[uwish]

Boot

your last line is a complete and accurate summary of Canadians IN GENERAL. When it comes to the military, etc etc etc

they bitch about it, they want it, then don't want to pay for it.

well said.

[bootlegga]

Brenda Brenda:

bootlegga bootlegga:

Brenda Brenda:

But does that mean they need SO much funding?

Why would a private company broadcast what a public network does? I think the CBC can survive on advertisement, and still be the network they are.

Given that TV shows and movies cost a small fortune to produce, yes. Passchendaele, Paul Gross' homage to WW1 cost $20 million alone to make. The documentary The Arrow cost several million, and that was almost a decade ago. Many TV shows, even in Canada cost almost a million dollars per episode. If we paid stars what they paid in the US, it would be in ten-twenty million per episode.

It's funny, lots of people bitch about the poor quality of Canadian-made shows, but don't want to pay to make them either. It's a catch 22. No money means poor quality (sets, props, acting, scripts, etc), which usually translates into low ratings, while more money generally equals a better product and better ratings.

I watch a lot of Discovery Channel... They are a private company, right? Talking about documentaries, and history...

I understand your point, but what I don't understand, is why it should come out of the pockets of the taxpayers.

Documentaries are actually quite cheap to produce; a couple of interviews, a few plane tickets, a camerperson and someone to tie it all together. Making a weekly drama like the Border or Road to Avonlea costs much more than that.

It has to come out of taxpayers pockets because the private sector refuses to make them. If CTV or Global was willing to invest in decent Canadian-made programming, it would be fine, but instead, they buy programs made in Canada (like Stargate Atlantis). Now, there's nothing wrong with that show, but how does it showcase Canada or Canadian values in any way (other than having the most annoying character a Canadian)? The fact is it doesn't, whereas shows like Beachcombers and North of 60 have a uniquely Canadian POV.

Perhaps if Canada wasn't located next to the world's biggest media producer, it wouldn't matter, or if we spoke another language, but the fact is we don't. We speak English, like the US, and their shows flood our airwaves. The reason that CTV and Global buy Survivor and CSI and other American programming is because it's cheaper/more profitable than making their own.

[sandorski]

TattoodGirl TattoodGirl:

Brenda Brenda:

sandorski sandorski:

It wasn't long ago that Telus(BCTel), BCHydro/West Kootenay Power, and all BC Highways maintenance were run as Government Corporations. These days those Corporations are mandated to provide service beyond what they would normally do simply as Private business. Having largely grown up in the Boundary area(West of the Kootenays)I remember a time when CBC TV/Radio were the only Canadian TV/Radio service available with any consistency. "Free Market" considerations have little to do with the current level of service being provided in your area.

That doesn't mean that the "Free Market" can't continue from here. Just a little historical background to things to help understand Canadian attitudes about the subject(s). Privitization of these various Services has been a real mixed bag. Electircal services seemed far less prone to problems back then, although I think that is largely due to the integration with the US Power Grid and also because I now live on the Coast where the Grid is more prone to failure anyway. Highway's maintenance seems to have suffered from the transition, but that varies from place to place and may have more to do with Provincial Government Funding/Focus.

Not many businesses have found the Boundary area, as you might be well aware of.

We now have Fortis too, though, no Rogers

I have no idea what my understanding of the history "the Canadian way" has to do with my idea of running businesses. Maybe a fresh way of thinking is exactly what the "rusty" "Canadian way" might need...

*ducks for all the attacks that are going to come her way*

Geeezzz all these damn foreigners coming here and trying to change us....We are a stubborn bunch

hehe, I didn't mean it that way. Just thought I'd add some background to contrast with how things are Now.

[sandorski]

Brenda Brenda:

TattoodGirl TattoodGirl:

Brenda Brenda:

*ducks for all the attacks that are going to come her way*

Geeezzz all these damn foreigners coming here and trying to change us....We are a stubborn bunch

Like I said in response to Tatts post, not trying to attack you. Just trying to bring you up to speed on what happened before you arrived.

[uwish]

wasn't the original idea for CSI a CTV thing??? Thought I read that somewhere.

[Brenda]

sandorski sandorski:

Like I said in response to Tatts post, not trying to attack you. Just trying to bring you up to speed on what happened before you arrived.

Highly appreciated

[TattoodGirl]

sandorski sandorski:

hehe, I didn't mean it that way. Just thought I'd add some background to contrast with how things are Now.

