[Jay in Cowtown]

TiVo is in Canada? Wow, this technologically-advanced country is just full of surprises.

I had a Directv receiver with TiVo a couple of years ago, but the TiVo wouldn't work worth a shit... I can't see how TiVo would be any different than PVR/DVR satellite & cable receivers.

I wonder if TiVo works with FTA satellite systems. ;)

[MolsonExport]

Goddammit, Rogers, why does everything have to go through the evil triumvarate of Mr. Rogers, Sellus, and Smell-Canada?

Deregulation in telecommunications, NOW!

[PhilippeMtl]

Roy Dupuis
Marie-Jose Croze
Michel Coté
Patrick Huard
caroline neron
Marc Labrèche
Denys Arcand
Rémy Girard
Celine Bonnier

Just to name the ones that come to mind

Of course they're all quebecers and they're not considered celebrities by the e-talk people.

I will add Lucie Laurier on this list . :slob:

[MolsonExport]

^what about Mitsou? Gilles Vigneault? Gino Vanelli?

[HomeInMyShoes]

I'm eagerly un-anticipating the first ghastly Tim Horton's Christmas commerical I have to sit through. Thankfully I've been watching very little TV these days.

[MolsonExport]

Anyone remember the horrid Xmas Canadian Tire commercials with that horrid Scrooge? Come every november, the good folks at CanTire would axiomatically drag him out of the tickle trunk.

"Give like Santa, save like Scrooge"

BTW what's the deal with the 20-minute timeouts? I am sick of constantly having to log in over and over again.

[LordMandeep]

yeah Bell, Telus and Mr. Rogers own the Telephone, Cellphone, Internet and TV market here where i live...

[PhilippeMtl]

^what about Mitsou? Gilles Vigneault? Gino Vanelli?

Gilles Vigneault is not dead yet?

[Nutterbug]

Did everybody forget Celine Dion? Or did she defect to the other side by singing in English?

[SpongeG]

I had a Directv receiver with TiVo a couple of years ago, but the TiVo wouldn't work worth a shit... I can't see how TiVo would be any different than PVR/DVR satellite & cable receivers.

I wonder if TiVo works with FTA satellite systems. ;)

do the PVR/DVR's record shows that you don't watch like tivo? other than that I can't see much difference

[SpongeG]

That like going to a grocery store and having the shelves throw at you food that you might enjoy based on your preferences! No thanks!

:haha:

i know a few people in the states who have it and it has tivo'd them some odd show choices but they end up liking them

[HomeInMyShoes]

^I don't need help watching more TV. I need help watching less TV.

[vid]

do the PVR/DVR's record shows that you don't watch...?

I certainly hope not! They are for recording shows that I do watch!!

[vid]

This is from a discussion at SSC, I thought some of you might find it interesting.

====

Considering the national budget is $235B and the CBC is $1B, cutting the CBC will mean a 0.4% tax savings for you!

http://www.fin.gc.ca/afr/2007/AFR2007_2e.html

Lets do the math!!

75,000
-74,357
= 643
x 167.18
+13,756
=13,923.18

13,923.18
x 0.996
=13,867.49

13,923.18
-13,867.49
= 55.69

If you make 75,000$ every year, you will save $55.69 every year! Yay!! $0.15 per day!

Compare this to Shaw's full digital cable package, which costs 815.40$ per year, or about $4.43 per channel (not including radio and pay per view channels) or $2.23 per day.

[Rathgrith]

You know those "Get Prepared" commercials? Well when the camera zooms out into space is it Winnipeg or some made up city? I am assuming it is Winnipeg because the area the cameras zooms out of mos likely Manitoba. Any help?

[SpongeG]

I certainly hope not! They are for recording shows that I do watch!!

thats one of Tivo's Selling points that it will see what you watch and than record shows based on those likes that you might want

personally i wouldn't want it but it seems to be a popular feature

[harls]

If you are on facebook, may I suggest:

I Support Killing That Wendy's Asshole In The Fucking Wig

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19709027944

[Danny D]

thats one of Tivo's Selling points that it will see what you watch and than record shows based on those likes that you might want

personally i wouldn't want it but it seems to be a popular feature

Thats like having my TV stalking me. I prefer to use a PVR, at least i know it wont record anything stupid. What if it records a show multiple times like the simpsons that play on Global, CTV, CBC every hour but is the same episode. Does it know that it has already recorded that episode?

[Ayreonaut]

I just noticed that the Panago guy wears a hardhat to bbq...WTF? :koko:

[SpongeG]

apparently USA Network might be available in Canada soon

and TBS was replaced by Peachtree TV a few months ago due to TBS not having the license or something to broadcast in Canada... but it was done as some kind of deal to allo CNN and CNN Headline news to come into Canada

[Ayreonaut]

Yeah I noticed Peachtree, it has similar programming though, I've never watched it so I don't know if they butcher movies like TBS did.

[vid]

Peachtree = TBS. WTBS is now legally known as WPCH. Its the same channel with a new licence.

TBS was two channels -- the local TBS that broadcast to Atlanta only, and the national one, a USA-wide cable network. Canadian law prevents an American cable network from being displayed without approval, but any American local channel can air here, which is how TBS got into our market. Instead of getting the national feed, we got the local channel from Atlanta.

Peachtree TV was created so that Turner could air TBS and Peachtree in the Atlanta market. Until October 1, TBS was blacked out in Atlanta because they already had the local station. Changing to Peachtree gives them two channels in the market. The name change is completely unrelated to any Canadian laws.

TBS aired Headline News over night at some points but that had nothing to do with getting CNN into the Canadian market, as we had it before we had TBS.

[SpongeG]

Peachtree = TBS. WTBS is now legally known as WPCH. Its the same channel with a new licence.

TBS was two channels -- the local TBS that broadcast to Atlanta only, and the national one, a USA-wide cable network. Canadian law prevents an American cable network from being displayed without approval, but any American local channel can air here, which is how TBS got into our market. Instead of getting the national feed, we got the local channel from Atlanta.

