Big Changes at CBC News Network, Lang gets new time slot, expanded role
CBC News Network announced some big changes to the afternoon and evenings schedule today. The highlight is an increase in air-time for Amanda Lang and the show she hosts the Lang and O’Leary Exchange, which will now run a full hour in a new prime-time time-slot.
When the show launched in October the Lang and O’Leary Exchange ran half an hour between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern, not an great TV time slot. Now, starting March 1st the show will run a full hour between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The new prime-time spot for Lang and O’Leary means Mark Kelley’s show Connect, will lose an hour, chopping its original two hour slot in half.
Additionally Lang will also provide a business update at 4:30 during Carole MacNeil’s show, which was also given an extra half hour. Lang seems to have made a positive impression at the CBC since she joined the corporation, she frequently appears on The National and has hosted the flagship news program several times since she came over from BNN last fall.
Jennifer McGuire, general manager and editor-in-chief of CBC News didn’t say what prompted the change, but did say in a press release that “Viewer feedback to the new CBC News Network has been extremely positive.”
Now before you dismiss the quote from McGuire as spin, I should tell you that I spoke with CBC spokesperson Jeff Keay to find out where McGuire was coming from. Keay said that despite the the reaction online, the CBC got “extremely positive” feedback from a bunch of focus group testing after the relaunch.
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That figures. Lang (not O’Leary) is the only thing I liked about the “CBC News Network” – I’d say I’m watching 1/4 of what I was two years ago. In the new time slot it’s unlikely that I’ll see Lang’s show anymore.
I think this is a good change for the viewers (and CBC ratings).
I like Amanda. And I believe she will, in the fullest of time, become a better reporter. I just hope the fast-talking-little-thinking style in the “Lang and O’Leary Exchange” format doesn’t infect too deeply the raw talent that I see within Amanda.
Call me nutty, I think a sharp but misguided mind can sadly morph into a Fox/CNBC “reporter” if unchecked.
P.S. Hey Paul, you made me laugh so hard. You wrote “Now before you dismiss the quote from McGuire as spin …” and then proceeded to quote Jeff! So funny.
I believe it is in Jeff’s job description, as CBC spokesperson, to spin anything positively. So I found your “Now before you dismiss …” too comical.
P.P.S. Keep up the good work.
Hey Kempton, without putting too fine a point on it, agreed.
Hmm…as much as I like Amanda, I’m not too positive about this. I’m not too keen on Kevin O’Leary, so that means there’s one less thing for me to watch at 7pm. Also, that would also mean that I won’t be able to watch Mark Kelly’s Connect since it would start at 8pm, where the real prime-time slot begins.
Got around to watch most of Amanda and Kevin today. I believe my already low IQ has now been significantly lowered from listening to Kevin arguing with Amanda. I think the critical thinking part of my brain is being slowly damaged as a result.
Amanda’s beauty and cuteness is so addictive that it keeps me in watching the program which I know is causing me brain damage, what can I do??? I need to attend AA (Amanda Anonymous).
P.S. Note to Amanda. If you are reading this, I am sorry. Please don’t tell me to go “X myself”, because if you do, I am sure I will do “X” to myself, and that may not be too funny to me.
P.P.S. Watching Amanda and Kevin fight reminded me of CNN Crossfire, the episode where Jon Stewart appeared. OK, we are not that bad yet, but one day, who knows …
[...] I first read that Lang and O’Leary Exchange will be extended to a full hour, I was happy of the news and wrote, I think this is a good change for the viewers (and CBC [...]
Further evidence of the sad decline of a once proud public broadcaster. O’Leary is a opinionated oaf, but a rich businessman–a distinction that evidently gives him credibility in the eyes of the current CBC management.
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Where once one could rely on the CBC to provide intelligent and informative programmes, now it inflicts on its viewers a shock jock who wouldn’t be out of place on Fox News.
Ms. McGuire and her ilk have done great harm to both the TV and radio services of the CBC. Their wanton destruction of the Canada`s public broadcaster will not soon be forgotten.
Focus groups, ratings obsession, well-known American consultants, over the top personality-driven stories (i.e. Tiger Woods) — this is the CANADIAN Broadcasting Corporation? Its founders would roll over in their graves!