gov. should not promote Canadian stories, themes, content, etc. They should promote *Canadians.* Full stop. #wantcancon

3:23 pm wcdixon: RT @carolinegodin Also think simulcast as is is antiquated. Either grant to any channel regardless of tier or eliminate. #wantcancon

3:23 pm wcdixon: RT @RobboMills Treat it like a true "industry" & give a reason for banks & other deep pockets to play for profit. #wantcancon

3:27 pm wcdixon: RT @RobboMills Cdn Content will find a world wide audience when the creation of it is treated like a legitimate business. #wantCancon

3:28 pm wcdixon: RT @jennicaharper Fund movies & series with strong genre. Full-on comedy, rom-com, action, sci-fi. Not the apologetic versions. #wantCancon

3:31 pm wcdixon: Keep listing suggestions/strategies for increasing demand/visibility of Canadian content at #wantCancon - while keeping Japan in thoughts.

3:36 pm wcdixon: RT @BrentPiaskoski If showrunners ran TV not people who fill out the tax credit forms there'd be more shows Cdns want to watch. #wantCancon

3:43 pm Gharv: +1 - RT @wcdixon:RT @RobboMills Treat it like a true industry & give a reason for banks & other deep pockets to play for profit. #wantcancon

3:56 pm filipterlecki: Dear #wantCancon - Create more opportunities for emerging writers + young content creators. Creative Incubators, mentorships etc

3:58 pm filipterlecki: Think globally not small town locally #wantCancon

4:10 pm inkcanada: catching up with bemusement on #wantcancon thread. A discussion about Canadian Content - spirit, policy & reality. By CanCon creators.

4:10 pm RobboMills: @inkcanada Yeah - we're baring a teeth a little - which is good. :) #wantcancon

4:12 pm garryoakgirl: @Gharv @wcdixon @RobboMills Ok then - let the privates compete (except kids & news), no minimum Cancon, but pay for privilege 1/2 #wantcancon

4:13 pm inkcanada: @RobboMills I'm most impressed by the ubiquitous, subtextual (??) bash of the Cultural agenda. The *other* source of CanCon. #wantCanCon

4:13 pm garryoakgirl: @Gharv @wcdixon @RobboMills No funds, but $ goes to CBC for a Ch4-like outlet with separate operation outside of T.O. - 24/7 Cdn. #wantcancon

4:15 pm inkcanada: and because I find the topic late, I wonder if you've already baldly, honestly addressed Concept - protectionism, #wantcancon creators?

4:17 pm garryoakgirl: @wilzmak Mandated by whom - Govt? B'casters? Much depends on who is doing that. Where do you see barrier? #wantCancon

4:18 pm RobboMills: @garryoakgirl @Gharv @wcdixon Whatever alternative is created it needs to be sustainable & not play role of gatekeeper. #wantcancon

4:19 pm RobboMills: @garryoakgirl @Gharv @wcdixon Investment incentives will draw funding from sources interested in profit. #wantcancon

4:19 pm RobboMills: @garryoakgirl @Gharv @wcdixon Not subsidized pseudo profit. #wantcancon

4:19 pm rossmckie: RT @Gharv: +1 - RT @wcdixon:RT @RobboMills Treat it like a true industry & give a reason for banks & other deep pockets to play for profit. #wantcancon

4:20 pm garryoakgirl: @RobboMills @Gharv @wcdixon Fewer than 6% of Hollywood productionss ever make a profit. Want to play in that pool? #wantcancon

4:21 pm RobboMills: @garryoakgirl @Gharv @wcdixon Added incentives for content "deemed Canadian" sounds good but impossible to meaningfully quantify. #wantcancon

4:22 pm RobboMills: @garryoakgirl @Gharv @wcdixon Yeah! It's a risky fucking business. #wantcancon

4:22 pm garryoakgirl: @RobboMills @Gharv @wcdixon There will always be some kind of gatekeeper. #wantcancon

4:23 pm NilsSorensen: Sounds good on paper, but creative that must "speak to Canadians" doesn't always equal business/critical success. #wantCancon

4:24 pm RobboMills: @inkcanada @klashton27 @garryoakgirl I keep referring back to report Francis Fox wrote before birth of Telefilm. No one remembers it. #wantcancon

4:25 pm RobboMills: @garryoakgirl @Gharv @wcdixon Yes - but make gatekeepers about business - not deciding if MY content is Canadian. #wantcancon

4:26 pm NilsSorensen: If series/movie is creatively accessible and enjoyable when compared to US creative, it will speak to Canadians by default. #wantCancon

4:26 pm RobboMills: @garryoakgirl @Gharv @wcdixon If gatekeepers of $$ operate from a "fund" there is immediately limited resources. #wantcancon

4:27 pm garryoakgirl: @RobboMills @Gharv @wcdixon Problem is that if NOT "cultural", biz could come under NAFTA, and then we're screwed #wantcancon

4:27 pm RobboMills: @garryoakgirl @Gharv @wcdixon Changing investment rules to encourage private $ opens up larger sums for greater quantity & quality #wantcancon

4:27 pm garryoakgirl: @RobboMills @Gharv @wcdixon And every govt wants to stamp its philosophy on "culture" and creates policy to reflect that. #wantcancon

4:28 pm fatone: @inkcanada Interesting thread. If I were on my desktop Twitter client, I'd chime in. (Mobile is too restrictive.) #wantcancon

4:28 pm RobboMills: @garryoakgirl @Gharv @wcdixon We're already screwed! We've been screwed for the past 30 years. #wantcancon

4:29 pm RobboMills: @garryoakgirl @Gharv @wcdixon This should NOT be a vehicle for Government Posing. Treat it like a business! #wantcancon

4:30 pm RobboMills: I need more coffee. Or maybe some laudanum. #wantcancon

4:31 pm klashton27: Most frustrating part of about #wantCanCon convo! RT @inkcanada: @debnathan @klashton27 Bloody 140 characters, right? lol

4:33 pm inkcanada: @klashton27 we'll do an email one (starting to video them as well) so I'll send Q's well in advance - u get to as you can, deal? #wantcancon

4:33 pm RobboMills: You want govt policy that'll have true impact on growing an audience for CanCon? Regulate distribs like radio. Good luck on that. #wantcancon

4:36 pm inkcanada: @RobboMills lol and perhaps change fed funding thereof #wantcancon

4:40 pm inkcanada: @klashton27 (stoked, we're over due for you, thank you thank you et merci) #writers #wantcancon #cdnfilm #cdntv #cdndigital

4:48 pm RobboMills: @inkcanada I dunno. It worked for the music industry - but theatrical distribs here are so in the pocket of US studios. #wantcancon

4:48 pm RobboMills: @inkcanada And the broadcast environment is in meltdown like the music industry as it absorbs into the net. #wantcancon

4:50 pm RobboMills: @inkcanada Any insistence on an agency =-run funding process is going to hold us back as new online distrib channels open. #wantcancon

4:52 pm inkcanada: @RobboMills I feel that's a good thing. every crisis is an opp #wantcancon

4:54 pm inkcanada: @RobboMills perhaps, but only if creators & producers continue to rely on ineffective systems. Creative biz models also flawed #wantcancon

5:02 pm inkcanada: @RobboMills 'deemed Canadian' agree whose definition? Postal code politics vs mass appeal. @garryoakgirl @Gharv @wcdixon #wantcancon

5:08 pm RobboMills: @inkcanada Agreed - creative biz models need to work as business not cultural handouts - encourage investment - money follows #wantcancon

5:09 pm wcdixon: Love the input, a complicated issue, but keep in mind #wantCancon discussion trying to focus on increasing demand and visibility of Canadian content.

5:09 pm RobboMills: @inkcanada And there IS a pantload of opportunity in these current crises. :) #wantcancon

5:12 pm debnathan: ?@DecencyLegion: RT @wilzmak: Gov. should not promote Canadian stories, themes, content. They should promote *Canadians.* #wantcancon >> Yes

5:15 pm debnathan: ?RT @RobboMills Cdn Content will find a world wide audience when the creation of it is treated like a legitimate business. #wantCancon?

5:20 pm wcdixon: Its always a debate between culture & policy & business, which ties to demand and visibility. #wantCancon

5:20 pm ZaNiaCmedic: For anyone interested, I have created a Yahoo! Group for #wantcancon at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wantcancon/ . Not ltd to 140 ch.

5:29 pm heywriterboy: Odd thing abt #wantCancon thread is I feel I have little to chime in that's new. I kinda ranted abt this for 5 yrs. I'm tired.

