Blue & Gold Bulletin

Guests

Ken and Nancy Shaw and many others.

Thirteen members were absent or excused this week:
Kevin A; Rene B; Steve C; Reg F; Steve J; Nancy R; Andre R; Gord W; Jenn H L/a: ex John R; Gloria M; Al Sylvester; Ted W.

Make ups were provided by:
Jenn H; Steve C; Lyle G(2); Don W; Tim F; Ted W; Angie D; Don G; Kevin A(2); Tom H.
Make up meetings can help you achieve perfect attendance. If you attend Rotary Committee meetings or meetings in other areas please "Keep track and keep Chuck informed".

There were none this week.

There were no birthdays to celebrate this week.

There were no anniversaries to celebrate this week.

Tom Hill won the free breakfast.

If you would like something put in the bulletin please email Ryan Frank @ ryan.frank@live.ca with the announcement. If the announcement is done at the breakfast I will do my best to get the announcement in the bulletin, but to ensure that all announcement make it into the bulletin please email.

Let the committee know if you plan to bring a guest that intends to join the club.

Please sign the Christmas tree sign sheet if you haven't already.

The Children's Christmas Party is on December 6, if you plan on volunteering for the event please let the committee know as there is limited capacity.

The Rotary member Christmas Party will be held on December 8 at the Beech Center. Cocktails at 6pm and dinner at 7pm.

Fred Mandryk was elected by proclamation.

Don Gleed is nominated for 2010-2011 vice president.

No happy bucks this week.

Look here for the Rotarians that have provided many years of excellent service to the club.

Ken Shaw

Ron Bailey (L), Ken Shaw, Tim Funchion, and one-eyed Fred Mandryk

Little Ross Metcalf (L) with Ken Shaw

Today's program saw Ken Shaw, evening news anchor for CFTO (CTV) take the podium.

Usually when Ken addresses an audience such as ours he usually speaks on ethics and code of conduct for reporting, but instead he took this opportunity to speak on Local TV Matters.

There is currently an intense debate on whether or not the CRTC should allow broadcasters to bill rebroadcasters, such as Rogers and other cable and satellite providers, for a signal which they currently receive for free and bill their customers for use of that signal.

These rebroadcasters are saying that it is a tax grab or a bailout for the TV industry. Ken pointed out that it is anything but that. Currently broadcasters such as CTV will have to close many local stations because they are simply not profitable and lose revenue on an annual basis.

We live in a 500 channel universe and TV networks that once held dominance over the airwaves are now forced to run ads every three minutes to make enough money to survive. It is because of the specialty channels that this is happening. TV is becoming more specific. If the viewer wants to watch a program on gardening or golf or cooking they now go to that specialty channel. Rebroadcasters pay for those signals, which is mainly how those networks stay above water.

The rebroadcasters are saying that what ever the CRTC imposes then the cost will be passed on to the consumer. The cost is already being passed on to the consumer. In essence they will be charging the consumer twice. Rogers cable makes $100 million in profit a month from the use of these free signals, yet none of this money goes to the local broadcasters.

Ken did point out that it is not just this issue that is contributing to the death of local TV. The development of new technology such as PVR's and the internet are contributing to lost revenues as well.

The rebroadcasters are now contending that the local broadcasters such as CTV are spending too much on American programming. However, if these broadcasters with draw the signal companies like Rogers will not have access to the American programming because the local broadcasters hold the rights to them.

After all is said and done the local broadcasters would like to be compensated for the use of their signal. As well, they would like to as the rebroadcasters to start offering tv on a channel by channel basis so that they can gage which stations are able to compete in such a hostile market place.

The draw this week was for $1,828. Chuck C pulled the 4 of hearts, better luck next time!!!
Remember you can't win if you don't buy a ticket. Good luck!

Please visit the Upcoming Events and Programs webpage for details.

Prepared by Ryan Frank