If you like the Hour keep an eye on the Stroumboulopouli, they seem to have scoop on things coming up and all things George related.
Also, according to the Globe and Mail, author Douglas Copeland is working on two new series. Whoever's job it is at CBC to go after these things should be on this like flies on...well things flies like alot. Thanks to TV, Eh? for pointing that one out.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Exposing the Bias of CBC Watch
CBC watch is included in the CBC Channel of PublicBroadcasting.ca. There are many people included in the sites aggregators with whom I do not agree and like all of them the people at CBC watch are entitled to their opinion. And you never know they may, at some point, come up with a valid criticism. That has not, to date, been a problem though.
For anyone who doesn't know CBC Watch is owned and run by Michael Connell, who used to be the Communications Director for the Catholic Civil Rights League a right wing (in my opinion) lobby that is anti-gay, anti-abortion, oddly opposed to global warming legislation and that seems to believe that discrimination against Catholics is a serious problem in Canada.
The group, according to their website has been instructed in how to "Approach media as an evangelical tool."
So the former communications director of a group that is, I think, clearly outside the Canadian mainstream on many issues and in the case of anti-Catholic discrimination at tad paranoid and that hopes to use the media to further their agenda thinks the CBC is biased. This seems to be the same bias that the far right in the US rails against; the philosophy that is all for truth and justice as long as the truth is flattering and justice works in their interest.
As for the site itself it seems to simply be an aggregator of anything negative anyone can find to say about the CBC regardless of how wildly biased their sources may be. I find the vast majority of it poorly researched and the conclusions of dubious logic.
As I said though, they are as entitled to their opinion as anyone (but that opinion does not need to go unchallenged) and who knows, perhaps, if they are around long enough and keep shooting in the dark perhaps one day they might hit a legitimate grievance.
For anyone who doesn't know CBC Watch is owned and run by Michael Connell, who used to be the Communications Director for the Catholic Civil Rights League a right wing (in my opinion) lobby that is anti-gay, anti-abortion, oddly opposed to global warming legislation and that seems to believe that discrimination against Catholics is a serious problem in Canada.
The group, according to their website has been instructed in how to "Approach media as an evangelical tool."
So the former communications director of a group that is, I think, clearly outside the Canadian mainstream on many issues and in the case of anti-Catholic discrimination at tad paranoid and that hopes to use the media to further their agenda thinks the CBC is biased. This seems to be the same bias that the far right in the US rails against; the philosophy that is all for truth and justice as long as the truth is flattering and justice works in their interest.
As for the site itself it seems to simply be an aggregator of anything negative anyone can find to say about the CBC regardless of how wildly biased their sources may be. I find the vast majority of it poorly researched and the conclusions of dubious logic.
As I said though, they are as entitled to their opinion as anyone (but that opinion does not need to go unchallenged) and who knows, perhaps, if they are around long enough and keep shooting in the dark perhaps one day they might hit a legitimate grievance.
If I did they'd have a samurai
I don't create TV shows, I've made web pages for TV shows but have only rarely had input on content. I certainly don't come up with the concepts. Still what good is a blog if you can't arm chair quarterback?
It seems to me that there is a disconnect between network program creators and the public. This is partially the fault of censors but I think it is also, in part, either a lack of understanding of the audience and/or a lack of intestinal fortitude.
A few points I'd like to make here.
1. Most of the really, highly acclaimed shows are coming from cable, especially pay cable (such as HBO and Showtime) - for example Weeds, the Sopranos, 6 Feet Under, Dead Like Me, Oz ... These shows are, I believe, successful because they have accepted new realities. The world is not as innocent as it once was and these programs accept that and embrace it.
2. The censors who decide what is acceptable and what is not for network television have not accepted these new realities and will not allow the networks to accept them either. Like most parents they would like to believe that their children are virginal, even after they have children of their own.
3. Reality television has jumped the shark. More and more people are catching on that there is no such thing. The only reality television comes from web cams and, other than porn, people don't watch those. When television executives call something reality television all they mean is that some details are sketchy when production starts. Reality television shows are scripted. The creators set the scenario, choose the cast, know how it ends and at least set the scenarios for what goes on in the middle - then, with hundreds of hours of tape and only 13-20 hours to fill they can basically tell any story they want. There is nothing real about it.
4. Fewer and fewer people are watching any network television (it isn't just the CBC) as I pointed out here it appears that (for the week I looked at) less than 1/3 of Canadians watched any of the top 10 programs that week. Those programs would be: C.S.I, C.S.I. New York, C.S.I. Miami, ER, Survivor: Cook Island, Law and Order SVU, Desperate Housewives, Lost, Grey's Anatomy and Prison Break.
There are vast, untapped audiences out there. But, I think in order to reach those audiences network programmers and show creators are going to have to get truly creative, come up with whole new (instead of recycled) concepts and are going to have to examine their prospective audience more deeply. Times and people have changed - they don't talk the same, think the same or behave in the same ways that they used to and in many cases that isn't a bad thing.