5:29 pm HowDoWeFeel: RT @heywriterboy Odd thing abt #wantCancon thread is I feel I have little to chime in that's new. I kinda ranted abt this for 5 yrs.

5:31 pm heywriterboy: But if I was advising CMF & Telefilm on #WantCancon, I'd say, "Go to L.A. & ask CDN expats to talk about contempt they experienced before they left."

5:34 pm heywriterboy: Convos I had in L.A. with expat writers should shame any CDN culturecrat. We hate creatives, drive them out, & then ask,"Why no success?" #WantCancon

5:57 pm ZaNiaCmedic: RT @wilzmak: Gov. should not promote Canadian stories, themes, content. They should promote *Canadians.* #wantcancon

5:57 pm prairiecunning: RT @heywriterboy: Convos I had in L.A. w. writers should shame any CDN culturecrat. We hate creatives, drive them out, & then ask,"why no success?" #WantCancon

6:08 pm DecencyLegion: One #wantCancon snag is that people with indexed pensions are managing the lives of artists who will never earn enough to retire (1/2)

6:10 pm DecencyLegion: System needs to feed those who create content not they who would define it or see it as an onerous cost of doing business. #wantCancon (2/2)

6:14 pm prairiecunning: RT @DecencyLegion: System needs to feed those who create content not they who would define it or see it as an onerous cost of doing business. #wantCancon (2/2)

6:47 pm seetsirbas: RT @heywriterboy: Convos I had in L.A. w. writers should shame any CDN culturecrat. We hate creatives, drive them out, & then ask,"why no success?" #WantCancon

7:00 pm seetsirbas: RT @RobboMills: Canadian Content will assert itself & find a world wide audience when the creation of it is treated like a legitimate business. #wantcancon

7:00 pm seetsirbas: RT @RobboMills: And not like a pathetic cottage industry. #wantcancon

8:33 pm debnathan: @garryoakgirl Isn't this #wantCanCon discussion about radical change?

8:47 pm wcdixon: RT @NilsSorensen: Sounds good on paper, but creative that must "speak to Canadians" doesn't always equal business/critical success. #wantCancon

9:20 pm wilzmak: Wanna buy a bridge in Brooklyn? RT @garryoakgirl: Fewer than 6% of Hollywood prods ever make a profit. Want to play in that pool? #wantcancon

9:37 pm wcdixon: On Friday Telefilm/CMF announced initiative to increase Cancon demand/visibility http://bit.ly/eHxgZ9 - we're discussing it here #wantCancon

9:42 pm wcdixon: Lots of great ideas and input on increasing demand and visibiity of Canadian content for film/TV/web ...keep chiming in at #wantCancon

9:44 pm garryoakgirl: @debnathan Trust me, I am all for radical change, but folks need to understand exactly what it will mean. #wantCanCon

9:49 pm wcdixon: Want to increase visibiity of Canadian content? Easy answer but make more of it, then promote it, then show/screen more often in more places. #wantCancon

9:51 pm wcdixon: Want to increase demand for Canadian content? Make more of it, show/screen more often, and promote shit out of it - SAY it's 'must see'. #wantCancon

10:34 pm wcdixon: .@debnathan So if not enough TV timeslots available or movie screens available, is it a policy or a business problem? #wantCancon

10:39 pm wcdixon: .@heywriterboy Even tho you blogged the #wantCancon topic to death you should still chime in. Blog can = soapbox. Twitter a group exchange?


March 14, 2011

12:22 am wcdixon: Get in on this discussion @HartHanson - they'll listen to you talking up #wantCancon

12:26 am weinmanj: @wcdixon re #WantCanCon is it reminds me of what cable networks in the US went through. They didn't just, zap, start making watchable shows

12:50 am wcdixon: As per @weinmanj are we too unrealistic (our shows should be as popular as US hits)? Or too pessimistic (we'll never be as good)? #wantCancon

12:52 am wcdixon: RT @HartHanson I want credit for screaming bout this stuff a decade ago. On the other hand so was everyone else, so, forget it. #wantCancon

12:52 am heywriterboy: CDN writers I've met who've gone to L.A. aren't more talented. They aren't always more successful. But they are more at peace. #wantcancon

12:57 am wcdixon: Let me try another tact - if you could implement ONE change to our industry in order to increase demand & visibility what would that be? #wantCancon

1:05 am daeganf: @wcdixon Let me tell a good story, regardless of where it's set and who it is about. #wantCancon

1:18 am wcdixon: RT @macFaddo star. system. RT @JasonChesworth what @macFaddo said. #wantCancon re: one change to increase demand/visibility of Cdn content.

1:20 am wcdixon: RT @debnathan Solution is networks pay for PNI without govt handouts/subsidies. Ratings/ad revenue become important, so better quality. #wantCancon

1:58 am wcdixon: RT @weinmanj It seems a business incentive will produce better programming than a 'keep your license' incentive... #wantCancon

2:00 am wcdixon: RT @weinmanj Compare how better kids programming was produced for business reasons than to comply w/ educational requirements. #wantCancon

4:37 am garnerhaines: RT @heywriterboy: CDN writers I've met who've gone to L.A. aren't more talented. They aren't always more successful. But they are more at peace. #wantcancon

4:37 am garnerhaines: RT @wcdixon: RT @HartHanson I want credit for screaming bout this stuff a decade ago. On the other hand so was everyone else, so, forget it. #wantCancon

6:44 am monagrenier: Government funding somehow based on viewership, not just on $ spent or "Canadianness" #wantCancon

1:33 pm srk_to: Excellent! RT @wcdixon: ..great ideas & input on increasing demand & visibiity of Cdn content for film/TV/web...keep chiming in at #wantCancon

1:42 pm cartoondutchie: I think where I'm confused is what Telefilm/CMF is trying to accomplish - promotion to B2B market or B2C market? #wantCancon

1:43 pm cartoondutchie: is the identified need awareness to get companies to buy our content, or get consumers to buy our content? #wantCancon

1:50 pm srk_to: @klashton27 The #wantCancon conversation is a good example of the follow-up needed -producers, etc. on how best to promote their own content

1:52 pm klashton27: @srk_to you may want to note that most of those in the #wantCanCon (and the originator of the hashtag) are creators rather than producers

1:58 pm srk_to: Thnx - stand corrcted! RT @klashton27: @srk_to ..most of those in #wantCanCon (& the originator of hashtag) are creators rather than producers

2:05 pm wcdixon: @klashton27 @cartoondutchie All questions will be answered in April! But we can still try to answer now...no? #wantCancon

2:11 pm cartoondutchie: @srk_to @klashton27 to be honest, I'm not sure how many Producers are even on twitter personally (other than IDM/gaming) #wantCanCon

2:11 pm wcdixon: Telefilm/CMF announcing initiative to increase Cancon demand and visibility - http://bit.ly/eHxgZ9 - we're discussing it here #wantCancon

2:12 pm wcdixon: Lots of good ideas/suggestions for increasing demand and visibiity of Canadian content for film/TV/web ...keep chiming in at #wantCancon

2:14 pm EmilyClaireAfan: RT @wcdixon: Lots of good ideas/suggestions for increasing demand and visibiity of Canadian content for film/TV/web ...keep chiming in at #wantCancon

2:15 pm motionpix: I think one must first understand the cancon 'brand' & what it inadvertantly represents to the public #wantCancon

2:16 pm wcdixon: RT @monagrenier Government funding somehow based on viewership, not just on $ spent or "Canadianness". #wantCancon

2:17 pm jill380: RT @wcdixon: Telefilm/CMF announcing initiative to increase Cancon demand and visibility - http://bit.ly/eHxgZ9 - we're discussing it here #wantCancon

2:19 pm amber_dowling: RT @wcdixon: Lots of good ideas/suggestions for increasing demand and visibiity of Canadian content for film/TV/web ...keep chiming in at #wantCancon

2:21 pm motionpix: RT @DecencyLegion: One #wantCancon snag is that people with indexed pensions are managing the lives of artists who will never earn enough to retire (1/2)

2:24 pm wcdixon: An aside re: at #wantCancon - most of the 'ways to increase demand/visibility of Cancon' tweets coming from writer/creators, not producers.

2:30 pm wcdixon: I also asked this question at #wantCancon: if you could implement ONE change to our industry to help increase demand/visibility what would that be?

