Source: Ottawa Citizen

Re: How to fix the CBC, Aug. 21.

Yet again, Ian Morrison of Friends of Canadian Broadcasting (which, we remind your readers, is not associated with the CBC) is misleading in his assessments.

Contrary to his suggestion, CBC TV and CBC Radio are doing quite well. Since 2004, our TV prime time market share has not decreased, but rather increased from 6.7 percent to 9.4 per cent. Our virtually all-Canadian prime time schedule now regularly outperforms Global TV's American schedule.

CBC Radio's ratings are at historically high levels; Radio 2, which now showcases the best Canadian music and live performance (found nowhere else on Canadian radio), is gaining a new, broader audience while continuing to provide some of the country's best classical programming.

While it's true we did not outbid CTV for the 2010 and 2012 Olympic Games and chose not to overpay for the hockey theme music, we were never afforded the opportunity to bid for the CFL's Grey Cup game. We did successfully acquire FIFA World Cup soccer, which has been a spectacular hit for Canadian fans.

Further, contrary to Morrison's claims, recent employee surveys show that morale is doing well and continues to improve. We're proud to have excellent relationships with our unions.

And far from "dumbing down" programming, we are on the cusp of a new prime-time season with a mix of returning favourites, exciting new shows and a schedule of news, current affairs and documentaries unmatched on Canadian television.

Will we have challenges, financial or otherwise? Yes. But we remain committed to providing Canadians with the very best in a broad range of Canadian programming while remaining transparent, accountable and well-run; a model, frankly, that Friends should consider adopting.

© Ottawa Citizen

Aug 26, 2010 — Letter: Re: CBC's TV and radio channels are doing quite well
FRIENDS response to Head of Media Relations for CBC English Service's letter on CBC ratings.

Aug 21, 2010 — Ottawa Citizen: How to fix the CBC by Ian Morrison
In an op-ed, FRIENDS spokesperson Ian Morrison says the departure of the executive responsible for CBC's English language operations presents an opportunity for all of CBC’s 34 million shareholders to reflect on what kind of national public broadcaster Canada needs.