Don't be afraid to push boundaries, to offend people (no matter what you do you'll offend someone) or to get your hand slapped by the censors. There are untold stories out there, and untapped audiences and the only alternative to going after them is to continue to fight for a piece of an ever shrinking pie.
It seems to me that there is a disconnect between network program creators and the public. This is partially the fault of censors but I think it is also, in part, either a lack of understanding of the audience and/or a lack of intestinal fortitude.
A few points I'd like to make here.
There are vast, untapped audiences out there. But, I think in order to reach those audiences network programmers and show creators are going to have to get truly creative, come up with whole new (instead of recycled) concepts and are going to have to examine their prospective audience more deeply. Times and people have changed - they don't talk the same, think the same or behave in the same ways that they used to and in many cases that isn't a bad thing.
Don't be afraid to push boundaries, to offend people (no matter what you do you'll offend someone) or to get your hand slapped by the censors. There are untold stories out there, and untapped audiences and the only alternative to going after them is to continue to fight for a piece of an ever shrinking pie.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Serena Ryder Off Topic: But I'll try to tie it in
If you were locked out last year you may have been fortunate enough to see Serena Ryder peform at one of the lock out concerts.
She is playing tonight at the Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St W, Toronto). Sadly I can't make tonight but, if you're looking for something to do this would be a good bet. Serena has an amazing voice (you can hear a few songs here) and this is your last chance for awhile: She is leaving for a tour of Australia.
One Viewer at a time if necessary
This morning I created this and will use it to find people, one at a time if necessary and help spread the word about goings on at the CBC: If you know of something coming up, big show, special guest etc., tell me about it. I may already know, and I may not. But, every extra set of eyes or ears on the CBC is one more than before (and it provides the opportunity for them to find out about other CBC stuff going on. Every extra person who will write their MP or the Heritage committee to support the CBC brings it that much closer to the funding it needs.
This may not help, but I don't see how it could hurt either.
Oh, one more thing. If you use the button on your website or blog let me know (you can email me at contact at publicbroadcasting.ca.
I'll put a list of sites that use it on this page.
This may not help, but I don't see how it could hurt either.
Oh, one more thing. If you use the button on your website or blog let me know (you can email me at contact at publicbroadcasting.ca.
I'll put a list of sites that use it on this page.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Show your love for CBC
I really have no idea if anyone will use it or not, but I've created this happy little graphic for anyone who wants to show their love for CBC and add some good links at the same time:
For Technocrati:cbc
Neither C stands for Communication
Sometimes I work at the CBC. I am always a fan of the CBC, not a fan of everything the Corp does, or every show they put on but certainly a fan of the CBC itself. Speaking strictly as a viewer of the CBC, one of my chief problems is a lack of information. Sadly, the Corp seems better at informing people about new IT security procedures than new program offerings. It is not enough to say, the information is there for those who are interested. You cannot expect your audience to dig for information.
I am more in the loop than most people when it comes to the CBC but entire programs have come and gone without my hearing anything about them. So, if there were to be something special about a particular episode there is very little chance I would hear about it. Say, for example, that the Tragically Hip were going to be on the Hour, I probably wouldn't know unless it was after the fact.
Personally I sometimes get emails, phone calls or find out in casual conversation about these things. The only place I ever actually see advertising for them though is on the CBC's own air or occasionally on the Toronto subway. So, if I were a person who didn't watch or listen to the CBC regularly or if I were a person who was simply very busy and hadn't watched or listened in several days there is absolutely no way I would find out what was coming up.
I know that the CBC doesn't have alot of money and I know that if they spent alot on external advertising there are alot of people who would get very angry. But the employees of the CBC demonstrated very effectively in the 2005 lockout that it doesn't take alot of money to generate buzz. The reality is that in 2005 word of mouth is the most effective, cost efficient form of advertising there is and the CBC is a in a stronger position to generate this kind of advertising than any of the commercial networks.
Getting your audience to do some of your advertising is known in marketing circles as 'viral marketing'. But viral marketing isn't accessible to everyone. You cannot, for example, get people to generate buzz about the big mac. People do not like to feel as if they are being used for commercial purposes. In other words, they don't want to be used to make money for someone else.
In order to do this though, the CBC must build more of a sense of community around their programs. This doesn't mean just talking to the audience, but listening to them, getting feedback from them and responding to that feedback. (How many at the CBC can name 10 of their audience members whom they don't know personally?) By having an ongoing, two way conversation with members of the audience the CBC can make the audience feel a part of the show. If the audience feels a part of the show then, like those who work on the actual production, they will be likely to talk about the show with friends and family and to feel a personal stake in the show's success.