Peachtree TV was created so that Turner could air TBS and Peachtree in the Atlanta market. Until October 1, TBS was blacked out in Atlanta because they already had the local station. Changing to Peachtree gives them two channels in the market. The name change is completely unrelated to any Canadian laws.

TBS aired Headline News over night at some points but that had nothing to do with getting CNN into the Canadian market, as we had it before we had TBS.


ah yeah i was reading on some digital forum

we had TBS when i was a kid way back in the early 80's - we also had MTV and USA network, the movie channel and a few other oddities - like free Superchannel

small town cable company :tup:

when i talk to people down here they say they never got any of those channels

anyway was looking forward to some TBC specials that I saw previews for when on holiday in the states last month :(

also the TBS we used to get here was never time shifted like it was or is in the states - on the west coast the TBS they watch was time shifted for them but here it never was

same with WGN - we used to get WGN superstation now we get WGN CW - which i guess is like the local chicago version of WGN - we get the news now - i don't think WGN superstation ever had news

and speaking of annoying CRTC things - last week I was waiting to watch the local Seattle ABC news at 11 am but instead they kept running the stupid CTV feed until 11:40 am!!! 40 freaking minutes until they switched it to the proper feed!

I really wish they would stop doing that - running the Canadian feed over the American when its the same show - just let the consumers decide what they want to watch :hell:

[Ayreonaut]

On Starchoiice there is TBS and WTBS, but they always have the same programming. I think now I have two Peachtree channels, I never watch them though.

[Jay in Cowtown]

I really wish they would stop doing that - running the Canadian feed over the American when its the same show - just let the consumers decide what they want to watch :hell:

If you have an American relative with Directv, get them to add another receiver to their subscription and split the monthly bill with them... goodbye commie vision, hello HBO & Showtime!!!

[SpongeG]

yeah i wish i could :(

i have a friend who has a family memeber who does the illegal dishes and he gets 100's of channels - lots from overseas but the thing gets reset fairly often so they lose service for a while now and than

[Jay in Cowtown]

yeah i wish i could :(

i have a friend who has a family memeber who does the illegal dishes and he gets 100's of channels - lots from overseas but the thing gets reset fairly often so they lose service for a while now and than

Free To Air

[Greco Roman]

Yeah I noticed Peachtree, it has similar programming though, I've never watched it so I don't know if they butcher movies like TBS did.

Peachtree TV is waaaaaaaaay better for sitcom programming than TBS National. Peachtree TV offers Different Strokes, All in the Family and The Jeffersons (my favorite; before, I hadn't seen any episodes prior to 1989), and a full hour of the King of Queens. The first three you can't get on TBS National. But as for movies, they still both suck for the over-editing they butcher them with.

I'll take Peachtree over TBS National anyday!

[vid]

also the TBS we used to get here was never time shifted like it was or is in the states - on the west coast the TBS they watch was time shifted for them but here it never was

That's because it was the local station from Atlanta. A different channel with the same name.

same with WGN - we used to get WGN superstation now we get WGN CW - which i guess is like the local chicago version of WGN - we get the news now - i don't think WGN superstation ever had news

That is exactly what happened. :) Superstation WGN is a cable-only network, it can't be aired without approval. But any cable company can air its local feed.

and speaking of annoying CRTC things - last week I was waiting to watch the local Seattle ABC news at 11 am but instead they kept running the stupid CTV feed until 11:40 am!!! 40 freaking minutes until they switched it to the proper feed!

That's why I hate simulcasting. :) Shaw constantly fucks up with it, it gets really annoying. I'm glad I don't have Shaw anymore. Shittest company one earth. Seriously.

I really wish they would stop doing that - running the Canadian feed over the American when its the same show - just let the consumers decide what they want to watch :hell:

In the US, they just air a blank screen or an infomercial when a Canadian network airs a similar Canadian show, though they sometimes simulcast (they call it Sim-Subbing--simultaneous substitution) but they do appear to be a lot better at it than us. I think they use a timer, instead of depending on slack jawed technicians in Calgary like our shitty cable distributer.

Fuck Shaw cable.

:)

[SpongeG]

the only choice i get for Cable is Shaw

there is no other choice

I can't get a dish as the landlord will not allow them on his building

and Telus only offers downtown in the west end so far that i know of and i heard that Rogers is offering cable but i think its agin only in some areas

Rogers was much better before they did that big switch around in 2000 or so

[SpongeG]

theres a FREE Preview going on it seems - i just noticed yesterday - i am getting all the digital channels plus the greek channel, the german channel a number of indian channels and chinese channels plus all the french channels and a bunch of sports and news channels

its like overload

not sure when its ending but tune in ;)

[b13]

the only choice i get for Cable is Shaw

there is no other choice

I can't get a dish as the landlord will not allow them on his building

and Telus only offers downtown in the west end so far that i know of and i heard that Rogers is offering cable but i think its agin only in some areas

Rogers was much better before they did that big switch around in 2000 or so
what happened in 2000?

[SpongeG]

I can't remember the exact time but up until around than We Had Rogers Cable in Vancouver and BC and than there was some kind of switch with SHAW

I forget how the deal went but basically Roger gave up Western Canada Cable in order to get all of Ontario and the east - Shaw had pockets out east or something so they switched and I believe Shaw is Manitoba and west and Rogers got Ontario and east

something like that

But I heard that rogers now offers Digital cable in some places in Vancouver - I know telus also offers digital but again only in some parts of downtown Vancouver and as far as I know i don't have any choice but shaw as satellite is not an option where i live due to the landlord

[SpongeG]

oh if found this

CRTC Approval Granted: Shaw Acquires All Rogers Cable Operations in British Columbia
Business Wire, Oct 27, 2000
Business Editors

CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 27, 2000

Shaw Communications Inc. (TSE:SJR.B.) (CDNX:SJR.A) (NYSE:SJR) ("Shaw") received CRTC approval today to acquire all Rogers Communications Inc. ("Rogers") cable systems within British Columbia.

This transaction makes Shaw the principal cable and communications provider in the province, serving over one million or 90 per cent of B.C.'s cable customers.

