Sun News (aka 'Fox News North') is denied must-carry status; channel shutdown likely

[Newsjock]

Last edited Thu Aug 8, 2013, 11:16 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: The Globe and Mail

Sun News Network is on its own.

The unprofitable (and controversial) channel won’t get any financial help from Canada’s broadcast regulator, throwing its future into doubt just two years after it went to air with a promise of “hard news and straight talk.”

The controversial all-news channel hoped to be forced onto basic digital television subscriptions across the country, but the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission rejected its application despite the channel’s insistence that its heavy reliance on Canadian content made it a logical fit for wide distribution.

The channel is losing about $17-million a year, and its executives vowed to pull the plug if it didn’t receive the designation. It also said it wouldn’t appeal a rejection, which could mean the end of the network unless it comes up with another way to stop its losses.

Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/crtc-denies-sun-news-mandatory-carriage/article13655828/

[hr]
Earlier today:
Source: CBC News

Sun News Network will find out Thursday whether it will get its coveted guaranteed spot on the television dial.

The Quebecor-owned network is seeking what is known as mandatory carriage from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

... Some at the CRTC hearings have suggested a "must-offer" designation — rather than mandatory carriage — would suffice for Sun News. ... But Sun News executive Kory Teneycke told the CRTC in May that anything short of mandatory carriage would spell the end of the channel.

"Let us be very clear: a 'must-offer' licence would not have a meaningful impact on the current trajectory of Sun News and would inevitably lead to the closure of the station," Teneycke said at the time.

The CRTC is expected to release its decision on Sun News on Thursday at 11 a.m. ET.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2013/08/07/pol-cp-crtc-sun-tv-news-ruling.html

[hr]
Previously on DU:

Sun News Network – Canada’s new comedy central TV
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?address=439x1265067&az=view_all

Canada's Conservative TV News Network Seeks Government Help for Survival
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10871503

[SidDithers]

1. Let 'em die...

The channel is horrible.

Sid

[Newsjock]

2. Kick with new info

CRTC denies must-carry status; OP updated.

[SidDithers]

3. Sun News Network’s fate unknown after CRTC rejects mandatory carriage bid

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/08/08/sun_news_networks_fate_unknown_after_crtc_rejects_mandatory_carriage_bid.html

OTTAWA—The fate of the conservative-minded Sun News Network is up in the air after the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission rejected its bid to get a guaranteed spot on basic cable and satellite services.

The CRTC also acknowledged there are significant obstacles facing newly launched national news services and announced its intention to review the framework for national news services in the same category as Sun News Network, including its CBC News Network and CTV News Channel.

“The Commission therefore finds that a policy review is warranted to address issues such as access to distribution, negotiating power, incumbency and other distribution issues encountered by national news specialty Category C services,” the CRTC said in its decision released Thursday.

The CRTC rejected the bid for mandatory-carriage status, which would have forced cable and satellite companies to carry it on all basic digital and analog services, arguing Sun News Network “did not clearly demonstrate how its service would make an exceptional contribution to the objectives of the (Broadcasting) Act” or show how it would go above and beyond other national news services in terms of Canadian programming.

Good deciision.

Sid

[PM Martin]

4. Bye.

[hatrack]

5. Looks like The Market has spoken . . .