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Support Local TV

Local TV Matters is a campaign launched by local Canadian television broadcasters with the aim of preserving and protecting local television. Currently, cable and satellite providers have the ability to intercept local television signals free of charge, yet they collect money from patrons. The Local TV Matters campaign ultimately wants the profits cable and satellite providers are receiving from viewers to help them improve local television.

But does local television even matter?

Canadian television is the home to local news stations and celebrated shows —Trailer Park Boys, Degrassi and The Rick Mercer Report — and the preservation of Canadian programming, particularly local news channels, is integral to Canadian culture and society.

Local news programming is essential to our day-to-day activities. While being aware of what is going on in national and international news is beneficial, local news is what effects you most directly — knowing what is going on in the Middle East is important, but if you are not aware of the possible London Transit strike, you will be at a loss. Having a medium to broadcast local events, breaking news and government issues is pertinent to local communities.

Canadian television shows like Flashpoint and Little Mosque on the Prairie highlight Canadian culture and provide a platform for Canadian talent that would be otherwise ignored. Canadian shows could be improved if more money was invested into their production rather than investing the money in U.S. television shows.

However, the argument can be made local television should be based on supply and demand. If there is a low viewership for programming — which is sometimes the case for local television stations — there is no point spending money on it. Local programming is expensive and is essentially a waste of time if no one is watching. This money could be reinvested to improve cable and satellite programs.

But if television programming was based solely on supply and demand, it is conceivable CSI and Family Guy could be on 24 hours a day. Just because shows do not have millions of viewers does not mean they are irrelevant and need to be taken off the air.

Local programming has an audience — no matter the size. Some of its content may not be as glamorous as national news, but it is important nonetheless.

Admittedly, local TV admittedly needs some work. By supporting campaigns such as Local TV Matters, we can preserve local programming, while also encouraging the funds needed to heighten its standards of quality.

Local television does matter. Preserving local television programming, both news stations and shows, is essential to Canadian culture, despite the costs.

For more on the Local TV Matters campaign, please see P. 3.

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