2:31 pm klashton27: @wcdixon Get rid of simulcast so Cdn broadcasters are dependent on Cdn programming and have incentives to make it profitable #wantCancon

2:32 pm klashton27: @wcdixon ...at least in theory - what makes sense to us doesn't always make sense to Cdn broadcasters. #wantCancon

2:44 pm heywriterboy: @wcdixon When was last time you heard of a CDN Producer forced to go south cuz of lack of opportunity? Not being glib. Really wonder. #wantcancon

2:47 pm rossmckie: RT @wcdixon: Telefilm/CMF announcing initiative to increase Cancon demand and visibility - http://bit.ly/eHxgZ9 - we're discussing it here #wantCancon

2:50 pm debnathan: @klashton27 @wcdixon Thought simulcast tied to ad revenue. #wantCanCon

2:50 pm rossmckie: I actually had a #wantCancon dream last night. The hashtag called me on my cell. I said, "Well, I'm always her? (cont) http://deck.ly/~vfYS7

2:51 pm debnathan: @heywriterboy @wcdixon Don't get me started DMc. #wantCanCon

3:00 pm allthethinks: Aside from Film Centre- VERY few places for new writers to break in and gain experience, even when samples show promise. #wantCancon

3:04 pm allthethinks: 1st development internship in '05, I read scripts that hadn't seen eyes in 2 yrs. When it ended, next unpaid student brought in. #wantCancon

3:07 pm heywriterboy: .@carolinegodin Yet it's producers who often lead the charge toward the "bring back U.S. based CDN talent" & push 8/10 reductions... #wantcancon

3:09 pm allthethinks: How much did it actually cost to produce Kids in the Hall? I'm curious. #wantCancon

3:11 pm wcdixon: RT @carolinegodin Networks offering deals now making it impossible to break even let alone profit. No $$ for development anymore. #wantCancon

3:14 pm Gharv: So much time talking about fixing a system that is truly terminal? Rethink. Envelopes for webcasters run by content creators? #wantcancon

3:16 pm Gharv: +1 RT@carolinegodin Networks offering deals now making it impossible to break even let alone profit. No $ for development anymore. #wantCancon

3:19 pm allthethinks: With @Gharv I only watch traditional cable 2X a year when I visit my parents. The rest- online. Everything is in flux. #wantCancon

3:23 pm timstubinski: As a writer/creator who listens to the trials and tribulations producers deal with here to get things made, enjoying the subject #wantCancon

3:32 pm klashton27: @cartoondutchie @heywriterboy @srk_to That explains FB which is more push than convo - they're afraid of the convo (?) #wantCancon

3:34 pm wcdixon: A #wantCancon fix - remove value in logs for nets airing old Canadian TV shows/movies (Littlest Hobo gets same % credit for CTV as Hiccups).

3:34 pm wcdixon: This constant rerunning of old Cdn TV shows only reinforces negative 'Cancon' brand to general public...kills demand for more. #wantCancon

3:34 pm NormBolen: #wantcancon It is a great idea to make Canadians more aware of all the great shows and movies made by Canadian producers.

3:39 pm NormBolen: #wantCancon There is nothing wrong with rerunning Canadian shows. Sometimes reruns larger audience than original. A viewer is a viewer.

3:39 pm wcdixon: @NormBolen The #wantCancon thread isn't about making Canadians more aware of our shows but discussing 'how' to increase visibility/demand.

3:40 pm jasonjkee: In my view, any solution that focuses on Cdn b'casters or BDUs is at best a short-term solution... #wantcancon

3:41 pm jasonjkee: Rather, focus should be on leveraging global economy, promoting Cdn content to global market over domestic markets. #wantcancon

3:45 pm carolinegodin: @NormBolen I think running super old shows diminishes demand for newer ones, especially if they count same same in logs for way less $ #wantcancon

3:46 pm carolinegodin: @jasonjkee Jason, agree re: global but unless doing a treaty co-pro, you need to finance out of Canada/US to get shows made today. #wantcancon

3:48 pm wcdixon: @NormBolen Visibility can lead to awareness which can lead to demand....agreed. So listing ways at #wantCancon to achieve more visibility.

3:49 pm carolinegodin: @wcdixon Tax credits were orignally meant to build prodco infrastructure, foster development, bonus to not part of show budget. #wantcancon

3:50 pm HoboLittlest: .@wcdixon Solution clearly Hobo/Hiccups crossover. Ready to work. Still house trained; can Paul Gross say same? Woof. #WantCancon

3:51 pm carolinegodin: @wcdixon We're facing same situation UK prodcos did few years back, broadcasters essentially getting shows/dist rights for free. #wantcancon

3:53 pm srk_to: The sequel! RT @HoboLittlest: Solution .. Hobo/Hiccups crossover-Ready to work-Still house trained-can Paul Gross say same? Woof #WantCancon

3:54 pm cartoondutchie: @NormBolen Not the digital media products? :( #wantcancon

3:56 pm HoboLittlest: @carolinegodin @flashpoint_tv Hobo have no problem double dipping. Take multivitamin every day. Coat shiny; teeth strong. Woof. #wantCancon

3:59 pm EmilyClaireAfan: Great discussion happening over at the #wantCancon thread in response to Telefilm and #CMF's latest initiative: http://ow.ly/4e64q

4:14 pm cartoondutchie: IDM/gaming peeps: @jasonjkee and I seem to be the only ones commenting in #wantCancon in response to http://bit.ly/gOYzSc please participate!

4:14 pm EmilyClaireAfan: RT @cartoondutchie: IDM/gaming peeps: @jasonjkee and I seem to be the only ones commenting in #wantCancon in response to http://bit.ly/gOYzSc plz participate!

4:20 pm motionpix: How to raise demand #wantCancon comes down to hard work: positioning, build relationship w audience, marketing, promotion. No secret.

4:30 pm klashton27: Having a mother/daughter shopping March Break vacay day - way more fun than trying to solve #wantCancon

4:31 pm EgoAnt: IDM/gaming peeps: @jasonjkee & @cartoondutchie seem to be the only ones responding to http://bit.ly/gOYzSc plz participate! #wantCancon

4:45 pm frasermills: Call me callous, but if international demand was greater than domestic, that's ok. As long as industry is healthy, well funded. #WantCancon

4:51 pm wcdixon: RT @NormBolen Increasing visibility is another way of saying make Canadians more aware. Awareness leads to demand. #wantCancon

4:51 pm realjdwoodward: RT @wcdixon: RT @NormBolen Increasing visibility is another way of saying make Canadians more aware. Awareness leads to demand. #wantCancon

4:52 pm wcdixon: RT @frasermills If international demand was greater than domestic, that's okay. As long as industry is healthy, well funded. #wantCancon

4:52 pm jill380: RT @jaybushman i was just saying last night that for next year, instead of another #SXStarwars we should do #SXDegrassi. #wantcancon

4:53 pm srk_to: @garryoakgirl About time you put your 2 cents into #wantCancon

4:56 pm carolinegodin: @Gharv Not sure I agree. Our stories as currently defined by CM, no. But broaden the idea of what Canadian is and yes, they do. #wantcancon

5:01 pm wcdixon: Contrary to popular opinion Cancon brand NOT improved by 6 point shows like The Tudors. General public say: That's not Canadian. #wantCancon

5:03 pm carolinegodin: @wcdixon I don't think most civilians even know The Tudors is technically Canadian #wantcancon

5:03 pm Gharv: Ok listen to Patti Smith's 'Ain't it Strange' from Radio Ethiopia. For no other reason than it's good to dig it up! But still #wantCancon

5:04 pm frasermills: @wcdixon 6-point system is a good way to limit the amount of Cancon in our Cancon. Broadcasters benefit more than anyone else. #wantCancon

5:08 pm frasermills: @carolinegodin True, but lack of domestic demand for Cancon makes it harder to fuel private interest, int'l demand would help. #wantCancon

5:14 pm wcdixon: @frasermills Exactly. B'casters/producers/funders say 6 point shows increase visibility/demand but public don't perceive as Cdn. #wantCancon

5:23 pm garryoakgirl: @srk_to Hey! I'm on holiday... ;) #wantCancon

5:25 pm frasermills: @carolinegodin Very true. Hopefully #CMF announcement is step in right direction towards building stronger domestic industry. #wantCancon

5:46 pm wcdixon: RT @gregobr Cdn broadcasters need their own original content. Renting others' shows won't work as a business for much longer. #wantCancon

5:46 pm MrBobKerr: RT @wcdixon: RT @gregobr Cdn broadcasters need their own original content. Renting others' shows won't work as a business for much longer. #wantCancon

6:31 pm wcdixon: I 'get' this article & understand problem but stealing is still stealing...there's no honour among thieves. http://bit.ly/fuxJyM #wantCancon

6:37 pm carolaparnell: RT @EgoAnt: IDM/gaming peeps: @jasonjkee & @cartoondutchie seem to be the only ones responding to http://bit.ly/gOYzSc plz participate! #wantCancon

7:23 pm russellmcormond: @klashton27 Do you know if someone has blogged origins of #wantCancon ? Is it about CRTC/etc CanCon rules, or creation/access to CanCon?

