Looking back at the inaugural issue of Playback magazine, published Sept. 29, 1986, provides a poignant reminder of how far the Canadian film and television industry has come in 15 years, how some things never change and how Playback has truly been there all the way, morphing and evolving alongside an ever-burgeoning production and broadcasting community.

In the first-ever Playback, which at the time also included coverage of the music industry, the hottest story of the day was the Caplan-Sauvageau task force on broadcasting policy – ‘a call to arms for Canada to strengthen its broadcasting system before it is overwhelmed by American programming,’ writes then associate editor Colin Wright.

Among the 180 recommendations in the $3-million report commissioned by then minister of communications Marcel Masse, there was a call for a new Broadcasting Act and a revitalized CBC – initiatives that are also being carried out today.

The task force also recommended that CBC spin out an all-news and current affairs channel, that women and minorities have guaranteed access to the Canadian broadcasting system, and that private broadcasters be mandated to air 45% Cancon in primetime (7-11 p.m.).

In other news, when Playback first hit the streets, 98% of all drama on Canadian TV screens was foreign – of the 52,000 hours of English-language programming available annually, only 370 were Canadian, and of the 27,000 hours of French-language, 630 were Canadian.

CBC’s Beachcombers celebrated its 15th year with a shoot in Greece.

Atlantis Films’ first feature, The Pigman, directed by Don McBrearty, was heading into production.

Anne of Green Gables II moved to Ontario from P.E.I. to complete shooting with director/producer Kevin Sullivan.

Canadian film producers applauded the CRTC’s decision that pay-TV channels must broadcast at least 30% Cancon in primetime and at least 20% during the rest of the day. And in keeping with the Canadian Film and Television Association’s suggestion, the commission gave pay companies a 150% credit for airing new Canadian dramatic productions in primetime and children’s programming. ‘It isn’t often the CRTC espouses the cause of the independent film producer, but we have learned that those who shout loudest get heard,’ said Stephen Ellis, then secretary of the CFTA.

Television Quatre Saisons, launched Sept. 7, 1986, introduced competition to Montreal’s traditionally staid French-language TV scene, which was long dominated by Radio-Canada and Tele-Metropole. The new network was selling 30-second spots for as little as $50.

The issue was also peppered with such names as Murray Chercover, president and CEO at CTV; Don Smith, president and CEO, BCTV; Robert Lantos, co-owner of Alliance Entertainment; producer Peter O’Brian; and producer Denis Heroux.