CBC is in a damned if you do, damned if you don't position with conservatives. When it beats the private stations in ratings, as is the case with a number of CBC Radio morning shows across Canada and sometimes with local news, at least before it became the victim of budget cuts, right-wingers and private stations whine that this is "unfair", that CBC has an "unfair advantage" and should be defunded. When it trails in the ratings the same people complain "see, no one watches/listens to CBC - defund it". 

I think the CBC is likely glad they are not part of the current HNIC contract which by all accounts is draining Rogers Media. Rogers has been taking a bath so far in terms of revenue and to a certain extent ratings. Last year Rogers extended the agreement with CBC until the end of their 12 year deal with the NHL'. CBC covers areas of the country that Sportsnet (a pay channel) does not.

Unless the Leafs get in the finals in the next few years, Rogers will not be making the same mistake again  I can see them or TSN splitting rights contract and costs with the CBC next time, with CBC getting at least half of the revenue.  Also notice how Rogers coverage is now a mirror of what CBC used to do for broadcasts? Fact is Rogers hires out some CBC crews to produce many of the broadcasts. 

Dial Twister wrote:

Hansa wrote:

CBC is in a damned if you do, damned if you don't position with conservatives.

Agreed. I'm happy to live in a country which values public broadcasting, and I'm content to pay for its relatively low cost (approximately 1/4 of a Netflix subscription), through my tax dollars.

Were the CBC to fold, we'd be left with a largely American view of our country, which means no view at all. The regurgitation of American programming, which occupies most of the schedule on our commercial networks, does nothing for our understanding of and appreciation for this country. But, it does plenty for the public's awareness of the society just south of our own. I'm sure those who would have us become the 51st state see nothing wrong with that.

Is the CBC perfect? Absolutely not. It's staffed by humans. Surprise, we're not perfect.

Now go and sin no more, by refusing to listen to the hard-right's whining about the theft of their tax dollars to fund the commie/socialist CBC. 

 

Well written and well stated Dial Twister.  I have always been pro Canadian media, but at the same time never anti American, or define it as a right/left issue.  I appreciated the life that working in radio, tv and print gave me and all of the interesting people I met over the years.  In hindsight I would have made more of some opportunities, worked harder, and taken a few more chances, but other than that, no regrets. Also appreciated all of the people who took time to listen to me and give me advice when starting out.  I learned so much from these mentors and teachers.

Canadian media gave me, and many of us here, a good living and always an interesting and challenging job.  That's why I get my back up at those who are constantly complaining, endless splitting of hairs, always negative and don't seem to appreciate anything.  Why find fault or try to create an issue where there is none?

I admire our media neighbours to the south, with their "can do" attitude, their humour, endless creativity and positive outlook. And the fact they usually don't care what others think of them, even the competitor across the street.   I wish Canadian media had more of those traits.  But having said that, do I want our radio and tv broadcasting and culture to be just like them?  No way!  And thank goodness it isn't. 

One fault of our media and culture in general, is that Canadians can be too passive, even lazy, and want to take the easy way out or the path of least resistance. So much easier to just simulcast US shows in prime time, and make some good money doing so, or do almost anything to circumvent regulations you don't like.  Or it would be so much easier just to let all of the US streaming services and signals in, concede defeat and let the huge US and international conglomerates determine what English Canadian culture is, should be, even how much, if any, we should see.   Who wants to live in a country like that?? Not me!  And who would really want to work in an industry like that?  Very few, because the jobs wouldn't be around any more.

So I usually support CBC, CTV, Global, City,  TVO Canadian radio and movies.  Don't agree or like everything they do, not even close.  But they are our home team, and you should at least try to support the home team sometimes, rather than complaining about regulations and making excuses.  I don't watch and listen to domestic radio and tv because they are Canadian, but because every so often, and more and more it seems, they are damn good.  Our media creates wealth, provides careers, exposes creativity, employ thousands, and entertains millions of people every day.  And most important, it's ours. Let's try not to piss it all away.