7:28 pm russellmcormond: @jasonjkee We agree. Many of us want to move away from BDU's to alternatives for distribution, but still #wantcancon to be available!

7:28 pm russellmcormond: RT @jasonjkee: In my view, any solution that focuses on Cdn b'casters or BDUs is at best a short-term solution... #wantcancon

7:28 pm russellmcormond: RT @jasonjkee: Rather, focus should be on leveraging global economy, promoting Cdn content to global market over domestic #wantcancon

7:29 pm wcdixon: @russellmcormond #wantCancon started with me as response to Telefilm/CMF initiative to increase demand/visibility - http://bit.ly/eHxgZ9

7:32 pm wcdixon: @russellmcormond #wantCancon was about looking for ways to increase Cancon visibility/demand but has expanded to include creation & rules.

7:47 pm klashton27: @russellmcormond #wantCancon was started by @wcdixon in response to a particularly vague Telefilm/CMF release on Friday re promoting CanCon

7:48 pm russellmcormond: RT @wcdixon: @russellmcormond #wantCancon started with me as response to Telefilm/CMF initiative to increase demand/visibility - http://bit.ly/eHxgZ9

7:49 pm russellmcormond: RT @wcdixon: @russellmcormond #wantCancon started off looking for ways to increase Cancon visibility/demand but has expanded to include creation & rules.

8:14 pm wilzmak: #wantCancon on the film side, Telefilm could get out of prod financing & into P&A deals with distribs, based on guaranteed bookings = visibility

8:21 pm wcdixon: RT @prairiecunning Telefilm gets out of features and puts $ toward P&A/Marketing/Events and new platforms other than theatrical. #wantCancon

8:24 pm russellmcormond: .@klashton27 @wcdixon Curious what you think about the comments at http://ur1.ca/3imw9 @DecencyLegion @tv_eh #wantCancon #WantToPay4Cancon

8:29 pm russellmcormond: @wcdixon (Not stealing http://BillC32.ca/Jefferson_debate ) Is it helpful to complain ppl not paying when content not for sale? #wantCancon

8:35 pm prairiecunning: RT @wilzmak: #wantCancon on the film side, TF could get out of prod financing & into P&A deals with distribs, based on guaranteed bookings = visibility.

8:57 pm srk_to: #wantCancon Excellent level of discussion - your points will be pondered.

9:03 pm wilzmak: #wantCancon Question 1: how many US programs would bcasters buy if there were no sim-sub?

9:04 pm wilzmak: #wantCancon question 2: how would they attract eyeballs without it?

9:14 pm camdocorg: Popping the bubble( thinking outside the canconcastle in the air) is one of the few ways we can make people #wantcancon. Talk to people!!

9:15 pm wcdixon: The #wantCancon discussion should begin with questioning legal definition of a 'Canadian program', including 6pt system http://bit.ly/ij5wdk

9:22 pm wcdixon: @wilzmak No idea how many they'd buy if no sim-sub but guess it'd resemble CBC model, a few US shows lead into more Cdn shows? #wantCancon

9:27 pm wilzmak: @wcdixon they would buy more cable shows (FX, Comedy Cent, etc) and they would be competing with US bcast, just like cable... #wantCancon

9:27 pm frasermills: Fraser Institute, eh? They sound reputable! RT @wcdixon #wantCancon discussion should begin w/ questioning legal def'n of 'Canadian program'

9:28 pm wilzmak: @wcdixon ad rates would go down, but Flashpoint's 1.5 million viewers would become meaningful rather than an afterthought. #wantCancon

9:33 pm magelly: @wcdixon I wouldn't get involved in semantics, except where it pertains to funding. Reminds me of those jurisdictional debates. #wantcancon

9:40 pm wilzmak: Numbers: b-casters spent $846mil on foreign content. $75mil on #wantCancon. Less than 20% of their drama schedule is Canadian.

9:44 pm katiewolfgang: RT @wilzmak: Numbers: b-casters spent $846mil on foreign content. $75mil on #wantCancon. Less than 20% of their drama schedule is Canadian.

9:50 pm wcdixon: @katiewolfgang @wilzmak B'casters can spend that $846mil per year on foreign cuz small Cdn. spend fulfills license conditions. #wantCancon

9:52 pm prairiecunning: RT @wilzmak: Numbers: b-casters spent $846mil on foreign content. $75mil on #wantCancon. Less than 20% of their drama sched is Canadian.

9:52 pm wcdixon: @katiewolfgang @wilzmak And b'casters WILL spend that much on foreign content cuz of sim-sub benefit...& cuz they can afford it. #wantCancon

10:29 pm jasonjkee: @wcdixon @katiewolfgang @wilzmak Seems one of key Qs to consider is how to make bcasters WANT to increase Cdn spend #WantCancon

11:27 pm debnathan: @wcdixon @carolinegodin #wantCanCon They will never change by choice.

11:35 pm motionpix: Agreed @camdocorg Re: Talk to people (audience). Sometimes I get the feeling audience is forgotten in industry debates. #wantCancon

11:54 pm wcdixon: RT @EmilyClaireAfan: Great discussion happening over at the #wantCancon thread in response to Telefilm and #CMF's latest initiative: http://ow.ly/4e64q


March 15, 2011

1:01 am heavy_early: RT @wcdixon: RT @gregobr Cdn broadcasters need their own original content. Renting others' shows won't work as a business for much longer. #wantCancon

1:52 am lifeonqueen: RT @wcdixon: The #wantCancon discussion should begin with questioning legal definition of a 'Canadian program', including 6pt system http://bit.ly/ij5wdk

1:52 am lifeonqueen: RT @wcdixon: What technically counts as Cdn content vs. what general viewing public thinks or perceives is Cancon are two different things. #wantCancon

3:55 am klashton27: Great evening spent with Endgame and Out With Dad, problem with #WantCancon is clearly not the creativity!

4:08 am wcdixon: Endgame. New series. Showcase. Tonight. #wantCancon

4:37 am EndgameSeries: RT @wcdixon: Endgame. New series. Showcase. Tonight. #wantCancon

1:49 pm wcdixon: #wantCancon "Whose hashtag is this?" "It's a thread" "Whose thread?" "Thread's dead, baby. Thread's dead." #wantCancon

1:51 pm hipchic99: RT @wcdixon: Why wait until April? Why wait for a report to be released a year from now? List strategies for increasing demand visibility at #wantCancon

1:52 pm hipchic99: RT @wcdixon: Seriously, read Telefilm/CMF release http://bit.ly/eHxgZ9 and let's start listing strategies to increase demand/visibilty at #wantCancon

2:14 pm hipchic99: RT @inkcanada: catching up with bemusement on #wantcancon thread. A discussion about Canadian Content - spirit, policy & reality. By CanCon creators.

2:49 pm VittoriaCafolla: RT @wcdixon: #wantCancon "Whose hashtag is this?" "It's a thread" "Whose thread?" "Thread's dead, baby. Thread's dead." #wantCancon

6:03 pm DecencyLegion: If "Endgame" is what you get when you #wantCancon that's Beaver and Mountie free, I'm in. Great first show, Endgame guys.

6:25 pm PressPlus1: Want more CanCon? Find out more in our Canadian Film Section on Press+1: http://www.pressplus1.com/canadian-film.html #wantCancon

6:56 pm wilzmak: #wantcancon Just in case you thought Canadians were the only ones boohooing about taxes and content: http://t.co/88EKcnH

8:02 pm ZaNiaCmedic: @DecencyLegion I'm the opposite. If that's #wantCancon at its finest, I'm disappointed. I did not like #Endgame at all.

