CBC - Should it stay or go? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

rubecube · 06-06-2006, 03:22 PM

Thought this was a good point brought up in another thread. Do you think we should continue to support the CBC with our tax dollars? I personally don't. The only time I ever watch CBC is during the Olympics and once every four years when they televise a Flames game

.

Oh and could we get a poll?

BlackEleven · 06-06-2006, 03:30 PM

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I'd like it to stay. I think they do an excellent job of sports coverage -- hockey, Olympics, etc.

I also get most of my news coverage from CBC. A lot of people accuse it of left-wing bias, but I find it the most thorough and in-depth source for national and international news -- and I like the fact that I can watch the news commercial free.

I also find that The Passionate Eye often shows some really interesting documentaries from all over the world. I always check in on Sunday nights to see what they're showing.

Table 5 · 06-06-2006, 03:31 PM

While CBC has it fair share of duds like Rita Mcneil et al specials, i think it is absolutely fantastic when it comes to covering large sporting events, comedy and the news. This is especially apparent when coming back from the US, where everything is bold and glitzy, but quite fake.

Even though Im not a huge Mansbridge fan, I absolutely love all the news specials that CBC produces. It covers a much more international breadth and is always quite fascinating, something I can't say for all the local news which is ripe with vapid stories that are about as deep as the 06 Flames playoff run.

RougeUnderoos · 06-06-2006, 03:31 PM

Stay. I hate to admit that I'm an old woman, but I listen to the radio station and watch newsworld. They should come up with some Canadian dramas or comedies that don't stink though. That'd be a hell of a thing.

rubecube · 06-06-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

While CBC has it fair share of duds like Rita Mcneil et al specials, i think it is absolutely fantastic when it comes to covering large sporting events, comedy and the news. This is especially apparent when coming back from the US, where everything is bold and glitzy, but quite fake.

Even though Im not a huge Mansbridge fan, I absolutely love all the news specials that CBC produces. It covers a much more international breadth and is always quite fascinating, something I can't say for all the local news which is ripe with vapid stories that are about as deep as the 06 Flames playoff run.

The only thing I'm going to argue with you is the American production, which is vastly superior to Canadian production. Watch an NFL, NBA, or MLB game and the graphics and camerawork makes the CBC look bush league.

Table 5 · 06-06-2006, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

The only thing I'm going to argue with you is the American production, which is vastly superior to Canadian production. Watch an NFL, NBA, or MLB game and the graphics and camerawork makes the CBC look bush league.

I was mostly talking about things like the Olympics, but even so I dunno, most of the American networks use whiz-bang tactics that are glossy at first, but sometimes get in the way of just watching the game. Watch a FOX broadcast and all those animated robots and scoreboard animations get annoying pretty quick....or atleast they do to me.

Vulcan · 06-06-2006, 03:48 PM

Stay.
I don't like relying on big business to give me all the news as it is in the US. The more alternative veiws the better.

Their entertainment shows get mixed reviews but they are still better than anything CTV or Global make.

Their sports shows are usually not notch.

They still help in uniting this spread out country and I would miss them.

Bobblehead · 06-06-2006, 03:49 PM

There are too many things I like on CBC. They show a bunch of different sports, including Track and Field that you only see during the olympics anywhere else. I like Marketplace and Venture. The Rick Mercer Report.

I link mentioned in the Brian Williams thread mentioned how a study said the CBC should show more Arts and Culture. I say sure, if you want 90% of the remaining audience to stop watching it. Too many Rita McNeil specials with special guest Buffy Ste.Marie.

So I guess I am in favour of keeping it.

rubecube · 06-06-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

I was mostly talking about things like the Olympics, but even so I dunno, most of the American networks use whiz-bang tactics that are glossy at first, but sometimes get in the way of just watching the game. Watch a FOX broadcast and all those animated robots and scoreboard animations get annoying pretty quick....or atleast they do to me.

I'm not a big fan of Fox actually, but I think the presentation on CBS, ABC, and ESPN are all top-notch. Mainly it's the camerawork and directing that is really sub-standard in CBC. How many times do you notice in a CFL or HNIC broadcast that the camera gets behind the play or cuts too early to a replay, etc?

Bobblehead · 06-06-2006, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

The only thing I'm going to argue with you is the American production, which is vastly superior to Canadian production. Watch an NFL, NBA, or MLB game and the graphics and camerawork makes the CBC look bush league.

