[News] CBC to cut 657 jobs and no longer compete for professional sport rights

[sureLoss]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/cbc-to...ghts-1.2605504

Funding shortfalls and revenue losses have forced CBC/Radio-Canada to cut $130 million from its budget this year, a move that will eliminate 657 jobs over the next two years and take the network out of competing for the rights to broadcast professional sports, the public broadcaster announced on Thursday.

CBC said it could no longer compete against private broadcasters that have specialty sports channels and multiple media platforms. The result will mean fewer sporting events will be covered, including amateur sports. But the CBC will still compete for sporting events of national significance, like the Olympics.

[Zulu29]

Writing was on the wall unfortunately. It's kind of sad that HNiC will no longer be on CBC, just feels strange.

[topfiverecords]

As long as Healy is one of the 657!

[calgaryred]

I feel bad I remember as a kid enjoying HNIC, but I will admit I don't care for it anymore, HNIC is still miles ahead of Sportsnet, but TSN and NBC do a better job. Hopefully CBC will somehow stay relevant, without hockey there's only maybe one or two programs I ever really watch on that network from time to time.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

As long as Healy is one of the 657!

[nik-]

Rough news. If Sportsnet was smart, they'd start hiring a ton of those people. They won't though, because they likely think they got the rights because of their abilities and not the zeros on the cheque.

[Mathalete]

HNIC will still be broadcast on CBC under the terms of this new deal. I was listening to an interview with Strombopolous and he mentioned that the fact that CBC is in more homes than any other sports network and because of that, he sees HNIC (under the Rogers umbrella) on CBC beyond the current 4 year commitment.

Healy will likely become a Rogers employee - along with the other CBC employees.

[GreenLantern]

So does that make this the last official season of HNIC on CBC?

Or does that new contract deal not kick in until 2016?

[Table 5]

A real shame for Canada. If there is one thing that CBC does really well, it's sports.

[the_only_turek_fan]

I can't wait for the day when this $1.2B waste of money is shut down for good.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

I can't wait for the day when this $1.2B waste of money is shut down for good.

I just knew this would be said, only took 10 posts!

[GGG]

This is good news. The CBC should not be competing where for profit stations can compete.

I am disappointed that radio is taking a hit in funding too. CBC radio provides a unique product that is not available on commercial networks.

[nik-]

I'm fine with the CBC existing, and I'm ok with it's mission to provide Canadian content, but the problem with it is the content it provides is just so old fashioned and stale.

[tvp2003]

As long as the guys that do the pre-game and post-playoff music montages are re-hired somewhere, I'll be fine

[1991 Canadian]

Kind of a shame. I still consider the CBC to be the gold standard in hockey broadcasting.

Hopefully Rogers will take on some of their talent, particularly CBC's behind the scenes talent. From the studio, to their audio team, to the camerawork, CBC does a far superior job.

[ae118]

Public broadcasting is important to me, and I have no problem being taxed for it.

I think CBC TV does sports really well, so this is really unfortunate, but I do think TV has yet to find the right role in 2014 in terms of content.

CBC Radio is excellent and shouldn't be subject to any cuts.

I'm not a Michael Enright fan, but I happened to hear some of his show a couple of weekends ago and there was a really worthwhile interview with a former BBC boss on the role of public broadcasting:

http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/m...rmer-bbc-boss/


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[mennoknight]

Healy is probably not technically a CBC 'employee.' I would wager to guess he's on a freelance contract. These cuts affect full time, benefit/pension pulling employees.

[Hanna Sniper]

growing up and only getting 12-15 Flames games a year, can't say I'm all that bothered by this

Jobs being lost, feel bad for those that depend on the work and hope it transitions to better things for them in the future

[an hero]

Originally Posted by Table 5

A real shame for Canada. If there is one thing that CBC does really well, it's sports.

Whenever I was at in-laws who didn't care to ever watch hockey, could always stream things. That's where CBC was really superior. This is a sad moment. I've been weaning myself off of pro sports as it is thanks to the continuously degrading quality, surely losing CBC which was far more viewer friendly will help out that cause more. This also affects Americans near the border who appreciated CBC over the horrific American broadcasts and (never shut the #### up while the puck is in play) talkathon play-by-play/colour commentary announcers.

[calgarygeologist]

HNIC on CBC has been an exceptional broadcast and I applaud the risk that the CBC took with their Punjabi broadcast. No other broadcaster would have taken on such a risk on a national scale.

CBC does a very good job with sports and I'll almost always tune in to their broadcasts even when it is sports I don't follow such as soccer or aquatics or equestrian or whatever. CBC did a fantastic job with the Winter Olympics and it was far superior to the previous efforts put forth by CTV/TSN. The only thing that I think CBC lacks is depth in commentary/analysis but that is likely financially related because they just can't compete with the big players.