10:34 pm katiewolfgang: The Listener was CTV's highest-rated show last Tuesday, 1.1million RT @tv_eh: Ratings: Week of March 7 http://bit.ly/hRittA #WantCancon

10:34 pm ShaftesburyTV: The Listener was CTV's highest-rated show last Tuesday, 1.1million RT @tv_eh: Ratings: Week of March 7 http://bit.ly/hRittA #WantCancon

10:35 pm tv_eh: RT @ShaftesburyTV: The Listener was CTV's highest-rated show last Tuesday, 1.1million RT @tv_eh: Ratings: Week of March 7 http://bit.ly/hRittA #WantCancon

10:35 pm ennisesmer: RT @listenertv: The Listener was CTV's highest-rated show last Tuesday, 1.1million RT @tv_eh: Ratings: Week of March 7 http://bit.ly/hRittA #WantCancon

10:43 pm TSpencerNairn: RT @listenertv: The Listener was CTV's highest-rated show last Tuesday, 1.1million RT @tv_eh: Ratings: Week of March 7 http://bit.ly/hRittA #WantCancon

10:46 pm _Kiefer: RT @listenertv: The Listener was CTV's highest-rated show last Tuesday, 1.1million RT @tv_eh: Ratings: Week of March 7 http://bit.ly/hRittA #WantCancon

11:11 pm wilzmak: @wcdixon Streaming opens the door to Netflix competitors (output deals with studios) and they know exclusive content is needed. #wantCancon

11:17 pm wcdixon: @madpulpbastard @wilzmak But why do THEY already know exclusive content is needed and b'casters here in Canada STILL don't know! #wantCancon

11:21 pm madpulpbastard: @wcdixon @wilzmak - because they don't NEED to be original when they have simulcasting. They can use someone else's original. #wantcancon

11:55 pm wcdixon: @zaniacmedic @DecencyLegion One could nitpick at some of the setup and logic, but I thought Endgame held a lot of promise. #wantCancon

11:56 pm wcdixon: Hmmm...I wonder if Netflix Canada is going to #wantCancon of the original variety next? http://bit.ly/hvoG0n


March 16, 2011

1:38 am CaperWheelLady: RT @listenertv: The Listener was CTV's highest-rated show last Tuesday, 1.1million RT @tv_eh: Ratings: Week of March 7 http://bit.ly/hRittA #WantCancon

2:52 am RobboMills: RT @wcdixon: Hmmm...I wonder if Netflix Canada is going to #wantCancon of the original variety next? http://bit.ly/hvoG0n

3:24 am RainbowFrancks: RT @listenertv: The Listener was CTV's highest-rated show last Tuesday, 1.1million RT @tv_eh: Ratings: Week of March 7 http://bit.ly/hRittA #WantCancon

3:44 am _creeboy: @wcdixon Sarandos' comments about audience recommendations --> social marketing. relevant to your recent conversation. #WantCanCon

March 17, 2011
2:49 pm wcdixon: Written 15 years ago John Harness' "3 Modest Proposals for the Canadian Film Industry" STILL applies today. http://bit.ly/gKmNch #wantCancon

3:47 pm weinmanj: RT @wcdixon: Written 15 years ago John Harness' "3 Modest Proposals for the Canadian Film Industry" STILL applies today. http://bit.ly/gKmNch #wantCancon

3:49 pm lenmac1: RT @wcdixon: Written 15 years ago John Harness' "3 Modest Proposals for the Canadian Film Industry" STILL applies today. http://bit.ly/gKmNch #wantCancon

4:16 pm billybuck: When I get down on being in entertainment I perk myself up with a reminder that I'm not in the airline industry. #wantcancon

8:40 pm wcdixon: Last word for now on #wantCancon thread - 6 year old article sadly summarizes govt. review of Canadian Film Industry. http://bit.ly/dVIdfq


This is just scratching the surface to be sure - I know a lot more industry people who have ideas or suggestions but didn't see hashtag. And the shortness of tweets makes getting across ones point difficult, but it also keeps things moving and not bogging down in one person hogging the floor as it were.

Finally - this wasn't meant to be an attack on or indictment of the agencies or funds or the Canadian film/TV/web content making system in general, just spurring conversation and dialogue about a subject that means a lot to a lot of us. I hope it can be read with that in mind and taken for what it is...people talking and expressing themselves on Twitter... and that it *all* leads to a successful initiative.


EDIT: Jim Henshaw continues the Telefilm and #wantCancon discussion in a slightly more frustrated and critical (albeit justified) way over HERE...go read, comment, and let's keep talking.

To be continued...






!

I Say Make Em Pay

Last Friday the CRTC, our broadcast regulator, asked the federal government for a change to the law governing how it regulates TV networks, cable providers, radio broadcasters, etc. and requested the right to fine companies that don't follow regulations because (from THIS ARTICLE by Susan Krashinsky in the Globe & Mail), according to the CRTC "...too many companies in the broadcast system are breaking the rules..."

Too many companies? Wouldn't just one company be too many?

It's gotten embarrassing. Over the past several years we've seen networks arbitrarily change their programming to serve their need for more profit as opposed to continuing to service the conditions of license for channel they were assigned in first place. Or we've seen them make application after application to try to reduce their Canadian Content requirement percentages...these applications submitted after already making said reductions of course. And we've seen cable providers like Shaw Communications move channels around without 60 days notice or run advertising on community channels or on more than one occasion submit late payments to the Canada Media Fund which assists homegrown production. And don't get me started on the whole 'Save Local TV' vs 'Stop The TV tax' debacle....that shit should have earned everyone involved a big-ass fine.

The reduction of cable or TV network licence terms from seven years down to five or two years has been the only 'slap on the wrist' the CRTC has been able to impose on said guilty networks and cable providers, and it's meant nothing...rule-breaking continues to run rampant.

And I'm still trying to figure out Shaw's response in the Globe article to the CRTC's petition.

“It’s an interesting situation, the regulator appealing to the legislators,” said Ken Stein, head of regulatory affairs at Shaw. “…We don’t think fines are appropriate. I think the way to deal with things is for the chairman or the vice-chairman to pick up the phone. That’s the way it’s been done for 50 years.”

Pick up the phone and call to say: "Hey, you're breaking the rules!" To which the response has always seemed to be: "Uh, really? I don't think so. We'll get back to you on that. Or better yet, let's hold a hearing six months down the road and discuss it then." Yeah that's worked really well so far.

The article goes on to say:

The regulator’s issue is not only with cable companies. Since the beginning of this year, the CRTC has renewed 127 radio broadcast licences, and over half of those were given only short-term renewals because they had not complied with regulations – such as the requirement to keep program logs to show their stations were broadcasting at least 35 per cent Canadian content, for example.

Chairman Konrad von Finckenstein has also been vocal about the issue. Last April, in his presentation to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology in Ottawa, along with his comments on foreign ownership, Mr. von Finckenstein said the regulator should be able to fine companies, the same way it can telemarketers that violate the National Do Not Call List.

And I agree, even though some may disagree with me - the same some who feel the CRTC and Chairman Finckenstein serve no purpose and are only there to bow down and serve interests of the media conglomerates in this country. But I contest that if the CRTC were in fact in the back pocket of big media, they wouldn't be petitioning for right to fine the rule-breakers. They wouldn't be asking the government for the power.

I've written HERE BEFORE on the blog about the CRTC having no teeth and needing a bigger bat...hell, any bat...so they can not only police but actually enforce the broadcasting rules and regulations that currently exist out there.

But in order to give the CRTC the power to impose monetary penalties, Parliament would have to pass an amendment to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Act. I say Parliament should give the CRTC the power, and put no maximum on the fine amount. Why no maximum? Because with cable providers like Shaw and Bell and Rogers having gobbled up the majority of Canadian TV networks recently, a small fine will just be a drop in the bucket to these guys.

Make em pay...big. And let's see if that has any effect on them all playing by the rules. Hell, it certainly can't hurt. And if Parliament won't grant the power, well then maybe it is the time to look at disbanding the CRTC.

We Only Spend What We Have To or See Rule #2

Welcome to Canadian TV Network Club.

The first rule of Canadian TV Network Club: You only spend what you have to on Cancon or homegrown programming.

The second rule of Canadian TV Network Club: You don't talk about Rule #1.


As reported in The G&M and Hollywood Reporter, the CRTC recently released HERE the 2009 financial results for Canadian Specialty, Pay, Pay Per View, and Video on Demand (VOD) channels and services. And much like when financial results for conventional Canadian broadcasters were released in March HERE, there was a lot of hullabaloo on the Internets and the Twitter with people wondering why spending on foreign (primarily US) was up so much while spending on Canadian programming stayed pretty much the same (and in the case of drama on the conventional networks spending actually dropped).

From the CRTC Conventional Nets report:

The acquisition and production of programs represented 75.2% of all expenses, which came down from $2.1 billion in 2008 to $2 billion in 2009. Private broadcasters invested 3.3% less on Canadian programming last year, or $599.4 million compared to $619 million. In 2009, broadcasters paid $176.2 million to independent producers to acquire programming, which amounted to an increase of $30.2 million in one year.