The switch means an exchange of service providers for 600,000 Shaw customers in Eastern Canada and 623,000 Rogers customers in British Columbia's Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

"We are delighted by the CRTC's decision," stated Peter Bissonnette, President of Shaw Cablesystems. "With this approval, Shaw's systems are primarily consolidated in the West, representing 93 per cent of its customers. Shaw has strong roots in British Columbia and throughout Western Canada and it is important to us to build on our core strengths here, namely the provision of outstanding entertainment and communications services."

Recently, Shaw announced an additional $200 million nationally with $50 million allocated to Vancouver to provide the fastest, most reliable Internet network available to residential customers.

"We want customers and the community to know that we're truly excited about becoming the cable provider in the Lower Mainland. We'll be adding network infrastructure, adding jobs to the local economy, and adding to the value that customers get from our services," said Bissonnette.

"We'll be introducing new, innovative and improved services for Lower Mainland customers," Bissonnette added, "listening carefully all the way to their feedback and ideas. Our priority is build trust and long-term relationships with our new customers in the Lower Mainland while minimizing any impacts on service during the transition. It's business as usual right now, but over the next several months customers will begin to see many new Shaw innovations."

Another benefit Shaw brings to the Lower Mainland is major support for community involvement and charitable activities.

"We have a long standing dedication to community programming, educational initiatives and being unreservedly committed in the communities we serve," said Bissonnette. "We are looking forward to becoming an active partner in those communities new to Shaw."

For the latest details on the transition and answers to any related questions, customers will be invited to call Shaw's customer line in Vancouver at 280-8818 or visit www.shaw.ca.

Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified Canadian communications company whose core business is providing satellite, broadband cable television and Internet services to approximately 2.3 million customers. Shaw also has significant interests in interactive television, e-commerce and telecommunications companies. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges (Symbol: TSE - SJR.B, NYSE - SJR).

COPYRIGHT 2000 Business Wire
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group





http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2000_Oct_27/ai_66430221

[vid]

Shaw is Northwestern Ontario, west. ;)

We have to deal with their shit, too! :rolleyes: Overpriced poor service for everyone!

[SpongeG]

the preview or mistake thing is over :(

but teletoon retro is still there :)

[vid]

Not exactly media related but I just have to share this.

Kenora to Sell KMTS to Bell
Thursday, 03 January 2008
http://netnewsledger.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2509&Itemid=64

The City of Kenora and Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund ("Bell Aliant") (TSX: BA.UN), announced today that they have entered into an agreement under which Bell Aliant will purchase the assets and business of Kenora Municipal Telephone System (KMTS). The acquisition price will be approximately $27 million.

"In an increasingly competitive industry, Bell Aliant has the necessary scale and resources to offer our customers access to the latest products, services and innovative technology," said KMTS General Manager Dennis McCaffrey.

"We understand the importance of KMTS to Kenora and look forward to building on the excellent foundation of service and value already in place for customers in this area," said Stephen Wetmore, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Aliant.

This acquisition is a natural fit for Bell Aliant, according to the company. Bell Aliant says "aligning with its strong focus on the needs of customers and communities".

Bell Aliant already serves customers, and is a strong community partner, in Jaffray Melick and other neighbouring areas of Kenora in Northern Ontario. Bell Aliant has committed to offer employment to all current KMTS staff, to ensure a seamless transition for its customers and to maintain a strong emphasis on sponsorship and investment in the community.

"City Council is pleased with the purchase proposal and believes it is in the best interests of Kenora and KMTS's customers and employees to accept this offer by Bell Aliant," stated Kenora Mayor Len Compton.

The proposed transaction is subject to final approval by Kenora's City Council following a public information meeting which will be held in Kenora on January 15, 2008. Once authorized, closing will be subject to customary terms and conditions, including regulatory approvals to be requested from Industry Canada and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

TBayTel too late to bid on telephone company: Kenora mayor
Tb News Source | Web Posted: 1/4/2008 7:57:20 PM
http://www.tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=103460


A possible bid from TBay Tel to purchase Kenora's municipally-owned telephone service has been shot down by Kenora Mayor Len Compton.

On Friday, TBay Tel chair Peter Diedrich expressed interest in acquiring Kenora's service, known as KMTS. However the city of Kenora has already approved in principle the sale of the municipally owned company to Bell Aliant. Under the proposed deal, Bell Aliant would purchase the Kenora Municipal Telephone System for $27 million.

The Mayor of Kenora Len Compton said on Friday that TBayTel CEO Peter Diedrich is 'naive' to think he can purchase the city's telephone provider and said TBayTel is too late.

Diedrich said on Friday the company is considering a bid to counter Bell Aliant's offer stating ''the big carriers don't care about Northwestern Ontario.''

About a year ago TBay Tel's bid to purchase KMTS was rejected but Diedrich says that hasn't changed the company's interest. The deal between the City of Kenora and Bell Aliant is subject to final approval by Kenora's City Council which is expected to follow a public information meeting being held on January 15.

TBay Tel's CEO says if the company were to make a move for KMTS it would happen before the 15th but Compton says TBay Tel is simply too late. KMTS currently has 32 employees and serves 5,700 customers.

Now, this is the near equivalent of CBC trying to buy Global (after Global has already been sold), and representative of the bullshit that Thunder Bay faces from it's own region. :rolleyes: Nevertheless TBayTel is way out of its line. It buys competitors like the US invades countries. Often, and without warning.

Look out, Shaw! They're coming for you!

[SHOFEAR]

Has anybody tuned into Tom Green's House Tonight? I've been finding it fairly amusing.

[SpongeG]

whats with all the new CBC shows?

did they get new funding?

[kirjtc2]

CBC has really tried to step up promotion of its new shows lately. They're pandering to the masses rather than the few that remember it's there.

They're even picking up Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy this fall after the producers got tired of CTV jerking them around on the schedule.

[harls]

^ CBC is taking hit French TV shows from SRC (Les Hauts et les bas de Sophie Paquin, Rumeurs) and repackaging them for English Canada (Sophie, Rumours). it's too bad that they don't translate as well. French tv shows in Quebec have higher ratings due to the fact they don't have to compete with the likes of ER or House or whatever else is on opposite CBC's schedule.

House is watching you.

[MolsonExport]

I often watch House at my house.

