CSI Files
Captain
Canada-based independent distributor <font color=blue>Alliance Atlantis Communications Corp.</font> co-produces CSI:NY and the rest of the CSI franchise. The company also owns a number of Canadian television channels, including the History channel. The Alliance-Atlantis owned channel has been airing CSI:NY eighteen times a week and now finds itself in hot water with the federal broadcast regulator.
Last week the <font color=blue>Canadian Radio-Television and Communications Counsel</font> (CRTC) sent a letter to Alliance Atlantis requesting that the History channel remove the show from its line-up. The regulatory agency simply doesn’t buy Alliance Atlantis’ position that the show meets it’s license mandate be it “offers viewers a critically acclaimed look at forensic science in post-9/11 New York City.”
The History channel’s license mandate is to provide a national specialty service consisting of historical documentaries, movies, mini-series, and history programs that embrace current events and history related specifically to Canadians.
<font color=yellow>Maureen Parker</font>, executive director of <font color=blue>The Writers Guild of Canada</font>, reported the violation to CRTC when she was watching the channel and noted how often the NY-set show is aired. “How can an American forensic crime show be considered Canadian history?” Parker asks. “They say [the show] is compliant because [New York] has become synonymous with one of history’s most significant and notorious events, 9/11. All of which is ludicrous. It is not an issue of taste, but rather one of integrity.” She continues on to add, “I would assume CSI:NY brings in good ad revenue. They’ve tried to fool the consumer.”
<font color=yellow>Nicola McIsaac</font>, manager of corporate and public affairs for Alliance Atlantis, says, “We have received correspondence from the CRTC. We do think CSI:NY fits on the channel and we are in the process of determining next steps.”
Head over to <A class="link" HREF=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070405.CSI05/TPStory/TPStory/TPNational/Television/>Globe and Mail</a> to read the full article.<center></center>
Last week the <font color=blue>Canadian Radio-Television and Communications Counsel</font> (CRTC) sent a letter to Alliance Atlantis requesting that the History channel remove the show from its line-up. The regulatory agency simply doesn’t buy Alliance Atlantis’ position that the show meets it’s license mandate be it “offers viewers a critically acclaimed look at forensic science in post-9/11 New York City.”
The History channel’s license mandate is to provide a national specialty service consisting of historical documentaries, movies, mini-series, and history programs that embrace current events and history related specifically to Canadians.
<font color=yellow>Maureen Parker</font>, executive director of <font color=blue>The Writers Guild of Canada</font>, reported the violation to CRTC when she was watching the channel and noted how often the NY-set show is aired. “How can an American forensic crime show be considered Canadian history?” Parker asks. “They say [the show] is compliant because [New York] has become synonymous with one of history’s most significant and notorious events, 9/11. All of which is ludicrous. It is not an issue of taste, but rather one of integrity.” She continues on to add, “I would assume CSI:NY brings in good ad revenue. They’ve tried to fool the consumer.”
<font color=yellow>Nicola McIsaac</font>, manager of corporate and public affairs for Alliance Atlantis, says, “We have received correspondence from the CRTC. We do think CSI:NY fits on the channel and we are in the process of determining next steps.”
Head over to <A class="link" HREF=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070405.CSI05/TPStory/TPStory/TPNational/Television/>Globe and Mail</a> to read the full article.<center></center>
