Newsletter October, 2009

Save Our CBC Kamloops

POP QUIZ
(Answer below)

1.  As a cable subscriber, how much do you pay  for The Weather Network each month?

a) $0.00
b) $0.08
c) $0.23
d) $0.56

2. How much does Shaw Cable pay CFJC (Kamloops) for their TV signal?

a) $0.00
b) $0.08
c) $0.23
d) $0.56

Canada's Broadcasters Fight back

In a remarkable show of solidarity, Canada’s public and private broadcasters are uniting to stand up for Canadian viewers to protect local television. The campaign is in response to the thousands of viewers who tell them how much they care about local television in their communities.  Broadcasters encourage everyone who supports local television to join their campaign to save local TV.

As a cable subscriber, your cable or satellite provider collects money from you each month for what they receive for free over-the-air.  Cable companies make billions of dollars while local stations struggle.   All broadcasters are asking for is fair value for their product.

It's not an unreasonable request. Cable companies pay U.S. cable companies more than $300 million a year for channels such as Spike TV and they contain no Canadian content.

Local television stations spent more than $5.6 billion on Canadian programming over the last decade – almost $3.6 billion of it was devoted to local programming.  Local programming is the foundation and it's what defines local television stations.

What can you do to keep cable fees down?

See below

Cable companies say that they will need to raise your cable bill if they are forced to pay for signals from local stations.  They don't need higher profits -- we already pay enough.

We think cable companies should pay for signals they distribute without passing costs on to us.

Tell the CRTC what you think

• Use convenient on-line  CRTC form
• Fax or email your comments
• Submit comments and they will be passed on

Click above

 Question 2    Choice a.  Cable companies pay nothing to local broadcasters for over-the-air channels but charge you a basic fee for its distribution.

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 SOCK 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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