[Swprograms] Artists Fight Sat Radio in Canada

[Joseph Buch <joseph.buch@xxxxxxx>]

>From today's SkyReport.com

Artists Fight Sat Radio in Canada

Arts groups are fighting satellite radio's move into Canada,
asking the Canadian Governor in Council to set aside or refer
back to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications 
Commission its decision to allow the subscription-based 
services into the country.

The coalition of arts groups made the request in a letter sent
to the federal cabinet Monday. Groups signing the letter 
include the Canadian Independent Record Production Association,
Directors Guild of Canada, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, 
National Campus and Community Radio Association, Songwriters 
Association of Canada and the Writers Guild of Canada.

In a statement it released on satellite radio's north of the
border moves, the Songwriters Association of Canada pointed 
out that current broadcast regulations require a minimum of 35
percent Canadian content on most stations while satellite 
radio companies will be required to program only one Canadian
channel for every nine American channels. The association said
that amounts to less than 10 percent.

"The Songwriters Association of Canada believes that this
massive reduction from current standards could have a 
profoundly negative impact on musical arts and culture in 
Canada," the organization said.

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting said the CRTC decision to 
allow satellite radio into the country runs counter to the 
country's Broadcasting Act and Canadian Parliament's goal of
ensuring Canadian programs are predominant on Canadian 
airwaves.

"This decision does not reflect the legal requirement that 
Canadian broadcasters must offer homegrown programs. (The 
decision) creates a pipeline for U.S. radio programs direct to
Canada, with little in return for our country" said Friends 
spokesperson Ian Morrison.


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