[Rathgrith]

Has anybody tuned into Tom Green's House Tonight? I've been finding it fairly amusing.

I have! Its not the best talk show but good enough. I do like the fact that they make no effort to show how "basic cable" they seem.

[vid]

Why does Tom Green have a show again? Didn't the last fail?

[Overground]

Does Global tv think the public is stupid or something? They must do because their crappy website says tonight's episode of Kitchen Nightmares is a new one when fans of the show all know the season finale was in Dec. They're currently casting for the second season.

We're certain they showed the episode in Dec as they "simultaneous substitute" from the Fox channel in Seattle, a practice I detest in fact. If by a narrow margin they didn't air it on Global they are still deceiving the public by saying it's new when Global damn well knows we watched it on Fox.

[ErickMontreal]

SGF INVESTS $100 MILLION IN ALLIANCE FILMS, INC.
SGF ensures Canada’s largest film distributor will move its head office to Montréal

Montréal, January 15, 2008 – By making a $100-million investment in Alliance Films, Inc., Société générale de financement du Québec (SGF) has acquired 51% of the voting shares and a 38.5% stake in Canada’s largest independent film distributor.

As a result of this investment, the head office of Alliance Films – the company’s decision-making centre – will be relocated to Montréal. Certain senior management and significant portions of the finance and home video personnel will be transferred to Montréal.

With this investment, SGF is helping Montréal consolidate its role as one of Canada’s major film centers and position itself advantageously within the North American and European industry, given the increasing importance of Alliance Films’ European operations.

“We’re delighted with the impact that this deal will have on Québec’s entire film and distribution industry,” stated Pierre Shedleur, President and General Manager of SGF. “With its investments, SGF not only helps attract foreign productions to Québec, but also plays a central role in the global film industry. In addition to greater visibility for Montréal, the partnership will generate substantial economic spinoffs. It will also contribute to the transfer of well-paid jobs that will enhance the city’s economy,” Mr. Shedleur added.

SGF is confident that the deal will provide a high rate of return, since Alliance Films’ distribution operations are highly profitable.

About Alliance Films, Inc.
Alliance Films is a leading distributor of motion pictures in Canada, with motion picture distribution operations in the United Kingdom and Spain. The Company distributes filmed entertainment to theatres, on DVD, and to television broadcasters. Alliance Films holds the Canadian distribution rights to the productions of leading independent studios, including New Line Cinema, Miramax Films, Focus Features, The Weinstein Company.

SGF and Québec’s film industry

The investment in Alliance Films is SGF’s third major investment in the film industry.

In the past two years, Société générale de financement du Québec (SGF) has played a foremost role in the local film industry. In 2007, the film industry had its best year since 2003, in part as a result of SGF’s investments.

In a continuous effort to attract international film production to Québec, SGF has invested in two major projects in the past two years. In 2007, it formed a partnership with Lionsgate, an independent U.S. producer, in a $400-million project. By investing $140 million in the project, SGF ensured that more than 15 feature films and television series would be produced in Québec over the next four years.

In 2006, SGF partnered with Dark Castle, a production company owned by Hollywood producer Joel Silver, a $270 million film project and involves the production of a slate of 15 feature films. By investing $18 million in the film slate, SGF ensured that six of the films would be produced in Québec.

In the spring of 2007, the action film Whiteout, starring Kate Beckinsale, was shot in Montréal under SGF’s deal with Dark Castle. The next two films in the slate, The Factory, starring John Cusack, and Orphan, starring Peter Sarsgaard, are expected to be produced in Montréal this year.

Under SGF’s agreement with Lionsgate, the sixth season of the hit series The Dead Zone, starring Anthony Michael Hall, was shot in Montréal. Lloyd Segan, one of the producers, had high praise for the city and the expertise of Québec’s film workforce on the series’ official website:

www.usanetwork.com/series/thedeadzone/behindthescenes/fromls/lsentry061507.html

Also as part of SGF’s deal with Lionsgate, the feature film Punisher: War Zone, starring Ray Stevenson, was produced in Montréal and was one of the largest U.S. productions shot in Montréal in 2007.

Although the volume of foreign production has declined in recent years, SGF’s investments point to a brighter future for Québec’s film industry.In all, SGF’s investments will generate 8,200 full-time equivalent direct and indirect jobs, representing $325 million of wages. The long-term spinoff benefits for the industry are also considerable, in terms of manpower development, film technology and Québec’s reputation abroad.

Société générale de financement du Québec (www.sgfqc.com), an industrial and financial holding company, has a mission to carry out economic development projects, with emphasis on the industrial sector, in co-operation with partners and on standard profitability conditions, in accordance with the economic development policy of the Québec government.

Source:
Marie-Claude Lemieux
Senior Adviser
Communications and Media Relations
Société générale de financement du Québec
(514) 876-9368
mclemieux@sgfqc.com

[SpongeG]

I have! Its not the best talk show but good enough. I do like the fact that they make no effort to show how "basic cable" they seem.

never even knew he had a show

where is it on?

[kirjtc2]

Does Global tv think the public is stupid or something? They must do because their crappy website says tonight's episode of Kitchen Nightmares is a new one when fans of the show all know the season finale was in Dec. They're currently casting for the second season.

We're certain they showed the episode in Dec as they "simultaneous substitute" from the Fox channel in Seattle, a practice I detest in fact. If by a narrow margin they didn't air it on Global they are still deceiving the public by saying it's new when Global damn well knows we watched it on Fox.

Fox itself was actually simsubbed by CTV (for the American Idol audition suck-fest).

Had I known Kitchen Nightmares was on Global I still would have watched it...Wednesday is a black hole for TV, and for some weird reason I love seeing Gordon Ramsey yell at people.

[SpongeG]

pushing daisies is on wendesday night!

its always worth watching on ABC

[Acajack]

Harls:

It’s not just a question of not having to compete with American shows. Lots of French-speaking Quebecers can understand English well enough to tune in to U.S. stuff (good or bad).

Preferences play a big role. Most Quebecers have been weaned on their own TV and that’s what they like to watch. Whether or not they can understand the jokes on Everybody Loves Raymond or whatever is not necessarily the main deciding factor.