Meanwhile, spending on foreign programming reached its highest level yet at 59% of all programming expenses, or $846.3 million. This total represented a 9.2% increase over the $775.2 million that was spent in 2008.

And from the CRTC Specialty/Pay Nets report:

In 2009, these services spent $1.08 billion on Canadian programming, which was roughly the same amount as the previous year. Of the overall programming expenditures, $357.1 million was paid to independent producers to acquire Canadian programs.

Although investments in Canadian programming were essentially at the same level, these services directed $521.8 million to foreign programming. This represented an increase of 36.7% from the $381.6 million reported in 2008.

So to recap...Canadian programming spend in both reports: flat or same as year before. Foreign programming spend, mostly U.S.: an increase from almost 10% to a whopping 37%!

And people were asking Why? How? WTF??

It's kind of simple really, and I assumed more people already knew this...the Canadian networks don't spend anymore on homegrown programming because they don't have to.

You see, there are these things called conditions of license. They are rules, or conditions, that are placed on a broadcaster when the CRTC grants them the permission and privilege of owning and operating the license of a television channel. And one of those rules, or conditions, include minimum Canadian content spend requirements. And I will make a huge, or not so huge, leap here and say the amounts spent by Canadian broadcasters each year on Canadian content = their minimum Cancon spend requirement, and probably not one penny more.

The truth is once they've doled out that minimum spend they're pretty much done in the Cancon department for that year. Of course, you won't hear it phrased like that exactly - more likely you'll hear: "We have something like this already." or, "We're not looking for new programs at this time." or even, "We've run out of money for development or program licenses for this year." But as the above reports reveal, they may have spent their minimum for Cancon, but they certainly haven't run out of money to spend.

And here is the kicker: you may walk in with the coolest slickest most totally accessible massively entertaining sure-fire winner concept for a movie or TV series ever...but if they've already spent their Cancon minimum required spend as per their conditions of license, they ain't buying. Believe it...I've asked why and have been told (I'm paraphrasing): "If it's 100% Canadian, there's nothing you could bring us, no matter how good, that could make us more money and do more for us as a network than buying an American show or movie can."

So there you go.

This is why I was a big fan of the "dollar for dollar spend" proposal put forward by many of the Canuck artist and craftspeople guilds and unions last year during the TV policy hearings - as in, requesting that for every dollar a broadcaster spent on foreign or US programming they had to spend the same amount on homegrown Canadian programming.

Not surprisingly the broadcasters lobbied against that, and won.

This is a problem...because no matter how many ways you try to spin it, Cancon always ends up being a loss leader of sorts - the necessary evil cost of doing the business of operating a television network in Canada. But maybe we're not supposed to be talking about this 'club'.

In many ways the problems of our indigenous TV industry mirror many of the problems facing our English language feature film biz (as outlined recently in a very even-keeled and informative post by Uncle Jim at The Legion of Decency HERE), or at least a reoccurring theme seems to be emerging, which is....we have a system set up in Canada that handsomely rewards a chosen few in some select clubs, but they're rewarded for doing the bare minimum required with little or no expectation of return.

And that's kinda screwy.



(PS - you don't wanna know what Rule #3 is...)

Killing Us Softly With Your Prolong(ing)

In Canadian Televisionville, the big stories of past couple weeks have been a new TV policy report from the CRTC and the release of the new CMF (Canada Media Fund) guidelines. But in my opinion, there is an even bigger story out there that hasn't been getting the press it deserves...though it was recently touched on by Karen Mazurkewich in the National Post Financial section (You can read the article HERE)

Canuck content providers are getting killed.

Arnie Gelbart has survived the cyclical waves of the Canadian broadcast industry before. But there is no way to sugarcoat this recession. "It's been a tough year," says the president of Montreal-based Galafilm Productions Inc.

"Canadian broadcasters ordered very little new material compared to other years," says Mr. Gelbart, who admits to laying off some of his staff last year.

Mr. Gelbart's fears-- and the overall production blues of the industry -- were lost in the cacophony around the CRTC hearings last November to determine whether or not cable operators should compensate over-the-air broadcasters for carrying their signals.

As the rhetoric flew in Ottawa, production houses wobbled.

You see, this past year has been a sort of 'wait and see' limbo for most TV and Film creatives and producers and craftspeople in Canada. Wait and see what the old CTF new CMF is going to look like. Wait and see if tax credit rebates in various provinces are going to go up or stay the same or be reduced. And most importantly, wait and see if our broadcasters will or won't receive some sort of value for signal or fee for carriage from the BDU's/cable/satelite providers (aka you the consumer) so everyone can get on the with business of MAKING CONTENT AGAIN!

But even though the CRTC granted broadcasters the right to negotiate value for signal, it still has to clear the Canadian courts and then and only THEN can the Broadcasters and BDU's get on with business of negotiating.

Wait and see.

"The way the issue had been framed, misdirected the discussion entirely," says Michael Prupas, president and chief executive of Muse Entertainment Enterprises. It devolved into a battle over the survival of local television versus a so-called television tax, he says. But it should really have been about the survival of Canadian production and whether or not cable and satellite would lift a hand.

--------------------------

How the industry reshapes itself going forward depends on how the CRTC will handle television licence renewals in 2011 and how much cash there will be for producers within the revamped Canadian Media Fund (CMF) now new media players and broadcasters can dip into it for some in-house production.

Also at stake is whether or not Canadian producers will be able to monetize their shows online, and increase sales in overseas markets. While international sales rose to $2-billion in 2008-09, they have not returned to the heights of 2002-03.

Yep, you read that right. It's the 2011 television licence renewals that are so important apparently, as in next year. And EVERYONE is still trying to figure out how to monetize online programming, not just Canadian content producers.

Wait and see.

Everywhere I look or turn, companies are laying off personnel or even closing down...very little new work is being commissioned...writers and producers are giving up....craftspeople and technicians are packing it in and finding another line of work. It's BRUTAL.

We're dying out here CRTC and Broadcasters and Cable Providers of Canada...you're killing us softly but surely with your song of indecision and indifference.

Do you even care?

CRTC Reports Make Me Crafty

Brain is still aching after wading through the CRTC's new TV policy report (HERE) from yesterday and today's Value of Local Television Signal report (HERE)...38,000+ words to suss and parse. And my puny thoughts thus far are that for every step forward there seems to be another step back or sideways...Denis McGrath covers it all really well in this overview HERE at Dead Things On Sticks...so instead I am going to continue what began this week in my Mamet post with more screenwriting crafty goodness.

The One Pager.

There's an excellent post HERE from the UK's Michelle Lipton on writing the "one page outline" or as she describes..."a one page selling document designed to generate interest in your project from producers."

I like this post a lot because even though we hear that producers and broadcasters need pilot scripts and bibles or mini-bibles or treatments or season arcs and character bios when you pitch them a potential project, if, at the end of the day you can summarize your concept in one clear concise effective and entertaining page, I feel you will come out further ahead more times than not. Prospective buyers or optioners of your projects will say they need all of the above to judge the value of your property, but in reality they don't really want to read all that stuff.

At least not at first.

As Lipton writes in her post:

I like to say what it is right at the top underneath the title so that whoever you’re giving it to knows what they’re reading before they start. I think it makes a difference to how you think about it as you go through the outline if you know it’s a one-off play, a long-running drama series, a three part serial, a sitcom or what have you. It especially helps to know whether it’s a comedy or a drama, and if it’s a specific genre, that helps too.

Logline

AN INTERESTING CHARACTER has a GOAL, in the way of which are various OBSTACLES which he overcomes/does not overcome and ultimately LEARNS SOMETHING.

This is a very formulaic approach to writing a logline, but it works. Telling your story in one sentence is not an easy thing to do well, and it might well take longer to get this right than it does to write the rest of the outline. But it’s worth it. It not only narrows your story down to its essence and keeps it clear in your mind what your story is really about, it helps a producer coming to your outline cold so they know what they’re being offered.

Look at it from the producer’s point of view. You’re busy working on loads of different projects in different stages of development. You’re honing pitches to take to commissioners, giving notes on drafts of scripts, dealing with casts and budgets and technical or practical problems on projects already in production, you’ve got media, marketing and press to deal with, agents and contracts and legal departments to worry about – and on top of all that, you’ve got a mountain of new material to wade through to decide which projects you want to put into development next. Some of these will be from agents, some will be from writers you already know or have worked with before, and some will be from writers you’ve never heard of who’ve dropped you a polite email asking if you’d like to look at their outline…

There is every chance that the project you, the writer, is developing and trying to sell, will be too close to another project already commissioned or in development for them to be able to take it any further. A producer might also have preferences about which genres or types of stories they’re personally interested in. If they can tell right from the off that this is a project they’re interested in because they’ve read a good logline summing it all up right at the start, they’re going to read the rest of your proposal with a more open mind.

