On its website, and in briefings to the media in May 2010 the Board of Directors of the RMB, the organisation that provides information and support about advertising on radio in the country, announced the closure would take place on August 31 2010.
This followed an announcement that another of the country’s broadcasting association the CAB was also to close following disagreements over future funding for Canada’s television operators.
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters.
The CAB, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, before it closed represented most of the country’s private radio and television stations, the networks, and specialty and pay and pay-per-view services. Its stated aims were to promote the interests of:”the private broadcasting community, to advocate and lobby on its behalf and to act as a central point of action on matters of joint interest. ”
Established in 1926, it had for the last 80 years worked on it members’ behalf. Some reports suggested the closure was a result of conflicts of interests among its members, and the resulting disagreements between the interests of the three competing sectors of independent broadcasters, the radio broadcasters and the televisions networks. It ceased as a functioning association on May 31 2010.
The Fee for Carriage Controversy.
Canada’s non-cable TV operators had for some time wanted a tax imposed on the country’s cable and satellite operators for carrying their output. The conventional television companies’ programming is currently provided Free to Air and much of this local programming is also broadcast by cable, satellite and phone broadcasters. Variously called The Fee for Carriage, Value for Signal or the TV Tax, it’s a levy that traditional broadcasters have proposed over the years to the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission. They argue that they should benefit from the profits the cable operators make from their output, while opponents question why viewers should pay for something they already have access to for free, seemingly with no additional benefits.
The Break-up of the CAB and RMB.
The fee for carriage arguments led to the disagreements between the different broadcasting organisations and the resulting break up of the CAB. This event in turn seems to have heralded a new media environment for Canada’s broadcasters, as well as being the catalyst for the demise of the Radio Marketing Bureau.
With over 400 members previously represented by the RMB, the radio industry awaits a new organisation to support and provide information for advertisers and member stations, and promote its interests in legislation and regulation as well as the panoply of support in creativity sales and marketing the RMB once provided.
The Future for a Radio Trade Body.
Despite many television operators also having interests in the world of radio, some commentators in the radio industry felt that radio’s interest within the CAB often played second fiddle to the needs and interests of the television lobby. In fact the arguments about the fee for carriage debate over the years dominated proceedings to the detriment of the voice of the 400 plus radio members and their interests.
TheRadio Marketing Bureau closed its doors it says:”in anticipation of a new, focused radio-only broadcast association.” Now (June 2010) it suggests industry executives are working on a ‘radio only’ organisation to build on the work of the RMB and represent the radio industry’s interests in the future.
Dan McCurdy - Dan McCurdy is a freelance writer producer creative and lecturer. Dan is one of the UK's most experienced radio writers and producers. ...
Join the Conversation