NEARLY TWO-THIRDS BACK PICK AND PAY

March 27th, 2015. A new poll from Mainstreet Technologies shows 64% of Canadians back the
CRTCs new Pick and Pay packages - with the number rising to 89% approval once undecided
respondents are excluded. With 5,053 respondents the margin of error is +/- 1.38%, 19/20.
"Its a huge amount of support for pick and pay, said Quito Maggi, President of Mainstreet
Technologies. "Regardless of the fact that these changes may result in fewer viewing options,
Canadians favour the new CRTC packages."
The publics feelings towards Canadian content is mixed. Overall, we found that almost half of
Canadians think Canadian Content on television is high quality, and only 17% describe it as poor
or very poor. That said, cheaper cable bills matter more to people than having Canadian Content
on air, said Maggi.
Highlights:
- 49% of Canadians believe Canadian Content on Television is high quality (Excellent/Good)
- In QC, the number is higher at 57%
- 56% prioritize cheaper cable bills over Canadian content (25%)
- 45% say the right amount of Canadian Content is on TV; 33% say there is too little
- 44% of the youngest respondents, 18-34, say there is too little Canadian Content on TV
The new CRTC regulations will have a broad impact on the Canadian television industry but all
signs point to high approval from the public for these changes even if it may result in less
diversity of content finished Maggi.
-30For more information or further comment:
David Valentin, (613) 698-5524 - david@mainstreettechnologies.ca
Methodology
5,053 Canadians were interviewed by Interactive Voice Response (IVR). Interviews were
conducted March 22nd and 23rd.
About Mainstreet Technologies
Mainstreet Technologies is an emerging national public research firm. With 20 years of political
experience at all three levels of government, President and CEO Quito Maggi is a respected
commentator on Canadian public affairs.
Differentiated by its large sample sizes, Mainstreet has provided accurate snapshots of public
opinion, having predicted a majority PC government in Alberta, a majority Liberal government in
British Columbia, and a majority Liberal government in Ontario. Most recently, Mainstreet was
the most accurate pollster of Novembers Toronto mayoral election and Februarys by-election in
Sudbury.

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has

recently made changes on how much Canadian content needs to be aired, this is
content that includes some sort of contribution from Canadians, such as writing
or producing. What is more important to you: Canadian content on television or
cheaper cable bills?

CANADIAN CONTENT
CHEAPER CABLE BILLS
NOT SURE

BREAKDOWNS

25%
56%
20%

CANADIAN CONTENT
CHEAPER CABLE BILLS
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Male

37%
19%
22% 18%
21%
42% 63%
61% 58% 61%
21%
18%
16% 24% 18%
632
819
1816 1786 2072

CANADIAN CONTENT
CHEAPER CABLE BILLS
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

BC
24%
57%
19%
952

AB
24%
54%
22%
528

Prairies
26%
56%
19%
486

ON
25%
55%
20%
1431

Female
29%
50%
21%
2981

QC Atlantic
25%
24%
56%
56%
19%
20%
1259
397

Thinking about Canadian content, is there too much, not enough or the right
amount of Canadian content on television?

TOO MUCH
TOO LITTLE
RIGHT AMOUNT
NOT SURE

BREAKDOWNS

11%
33%
45%
12%

TOO MUCH
TOO LITTLE
RIGHT AMOUNT
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Male

8%
11%
12% 14% 16%
44% 29%
31% 22% 27%
31%
54% 48% 47% 46%
17%
6%
9% 17%
11%
632
819
1816 1786 2072

TOO MUCH
TOO LITTLE
RIGHT AMOUNT
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

BC
12%
32%
44%
12%
952

Female
6%
38%
44%
12%
2981

AB Prairies ON QC Atlantic
11%
11% 11%
11%
11%
33% 33% 32%
31%
33%
44% 45% 45%
46%
44%
12%
12% 12%
12%
12%
486 1431 1259
397
528

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has now

mandated pick-and-pay packages. Supporters say this will allow consumers to
only pay for the channels they want while critics say this will reduce viewing
options as many specialty channels will be forced out of business. Do you
approve or disapprove of Pick-and Pay packages?

STRONGLY APPROVE
SOMEWHAT APPROVE
NEITHER APPROVE/DISAPPROVE
SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE
STRONGLY DISAPPROVE

BREAKDOWNS

43%
21%
28%
4%
4%

STRONGLY APPROVE
SOMEWHAT APPROVE
NEITHER APPROVE/DISAPPROVE
SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE
STRONGLY DISAPPROVE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Male

49% 49% 40% 32% 46%
20% 22% 24% 20% 20%
23% 25% 29% 36% 24%
4%
2%
3%
5%
4%
3%
3%
4%
8%
5%
632
819
1816 1786 2072

STRONGLY APPROVE
SOMEWHAT APPROVE
NEITHER APPROVE/DISAPPROVE
SOMEWHAT DISAPPROVE
STRONGLY DISAPPROVE
SAMPLE

BC
44%
22%
26%
3%
5%
952

Female
40%
23%
31%
3%
3%
2981

AB Prairies ON QC Atlantic
45% 43% 42%
42%
44%
20% 22% 22%
22%
21%
28% 28% 28%
28%
27%
3%
4% 4%
3%
3%
5%
4% 5%
5%
4%
486 1431 1259
397
528

Thinking about Canadian Content on Television what do you consider its quality
to be?

EXCELLENT
GOOD
FAIR
POOR
VERY POOR
NOT SURE

BREAKDOWNS

15%
34%
27%
10%
7%
7%

EXCELLENT
GOOD
FAIR
POOR
VERY POOR
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Male

14%
10%
22% 13%
16%
21%
39% 40% 38% 33%
19% 30% 29% 31% 27%
18%
9%
3%
7%
12%
21%
2%
2%
1%
7%
7%
11%
3% 10%
6%
632
819
1816 1786 2072

EXCELLENT
GOOD
FAIR
POOR
VERY POOR
NOT SURE
SAMPLE

BC
13%
31%
35%
9%
6%
6%
952

AB
11%
36%
27%
11%
8%
7%
528

Prairies
10%
37%
26%
11%
8%
8%
486

ON
10%
37%
27%
10%
8%
8%
1431

Female
14%
36%
27%
7%
7%
9%
2981

QC Atlantic
28%
10%
29%
38%
22%
28%
8%
10%
6%
7%
8%
8%
1259
397