CBC is announcing it is putting a greater focus on “underserved communities” in Canada by adding 25 new jobs and increasing it’s streaming presence, primarily in Western Canada.
The public broadcaster made the news public on Tuesday, saying that the investment follows in the wake of approval from regulators on Google’s plan to compensate Canadian news agencies annually to the tune of $100 million.
“Canadians need trusted, local news more than ever. We will continue to deliver on our strategy of investing in local journalism to better serve communities, particularly in underserved news markets across the country,” said Brodie Fenlon, CBC News general manager and editor-in-chief.
“It is part of CBC News’ ongoing commitment to address the gap in communities that do not have a CBC presence,” the release explained.
These positions will complement CBC News’ strategy to reach more Canadians through streaming channels known as FAST and offering breaking news on the company’s app and on CBC Gem. The company suggests viewers could see those in action in the “coming weeks.”
According to CBC, “12 new local news streaming channels are now in Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatchewan, Windsor, Ottawa, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and the North. They join the three existing national, British Columbia, and Toronto streaming channels.”
The broadcaster also said it would add more television programs in Atlantic Canada and four new podcasts with a variety of focuses.