TV Viewers Take Sides

By Jeff Howatt

Canadians have picked a side in this national fight between local television and cable companies. The two sides are involved in a heavy ad campaign on the issue of who pays for local tv.And according to a poll, most TV watchers think local stations should receive a portion of what they pay for cable.

Seventy-two per cent, telling Nanos Research, that the government should force the cable companies and broadcasters to negotiate a payment plan for local TV. And 57 per cent believe local TV stations will close if cable companies don't pay for the local TV signals.

Nik Nanos, president of Nanos Research says the results are striking and the "Save Local TV" campaign launched by local television stations in September appears to be working.

TV broadcasters, including CTV, argue that cable and satellite companies continue to charge viewers for broadcasters' services, while they pay nothing to local television stations.
Cable and satellite companies argue that it would amount to a "tax" on consumers, if they're forced to pay for local TV signals.