I think Lipton's exactly right. And her post proceeds to walk you through the process section by section and makes some really good suggestions as to how to put your one page pitch...erm, outline...together. Seriously good...go read it. Now.


And as to whether having a good one page pitch will work in a new Canadian TV landscape after the CRTC decisions? Well, I need to reread those 38,000 words again to see if any of my current ideas would be appropriate for the likes of Star! or TVtropolis, which is where I could see a lot Cancon ending up in the very near future.

Obsolete Says What?

Next Monday afternoon the CRTC will release a TV Policy report including decisions on a group-based licensing approach to conventional television and on fee-for-carriage or value-for-signal. I'm hearing whispers that a 'skinny basic' cable package of local/Canadian TV channels will be created or recommended but channels won't be considered *must carry* anymore so negotiation of value for signal will need to take place between cable providers and TV networks...but who really knows for sure - we'll just have to wait and see.

But while you're waiting and seeing I suggest you go and watch The Great Debate panel that took place in Ottawa in February at Prime Time 2010. The topic was: Be it Resolved that Broadcasting and Distribution Regulations are Obsolete In an age of seismic shifts in content creation and consumption, what will be the role of the CRTC and of regulation in five or ten years time?

Find the video for the first part HERE at The CFTPA Channel. Actually, just start with PART 2...that's where it really gets going.

With 8 parts it's a long haul, but well worth your time.

Local TV: What Are We Saving Exactly...Again?

First, go read Uncle Jim's A Tale of Two Business Models...it's relevant to the following repost, and well worth reading. I'll wait.

A reprint, from May earlier this year, but in light of the CRTC hearings going on this week in Gatineau it seemed apropos to post again. And my story shouldn't be seen as support for the cablers or a direct attack on CTV...it's just a specific example against the argument being put forth by all OTA broadcasters now. And yes, this was written before the cabler/broadcaster battle devolved into an all out media war...but after watching a couple of days of the hearings, fee for carriage (oops, I mean value for signal) to save local TV and regional TV stations remains at the center of the storm.



On Saturday afternoon I stopped by the open house held at the CTV station in Regina which was part of the network's recent nationwide campaign to Help Save Local Television...a campaign that has seen more advertisements air on your TV set than for the promotion of any Canadian homegrown program that I can think of.

Below are the key talking points highlighted on the front page of the pamphlet they were distributing to the (unsuspecting) public:

Local television impacts everyone

Now is the time to hold the cable and satellite companies accountable

Current regulations in Canada allow cable and satellite companies to take CTV programming without paying for it. These companies then charge you, the consumer, for the programming they take from us for free. The satellite and cable companies that deliver the TV signal to your house are reaping huge profits at the direct expense of local Canadian TV stations.

Now YOUR local television station is in financial trouble, and we need YOUR help!

Local television stations should receive compensation from cable and satellite companies that carry our local programming.

First let it be said that I don't have a lot of love for the Shaw's, Rogers, and other cable and satellite companies across Canada (you can watch Shaw Cable's Ken Stein debate the issue with CTV's Jacqueline Milczarek HERE), but so much of the information in this CTV pamphlet is just dead wrong.

1) Cable and satellite companies don't take CTV programming without paying for it. Like Global and CBC, CTV is an Over The Air (OTA) network, which means you can receive it in your home with an antennae. For free. Cable, however, delivers a cleaner, clearer signal, and thus CTV chooses to have its signal/programming delivered via this mechanism because it reaches more eyeballs in a better quality form = higher ad revenue. Furthermore, because their signals are available freely over the air as per a priority carriage mandate means the OTA channels must be made available to and distributed by all cable/satellite subscribers.

2) Cable and satellite companies don't charge you, the consumer, for CTV's programming...they charge you for the pipe - the delivery mechanism for the TV signal. They built and implemented a television signal delivery system (cable or satellite) that they can provide you, the consumer, if you choose to subscribe, and that's what they are charging you for (thus, they are called 'cable providers').

3)Finally, your 'local' television station isn't in trouble, the CTV (or all OTA broadcasters for that matter) business model is in trouble. Like Global, CTV doesn't really offer much in the way of programming that consumers couldn't get if we could just choose U.S. networks on their own. It seemed only fitting this 'Save Local TV' open house took place the same time as Canadian network programmers landed in L.A. to spend spend spend on American shows for the new fall season.


There are four 'local CTV stations' in Saskatchewan, same as Alberta...whereas there is only one, CTV Winnipeg, in Manitoba and one, CTV British Columbia (essentially Vancouver) in B.C..


Regina's CTV station, CKCK, really only produces local newcasts. And between the four Saskatchewan stations they produce two news magazine-style series: the Prairie Farm Report and Farmgate, and Indigenous Circle, a weekly program dealing with Aboriginal issues at home and beyond.

How do I know this? Because I asked some of the helpful and smiling CKCK employees only too eager to Save Local TV: "What local programs are we trying to save?"

A woman mentioned the three above programs, though went on to add: "But we're just an affiliate - we just put on what the network says we have to put on. But there is the news!" I asked if the carriage fee (oops, value for signal) requested by the campaign would ensure the production of more 'local' programming. I got a lot of blank stares.

Then I asked when the Regina station was going to go HD, because even though I can view CKCK in analog on channel 6 on my cable channel dial (or channel 2 over the air), I tend to only watch my HD channels from my cable package...and in my cable package those signals come from either CTV Toronto(channel 509) or CTV British Columbia(channel 519) (...unless of course the U.S. scheduling of said program has messed with CTV's schedule and I receive the Lost or Law And Order simsub transmission from one of CTV's other 'A' Channel eastern affiliates like Barrie or Windsor or London or from Victoria in the west, complete with local commercials!).

So I asked: would my 50 cent per month carriage fee that the network is requesting of the CRTC going to support/save Regina's local station? Or Vancouver or Toronto or Windsor's local station? I again received blank stares, and some humming and hawing that they weren't sure about the HD going local but were sure that at least some of the money would come back to the Regina station.

Then I mentioned that most of the information in the pamphlets they were handing out was flat out wrong: that cable providers provide a delivery mechanism to consumers willing to pay for it...that's why they are called cable providers. And that's what we are paying for, the cable pipe, not the programming that CTV either produces or buys from the U.S. to simultaneously substitute their ads into.

I got some rather surprised looks and a lot of looking around. Then someone then asked if I was going to sign the petition (I said no). Then a hand was gently placed on my elbow and I swear someone whispered: "Look, we don't want any trouble here."

Trouble? For just asking a few questions? Anyway, I was getting some pretty cold looks so I edged my way out the door and beat a hasty retreat.


That's when I noticed yet another chartered bus arriving with another load of what appeared to be mostly senior citizens. Starstruck, they disembarked and tottered into the station gushing about how much they loved their local station. Not surprisingly, they didn't bat an eye when pressed to sign the petition. Sigh.

And I missed the balloon in the sky, Uncle Jim...but I did see them putting it back in the truck.



It was all smiles and hugs but frankly, smelled a little...funky, best exemplified IN THIS CLIP of CTV's Vice President, Corporate Affairs Paul Sparkes at the open house in Toronto answering questions from a CP24 reporter...lots of: "Oh let's not get bogged down by the details and clog our heads up with facts and truisms and regulatory lingo...isn't local TV great!"


Look, we know Toronto and Vancouver and Montreal will probably always have their own local news and some locally produced programs, but for the rest of us spread across the great land of ours, 'local TV' doesn't really exist anymore.

I get my U.S. signals from Detroit and/or Seattle. I get my Global signal primarily from Toronto and Vancouver, same for my CTV signal. CBC's feed also originates primarily from Toronto, but at least they adjust the times to fit the time zones so every show on the network comes on at the same time in each region. But I can't say the same for the U.S. feeds or Global and CTV feeds. In my neck of the woods, prime time begins either at 6pm (8pm EST) or 9pm (8pm PST).

Now it doesn't seem that long ago when our local CTV would produce daily talk shows and documentary series and even kids/drama programs. But today, other than the odd informational or newsmagazine show and a couple of newscasts a day I don't really have a local station anymore, and haven't for some time. And I would say the same goes for most of the other outlying regions in Canada.

So, the wrongness of the CTV campaign aside, whose 'local TV' would we be saving exactly?

I Love The Smell Of CPAC In The Morning...

DING! And there's the bell!

