Global Regina and other Saskatchewan media outlets are seeking support for their position that cable and satellite providers be forced to pay for local TV signals. (John Weidlich/CBC)

Managers of four Saskatchewan TV operations are joining the fight underway across the country to get more money from cable companies and satellite TV systems.

Global Regina, Global Saskatoon, CTV Saskatchewan and CBC Saskatchewan issued a joint release Thursday seeking public support for their position that such "provider" companies be forced to pay for local TV signals.

"The revenue model for conventional television is broken and has to be fixed before we see more stations fade to black," Mitch Bozak, station manager for Global Regina, stated in the release.

"Stations have already been shut down in Brandon and Red Deer. And we will see as many as 30 more close if this issue is not resolved."

The broadcasters have been waging a public relations campaign for several weeks in the lead-up to hearings on the issue by the federal telecommunications regulator, the CRTC.

TV provider companies have countered that any fee costs would simply be passed along to consumers, who are very price sensitive and could choose to downgrade their service.

"Tuning in to local television has been a family tradition in Saskatchewan for more than 50 years, but local TV is now in jeopardy and the threat is very real," Wade Moffatt, general manager of CTV Saskatchewan, said in the release.

Moffatt suggested any additional fees should not be passed on to consumers.

"Local television connects us all," Jill Spelliscy, managing director of CBC Saskatchewan, added. She said the stations employ 250 people across the province.

The CRTC hearings on local TV and fee-for-carriage are set for Nov. 2.