Although there is some erosion to English TV among bilingual French speakers, ratings for Quebec TV shows are still strikingly comparable between areas like Gatineau (where perhaps 2/3 of adult francophones are bilingual) and Saguenay, where most people are not bilingual.

Likewise, British and Australian TV shows do quite well against U.S. imports in their home markets, despite the fact that everyone can understand American English there.

[Rathgrith]

never even knew he had a show

where is it on?

After he got kicked off all MTV, he started a interweb broadcast from his website. But the comedy network in Canada and some other American stations have syndicated it. 10pm weeknights on the Comedy Network.

Its not "shock-comedy" like it was years ago but rather more of a talk show.

Its not the best show, but it suffices during the writers strike.

[kirjtc2]

Likewise, British and Australian TV shows do quite well against U.S. imports in their home markets, despite the fact that everyone can understand American English there.

English Canadian shows, if done well, do that too. Corner Gas is near the top of the ratings every week.

The problem is that the networks in Canada are just too cheap to get off their duffs and make something that's competitive, instead relying on the U.S. gravy train or doing something on a shoestring budget.

With the writers strike in the US, now should be the time for Canadian content to shine. CBC's actually producing decent stuff again for the first time in years.

[Acajack]

Corner Gas is certainly a great success story for English Canadian TV, but I have to disagree with the general statement to the effect that this is a relatively common occurrence. News programs, sports (Hockey Night in Canada) and news-based political satire (This Hour has 22 Minutes) will occasionally crack the top 20 in this country, but Corner Gas is pretty much the first fictional show (be it comedy or drama) in anyone’s memory that is a bona fide ratings success. That’s why there is such a buzz about it.

On the other hand, in Britain and Australia, a bunch of local shows are always up there with the U.S. imports, and the top 20 (or top whatever) list is usually a mix of American and homegrown stuff.

[Rathgrith]

English Canadian shows, if done well, do that too. Corner Gas is near the top of the ratings every week.

The problem is that the networks in Canada are just too cheap to get off their duffs and make something that's competitive, instead relying on the U.S. gravy train or doing something on a shoestring budget.

With the writers strike in the US, now should be the time for Canadian content to shine. CBC's actually producing decent stuff again for the first time in years.

Cough *Global* Cough

There is the pool for a good show its as you say, networks are too cheap showoing American crap like "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?"

[b13]

Well that is changing right now! Global has new canadain shows showing and premeiring this week. Da kink in my hair is a comedy show that shows on sundays at 7:30, The Guard premiering on the 22nd is a drama series, sure to be a true contender. The CBC has little mosque on the Praire which sometimes beats Coner Gas in the ratings, also the Rick Mercer Report, also the new show The Border is doing well and shows on CBC at 9:00 on Mondays, a new comedy on CBC is Sophie which airs right after little mosque on wednesday. CTV has new Degrassit which just started its new season and it also has a pilot tv series called Would be kings premiering the 27th and 28th and it is a candian show. Also City Tv has a new canadian drama series called Murdoch Mysteries premiering tonight in Winnipeg at 9pm and on the 24th everywher else at 10 pm. So Canadian TV is making a come back slowly but surely. And hopefully canadian will support canadian tv and we can crack the 2 or even 3 million mark!

[flatlander]

Former CBC Winnipeg anchor transferred for breaking ethics rules
Updated at 3:07 PM

The CBC says it has transferred an Ottawa reporter to Toronto after she fed questions to a Liberal MP during the Mulroney-Schreiber hearings in December.

The public broadcaster says reporter Krista Erickson's actions were "inappropriate" and violated CBC policies.
The broadcaster says Erickson, a former anchor for CBC television in Winnipeg, acted on her own in providing questions to a Liberal MP and there was no bias in the news coverage.

Doug Finley, director of political operations for the Conservatives, complained to the CBC in a Dec. 14 letter that Erickson's actions raised questions about the broadcaster's impartiality.

The CBC opened an investigation after obtaining the letter.


Finley's complaint was later cited in a Tory fundraising letter.
The Canadian Press

[kirjtc2]

And people wonder why Conservatives hate the CBC...

[vid]

And people wonder why Conservatives hate the CBC...

Yeah, Harper would have much preferred she was allowed to continue working.


:koko:

[Rathgrith]

Yeah, Harper would have much preferred she was allowed to continue working.


:koko:

Oh I'm sure she'll be working in the coal mines sooner or later.

[vid]

Finally, the Habs on CBC
Jim Beattie, Thunder Bay | Wednesday, January 23, 2008
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories.php?id=87739

SURPRISE! Finally our friends at the CBC brought us what hockey is all about – Pittsburgh at Montreal last Saturday. I guess the CBC finally caved in on hearing about all the fuss up here in Thunder Bay concerning too much Leafs coverage (letters, Jan. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19). Perhaps the CBC will reach out to us Hab fans and give us better coverage from the east. If RDS can do it (full season) then why not the CBC?

We really don't like the Leafs. :)

[204]

^ CBC is taking hit French TV shows from SRC (Les Hauts et les bas de Sophie Paquin, Rumeurs) and repackaging them for English Canada (Sophie, Rumours). it's too bad that they don't translate as well. French tv shows in Quebec have higher ratings due to the fact they don't have to compete with the likes of ER or House or whatever else is on opposite CBC's schedule.

House is watching you.

"Doctor House" as they call "House" in Quebec was actually the top rated show of the summer, when the local shows are on hiatus.

[SpongeG]

CosmoTV is Coming to Canada!

This exciting new channel is your backstage pass to men, sex and style and features a sassy line up of programming.

Targeting women 18-34, CosmoTV will showcase entertainment and lifestyle programming ranging from comedy and drama to relationships and red hot reality programming. Relationship-based programming will focus on topics relevant to this audience and similar to the magazine: men, sex and relationships, delivered from a girlfriend point of view and offering a bird’s eye view into the lifestyle of the Cosmo Girl.


is it taking over W? or will it be an entirely new channel?

http://www.corusmedia.com/cosmoTV/programming.asp

[SpongeG]

oh never mind found out my answer

In a strategic joint venture, Canada's Corus Entertainment and the NYC-HQ'd Hearst Corporation will bring Cosmopolitan Television to Canada in early 2008. Launched in Spain in 2000, the television version of the world's top-selling magazine for young women now exists in more than 20 countries, including Spain, Mexico and Argentina.

