OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 4, 2020 /CNW/ - A recent Postmedia News article, carried by Sun newspapers across the country, claims that "CBC's television ad sales have taken a freefall collapse" (sic), citing the Blacklock's Reporter website.
This is the latest example of something we are seeing more and more of — a few online outlets together amplifying the same inaccurate criticism of the public broadcaster, and CBC TV in particular. Again, in this case, the distorted Blacklock's story is repeated by The Post Millennial, True North, and the Sun chain. We were not contacted for comment.
Here are the facts. As we reported this week, in the second quarter ending September 30, 2020, CBC/Radio-Canada's revenue decreased by 8.9% as a result of both a decline in TV advertising due to COVID-19, and declining subscriber revenue. Our expenses also decreased by 10.1% over the same period. "Freefall"? Hardly.
As you know, the entire Canadian economy is dealing with the effects of COVID. Our industry has been experiencing advertising declines — especially from the hardest-hit industry sectors, such as travel and tourism.
An August report for the Canadian Association of Broadcasters found television ad revenue overall is down 44%. Newspapers too are struggling, some with revenue declines of 39%. This is bad news. Canadians need a healthy, diverse news ecosystem.
To add to the challenge, two companies, Google and Facebook now capture more than 80% of all digital advertising revenue in Canada. (For comparison, CBC/Radio-Canada's share is less than 0.5%.) With our parliamentary appropriation, commercial revenue, and the hard work of our staff to trim costs, we have been able to maintain our programs and services to Canadians, including restarting all of our Canadian productions. This has been crucial to the survival of the cultural sector. We also continue to look for ways to work with our private sector news media colleagues to support our industry.
Remember, at $34 per Canadian, per year, CBC/Radio-Canada not only delivers incredible value, it is still one of the lowest-funded public broadcasters in the world.
Accurate news and information are more important than ever.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada's trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages.
SOURCE CBC/Radio-Canada
Media contact: Leon Mar, Director, Media Relations and Issues Management | Corporate Spokesperson, CBC/Radio-Canada, cell. 647 616-5768, [email protected]
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