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Decision
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Ottawa, 6 April 1989
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Decision CRTC 89-124
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Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
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Edmonton, Athabasca, Whitecourt, Hinton, Jasper, Lac La Biche, Fort McMurray, Fox Creek, Plamondon, Viking, Two Hills, Daysland, Forestburg, Grande Prairie, Peace River, High Prairie, Manning, High Level, Fort Vermilion, Battle River, Chateh, Rainbow Lake, Jean D'Or, Fox Lake, Slave Lake, Wabasca, Jean-Côté and Beaverlodge, Alberta - 881194500
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Following a Public Hearing in Edmonton, Alberta commencing 14 November 1988, the Commission renews the broadcasting licences for CBXT Edmonton and its rebroadcasting undertakings from 1 September 1989 to 31 August 1994, subject to the conditions of licence specified in the appendix to this decision and in the licences to be issued.
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CBXT provides the CBC's English-language television service to viewers in the northern part of Alberta through its principal transmitting facility in Edmonton and the rebroadcasters in the above-noted locations. CBXT's programming focus is primarily Edmonton-based, although the station is committed to "present a balanced view of community and regional issues and concerns" to residents of Edmonton and northern Alberta and to "reflect the ideas, attitudes and accomplishments that will affect the future of this province".
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In its current Promise of Performance, CBXT is committed to broadcast 12 hours 40 minutes of regularly-scheduled original local programming weekly. At the hearing, representatives of the station submitted that the present level of 11 hours 45 minutes is the result of recent budget cuts for local programming and the cancellation of CBXT's programs "Reach for the Top" and "Midday News", a weekday half-hour news show.
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Virtually all of CBXT's regular local weekly production is dedicated to news and information programming, including the weekday supper-hour news show "Newsday", and the late-night newscast which is broadcast seven days a week. "Newsday Final" is a weekly half-hour current affairs program that provides in-depth analysis of major issues through documentary inserts, interviews and public debates. A recent addition to CBXT's information programming is "Alberta Newsweek". Initiated in the fall of 1988, the program provides a weekly review and update of provincial news stories. The station also produces a noontime regional segment of the network program "Midday" for broadcast in the province of Alberta.
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The Commission notes the licensee's efforts over the current licence term to reflect the interests and concerns of northern Alberta viewers through the station's news and information programming.
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During the current licence term CBXT produced an average of three to four half-hour drama programs per year. A number of these programs have been co-produced with independent producers, such as the adventure drama "Rat Tales"; some, such as the "Catalyst Theatre" episodes "Teens" and "Single Again", have been produced by CBXT for local broadcast; while others such as "Letting Go" have received network distribution. CBXT has also contributed six episodes to the network series "The Way We Are". The Commission notes CBXT's plans to continue to develop local writing and acting talent through dramatic productions over the new licence term.
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In its application, CBXT noted that its co-production activities with independent producers have resulted in 37 drama, documentary and music programs over the current licence term. Of particular note are: "Native Nashville North", a half-hour series featuring native country and western musical talent, co-produced with the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta, and "Frozen In Time", a documentary chronicling the tragedy of the Sir John Franklin Arctic expedition. At the hearing, representatives of the station indicated that they were currently developing several projects with local independent producers, ranging from a historical drama to a documentary on dinosaurs, and that CBXT would continue to search out proposals for drama specials or program series from independent producers for broadcast either locally or on the network during the new licence term.
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The Commission notes the support that CBXT has provided to the Alberta independent production community over the current licence term and encourages the licensee to broadcast on CBXT at least 3 drama programs, produced in Alberta, in each year of the new licence term.
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With respect to the promotion and development of local performing talent, the Commission notes that CBXT's major initiative in this area during the current licence term was the co-production of the entertainment series "Native Nashville North". In addition, the station has produced a number of variety specials, including the Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association's annual awards show and programs covering several regional folk, rock and jazz festivals.
