APTN CEO Jean La Rose, at newly completed studio and expanded headquarters at their building on Portage Ave. for story on plans to launch a US network (and possibly a Canadian radio network).
APTN says interest in indigenous programs high
By Martin Cash
November 19, 2016
In the last few weeks, more than 500 people have been arrested at the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota as they protested against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
It’s a news story that has received scant attention from mainstream American news outlets.
A small Winnipeg broadcaster has big plans to do something about that.
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network — the last remaining broadcaster in Winnipeg that once hosted the headquarters of Canwest and WTN — is attempting to launch an American version of its Canadian network, which is in its 18th year of operation.
There has been a flurry of meetings with executives with increasing authority at several of the major U.S. cable companies. It is far from a done deal, but at least one of them may be in a position to give the green light within several months.
On top of that, APTN has its sights set on launching a new Canadian radio network.
Jean La Rose, the CEO of APTN, which bills itself as the world’s first independent national aboriginal broadcaster, said research shows the U.S. market is ripe for television content produced by and for the indigenous audience south of the border.
Read More HERE
Just wondering if there was to be a White Television Network? A network that hi-lighted and celebrated the deep and long accomplishments and advancements of Caucasians? Surely that would go ok? I mean we have a Black Entertainment T.V., APTN, Women’s T.V., Gay TV Network, a host of other minorities channels. One that is Caucasian based would be acceptable in our modern, liberal, ‘progressive ‘ world right?
Just saying.
Get real! When wasn’t there a white television network? Only since the beginnings of TV and radio. Les, how can a person be so deliberately obtuse?
Gary, network t.v. is not white [culture] t.v. its reflective of the society it represents and is more cosmopolitan than white today. White culture may have had at one time and to a lesser degree today still has its content on these channels, but it is not like other specific branded forms of t.v. channels as I noted above. You are just incorrect.
I just hope Canadian taxpayers aren’t funding this expansion. The network already extorts forty million dollars a year from Canadian cable customers who must subscribe to the channel. There are many Indian bands in the US flush with casino cash that might be interested in investing.
Page 12 has the APTN financials from 2014. They also seem very generous with travel and entertainment expenses.
http://aptn.ca/pdf/en/AnnualReport2014_ENG.pdf
A Trump supporter calling me incorrect! I’ll take that as a compliment since your entire worldview is is just plain wrong and lacks decent basic human respect.
Obiwan not sure if the expenses are that bad. What looks kind of strange is the digital equipment in 6. The stuff was bought for $21.5 million and is now worth $5.6million.
Les H
There’s nothing stopping someone from “opening” up a “White Network” if someone can find the demo interest and funding…nothing is stopping them. If you feel that passionate about starting one up…find white producers, writers and funding. Become the change you want to see, because that’s what minorities have had to do to keep their cultural interests alive