What Canadians are Saying
“We have received numerous emails, phone calls and even letters from our growing listener base from around the world in support for Local TV Matters. We heavily rely on CBC, CTV and Global to keep our listeners up to speed with what’s going on in our great city and around the world. If Local TV were to end, our broadcasting existence would fall.
Local TV Matters Has our 100% support for the Regulation of Cable TV.
I think I speak for everyone in this great and amazing country when I say, Let’s Take Cable TV Providers for a ride that will teach them a lesson for years to come and show them that the little guy always prevailed over the bigger guys. Keep Up The Great Work.”
Henry Eisenhauer aka Dj Shockz
Producer/Radio Talent
Halifax Online Radio.
“I had no idea that Bell, Telus, Rogers, Shaw, Eastlink, and all other cable / satellite suppliers across Canada were NOT paying any royalties to the local stations, which are the base price of MY current subscription, and I myself am outraged!!”
Steven J., Nova Scotia
“The cable and satellite companies recently ran an ad campaign stating that using illegal satellite dishes to bring in American programming were the same as stealing. It’s interesting that if a consumer does it, it’s stealing. But if they take local television for free, it’s fair business practice.”
Doug C., Toronto
“For all my life, being born and living in Montreal, our community updates would come from CTV News, formerly known as CFCF News. We would get our community updates from local stations. Parents create a bond with their growing children when they are taught about the world around them. When a family is strong, they learn to communicate and a huge communication tool is by getting community updates. It allows for these children to grow as adults who continue to watch local television, as their parents did.
In a sense, I feel that important communities like Montreal are being threatened by the loss of equal price for local channels.”
Carrie Ann L., Montreal
“It is disgraceful that they [cable and satellite companies] feel no compunction to pay for the programming that they are, in turn, charging their customers for. There is no “free” basic package to their customers. So to claim that they are not charging customers for access to these channels is a flat-out falsehood. They are charging for something they have, up until now, received for free.
Amy-Lynn S., Victoria BC
“Canadians have reasons to be concerned. Not only do satellite and cable companies want to preserve their “free-ride” by not paying a cent for the use of local TV programming, but they want customers to pay more for local signals they are already paying for as part of the basic service. The CRTC should take action to protect Canadians from double-billing and regulate the rate for basic service. That will ensure affordable television for consumers and a sustainable model for the TV industry.”
Peter W., Moncton NB
“I don’t want to lose my local television stations, so I am very much in favour of them receiving money from the cable companies for the services they provide that the cable companies use without paying for.”
M.J. T., London ON
“Local television is a vital link, trusted by residents to provide information such as boiling water advisories and other local news stories. Many people do not tune into radio, so local TV news is the only source of information. Cable prices are already verging on prohibitive in this economy and no increase can be tolerated.”
Lisa A., Lively ON
“When we pay for television through our cable the assumption is that the money goes to fund the products we receive, as well as the distributer (cable) company. However, that this is not universally true disturbs me. That the cable companies have been able to exploit local television and consumers this way unchecked is horrific.
The government needs to act, allow local TV stations to negotiate compensation for their work. It is also critical that the consumer side needs to be addressed. Currently prices are high, and the cable companies threaten to raise prices more if they cannot get local signals for free. Either the government needs to regulate the cable companies or take a hard look at the competition to see if free market principles are actually in effect.”
Amanda F., Calgary AB
“I hope the CRTC will step in to “stop the Bleeding” of the barely surviving as it is consumer. We can choose not to have cable service at all. If enough people rally together and cancel their service, another negative impact on the economy would take hold. We the People all agree that our local news and current events are just as important as global events, and we cannot again be told to “PAY ” more to continue to receive this content.”
Steve K., London ON
“I am a Film and Television student a Humber college. As someone who is going to be entering this industry, I am very concerned that local television stations are going to be forced to close, making it incredibly difficult for students like me to get jobs in our chosen industry.”
Kayla S.
Dorchester, ON
“This is a no brainer. The cable company is charging me for channels they’re not paying for themselves. That’s not right and it needs to stop. I’m also insulted by the cable company’s misleading ad campaign, trying to muddle the facts and save themselves. Fair is fair.”
Stephen B.
Calgary, AB
“I realize that it is a dog-eat-dog world, and everyone is out for their own; but this is getting ridiculous. Consumers are already being charged for local television, and the cable companies are pocketing every cent of it. Unfair doesn’t even begin to describe a cable price hike for the consumers when the cost of cable is already four times the cost of living. All we are asking is that the money go into the right pockets. The actions that need to be taken may not be easy, but the solution is simple. Make a difference.”
Christine T.
Richmond Hill, ON
“How can Cable and Satellite basically steal local programming and charge us the consumer 4 times the rate of inflation? It just doesn’t make any sense? I mean the Cable and satellites are basically sending out the message that it’s okay to steal and make money of what they stole. This is no different from someone stealing a truck full of consumer goods and turning around and selling it all on ebay. I can’t believe this has gotten as far as it has gotten? Its common sense, at least it is to most people?”
Luc D.
Mississauga, ON
“I’m not only concerned, I’m outraged that cable companies are threatening to charge more for the same services while they continue to earn record profits. I repeat, cable companies are ripping people off.”
Jim W.
Brantford, ON
Fair competition is necessary. I do not know all the ins & outs of the business, but I do know that local stations are VERY important to me. I would hate to lose them. They SHOULD be important to CANADIANS.
Kathy D.
Glasser Bay, Regina
Local TV is a great way for local media and journalism students to get a start. If we lose local news, great opportunities for students will be lost. Losing local TV would be like losing a part of our local community, and although they may not always have primetime shows, they still dish out quality television, and being squashed by Satellite TV is everything that is wrong in the world.
William T. A.
Ile Bizard, Quebec
Cable companies are not helping any province by charging more fees. Companies need to learn to stop being greedy with the excuse that they want to protect themselves. Cable is clearly ripping off all the communities.Please do what is right, for our sake, for the local television’s sake, for Canada’s sake. I’ve already seen the sadness in Brandon, Manitoba with CKX news gone. It’s devastating.Many of us are using our voices to be heard. Please do not waste our efforts and help us against cable fees and for the restoration and survival of local television stations.
Tiffany
Montreal, Quebec
It is also very apparent that the cable and satellite companies are running on unfiltered greed or restraint. With local television companies being pushed out of the market, our news will take on a pasteurized blend of international and national flavours (which isn’t very tasty to begin with).Local television companies are an avenue for entry level people interested in getting into media careers, which helps out the local economy. This in turn helps out community colleges with a source of revenue as well (Do you see the domino effect that can take place if this is allowed to go on).
Paul Z.
London, Ontario
In the past 2 years, Shaw Cable has increased my cable rates 3 times without any notification and without any improvements in service. In fact, the feed on CBC (local channel 3) has deteriorated to the point of being unwatchable and when viewing digital programming through the Shaw “box,” the signal is at best choppy. Shaw has been completely and utterly unhelpful in regards to these matters. Also, at a cost over $100 for my cable service, I already feel I’m overpaying, considering the only thing I watch is the local news at 6 and 11pm and the occasional hockey game.