OHHH...I know that, didnt mean to make you think that. I was just joking around with Bren...on the ducks for all the attacks comment...I was just being a brat

Im sorry if you thought otherwise

[karra]

Let's see,

SeaBeeCee - 1 billion buckaroos per year and counting...

Gun Registry - 1 billion buckaroos per year and counting...

[Brenda]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Documentaries are actually quite cheap to produce; a couple of interviews, a few plane tickets, a camerperson and someone to tie it all together. Making a weekly drama like the Border or Road to Avonlea costs much more than that.

It has to come out of taxpayers pockets because the private sector refuses to make them. If CTV or Global was willing to invest in decent Canadian-made programming, it would be fine, but instead, they buy programs made in Canada (like Stargate Atlantis). Now, there's nothing wrong with that show, but how does it showcase Canada or Canadian values in any way (other than having the most annoying character a Canadian)? The fact is it doesn't, whereas shows like Beachcombers and North of 60 have a uniquely Canadian POV.

Perhaps if Canada wasn't located next to the world's biggest media producer, it wouldn't matter, or if we spoke another language, but the fact is we don't. We speak English, like the US, and their shows flood our airwaves. The reason that CTV and Global buy Survivor and CSI and other American programming is because it's cheaper/more profitable than making their own.

I'm not saying CBC should change it programming... (although... the idea of a weatherchannel like station, but a little different, ya know )

What I am saying, is that the CBC could very will be as patriotic as it is, making THE best Canadian television, for Canadians, by Canadians, about Canada, Canadians and their ancestors, yet as a private corportation. I am sure lots of Canadian businesses want to advertise their Canadian product or service on that.

Still, with only 33 million people, you cannot even dream to come close to the US with their stations and series and programming, just because your market is smaller. I agree with you on that. There is, imo, nothing wrong with buying good US produced (or even Endemol, which is Dutch ) shows.

[Brenda]

TattoodGirl TattoodGirl:

sandorski sandorski:

hehe, I didn't mean it that way. Just thought I'd add some background to contrast with how things are Now.

OHHH...I know that, didnt mean to make you think that. I was just joking around with Bren...on the ducks for all the attacks comment...I was just being a brat

Im sorry if you thought otherwise

And... what exactly is the news in that?

[sandorski]

karra karra:

Let's see,

SeaBeeCee - 1 billion buckaroos per year and counting...

Gun Registry - 1 billion buckaroos per year and counting...

I don't think that's accurate.

[TattoodGirl]

Brenda Brenda:

TattoodGirl TattoodGirl:

sandorski sandorski:

hehe, I didn't mean it that way. Just thought I'd add some background to contrast with how things are Now.

OHHH...I know that, didnt mean to make you think that. I was just joking around with Bren...on the ducks for all the attacks comment...I was just being a brat

Im sorry if you thought otherwise

And... what exactly is the news in that?

[Biblesmasher]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Documentaries are actually quite cheap to produce; a couple of interviews, a few plane tickets, a camerperson and someone to tie it all together. Making a weekly drama like the Border or Road to Avonlea costs much more than that.

It has to come out of taxpayers pockets because the private sector refuses to make them. If CTV or Global was willing to invest in decent Canadian-made programming, it would be fine, but instead, they buy programs made in Canada (like Stargate Atlantis). Now, there's nothing wrong with that show, but how does it showcase Canada or Canadian values in any way (other than having the most annoying character a Canadian)? The fact is it doesn't, whereas shows like Beachcombers and North of 60 have a uniquely Canadian POV.

Perhaps if Canada wasn't located next to the world's biggest media producer, it wouldn't matter, or if we spoke another language, but the fact is we don't. We speak English, like the US, and their shows flood our airwaves. The reason that CTV and Global buy Survivor and CSI and other American programming is because it's cheaper/more profitable than making their own.

Youre bang on in your assesment of the state of Canadian tv and its importance. I dunno about the cbc's role(they seem to cancel programs sometimes that are good and have high ratings for no apparent reason)but wish there was a stronger industry here. I say restrict whats shown on our airwaves(make sure "canadian content" isnt as easily circumvented) but leave it up to private companies to provide it.

[ziggy]

Wasnt it back in the sheila copps days that our government said every Canadian community would get internet?

So now we do,lets streamline CBC into just internet and get rid of a few hundred transmitter towers,when things go hdtv you wont be able to get tv signals anyways will you?

[uwish]

karra karra:

Let's see,

SeaBeeCee - 1 billion buckaroos per year and counting...

Gun Registry - 1 billion buckaroos per year and counting...

HRDC - 1 billion