I can see you rpoint, but at times it gets in the way. Take MNF for example. The game regularly starts at 7, and ends around 10:25. But the games on Sunday rarely go 3:15. And even then they seem to miss a few snaps every week because they are showing the promo for this week's Dharma & Greg.

I wonder if it is the CBC's fear of change, fear to alienate fans, is the reason they hang on to Bob and Harry as their #1 team when the broadcasts would be so much better if they went with the fresh blood. Not for change's sake, but on merit there are better choices..

Bobblehead · 06-06-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

I'm not a big fan of Fox actually, but I think the presentation on CBS, ABC, and ESPN are all top-notch. Mainly it's the camerawork and directing that is really sub-standard in CBC. How many times do you notice in a CFL or HNIC broadcast that the camera gets behind the play or cuts too early to a replay, etc?

Yeah, but I think that is often the director's fault (on hockey & football). He is trying to "give a better story", when I think it is often better to let the game tell the story.

Sharpen 'Em · 06-06-2006, 03:58 PM

Would be nice if they had CBC West and a CBC East.

Table 5 · 06-06-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharpen 'Em

Would be nice if they had CBC West and a CBC East.

sort of defeats the point of a national network though no?

rubecube · 06-06-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I can see you rpoint, but at times it gets in the way. Take MNF for example. The game regularly starts at 7, and ends around 10:25. But the games on Sunday rarely go 3:15. And even then they seem to miss a few snaps every week because they are showing the promo for this week's Dharma & Greg.

Actually that can usually be attributed to the affiliate which is often...Canadian. I see where you're going but it's much more noticeable on CBC. For instance, CBC's cameramen get more fake out by PA pass than the defense. It basically just comes from having more money to throw around. The American companies have a larger talent pool to select from so of course they're going to be able to put out a better product. It's like Hollywood vs. Some Nunavit Movie About Two Gay Inuits.

Bobblehead · 06-06-2006, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

It's like Hollywood vs. Some Nunavit Movie About Two Gay Inuits.

rubecube · 06-06-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Yeah, but I think that is often the director's fault (on hockey & football). He is trying to "give a better story", when I think it is often better to let the game tell the story.

I'm not entirely sure what you're referring to, but I think it's much better to see a story as opposed to have the camera looking at blank ice/grass.

Sharpen 'Em · 06-06-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

sort of defeats the point of a national network though no?

Yeah, I guess so. I do like the CBC but sometimes I just wish there was a little more coverage on events that take place in the west. It bugs me that they won't bother to bring the HD equipment out west for some of the HNIC late games. It only happened a few times this year but when it's a national network you'd think it would be considerate to this side of the country.

Bobblehead · 06-06-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

I'm not entirely sure what you're referring to, but I think it's much better to see a story as opposed to have the camera looking at blank ice/grass.

I was mainly thinking about when they guy will be carrying the puck and they will switch to a close in shot of the player, but of course the game is so fast now that they often zoom in on a D-man who has just done a breakout pass. It happens a few times in almost every game, they try for a close-up and we see a player a second after the player no longer has the puck.

In football, they will try and zoom in on the player going through th eline, but the ball will come loose and the frame is too tight to see the ball as other players scramble for it.

Camera people (and presumably the directors who call for the shot) who try to get too close into the play and as a result miss the play drive me nuts.

rubecube · 06-06-2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I was mainly thinking about when they guy will be carrying the puck and they will switch to a close in shot of the player, but of course the game is so fast now that they often zoom in on a D-man who has just done a breakout pass. It happens a few times in almost every game, they try for a close-up and we see a player a second after the player no longer has the puck.

In football, they will try and zoom in on the player going through th eline, but the ball will come loose and the frame is too tight to see the ball as other players scramble for it.

Camera people (and presumably the directors who call for the shot) who try to get too close into the play and as a result miss the play drive me nuts.

I love the guys who bite on the pump fake and immediately shoot the camera upfield. The problem is the directors don't catch it quick enough and by the time they switch over to a better camera the play is over.

RedMan12 · 06-06-2006, 04:21 PM

I watch CBC only for HNIC when Calgary is on or the occasional news. I like their hockey broadcasts. I think they really go out of their way to play a Leafs game every Saturday but they are the biggest fan base in Canada so you can't blame them.