CHIMING IN ON HNIC
Wow! Has it been almost a month since my last post? It appears so; however, with the recent submission of a thesis proposal completed, my thoughts can return to the wide world of sports.
In recent days, there has been a flurry of activity -- web-postings, editorials, radio-call ins -- concerning the news that communication conglomerate Bell Globemedia is planning to offer up 10.4 billion dollars over 10 years for the rights to Hockey Night in Canada. And it seems that everyone has an opinion on the matter.
One of the oft arguments that I have encountered see's this possible purchase as great news, because without a regular Saturday evening, the CBC can turn their attention to their mandate, which is to promote and support Canadian culture through television programming (although, I am not sure where such films as 'Happy Gilmore' fit into this mandate). But I digress.
A counter-point to this argument is that the sport of hockey is Canadian culture, and by airing hockey, the CBC is contributing to it's mandate. Indeed, what Canadian child did not play on a backyard pond? Or on the street? Or played until their fingers were frozen to their Easton Aluminum? Who doesn’t remember the last Canadian team to win the Cup? Moreover, the recent runs of two western Canadian teams seemed to reaffirm Canadian passion (or at least bandwagon jumping) for the sport.
While some may disagree with my assessment, it is hard to argue that hockey is not a part of our culture. Facets of culture do not have to be agreed upon by all members of a citizenry, it simply has to permeate that citizenry in a profound way. Indeed, like may pop-culture icons and ideals, Madonna, Britney Spears, Dave Chapelle, trucker hats (ugh), hockey permeates many facets of Canadian thinking.
However, for those of you who did not agree with this, keep this in mind. HNIC provides CBC with a 30 million dollar profit each year. This cash is what enables the CBC to fund and air “real” Canadian cultural programs like "Tommy Douglas," "Rick Mercer," "the Road to Avonlea," and the like. Without this cash, the CBC would be even less able to fulfill it's mandate.
The solution then? If Bell Globemedia wants to purchase the rights to HNIC, so be it, I am gonna have to upgrade my cable package anyway. However, if Bell Globemedia wants the format as well, such as "Coach's Corner," "Satellite Hotstove," and "Behind the Mask," they should be required to pay the CBC a 30 million dollar a year rental fee.
In recent days, there has been a flurry of activity -- web-postings, editorials, radio-call ins -- concerning the news that communication conglomerate Bell Globemedia is planning to offer up 10.4 billion dollars over 10 years for the rights to Hockey Night in Canada. And it seems that everyone has an opinion on the matter.
One of the oft arguments that I have encountered see's this possible purchase as great news, because without a regular Saturday evening, the CBC can turn their attention to their mandate, which is to promote and support Canadian culture through television programming (although, I am not sure where such films as 'Happy Gilmore' fit into this mandate). But I digress.
A counter-point to this argument is that the sport of hockey is Canadian culture, and by airing hockey, the CBC is contributing to it's mandate. Indeed, what Canadian child did not play on a backyard pond? Or on the street? Or played until their fingers were frozen to their Easton Aluminum? Who doesn’t remember the last Canadian team to win the Cup? Moreover, the recent runs of two western Canadian teams seemed to reaffirm Canadian passion (or at least bandwagon jumping) for the sport.
While some may disagree with my assessment, it is hard to argue that hockey is not a part of our culture. Facets of culture do not have to be agreed upon by all members of a citizenry, it simply has to permeate that citizenry in a profound way. Indeed, like may pop-culture icons and ideals, Madonna, Britney Spears, Dave Chapelle, trucker hats (ugh), hockey permeates many facets of Canadian thinking.
However, for those of you who did not agree with this, keep this in mind. HNIC provides CBC with a 30 million dollar profit each year. This cash is what enables the CBC to fund and air “real” Canadian cultural programs like "Tommy Douglas," "Rick Mercer," "the Road to Avonlea," and the like. Without this cash, the CBC would be even less able to fulfill it's mandate.
The solution then? If Bell Globemedia wants to purchase the rights to HNIC, so be it, I am gonna have to upgrade my cable package anyway. However, if Bell Globemedia wants the format as well, such as "Coach's Corner," "Satellite Hotstove," and "Behind the Mask," they should be required to pay the CBC a 30 million dollar a year rental fee.
posted by Pattington at 10:26 a.m.
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