CBC's QUANDRY

RERUNS ON TAP AS CBC CUTS… Star Mar.26/09

So now the CBC is going to do reruns –old “soap opera” shows and such; to save money. Isn’t that terrible! Most of those shows are rather Philistine anyhow, and readily available on private networks.

A better and more permanent way of saving money for the CBC would be to change their focus and to concentrate on what they do best, by collapsing, or “harmonizing” their two TV channels; eliminating the Newsworld channel by folding it back into the regular CBC News. There is little need for two public news channels, and this change can be easily managed by eliminating some of the other fluff they are broadcasting in competition with private broadcasters.

CBC does an outstanding job with their regional programming and the Canadian-produced content which might otherwise not see the light of day. I would rather see my tax dollars go to pay for Canadian news programming, Canadian stories and culture, and to service remote areas that might not be profitable for the private sector. Let private broadcasters chase mass-media shows and the advertising revenue it brings.

We do need a public broadcaster, considering the remote areas that must be serviced; but even in a large metropolis like Toronto, where choices are many, I’d much prefer to support the CBC with my taxes than having to listen to the endless supplications for funds that intersperse programming on the US Public Broadcasting System emanating from Buffalo.

CBC Radio also, though it provides good service to Canadians, has many duplications and redundancies. Why, for example, do we need two CBC FM stations? One station, I am sure, will suffice, especially if they cut down on some of the rather trite and obscure music emanating from both of their stations.

If the CBC ever got their act together and focused on what they do well, perhaps the perennial budget quandary will be history.