It is obvious from the ratings numbers that CBC television needs to build their audience. While I don't like all of the new programming, none of it is as bad as it's numbers would imply. As I said at the start though, if the only way people can find out about this programming is by watching the CBC, and people aren't watching the CBC the numbers are unlikely to go up regardless of what is put on the air. New viewers need to be lured in by approaching people one at a time if necessary.
I would strongly encourage the CBC to invest heavily in blogs (blogs with feeds and that allow comments.) after all, to alot of people Ouimet has become the official spokesperson of the corp. To me he/she is at least a ray of hope for the future of the CBC. Blogs, and not just show blogs but personal blogs by employees should be strongly encouraged. Additionally, newsgroups, bulletin boards, and social networking sites should all be utilized to find, and communicate with current and potential audience members.
This is not something that can be outsourced. In order to communicate effectively the people doing all this must be directly in touch with show creators. It may be necessary to bring in extra people to facilitate this - but it is still less expensive and more effective than a mass advertising campaign and I fear that without it the downward spiral of ratings will only get worse.
cbc
I am more in the loop than most people when it comes to the CBC but entire programs have come and gone without my hearing anything about them. So, if there were to be something special about a particular episode there is very little chance I would hear about it. Say, for example, that the Tragically Hip were going to be on the Hour, I probably wouldn't know unless it was after the fact.
Personally I sometimes get emails, phone calls or find out in casual conversation about these things. The only place I ever actually see advertising for them though is on the CBC's own air or occasionally on the Toronto subway. So, if I were a person who didn't watch or listen to the CBC regularly or if I were a person who was simply very busy and hadn't watched or listened in several days there is absolutely no way I would find out what was coming up.
I know that the CBC doesn't have alot of money and I know that if they spent alot on external advertising there are alot of people who would get very angry. But the employees of the CBC demonstrated very effectively in the 2005 lockout that it doesn't take alot of money to generate buzz. The reality is that in 2005 word of mouth is the most effective, cost efficient form of advertising there is and the CBC is a in a stronger position to generate this kind of advertising than any of the commercial networks.
Getting your audience to do some of your advertising is known in marketing circles as 'viral marketing'. But viral marketing isn't accessible to everyone. You cannot, for example, get people to generate buzz about the big mac. People do not like to feel as if they are being used for commercial purposes. In other words, they don't want to be used to make money for someone else.
In order to do this though, the CBC must build more of a sense of community around their programs. This doesn't mean just talking to the audience, but listening to them, getting feedback from them and responding to that feedback. (How many at the CBC can name 10 of their audience members whom they don't know personally?) By having an ongoing, two way conversation with members of the audience the CBC can make the audience feel a part of the show. If the audience feels a part of the show then, like those who work on the actual production, they will be likely to talk about the show with friends and family and to feel a personal stake in the show's success.
It is obvious from the ratings numbers that CBC television needs to build their audience. While I don't like all of the new programming, none of it is as bad as it's numbers would imply. As I said at the start though, if the only way people can find out about this programming is by watching the CBC, and people aren't watching the CBC the numbers are unlikely to go up regardless of what is put on the air. New viewers need to be lured in by approaching people one at a time if necessary.
I would strongly encourage the CBC to invest heavily in blogs (blogs with feeds and that allow comments.) after all, to alot of people Ouimet has become the official spokesperson of the corp. To me he/she is at least a ray of hope for the future of the CBC. Blogs, and not just show blogs but personal blogs by employees should be strongly encouraged. Additionally, newsgroups, bulletin boards, and social networking sites should all be utilized to find, and communicate with current and potential audience members.
This is not something that can be outsourced. In order to communicate effectively the people doing all this must be directly in touch with show creators. It may be necessary to bring in extra people to facilitate this - but it is still less expensive and more effective than a mass advertising campaign and I fear that without it the downward spiral of ratings will only get worse.
cbc
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Back from the Ashes
Ok, I'm back and the hiatus is over. (Not that I ever really went anywhere but this blog has been silent a long time.) I don't know how often I'll post but I feel the need to start this up again. At the end of the lockout last year I said
"...the battle was won but in many ways the war just got harder. What, after all, was the point of saving our jobs if we are just going to let the institution that provides those jobs and more importantly provides the Canadian public with a vital service continue to die a slow death taking those jobs and that service with it."
It would appear that the audience (at least on the television side) of the CBC has not returned and that the public in general is less interested now than they were during the lockout.
As an added bonus the CBC will soon have this to contend with. If you think this isn't going to be a serious challenge have a look at who is involved. It is certainly not some kids operating out of a basement, or me aggregating stuff that people are doing anyway. Granted, this will be more appealing to the left than the right, but given the feelings of much of the right about the CBC these days CBC television needs all the eyes it can get.
As far as I can tell all of the CBC Televisions new and revamped fall shows are failing. So, although I'm not picketing anymore, or even working for the CBC at the moment, the blog is back.
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