Big Changes Underway at CBC News
The face of CBC News, whether it be online, on radio or on television will be dramatically different this fall as the monumental task of renewing CBC News picks up steam.
In a note to staff today, Jennifer McGuire, the general manager and editor in chief of CBC News, outlined some of the changes that are underway at the news department. As McGuire explains the news operations of radio, television and online will start to merge into a single news-gathering hub, which will be divided into content units that serve the needs of the three different platforms.
The news-gathering hub “will be the engine that drives our newsgathering “as it happens” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” McGuire wrote.
She also outlined some major changes at Newsworld, including more immediacy and breaking news “but offering it up in a way that engages viewers and has authentic personality,” McGuire said.
McGuire also unveiled more details on the Newsworld schedule, including an expanded two-hour politics show from Ottawa, a new business show that starts at the market close, a prime-time two hour flagship news show, a documentary block airing seven days a week under the umbrella of the Passionate Eye, and finally more international coverage around the clock.
The changes at Newsworld will affect many of the producers working there. Previously Newsworld producers would usually be assigned to a single show, now they “will ideally be assigned to a story,” McGuire said “and will follow that story through all of its incarnations throughout the day.”
McGuire said the “task we have taken on is nothing short of monumental. It is complicated and time intensive,” but McGuire added that she hoped “to be ushering in a new era at CBC News.”
Do you work in the news department? What do you think of the changes at CBC News?
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I am a long time CBC radio listener. Since I am home a great deal of the time, the programs and hosts are almost like family. These recent cuts ie: Wild Rose Country at 1pm from Calgary, Jeff Collins from Home stretch at 3pm Mountain time mean that I have lost some very good friends. Also the Point in the afternoon was a great interview program and has been replaced with a program which I don’t enjoy. And Sheila Rogers seems to have taken over some of the times with her book reviews, which is all right in its place. But I don’t have to listen to her three times a week or more. You will lose many loyal friends by taking these programs away. And I can’t see how it will save you any money. If you would like to contact me, please do so. Phyllis Manning
Dear Phyllis Manning – Please don’t expect anyone to contact you. I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but no one at the CBC gives a spit about long time listeners. Myriad long time listeners have been lost over the last 2 years and things simply go from bad to worse – on all platforms.
However, management still receives perks and bonuses, so all is not lost.
Dear Pumpkins,
Looks like management has been reading my ‘incantations’ to recharge Newsworld and make it into a powerhouse. My concern, is whether this will also usher in a new era of managers? Tell me no. No more managers! As long as I can remember there were five people telling two of us what to do. Now, let’s hope the massive resources attached to the National –the overproduced and under achieving cryin’ baby of the network — are re-allocated. That would of course, mean digging up some of the cadavers buried back there — and moving them to new graves — hopefully off cbc property.
Hey Paul when does the Changes take Effect? On Labour Day?
“Myriad long time listeners have been lost over the last 2 years and things simply go from bad to worse – on all platforms.
However, management still receives perks and bonuses, so all is not lost”
Yup.
That must be why CBC Radio’s audiences are at historically high levels and still growing.
That’s must be the reason that CBC Television is beating Global in Primetime Audience share and is the only Canadian network to show growth last year
That’s why CBC.ca is the number 1 news site in Canada.
I hope things get a lot worse!
the changes will be announced and introduced over the coming weeks and months, I don’t know exactly when they will take place.
“CBC Radio’s audiences are at historically high levels…”
Radio 2 levels have dropped because the station has been castrated. Radio 1 gained listeners from the change.
And if Global sets the standard to which you aspire, I can understand your complacency.
Champagne lunches all around!!
[...] Big Changes Underway at CBC News [...]
@ Observer
If Radio 1′s numbers are at record highs, surely it wouldn’t be a good idea to mess with a good thing.
“And if Global sets the standard to which you aspire, I can understand your complacency.
Champagne lunches all around!!”
For the first time in history more people are watching Canadian Shows than American shows.
Sarcasm aside, that is reason for a Champagne celebration. Not just for the content, but for the thousands of people that are employed making those shows and the tens of thousands of spin-off jobs. For the first time in history Canadian writers and artists can stay home and produce quality entertainment, and have Canadians enjoy it.
I’m sorry they cancelled whatever it was that you were so fond of, but the simple fact is that the CBC belongs to all Canadians (and is funded, in part, by all Canadian taxpayers) and, as such, has a responsibility to appeal to as many as they can.
So far the Management, which you and others are so quick to deride, seem to be constructing program schedules that are doing exactly that.
I was not impressed with the latest changes/musical chairs at R1. I can see where ‘some’ money was saved, but have to agree with Phyllis Manning: most of the changes cost more money. To say I view the forthcoming News ‘changes’ with some trepidation would be an understatement.
Here, Here, Observer!
Johnny B, tell us how changes will cost more money, please – I’d be interested how you know these things.
In the short term, there may be a few costs, although certainly what’s been saved will cover them – remember, the CBC has to break even at year-end by law. In the long run, changes will, indeed, save money that can be reinvested in programming.
The deriding of management comes from years of people trying to be creative, yet having to be under the thumbs of myriad managers and levels of bureaucracy – it’s human nature to react like this…
@Observer
Apologies! I had no idea programs llike Jeopardy and Coronation Street employed “thousands” of Canadians, let alone spun off “tens of thousands” of jobs.
I bet the hundreds of people laid off from the CBC are really grateful. Their families must be tickled as well.
Are you perhaps observing from a management desk?
@classicalcanuck
1) Sarcasm is a sharp tool that, if used to often, become blunt and useless. Just a thought…
2) Wheel, Jeopardy and Coronation Street no.
Rick Mercer, 22 Minutes, Erica, Dragon’s Den. The Border,
Winnpeg Comedy Fest, Halifax Comedy Fest, Heartland, Litle Mosque, The Hour, The Nature of Things, The Fifth Estate, The National, The CBC News at 6 and hours and hours of Canadian kids programming… yes.
As to your attempt at the tired old ‘blame management for everything” saw, well, it’s really getting old. IF things are so very bad at the CBC then why not explore all of the wonderful opportunities available elsewhere?
Right now I am observing from a deask overlooking a tranquil harbour. Nice try, but I ain’t gonnna bite.
@anon
“The deriding of management comes from years of people trying to be creative, yet having to be under the thumbs of myriad managers and levels of bureaucracy – it’s human nature to react like this…”
Perhaps, but if people would open their eyes and put aside their sense of “Capital E” Entitlement they might notice there has been some pretty impressive and substantial changes .
@Observer
What colour is the sky over your tranquil harbour?
Decisions are made by management – that may be a “tired old saw”, but it is reality.
In this case, management dances to the tune of politicians who perceive the CBC to be both leftist and elitist.
As for exploring other options – since the changes to Radio 2, I have progressed from luddite to intrepid internet explorer in search of intelligent, may I even say, knowledgeable and erudite radio. And if that sounds elitist – good! I have also found TVO, an intelligent and thought provoking television station reminiscent of the CBC in its heyday.
Feeding the lowest common denominator is not what the CBC was ever intended to do – until the lowest common denominator came to power via their politicians (of all political stripes).
This is my final comment. Enjoy your harbour. It’s a lot more worthwhile than your CBC.
“What colour is the sky over your tranquil harbour?”
Television, tuned to a dead channel.
“This is my final comment. Enjoy your harbour. It’s a lot more worthwhile than your CBC.”
I do. It’s so much better than going through life sarcastic, angry and bitter. Life is too short to engage with such people
But what ever gets you through.