At least the CBC shows a lot of Canadian programming, and doesn't hijack American networks. But if I want to watch American commercials on an American network, then I should be able to. CNN, A&E, CNBC are American channels that are allowed in this country and we can watch them without interruptions ever. Why can't that be true of NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX?
Sure, these Canadian networks buy the rights to the American programs, but why don't they develop a lot more of their own Canadian content and promote the Canadian culture and identity. If quality shows were produced that had Canadian situations, Canadian political insuiations, and Canadian cultural references, then I would watch them over shows that are set in New York City or Miami and only reference the American cutlure. But we're not even given good options to choose from in the beginning. Then the whole premise of these Canadian networks just settling to air American shows isn't right. It is just about the money for them and nothing else, and that's pathetic. They don't even try to develop anything original anymore it seems like.
Also, if a show gets cancelled on an American network, that American network has to scramble to find another show to fill it's timeslot. The American network has to come up with new ideas for a show, find actors and production staff, write good scripts, promote the show and launch it, and hopes it does well. Meanwhile, stations like CTV and Global can just sit back and fill in that vacated timeslot with another existing American show or wait for a show to be developed by an American network. These Canadian networks aren't really broadcasters in the sense that they just relay American shows and that's it.
The American networks should setup affiliates in Canada too if they want and then we could get direct feeds of the networks without the need for Global and CTV, and then they could sell advertising revenue to the Canadian marketplace. NBC has set up channels in Europe, so maybe they should look at that here.
Simsubbing is a mandate set out by the CRTC, but the Canadian network requests the simsub and the cable / sat provider carries it out (and often times incorrectly). But again, it is not working, and CTV and Global just continue to hide behind this rule and dont' contribute to the Canadian culture and identity. We are being Americanized everyday more and more. And it is a form of protectionism because they are being protected from the Canadian viewer having the choice to watch NBC directly or choosing their network. Why not just buy the rights and then let the viewer decide which network to watch on? When an American show is shown in Canada that isn't picked up by a Canadian network, we get to see the feed uninterrupted with the original Canadian commercials. There is no need for CTV or Global to begin with! We can watch it on the American network.
True competition would be for these Canadian networks developing their own Canadian shows and competing against American networks, just like Tom's Canadian Hardware Store has to compete against Home Depot, and not seeing who can air the most American shows between Global and CTV and see who could win the ratings war by just buying the rights to American programs.
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