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The Commission notes the interventions submitted by both the national and northern Alberta chapters of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) expressing concern about the importance of maintaining a professional pool of creative talent for local production on CBC stations. ACTRA strongly supports the development of local and regional talent and takes issue with the centralization of decision-making at the network level in respect of the production funds allocated to individual CBC television stations. The northern Alberta brief noted the decline in CBXT's local dramatic and variety production and expressed the view that CBXT's responsibility to support the production of Canadian entertainment programs and to promote the development of local artists is not being fulfilled adequately.
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In response CBXT representatives noted that although the station has ceased production of "Native Nashville North" after broadcasting some 20 episodes over a two-year period, it intends to continue to concentrate most of its music and variety programming efforts in the new licence term on the development of this type of native entertainment program.
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The Commission acknowledges CBXT's plans in this regard and in line with the CBC's intention to make available to its English-language regional stations an additional 30 minutes per week of local programming in the evening, as referred to in the Public Notice introducing this and other renewal decisions released today, the Commission encourages the licensee to produce and broadcast in that period local entertainment programming designed to develop and feature Alberta performers.
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In terms of contributions to programming at the network level, CBXT regularly provides local information of national interest to network news programs such as "The National", "Midday" and "The Journal". In addition, CBXT contributes to the production of other network programs including "Hockey Night in Canada", "The Tommy Hunter Show" and "Meeting Place", as well as providing episodes for the network drama series "Family Pictures" and "The Way We Are". The Commission also notes CBXT's recently initiated golf program "Par 27" which has received network support under the CBC's Canadianization plan.
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In a period of diminishing resources, the Commission notes that many of the CBC's owned and operated television stations undertake co-operatively produced programming as an effective means of improving the quality and quantity of local programming. In this respect, CBXT co-operates extensively with CBRT Calgary in the production and exchange of news items, as well as in the production of special programs such as provincial election coverage and drama programming. The Commission notes that CBXT has also co-operated with its French-language counterpart, CBXFT, in the production of an opera for telecast on both the French-and English-language networks, and that daily co-operation takes place between the two stations in the area of technical and personnel support.
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With respect to children's programming, CBXT contributes approximately 33 segments per year to the regional edition of "Switchback" which is produced in Vancouver. In 1988, CBXT produced its first insert for the Canadian version of "Sesame Street". At the hearing, the licensee indicated that during the new licence term CBXT intends to continue its contribution to both programs. Station representatives also indicated that CBXT is co-operating with the Alberta independent production community in developing a proposal for a children's series.
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Due to the uncertainty of future funding, CBXT has committed to produce only 9 hours per week of original local production during the new licence term. In its application, CBXT indicated that it will concentrate its efforts in the production of news and public affairs programming which, it has indicated, will constitute approximately 8 hours 30 minutes of its weekly local production commitment. In this regard, the Commission notes CBXT's plans to produce a new current affairs program which will provide an in-depth analysis of issues of local significance, as well as the station's intention to expand its documentary production activity to include full-length features. The Commission expects the licensee to ensure that CBXT, as a minimum, achieves the level of local production set out in the Promise of Performance submitted as part of its licence renewal application.
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With respect to the CBC's regionalization plan, The Commission notes that CBXT, for its part, has benefitted from the plan in its early stages, having received support for its production of "Par 27", and has indicated that it will continue to pursue further support from the network in the new licence term. In this respect, CBXT referred to its proposal for a sports magazine series, currently under consideration by the network.
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According to the expenditure projections set out in its renewal application, CBXT will spend $8,798,000 on Canadian programming in the first year of the new licence term, increasing to $10,056,000 in year five. In accordance with percentage allocations for local productions filed by the licensee, the Commission notes that these amounts are allocated for programs to be produced by CBXT itself and are exclusive of funds that may be secured from the network for the production of programs for network distribution, as well as funds the station may expend on any co-production activity.
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The Commission also notes CBXT's commitment to budget approximately $5 million for capital expenditures during the new licence term, for the upgrading and replacement of existing studio equipment.
