Actors throw support behind criticism of CTV
Canadian shows get short shrift, they say

Canada's largest actors union is joining the controversy over remarks this week by actor Bruce Greenwood publicly criticizing CTV's intention to run his latest drama, The Life, during a late time slot this Sunday.

Speaking on CTV's Canada A.M. on Wednesday, Mr. Greenwood said the network "chose to bury" the made-for-TV movie, in which he stars as one of two police officers in Vancouver's notorious Downtown Eastside, "on a holiday weekend where it's not going to be seen."

In a news release issued yesterday, the 21,000-member Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists said it backed Mr. Greenwood's contention that CTV is inadequately promoting and scheduling Canadian programs because it wants "to prove that American programming is the only thing that is going to bring in the numbers."

CTV denied that yesterday. In a statement, it said The Life "is enjoying a massive, multi-level promotional campaign" that should "deliver the optimum audience for this fine movie."

Moreover, it said, the popularity of programs such as Canadian Idol, DeGrassi: The Next Generation and Corner Gas shows that the private broadcaster "believes in quality Canadian programming," and that CTV works "extremely hard" to support and properly schedule its wares.

Globe & Mail.com