TMC
02-08-2011, 01:17 AM
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/cbcs-sports-operations-dwindle-toward-extinction/article1896588/
Well-funded CTV/TSN and Rogers have set their sights on the next Canadian Olympic TV bids, CFL rights, curling, NFL and the NHL contract starting in 2014. Newly minted Shaw/Global is rushing to follow them with its application for a sports channel. Telus is also aggressively pursuing strategies to allow it to control sports content as well.
The current management of CBC’s television operations seems focused on sitcoms and reality TV at the expense of its news and sports operations. But how long can it afford that if CBC loses its Hockey Night revenue? There is some hope that the NHL will want to perpetuate the institutional memory of Hockey Night on CBC. Hockey Day in Canada next Saturday, from Whitehorse this year, is a valuable asset, too.
Well-funded CTV/TSN and Rogers have set their sights on the next Canadian Olympic TV bids, CFL rights, curling, NFL and the NHL contract starting in 2014. Newly minted Shaw/Global is rushing to follow them with its application for a sports channel. Telus is also aggressively pursuing strategies to allow it to control sports content as well.
The current management of CBC’s television operations seems focused on sitcoms and reality TV at the expense of its news and sports operations. But how long can it afford that if CBC loses its Hockey Night revenue? There is some hope that the NHL will want to perpetuate the institutional memory of Hockey Night on CBC. Hockey Day in Canada next Saturday, from Whitehorse this year, is a valuable asset, too.