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With respect to the provision of access to CBXT's programming for the hearing impaired, the Commission notes the CBC's plans with regard to its owned and operated stations, as discussed in the Public Notice introducing the decisions released today. In this respect, the Commission expects CBXT to acquire, as soon as possible, the necessary equipment to caption, at a minimum, headlines and appropriate scripted portions of its early evening newscast during the new licence term.
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In renewing this licence, the Commission also authorizes CBXT to make use of the Vertical Blanking Interval. The Commission expects the licensee to adhere to the guidelines set out in Appendix A to Public Notice CRTC 1989-23 dated 23 March 1989 entitled "Services Using the Vertical Blanking Interval (Television) or Subsidiary Communications Multiplex Operation (FM)".
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The Commission also expects CBXT to acquire a telephone device for the deaf (TDD) during the first year of the new licence term and install it wherever it is most appropriate, such as in the master control room, to ensure access to the station by deaf and hearing-impaired viewers over the entire broadcast day.
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In addition to the previously noted interventions from ACTRA, the Commission received letters of support in response to CBXT's renewal application from the Banff Television Foundation and Festival, and an intervention from Mr. Peter Haskins regarding closed captioning.
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The Edmonton local of the Canadian Television Producers and Directors Association (CTPDA) intervened to express the view that CBC television stations must be given the necessary resources and sufficient independence to operate effectively at the local level. It also commented that a commitment to local performance programming is necessary in order to cultivate talent in the regions and to provide opportunities to develop the skills required to meet network standards.
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In response to the CTPDA's concerns, CBXT offered its assurances that there would be no further cuts to local program funds and cited numerous training initiatives planned over the new licence term such as drama workshops and a scriptwriting contest.
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Having assessed CBXT's past accomplishments, including the station's local news and information programming and its extensive co-operation with the Alberta independent production community in the creation of children's programming and dramatic productions, and taking into account the licensee's commitments for the next five years particularly in terms of local program expenditures, the Commission is satisfied that this licence should be renewed for a full term.
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Fernand Bélisle
Secretary General
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APPENDIX
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Conditions of licence for CBXT Edmonton and its rebroadcasting undertakings CBXT-1 Athabasca, CBXT-2 Whitecourt, CBXT-3 Hinton, CBXT-4 Jasper, CBXT-5 Lac La Biche, CBXT-6 Fort McMurray, CBXT-7 Fox Creek, CBXT-8 Plamondon, CBXT-9 Viking, CBXT-10 Two Hills, CBXT-11 Daysland, CBXT-12 Forestburg, CBXAT Grande Prairie, CBXAT-1 Peace River, CBXAT-2 High Prairie, CBXAT-3 Manning, CBXAT-4 High Level, CBXAT-5 Fort Vermilion, CBXAT-6 Battle River, CBXAT-7 Chateh, CBXAT-8 Rainbow Lake, CBXAT-9 Jean D'Or, CBXAT-10 Fox Lake, CBXAT-11 Slave Lake, CBXAT-12 Wabasca, CBXAT-13 Jean-Côté and CBXAT-14 Beaverlodge
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1. The licensee shall adhere to the CBC guidelines on sex-role stereotyping, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission. Until such time as the Commission has approved the revised CBC guidelines, the CBC shall adhere to its current guidelines on sex-role stereotyping (as set out in Part C of Appendix A to Public Notice CRTC 1986-351 dated 22 December 1986) and, as a minimum, to the CAB's guidelines on sex-role stereotyping, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
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2. The licensee shall adhere to the standards for children's advertising set out in the Corporation's Advertising Standards Policy C-5 dated 4 June 1986 and entitled "Advertising Directed to Children Under 12 Years of Age", as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission, provided that the policy meets as a minimum the standards set out in the CAB's The Broadcast Code For Advertising to Children, revised in January 1988, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
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Further, the licensee shall not broadcast any commercial message during any child-directed programming or any child-directed commercial message between programs directed to children of pre-school age. For the purpose of this condition, programs directed to children and scheduled before 12:00 noon during school-day morning hours will be deemed to be programs directed to children of pre-school age.
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