Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 30, 2016
CBC asks for $400M more in funding to go ad-free
The CBC is asking for an increase of roughly $400 million in government funding as part of a plan to go ad-free on all platforms.
A proposal paper posted to the national broadcaster’s website outlines how the CBC/Radio-Canada wants to follow the example of the BBC, the United Kingdom’s national broadcaster, and be fully funded by the federal government instead of partially relying on ad revenue.
“We operate under a business model and cultural policy framework that is profoundly broken,” the paper says.
“The BBC offers a compelling example of how a strong, stable, well-funded public broadcaster can serve the interests of domestic audiences and diverse communities, support the global ambitions of its creative and cultural sectors, and provide a strong foundation for Britain’s creative economy.”
The CBC/Radio-Canada currently receives $1.215 billion in government funding, but to go ad-free, the paper proposes the amount go up to $1.633 billion, or a $418 million increase.
Of that, $318 million would be replacement funding: $253 million to make up for lost advertising revenue and $105 million to create Canadian content to replace ad slots. The amount takes into account a savings of $40 million that would have otherwise been spent on selling ads.
The CBC is also asking for an additional $100 million “to face consumer and technology disruption” — or, in other words, to help the CBC/Radio-Canada adapt to the digital age. (Source: CBC News) https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/11/28/cbc-asks-for-400m-more-in-funding-to-go-ad-free.html
Canada, media, cbc, mandate, public, broadcaster, press, newspapers, retirement