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CBC is an institution, the reason they show sports is because of the unity it brings the country. Not everything should be motivated by profit.

Instead of the constant whining about the CBC, Conservatives should just start their own channel like Fox News Canada.

   

How does showing the Chinese olympics create unity in Canada?

Getting this broadcast deal is specifically about profit though. The other private networks were also bidding on this contract because of the potential for profits.

   

Because we rally around our athletes, no matter where it is. Its not the "Chinese Olympics" btw, its the Olympics. I think its retarded to try and politicize the games and it goes against why they are held in the first place.

   

The CBC is a state funded and sponsored institution, when it shouldn't be. But oh forgive us for not wanting our taxpayer dollars get wasted.

And They show sports because it rakes in money, at least Hockey Night in Canada. If it was a purely "national identity" issue, with no chance of any monetary profit, then guess what? CTV and Global would never ever bid for the Olympics.

Oh and, by the way, Fox News did try to get in Canada for a long time, yet were stalled for the longest time, until 2005. Of course, stalling by government boards to be protectionist over Canadian "institutions" is of course perfectly okay you right?

   

They show sports because when they started they were the only national station. There was no competition. They invented the instant replay for god sakes. Sports and CBC go hand in hand.

As for educational programs, how come other stations don't show them? Because they aren't ratings grabbers like American Idol, or other mindless drivel. They do it as a public service. And guess what US taxpayers pay to have PBS, not the whole tab but a big part of it.

This country is basically 50/50 Libs/Cons give or take a few percent back and fourth, there is no way Harper will touch the CBC even if he does get a majority.

   

So it started as the only station...but now its not. So just because its tradition we should leave it as such, even if it is unfair? Wow, that was a very conservative statement. So its how it has always been, why change now? Okay

Educational programming? Like the children shows or the documentaries? I'm sure some children shows, like Dora the Explorer and such, are made by private companies, while I see documentaries on History and the Discovery Channel all the time. If we want to make a channel like PBS for these affairs, then we should, but not on the taxpayer's expense, ESPECIALLY when they run commercials, unlike PBS.

And I don't see why Harper wouldn't touch the CBC. Its not a major issue, unlike Health care and the economy and Afghanistan. It'd probably take one simple bill, needing no confidence motion either.

   

So what if its a Conservative statement, I am a centrist, I take my opinions from both sides of the political spectrum.



But who shows them is the point.



Premium Cable vs Broadcast TV. Give me an example of those shows over the air.



If he wants to alienate a large segment of the population for a long time...It won't happen.

You say its not a major issue, but every couple of days a new CBC thread pops up and is debated endlessly, so I guess it is one.

   

Why not, its government policy to fund multiculturalism.

   

What does it matter who shows educational programming? Is there a difference if Dora the Explorer or Mr Dressup (God bless the guy) was shown on the Cartoon Channel instead of the CBC? Does it take away from the educational experience? There is no point about who shows it.

Television shows that do current events broadcasts and documentaries...hmm...how about ANY prime time news show. 60 Minutes, CNN has it once and a while, NBC Nightly News, etc etc. And PREMIUM cable? Jeez man, History Channel and Discovery is always on basic plans. If this is your only concern, a private CBC can still make biased documentaries for your eyes.

A large segment? CBC privatization is like making the Senate a legitimate body with voting, people have their views yet the average Canadian wouldn't vote somebody just because of it. Harper might alienate the CBC TV producers when they realize that have to make programming that people watch, instead of what makes them "feel" good and push forth bullshit government policies like multiculturalism

   

You are right, it doesn't matter who shows Mr. Dressup.

If Global, CTV or the Cartoon Channel had a history of showing Canadian-made shows like Mr. Dressup, then CBC wouldn't have a leg to stand on. However, as most channels on the dial here spend an inordinate amount of time showing re-runs of Simpsons, Friends, CSI and reality TV like Survivor and/or Big Brother, the CBC is actually needed to show such "bullshit multi-cultural" efforts as Anne of Green Gables, Road to Avonlea, The Arrow, and Canada Russia 1972. I personally don't remember any of the other networks even trying to make things like that.

In some ways, CBC has drifted from its role as a producer and exhibitor of Canadian TV and films, but it still does a far better job than any other Canadian network does of showing Canadian product. Most of that drift is an attempt to maintain viewership in a time when a lot of Canadians are watching more and more Hollywood TV/movies.

When was the last time that Global or CTV ever showed a Canadian film, like A Sweet Hereafter? I can't remember, but they sure have a fondness for Hollywood action films and comedies. I may not like the political slant that the CBC takes in a lot of its productions, but at least they are spending money making Can-Con TV.

   

   

So then why should the Canadian Broadcasting Company (Or is it Corporation, eh no big deal) have a monopoly on things that isn't JUST Canadian...like Hockey Night in Canada and the Olympics? Why should the CBC have the full weight of the Canadian coffers and taxpayers' money to bid for these profitable programming like that?

Sure, the CBC shows Canadian-made programming, but Canadians aren't WATCHING it. Isn't that the problem? Sure, American television is full of crap, like reality television...but if that's what Canadians want, why should the government legislate to CTV and Global saying that they must play x amount of Canadian content or we'll fine you? Why should we pay for something we honestly don't want? OOOH because its makes us different from the United States?

If the CBC wants to make Canadian content television...then let them, but not on taxpayers money. Why should I, or my family, or anyone else for that matter, watch something not many of us are even watching? The last CBC documentary I watched was the TV version of "Canada: A People's History" but I got the books first. If the CBC wanted a grant from the government, or a subsidy...then sure, but it should be accountable. They can't just release movies and television that people are not watching.

I'm sorry you don't like CTV and Global for doing what Canadians want, and then making money off of it. So if CTV and Global know what Canadians want to watch...why should we keep a government funded station releasing shows and movies that Canadian don't want?

   

So because you don't want it all Canadians don't? I'm glad you feel you can speak for everyone.

   

It still does a better job because it's really the only one who's funded by the taxpayer to do just that. The other Canadian broadcasters must rely on ratings and revinue from advertizing wo they must show things that people watch.

Rather than debate the whole culture thing, I'd just like to see the CBC make and show shows that Canadians should watch, not that they will. The private industry will always be able to produce more popular and entertaining shows but the CBC should drop it's political spin and stick with telling Canadians about Canada.

   

Well, we can agree on that.


It appears to me they just rely on Hollywood to produce stuff and then buy it. The Hollywood "Hype Machine" gets people interested.
Should watch--come on Ride--should watch?




They don't produce many shows, they purchase them from Hollywood. Those they do produce can be very good, like Corner Gas.


We keep going over this, the political spin on the CBC is in your mind. Some people interviewed on CBC are left, some right and some centre. The interviewers and commentators tend to be balanced. Rex Murphy for instance gives Harper what for but he used to give the Liberals the same.
And isn't this nice, we start and finish with agreement.

   

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