CBC - Should it stay or go?

[moon]

Not a fan of the CBC at all. There have been a few shows that I enjoyed. Made in Canada, Rick Mercer's Monday Report. But for the most part I find their shows boring and am not a fan at all of their news. Their politcal coverage has been a joke in the past, becasue of this I ahven't watched it lately so not sure if it has mproved at all.

But it appears that some people do appreciate the documentaries and other show that I find boring so I think it should stay.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Why do people think that they should only pay for things they use? Does EVERYTHING in our world have to make business sense? Aren't there things out there that we can support for the greater good of our society? I don't go to the library that often, but I still support the library system as it helps kids become more educated. I don't drive in the N.E that much anymore because of my S.W location, but still think its important for people there to have roads and schools. I haven't used the bike path in the city for ages, but I'll support it's expansion because it helps keep our citizens healthy.

Government should only be in the buisness of providing essential public services. A television network is not an essential public service.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Government should only be in the buisness of providing essential public services. A television network is not an essential public service.

I agree to an extent. I have no problem if they are in the business and breaking even or even making money. But, when Joe and Mary six pack have to foot the bill, thats when it becomes a problem.

[White Doors]

Originally Posted by Table 5

PBS is vastly superior? I don't know about you, but having my programming interrupted every 15 minutes for a donation spiel is not the most entertaining way to spend a night of tv watching. And while PBS isn't bad, it's nowhere as diverse in its lineup.

And btw, PBS receives federal government money, just like the CBC.

Yes, PBS is MUCh better than the CBC. They may get federal monies, but it is not beholden to the federal government like the CBC is.

[White Doors]

"Sure the CBC might not always produce stellar shows 24 hours a day, but it has some damn good programming. Its international sports and news coverage helps us be more aware of our world. You hardly see anything international on the news in the U.S unless it involves America somehow. It doesn't make business sense for them, so they don't show it....and their viewers are less knowledgable as a result. The CBC on the other hand is more worldy, and always has great documentaries about stories from around the world. As a Canadian who lives in the U.S these days, I miss the CBC more and more."

Why do these conversations have to turn into us vs. the USA? Who cares what the USA does?

CTV news is much better than the CBC news if that's what your worries are. And I got to say that since you brought it up, ABC and CBS news are both better too in the international scene, in my opinion.
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[aepca]

I only watch CBC for the hockey games and Olympics otherwise I rarely tune into that channel. I just wish they would focus more on other Canadian teams and not just the maple leafs.

[RedMan12]

Originally Posted by Table 5

PBS is vastly superior? I don't know about you, but having my programming interrupted every 15 minutes for a donation spiel is not the most entertaining way to spend a night of tv watching. And while PBS isn't bad, it's nowhere as diverse in its lineup.

And btw, PBS receives federal government money, just like the CBC.

whats wrong with Oscar the Grouch or Kermit the Frog doing fund raisers?

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by RedMan12

whats wrong with Oscar the Grouch or Kermit the Frog doing fund raisers?

"Elmo knows where you live!"

Sorry. Bad Simpsons reference.

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by White Doors

And I got to say that since you brought it up, ABC and CBS news are both better too in the international scene, in my opinion.

Really? I find ABC horrible for International news. CBS is okay, but I still think the CBC is much better. I find both devote very little time to any international news; the overwhelming majority of it is focused on American national news. The CBC has a good mix of both national and international affairs with good in-depth analysis. The absolute best source for International news is the BBC, but the CBC isn't all that far behind.

What makes you say ABC and CBS are better than CBC?

[White Doors]

ABC and CBS have many more international correspondents on the ground than CBC does, for international news.

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by White Doors

ABC and CBS have many more international correspondents on the ground than CBC does, for international news.

In my opinion, international correspondents on the ground doesn't affect the quality of the news at all. What do I care if the guy is Iraq or a studio in Toronto? What he is saying is important, not where he is physically located.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Government should only be in the buisness of providing essential public services. A television network is not an essential public service.

so you are against having things like libraries, zoos, science centers, and bike paths? Hardly essential things.....unless you consider having a well rounded, educated citizenry essential.

[Hakan]

I wish we had a bbc like model of public broadcasting. Of course British citizens pay every month for the BBC as part of their cable bill. I think that Canadians would not be so financially forthcoming.

[Footscray]

Hate to contribute in a negative way but White Doors you're throwing conjecture everywhere like it's fact in a pretty arrogant fashion. Just stating that PBS is better than CBC doesn't make it so and I'd say public opinion in Canada would strongly disagree with you. ABC CBS, CTV? Pure subjectivity, the only attempt at a fact you've thrown out is that they have more foreign correspondants, the quality of whom and objectivity of we know nothing about. It comes down to you being opposed to your buck a year or whatever going to the CBC and being opposed to it on ideological grounds clearly as your arguments are poor and pretty obviously jaded.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by BlackEleven

In my opinion, international correspondents on the ground doesn't affect the quality of the news at all. What do I care if the guy is Iraq or a studio in Toronto? What he is saying is important, not where he is physically located.

Having someone in Iraq makes the news way more credible. And it doesn't have to be the anchorman either.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by White Doors

ABC and CBS have many more international correspondents on the ground than CBC does, for international news.

CBC obviously can't compete financially with ABC or CBS but it can compete with quality and hopefully with a less American biased view of the world. It can actually give a Canadian slant from Canadian interests. How about that, something that is actually in yours and mine best interests and not in the interest of foreign govt.s and business.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Table 5

that's a fantastic arguement, you win. let's sell the cops, roads, citizens, and army to the private sector while we're at it too! hell, let's sell the flag, I'm sure we can get some cash for it. less government, people! it's a fire sale, everything must go! woot!

Obviously there are essential services that the government need to offer but if you think the CBC is one of those things than you need you head examined.

People (mostly left-wing people) feel they need goverment involvement in all parts of their life. I guess it's easier than thinking for yourself.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Fire

Obviously there are essential services that the government need to offer but if you think the CBC is one of those things than you need you head examined.

People (mostly left-wing people) feel they need goverment involvement in all parts of their life. I guess it's easier than thinking for yourself.

One thing I've noticed is that the right wingers have a really hard time thinking for themselves. They'd rather spout their supposed truisms gleaned from some ignorant talk show host. Anyways thanks for telling everybody who has taken part in this dicussion that we need our heads examined.

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by Azure

Having someone in Iraq makes the news way more credible. And it doesn't have to be the anchorman either.

Being on a station that has a reputation for quality makes the news credible way more-so that location. I think the vast majority of people in Canada would give more credibility to a CBC reporter reporting on Iraq from Canada than they would to a Fox News reporter reporting on Iraq from Iraq.

[Dion]

Let it go!