According to today's Toronto Star, "Today CRTC hearings are a battlefield again. It's the private broadcasters versus the cable and satellite providers. You, the consumer, are somewhere in the middle."

Read the rest of Iain Marlow's article HERE for the results of the weigh in.

And then at 8:30 am EST head over to CPAC and watch Round One HERE.

The hearing lasts ten days. There should be plenty of quick jabs followed by some low blows, but at end of the fight it's doubtful anyone will be smelling victory.


DAY ONE recap by Globe and Mail HERE and Toronto Star HERE.


And I will add that though not surprising, it was rather annoying to hear today the problems and issues facing the broadcasters/cablers and our industry while primarily using examples from Toronto and the Greater Toronto area...oh, and Ottawa and Brandon, briefly. This after a half a year national campaign to support 'local television'.

Pox News...And A Video Hankering To Go Viral

So, hearings begin Monday in Gatineau that will see Canadian broadcasters, cable companies, and a lot of those "creative" guilds parade in front of the CRTC to state their position and voice an opinion on fee-for-carriage/save-local-tv/stop-tv-tax for the third, yes the third, time.

I'm really not sure what else can be said that hasn't been said ad nauseam already about the topic...though an insider did tell me that the BDU's or the Broadcasters have been known to pull a new proposal out of their pants at a hearing. I'm holding my breath. Seriously!

But if you feel like you need a primer that goes beyond the battling ads/PSA's/Influencing Heritage Minutes? (WTF would you call them?) that you can't avoid on your TV sets because they air ALL. THE. TIME., then watch this decent debate of the issues that was on TV Ontario last night HERE (A Pox On Both Their Houses) or podcast HERE....and then check out this video put together by the Writers Guild of Canada.



And with that as the last word, for now, we'll see you Monday.

Funniest Things On TV Indeed

If you live in Canada, you've probably seen them. No, they're not any new sitcom or comedy program, but the 'usually aired back-to-back' ads from the TV networks and the Cable companies where they attack each other over whether the cablers should have to pay a fee-for-carriage for local programming to the casters....or the casters can charge fee-for-carriage for local programming to the cablers, depending on your perspective of course. 'Local' is the operative word here...a word that generally just means 'news' for the most part, and is getting misused and misrepresented here way more than not when you consider the reality of our Canadian "with loads of American shows and hardly any homegrown programs" television landscape.

Bill Glisky from the Belleville Intelligencer has a nice article on the topic:

That's because the funniest thing on television right now is a commercial. Two of them actually. And neither is intended to be funny; they just are.

The commercials in question are those pitting big cable companies against big television stations. Some stations have taken to regularly running them back to back, which adds to the amusement value.

The ads in question are based on the claim by Canadian television stations that cable stations should be forced to pay for "local" programming since they charge viewers a fee to provide cable service but don't pay anything for the programming itself.

The cable networks counter they shouldn't be forced to pay the television stations anything, in part because those stations already make lots of money through advertising, and that the television stations are simply seeking a government bailout.
Basically its two groups who between them make more money than anyone watching the commercials will see in their lifetime trying to win public support so they can either make more money or spend less.

Read the rest of Glisky's take HERE.

I'm not posting these ads with the intention of picking a side or a winner...there are no winners here, just losers.

First you have the Cable Companies fake 'man in the street' ad:



Funny!

Then you have the Broadcaster's 'ominous highlighted words' ad:



Funny too! What's also amusing is they ask you to "Join the conversation" at their website, yet they recently disabled comments on all of their 'articles' since the majority of them were critical of the campaign so there's not really much of a conversation going on.

They both play like those cheesy cheap smear ads you see during an election campaign. Butcept we, the consumer, don't actually get to elect 'the candidate' we believe in or support, as in there is no 'vote'...the casters and cablers are really just lobbying for CRTC sympathy for when they all gather for a hearing next month to try to hash out a solution...again.

Nope, we just have to watch and bear it. But hopefully we can also muster up a grin, because when you stop and look and listen and think about it all, it is pretty funny.

Well, Will It?

Deirdre McMurdy had some fun this weekend and writes up a nice piece about the on-going battle between the Canadian Broadcasters and Canadian BDU's (Cable/Satellite Providers)...a battle that reached embarrassingly childish proportions on Friday with their dueling press releases (first the BDU's, then the Broadcasters).

So here's the 411: The broadcasters, who used to fight all the time, have now become frenemies. They've formed an awesome clique that's, like, totally ragging the cable companies that carry and distribute their programming. They say the cable companies like Rogers and Shaw and Videotron should pay them something for the programs they've been getting for free. The cable companies are LOLing that and have become BFFs to push back. They say they'll pass that new cost on to consumers directly. OMG!

The official name for this whole issue is fee-for-carriage, although the two sides have tried to put Lip Smacker on it and put it into a more consumer-friendly package. The broadcasters call it a "Save Local Television" campaign (because they can't afford to support local tv stations unless they get more cash). The cable folks say it's a "TV tax." And they're throwing down on each other all over Twitter and Facebook.

They've been fighting about it for years: This fall, the federal regulator, the CRTC, is going to hear them squabble over who started the fight for the third time. Every single time this happens, it costs the broadcasters (who say they're pretty much broke) and the cable companies hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal and lobbying bills. This time around, that tab includes the price of aggressive advertising and marketing campaigns as well. And it costs taxpayers in terms of the time and effort of the CRTC staff.

Read the rest of the article HERE. I enjoyed it's playful tone and nice recap of the state of all things Broadcaster/BDU...though she never really answers the question posed in the title of the piece: 'Will "TV Tax" Save Canadian Television?'

Well, will it?

LPIF Redux

I'm going to repost my thoughts from last month on the Local Programming Improvement Fund as this blog's been swarmed over the past week via Google searches like:

What is this LPIF fee?
Why is there an LPIF fee on my bill?
What the hell is a LPIF fee?

And of course: LPIF WTF?

The reason for this sudden interest in the LPIF (Local Programming Improvement Fund) is that it's started showing up as a line item on people's September cable bills...as promised by the BDU's.

But there also seems to be a lot of confusion accompanying the apparent consumer anger with having to fork over yet another cable bill cost. You see, there's also the FFC or Fee-For-Carriage issue out there now and on people's radar....an issue that sparked a big fight between the Broadcasters and the Cable/Satellite Providers. Such a big fight that, as Grant Robertson reports, the government recently stepped in and gave fee-for-carriage its own special CRTC hearing in December to try to resolve the issue.

From the Globe & Mail:

In July, the CRTC opened the door for the networks to be compensated by the cable and satellite companies when it announced that it would allow negotiations between the two sides, and enforce an arbitrated solution if a compensation deal could not be reached.

However, the Conservatives are staunchly opposed to the proposal, which could be unpopular with some voters. Though the cable and satellite companies don't have to pass the cost on to customers, the major carriers such as Rogers Communications Inc., Bell Canada, and Shaw Communications Inc. have already said they will.

Yesterday's development (to hold another hearing in December) stems from a Canadian Heritage parliamentary committee hearing this summer, where the TV networks argued they need new funds to support struggling small market TV stations and to produce local programming.

Later in the article, the broadcasters chime in:

The big broadcasters were still optimistic, though, that the issue could go their way. CTV, CBC and Global are arguing their case together, arguing that the cable industry has been misinforming consumers with letters enclosed in bills that inflate the potential impact on their monthly invoices.

CanWest Global Communications Corp. said the hearings in December will be an opportunity to set the record straight on those figures. "I think what they're saying is consistent with what we're saying, which is that this is an important issue for consumers," said Charlotte Bell, senior vice-president of regulatory affairs at CanWest.

"I think it's important that consumers get the right information because this is about the future of local television. And the consumer is right in the middle of it."

"...this is about the future of local television. And the consumer is right in the middle of it."

"...to support struggling small market TV stations and to produce local programming."

And therein lies the confusion. This recent article is about FFC (fee-for-carriage), but it could just as well be about LPIF (local programming improvement fund). And most regular folks have been seeing it as such. As one commenter wrote: "Why am I paying a fee on my cable bill for improving local programming now when hearings won't be happening until December?"

Um. Because they're two different things. The broadcasters already received a fund to help local stations and local programming, the LPIF, and now they're seeking fee-for-carriage yet are still using the 'for local stations and local programming' argument (I'm guessing it gets more traction than the 'poor management and advertising dollars are down but we don't want to change our business model' argument).

Got it now? Make sense? I hope so, though I'm sure it won't make paying an extra cost on your cable bill (that wasn't supposed to be passed onto the consumer) any easier to swallow.