In Canada, the 24-hour channel will be targeted to women 18-34 and be a national, English-language, category 2 digital specialty service. Programming will be a mix of entertainment and lifestyle shows ranging from comedy and drama series to relationship and self-help reality programming, along with hit movies.

"Corus is delighted to have the opportunity to work with Hearst on this globally-recognized brand," says Corus president/CEO John Cassaday. "With our past experience in creating successful niche-targeted television services, and our expertise in marketing to women, Cosmopolitan TV is a perfect fit for Corus."

http://www.mediaincanada.com/articles/mic/20070816/cosmopolitan.html

it launches February 14th

[Jay in Cowtown]

now exists in more than 20 countries, including Spain, Mexico and Argentina.


It's been in more than 20 shitty countries before premiering in Canada... at this rate Rwanda will get Showtime and HBO before this fucking country does!

[vid]

Of course. This country will never get Showtime and HBO because the CRTC has banned them. :frog:

[Jay in Cowtown]

Of course. This country will never get Showtime and HBO because the CRTC has banned them. :frog:

Yup, instead we 1/4 the movie channels that look like HBO/Showtime did in 1991... and they wonder why over 1.5 million Canadians either steal or subscribe grey market American satellite.

[kirjtc2]

Don't you know? Having inferior Canadian versions of popular US channels is the Canadian way, dammit! We can't let our fatcats at CTV and Global have to have some competition, can we?

Just look at History Television. Instead of having real, well-made shows about, well, history like they do in the US, we get to watch endless CSI reruns!

[vid]

Which brings me to my next point: WTF are Frontiers of Construction and CSI doing on the History Channel?

[SpongeG]

^^^ they are also on national geographic and discovery CI

I am waiting for them to pop up on BBC - lame

BBC Canada is full of HGTV programming that is yeas old

Canada's specialty channels are pretty much owned by one or two companies that just shift programs around

[Acajack]

It appears as though the CRTC stipulations as regard the programming content of specialty channels are very elastic.

CSI is on History Channel because it’s a cheap and easy way to rake in lots of cash. For some odd reason, there seem to be loads of people out there who can watch CSI’s decomposing bodies for several hours a night, every night of the week without significant psychological side effects. The bloody (pardon the pun) show is on somewhere virtually all of the time.

I noticed during the Christmas holidays that Canal Évasion, which we get in Quebec, was showing figure skating every evening at dinnertime. Now, Canal Évasion is supposed to be a travel channel, so I don’t know what figure skating has to do with travel. This channel has also in the past covered the Tour de France on a daily basis. I guess one could argue that the spectacular (they really are amazing) helicopter views of the French countryside during the Tour coverage could qualify as tourism-related TV...

I also remember seeing CPAC broadcasting late-night NHL playoff games from out west, and perhaps Country Canada doing this as well.

I suspect they can get away with this because no one ever complains.

[vid]

No one ever complains? Thunder Bay Television gets called for hearings about breaking CRTC regulations on a monthly basis it seems. :rolleyes: And if you read the transcripts of the hearings, it's all lies.

"Mr. Dougall, does each radio station have its own news director?"
"Yes."

No they don't! They all air the same pre-recorded news!

[Jay in Cowtown]

Don't you know? Having inferior Canadian versions of popular US channels is the Canadian way, dammit! We can't let our fatcats at CTV and Global have to have some competition, can we?

Just look at History Television. Instead of having real, well-made shows about, well, history like they do in the US, we get to watch endless CSI reruns!

Do Canadians just not give a shit, or do they not know how much better the American channels are or WTF?

I know if a day ever comes where I would have absolutely no way of getting American satellite... I'll fucking move there! When I was a kid we had a big dish and since then I've always had Directv. I honestly feel sorry for people that have a Canadian provider... the channel count is low, what channels there is repeat programming far too much, and the price of cable and satellite up here is criminal!

[vid]

And having it illegal just creates a big black market anyway. If they let in competition, the Canadian services would have to improve to stay afloat. It would be win-win! But the CRTC can't see that.

The whole thing needs reform. It's far too powerful.

And I just fucking hate Shaw.

[kirjtc2]

Here's a great example of what we're talking about. Ellen Page is up for a major award and they can't see the ceremony in her own hometown.

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=3dda96cd-c9f7-409f-a6c5-7767032d0f6f

Screen Actors Guild Awards go dark in Canada
Alex Strachan, Canwest News Service
Published: Friday, January 25, 2008

What if Ellen Page were to win a major movie award, and no one in her home country could see it?

That's the prospect facing movie buffs and TV viewers this weekend, as the big event -- the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards -- will be staged in Los Angeles and televised in the U.S. but not in most of Canada.

The 20-year-old Halifax native is nominated for her starring role in the teen-pregnancy comedy Juno. Page is nominated opposite fellow female lead actors Cate Blanchett, Julie Christie, Marion Cotillard and Angelina Jolie.

The SAG Awards will be televised in the U.S. on the cable channels TBS and TNT, which are not available here. An affiliate of TBS is available in Canada, but will not carry the show. Only Sun TV, a Toronto-based station, will be airing the show.

As of press time, no other Canadian broadcaster had picked up the ceremony's telecast rights.

The E! Entertainment network will show a red carpet special live from Los Angeles, but the ceremony itself will go dark for most Canadian viewers.

The SAG Awards are generating more interest than usual this year because striking writers have agreed not to picket the ceremony. That means the event will draw a large crowd of celebrities, unlike the Golden Globes earlier this month.

[Jay in Cowtown]

The SAG Awards will be televised in the U.S. on the cable channels TBS and TNT, which are not available here. An affiliate of TBS is available in Canada, but will not carry the show. Only Sun TV, a Toronto-based station, will be airing the show.

.

Anyone with Bell or Starchoice should get SunTV, but that's beside the point.

