Patricia Bailey of Playback explains a new report to change the Canadian Television Fund:

• Senators call for fixes to CTF
  “The report addresses concerns put forward by both Videotron and Shaw during their pull out from CTF, including its corporate-governance structure, the private sector’s lack of say in its operations and the fund’s investment performance.”

Alex Epstein of Complications Ensue reacts to the news that new CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein has talked of less regulation of the Canadian TV industry:

• CRTC planning to throw Canadian TV industry out the window
  The problem, of course, is that “deregulation” probably doesn’t mean “stop protecting the Canadian broadcasters from US signal.” It means, “continue allowing Canadian broadcasters to block out US signals, but don’t expect them to produce any Canadian content.”

John Doyle of the Globe and Mail worries that CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein is calling for less regulation of the Canadian airwaves:

• Don’t loosen the rules, our airwaves are seriously polluted
  “What’s needed is more regulation, not less. What’s needed is more firmness with broadcasters, not the slippery business of allowing empty promises to be made in return for permitting more overlap and concentration.”

From John Doyle of the Globe and Mail:

• When Canadians watch TV, they want drama
  “When most Canadians watch TV, drama is what they want to watch, and the majority of the most-watched programs in Canada each week are dramas. But we’re not making any.”

And a reaction from Denis McGrath of Dead Things on Sticks, with a list of Canadian dramas currently in development:

• Canadians Want Drama
  “So is the CRTC going to extract from CTV the first plank in a new drama committment? That’s what Doyle seems to be calling for. That would be great.”

From the Financial Post:

• Artistic community backs CTV’s CHUM takeover
  The artistic community tried to rally Tuesday behind the CTV Inc. takeover of CHUM Ltd., telling CRTC officials that CTV is the only player committed to fostering and nurturing Canadian talent. Nevertheless, the chairman of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Konrad von Finckenstein, appeared unmoved.

But, from Bloomberg later:

• Canadian Regulator to Reject Calls to Block Chum Deal
  Canada’s broadcasting regulator will reject calls to bar CTVglobemedia Inc. from taking over rival Chum Ltd. because the agency will ensure the company produces enough Canadian shows to meet standards.

From John Doyle of the Globe and Mail:

• We need more hit Canadian drama, not more E! channels
  One thing that needs to happen is this – the creation of a hit one-hour drama on CBC, CTV or Global that pulls in close to a million viewers a week. We need another Due South or Street Legal, a show that has a mass appeal and a million viewers. Without that, Canadian-made TV will always be perceived as in the weaker position, looking inept. The last thing the Canadian TV networks and the watching Canadian audience need is more air-headed coverage of American celebrities.