We invite you to

SOCK is changing and we need your help in forming our new constitution.

Attend the first general meeting on Wednesday, October 14 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Prizes! Refreshments!

Details to follow.

Newsletter September, 2009

POP QUIZ
(Answer below)

1.  How far would you have to drive from Kamloops to receive free CBC TV over-the-air?

a) 6 Km
b) 58 Km
c) 124 Km
d) 372 Km

Why SOCK needs to change
 

We didn't think it would take so long to get CBC back on the air in Kamloops.

The solution seemed so obvious and the remedy so immediate that It didn't occur to us that now,  three years later, nothing would be done.

All we ever asked for was what every town, village, and intersection has -- a CBC transmitter.  Go to Barriere, Celista, Chase, Cache Creek, Canal Flats, and you will get free over-the-air CBC TV.   But not in Kamloops.

See the places that have transmitters.

We thought it would be just a matter of time until the CBC came to their senses.

What seemed simple then is now complicated by a number of problems beyond what we originally anticipated.

• The digitization of TV is creating a divide between big cities who have it and smaller cities that don't (see below).  Digital multiplexing is opening the airwaves to more, clearer, channels but small broadcasters are reluctant to invest in antennas for small markets.

• Local broadcasting is under threat.   Local TV is not as profitable as it once was and big corporate owners are dumping local stations at fire-sale prices as low as one dollar!

That's why we are going to be around la lot longer than we  originally thought.  Community TV and the CBC are worth fighting for and we are not going away. 

So, the first thing we need is a constitution.

Join us at the first general meeting ever held when we will lay the foundation for the future of SOCK.

Canada's TV regulator is inviting your say into a number of key questions that affect the future of local TV broadcasting.

The CRTC wants to know if you think it's a good idea that that broadcasters should be allowed to stop transmitting free over-the-air programming in Kamloops.

As it now stands, our local TV transmitter will go dark when digital TV starts up in Canada on August 31, 2001 or shortly after.

If nothing changes, Vancouver and Victoria will be the only B.C. cities with new digital TV transmitters.

We think it's unacceptable.  Not everyone wants, or can afford, hundreds of channels.  Free TV should not be an option just for big cities.

And we deserve to have free CBC programming like all Canadians.

If you agree that Kamloops deserves CBC and local TV over-the-air,  contact the CRTC:

1. By using the CRTC website.  The deadline has been extended. Go to line 59 (Procedures for filing comments).  The item you want is 2009-411-3.
2. By mail to CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2
3. By fax at 819-994-0218

Join our FaceBook Group

Join thousands of Canadians who have already asked Parliament to  restore the CBC

 YOUR SOCK EXECUTIVE

President: Pam Astbury Email Pam
Vice President: Hugh Jordan Email Hugh
Secretary Treasurer/ Editor: David Charbonneau Email David

Donations may be made by purchasing Alternative Gift Certificates for $20 at The Smorgasbord Deli, 225-7th Ave, Kamloops, or by sending a cheque made out to S.O.C.K. to 830 Rue Chez Nous, Kamloops, V2B 6E9. Because we are a lobby group, we can't issue receipts for tax purposes but we will acknowledge donations in subsequent  newsletters unless requested not to.

Additions and Deletions. If you know of someone who might want to receive this email, forward it to them and ask them to email David Charbonneau.  If you don't want to receive this email, please let us know.

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