Aside from network television, I'd say we only get half the programming available from American specialty networks ie: VH1, CMT, History Channel, etc... and what does cross the border usually premieres 6 months later here than the U.S.

I think a smart move for the CRTC would be to allow all channels in... HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VH1, Lifetime, TNT, etc... but put them in a digital package that can only be purchased if you subscribe to the highest tier. That way it's fair to the Canadian channels and yet were not being treated like North Korea by being told what channels we can watch... that or keep being commies and I'll keep sending my money south for Directv with my American address!

Within a year, Canada is going to be left in the dust with HD channels if the CRTC doesn't smarten the fuck up... by April '08 Directv will have over 100 HD channels !?!

[Ayreonaut]

Yeah, I have Starchoice, with a whopping 18 HD channels. :(

[SpongeG]

It appears as though the CRTC stipulations as regard the programming content of specialty channels are very elastic.

CSI is on History Channel because it’s a cheap and easy way to rake in lots of cash. For some odd reason, there seem to be loads of people out there who can watch CSI’s decomposing bodies for several hours a night, every night of the week without significant psychological side effects. The bloody (pardon the pun) show is on somewhere virtually all of the time.

I noticed during the Christmas holidays that Canal Évasion, which we get in Quebec, was showing figure skating every evening at dinnertime. Now, Canal Évasion is supposed to be a travel channel, so I don’t know what figure skating has to do with travel. This channel has also in the past covered the Tour de France on a daily basis. I guess one could argue that the spectacular (they really are amazing) helicopter views of the French countryside during the Tour coverage could qualify as tourism-related TV...

I also remember seeing CPAC broadcasting late-night NHL playoff games from out west, and perhaps Country Canada doing this as well.

I suspect they can get away with this because no one ever complains.

alliance atlantis who owns or up until recently owned history channel among a number of other specialty channels is the company behind CSI - they either produced it or have distribution rights for it hence why its on so many of the channels it owns or owned - i believe the sale was approved for them to sell off the channels to global just recently

Do Canadians just not give a shit, or do they not know how much better the American channels are or WTF?

I know if a day ever comes where I would have absolutely no way of getting American satellite... I'll fucking move there! When I was a kid we had a big dish and since then I've always had Directv. I honestly feel sorry for people that have a Canadian provider... the channel count is low, what channels there is repeat programming far too much, and the price of cable and satellite up here is criminal!

you can buy dishes at some shops in surrey that give you hundreds of channels - my friend gets all the american channels plus free pay per view as well as channels from india and overseas... depends what you want it can be set up - but they require work as they are not really legal - but they are allowed to be sold :shrug:

[vid]

That is grey market or Free-to-Air. My mom's friend has one, we always have to look up codes for him. He recently found a good one - nothing but porn, movies and sports! :rolleyes:

[Jay in Cowtown]

you can buy dishes at some shops in surrey that give you hundreds of channels - my friend gets all the american channels plus free pay per view as well as channels from india and overseas... depends what you want it can be set up - but they require work as they are not really legal - but they are allowed to be sold :shrug:

You're talking about FTA (Free To Air) receivers... they are legal to sell because their purpose is to pick up regular KU band satellite channels that are not encrypted, but hackers have found a way to break Bell Expressvu & Dish Network's encryption... they're actually the cats ass, you can run as many as 4 satellites into one receiver so set up properly you can scroll through all of Dish Networks channels right into Bells channels, all wide open including PPV & porn also very easy to program with a memory stick, and rarely end users get charged, just dealers... they're about done though, Bell and Dishnet are in the process of changing their hardware over to a more secure encryption to finish piracy just like Directv did in '04.

So if your neighbor has more than 2 dishes on his roof, he's stealing his T.V.... tell him to start taping porn for you!

and no I don't own one ;) ;)

[SpongeG]

a guy at work had one and every week he would have to go get his card re programmed

the new ones sound a lot easier but mmy friend seems to lose it every few days - at least once a week or every 10 days it seems

[Acajack]

I don’t blame Alliance Atlantic for doing it. I was just wondering out loud if there were any controls on this on the part of the CRTC.

Now, I can tell that the CRTC doesn’t have too many fans on this forum, but the CRTC regulations are meant to foster the development of an original, authentic Canadian TV industry that actually produces real Canadian stuff. Of course, it has not been anywhere close to successful, and stuff like StarGate (which also seems to benefit from a CSI-like saturation rotation) today counts as full CanCon because it’s made here although one can’t seriously consider it to be anything remotely Canadian.

What they have been trying to do is replicate on the TV side the relatively successful CanCon rules in popular music, which has actually given rise to a genuine homegrown national music scene.

Not sure if you’d have had The Tragically Hip without CanCon on the radio and on MuchMusic.

[kirjtc2]

Not sure if you’d have had The Tragically Hip without CanCon on the radio and on MuchMusic.

And that's supposed to be a good thing?

There are a ton of great Canadian artists out there, but the CanCon rules seem to have led to the same 4 bands/artists being over and over again on every radio station in the country. The Hip is one of them, and I'm sure it's the main reason I can't stand them. (Classic rock stations, or at least the one in my hometown, do the same thing with Rush...I will scream the next time they play "Tom Sawyer".)

Maybe the radio station programmers are just lazy.

[Acajack]

I just used The Tragically Hip as an example, but I can tell you that if there were no CanCon regulations, there would be even less variety on the airwaves in this country.

Listen to commercial radio in the States, where there are no content restrictions, and it’s still the same darn thing over and over again. That says something about the nature of commercial radio, not about CanCon.

[harls]

Switching gears here, is anyone else annoyed with the new McDonald's commercials? "You've got to diversify your meat portfolio! (forget bacon and beef, how about snouts and beaks and assholes?) " or "Your name's Pat, my names Pat, that makes two Patties"... arrgh..

No one talks about McDonald's food. You eat it, belch, then immediately feel disappointed in yourself. take a look in a McDonald's during lunch hour in a busy downtown - most people eat alone because it's disgusting to watch someone else glom a wad of sloppy big mac in front of your face.

