Strong support for Rogers community channel service

According to a research study released today, over 70% of Rogers Communications’ (RCI) cable customers strongly value their Rogers community television service. The research on assessments of Rogers’ community channel programming and content was conducted by The Strategic Counsel.

The report cited overwhelming evidence that Rogers cable customers in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland, support the community channel as is and reject proposals to substitute programming created by those with special interests. A full 89% of Rogers customers agree that the community channel should provide programming that is relevant to all of the community. As such, 70% of Rogers customers, including 43% who feel strongly, oppose any changes.

With reference to content, Rogers customers advocated that local information programming (82%), festivals and parades (82%), local sports (75%), local talk shows (69%) and multicultural programming (64%) should be available on the Community Television Service. The majority of customers (57%) reported that the existing lineup was the "right mix of programming for community television."

73% of customers ascribed a high level of value to their Rogers community television service. The majority of respondents (52%) reported that the look and quality of programming available on the community channel is better than it was five years ago.

"We’re very proud of our track record in our communities," commented Colette Watson, Vice-President, Rogers TV. "Last year almost 30,000 community groups or individuals accessed Rogers TV. These survey results validate our performance as the unparalleled provider of local community television in the markets we serve. From minor and amateur sports to parades to funerals to documentaries to daily information programming, our 34 stations create thousands of hours of programming with, by and for the people of those communities."

Rogers community television is comprised of 34 stations. This year, these stations will produce 17,000 hours of original local programming with the assistance of community volunteers.

The telephone survey was conducted in March, 2010 by The Strategic Counsel. With a sample size of 600 respondents, the margin of error was +/- 4.0 percentage. Copies of the report are available upon request.