The Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) has announced the cancellation of two of its flagship political programmes, PrimeTime Politics and L’Essentiel, due to a significant drop in revenue linked to declining cable subscriptions and ongoing delays in the implementation of the Online Streaming Act. The decision, made public by chief executive Christa Dickenson on social media, comes as the network grapples with funding challenges that threaten its operations.
Declining Subscribers Spur Cuts
In her announcement, Ms. Dickenson highlighted that subscriber losses have nearly doubled since 2024, leading to a critical funding shortfall for CPAC. The network, which relies heavily on contributions from cable, wireless, and satellite providers on a per-subscriber basis, has witnessed a staggering 25 per cent decline in regular revenue since 2018. “Subscriber erosion has nearly doubled since 2024,” she stated, indicating how the current broadcasting landscape is affecting financial stability.
The decision to discontinue both PrimeTime Politics, hosted by Michael Serapio, and its French-language counterpart, L’Essentiel, hosted by Marc-André Cossette, affects 12 employees. These changes include a mix of layoffs and unfilled vacancies. While Mr. Serapio is among those let go, Mr. Cossette will continue his role with the channel.
Impact of the Online Streaming Act
The impact of the Online Streaming Act, which aims to regulate foreign streaming services and require them to contribute to Canadian content, has been delayed, leaving CPAC in a precarious position. Although the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) recently approved a modest increase in the wholesale fee CPAC receives from cable providers—from $0.13 to $0.16 per subscriber—this change will not take effect until September 1. Meanwhile, the network has been awaiting the implementation of the Online Streaming Act, which could provide crucial funding. However, Ms. Dickenson expressed concern that political pressures, particularly from the United States, could jeopardise the act’s long-term viability.
“Even when the new rate is applied, it will only be a stop-gap solution,” she explained, as the trend of viewers shifting to foreign streaming platforms continues unabated.
The Future of CPAC and Bilingual Coverage
In an interview, Ms. Dickenson emphasised the unique role that CPAC plays in the Canadian media landscape. “Mainstream media does analysis and daily evening shows. No one but CPAC does uncut, unfiltered, long-form coverage,” she asserted, underscoring the channel’s commitment to providing comprehensive coverage of parliamentary proceedings and political events. The cancellation of these two shows has been framed as an effort to minimise the impact on CPAC’s core offerings, which include live broadcasts of government sessions and political conventions.
However, the future remains uncertain. With the ongoing shift in viewing habits and the slow pace of regulatory changes, CPAC faces a challenging road ahead. The network has been striving to adapt, but without timely support from the government and regulatory bodies, its ability to function effectively could be at risk.
Why it Matters
The cancellation of CPAC’s flagship programmes signals a troubling trend for Canadian media, especially for platforms dedicated to political coverage. As traditional cable subscriptions decline and the landscape shifts towards online streaming, the need for effective regulation and funding mechanisms has never been more urgent. The future of CPAC not only affects its employees and viewers but also raises questions about the preservation of Canadian content and the diversity of voices in political discourse. In a time when accurate and accessible information is critical, the loss of such programming could diminish the public’s understanding of their government and the democratic process.