[MolsonExport]

Switching gears here, is anyone else annoyed with the new McDonald's commercials? "You've got to diversify your meat portfolio! (forget bacon and beef, how about snouts and beaks and assholes?) " or "Your name's Pat, my names Pat, that makes two Patties"... arrgh..

No one talks about McDonald's food. You eat it, belch, then immediately feel disappointed in yourself. take a look in a McDonald's during lunch hour in a busy downtown - most people eat alone because it's disgusting to watch someone else glom a wad of sloppy big mac in front of your face.

Words of wisdom. Damn, I feel exactly the same way before-during-after consuming McShitties (the moniker is especially appropriate given snouts, beaks, and assholes).

And their new commercials are beyond badness. Stinky poo-poo bad. Even worse than those losers treating their double cheesburger like a date.

[SHOFEAR]

I just used The Tragically Hip as an example, but I can tell you that if there were no CanCon regulations, there would be even less variety on the airwaves in this country.

Listen to commercial radio in the States, where there are no content restrictions, and it’s still the same darn thing over and over again. That says something about the nature of commercial radio, not about CanCon.


Being forced fed The Hip, The Guess Who, Rush....etc every time I turn on the radio has turned me off every buying their CD's or going to a concert. Hell, I don't even have one of their songs in my 4000+ song itunes library.

Same thing is starting to happen with newer stuff. Metric, Sam Roberts, Sloan......I'm losing interest.

Not sure how that helps them.

[kirjtc2]

You know, I remember reading someone somewhere who had a lot of involvement in radio describing the typical playlist at a classic rock station. Something like 1% gets played every day, 10% gets played once every few days and the rest only a few times a year.

If they spread everything out equally rather than bombard us with the same 20 songs day in and day out, maybe terrestrial radio can survive. I'm thinking of getting XM or Sirius. Even Galaxie on digital cable is better -- I've heard about a lot of new artists (particularly Canadian ones) through that service.

[vid]

Sam Roberts, Rush, and Sloan are sooooo overplayed here it isn't funny. Tragically Hip and Guess Who don't get too much airplay and have a better rotation of songs, but with Sam Roberts, Rush and Sloan it's always the same two or three songs. And let's not forget Nickelback! :rolleyes:

[MolsonExport]

I hate CanCon. I hate Bryan Adams. I hate Sam Roberts. I hate the Hip. I hate Tom Cochrane. I truly hate Nickecrap. I hate CanCon.

[Acajack]

As I mentioned previously, I think it’s more a problem with commercial radio in general than with the CRTC’s CanCon regulations. Talk to people in the States and they have the same complaint about hearing The Doobie Brothers’ “Listen to the Music” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” several times a day.

There may not be payola in radio any more, but commercial stations are still subject to the self-imposed tyranny of formats and playlists. Stations decide they are going to occupy a market niche (“contemporary hit radio”, “album oriented rock”, etc.), which usually entails the purchase of a “format” that includes playlists. Since the formats have proven tried and true and lucrative across many markets in North America, the stations don’t usually diverge much from what the playlist dictates, which means it’s tough – if not impossible - for local up-and-coming acts to get airplay even in their own hometown. Most outfits in the U.S. that produce radio formats actually have products designed for Canadian stations that take into account the CRTC’s CanCon requirements, which is why you hear the Hip, Sloan, etc. so much.

[harls]

Talk to people in the States and they have the same complaint about hearing The Doobie Brothers’ “Listen to the Music”


Great. Now that's stuck in my head.

[Acajack]

Whoa-oo-whoa, listen to the music
All the tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime!

[vid]

Oh Tom Cochrane, they overplay him, too.

He's from where Adrian is from. :P To give you an idea of who we are dealing with. ;)

"Life is uh hiwey. I wana rid it ale nite lung."

[Acajack]

U.S. rock stations play the crap out of Cochrane’s “Life is a Highway” as well. I think it’s probably the only hit he ever had stateside.

[SpongeG]

i usually listen to UK radio and its probably not better than here in the same way that they play the same songs over and over but they do play bands that i like and that rockstar song by nickelback gets way too much play over there :yuck:

[harls]

that 'Rockstar' song fills me with murderous rage. Seriously, there is no other song I hate more.

[vid]

"I'll take the quesadilla. Uh huh." :lmao:

And what the fuck are they doing hanging out in bars with recent dictionaries? Is there something I am missing here?

edit: Almost forgot: Tonight on Rick Mercer Report, he's in Thunder Bay, participating in ice races at Chippewa Park. He drives a car built by the auto shop from the high school I attended. You'll finally see just how red neck we really are!!! Even in winter! If you have better things to do and miss it, you can watch it online on your own time.

[MolsonExport]

As I mentioned previously, I think it’s more a problem with commercial radio in general than with the CRTC’s CanCon regulations. Talk to people in the States and they have the same complaint about hearing The Doobie Brothers’ “Listen to the Music” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” several times a day.

There may not be payola in radio any more, but commercial stations are still subject to the self-imposed tyranny of formats and playlists. Stations decide they are going to occupy a market niche (“contemporary hit radio”, “album oriented rock”, etc.), which usually entails the purchase of a “format” that includes playlists. Since the formats have proven tried and true and lucrative across many markets in North America, the stations don’t usually diverge much from what the playlist dictates, which means it’s tough – if not impossible - for local up-and-coming acts to get airplay even in their own hometown. Most outfits in the U.S. that produce radio formats actually have products designed for Canadian stations that take into account the CRTC’s CanCon requirements, which is why you hear the Hip, Sloan, etc. so much.

I totally agree with you. It is the interaction of horrid formula play (done by machines, where 6 songs are rotated for 5 years running [witness Sugar Ray, Nickelback, "Listen to the Music", etc.], with one or two random songs drawn daily from perhaps a battery of 10 other songs [e.g., Radar Love, Takin' Care of Bizness, Lunatic Fringe, etc.] with CANCON. Not just tripe, but CANADIAN tripe. Kinda like bad Canadian beer (e.g., make-her a laker; it's a buck-a-beer!)

[vid]

Laker is just lake water with pee in it you know.

[MolsonExport]

Portugal expresses what the world feels: Nickelback Sucks.

Here, they are pelting rocks at the "band":
vQzhOyHTarU&NR=1