Billboard Wars
CTV billboards directly across the street from the CBC building
Anybody that works at the CBC mothership in downtown Toronto can’t help but notice that CTV has a huge row of billboards touting it’s shows directly across from the building.
The billboard always reminds of the billboards that Fox News put up directly across from the CNN building in Atlanta, which often openly mocked CNN and invited its employees to jump ship.
I always wondered (maybe naively) if the CTV billboards were the same tactic, or just a coincidence.
Have you seen CTV billboards around any other CBC buildings across the country?
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The giant CTV billboards went up for the first time during the lockout in ’04, I believe. A lovely view as we walked around the building.
Not so far. No such billboards within line of sight of the Ottawa Broadcast Centre, if memory serves.
Nothing in St. John’s, Newfoundland, but we also don’t have a CTV affiliate here.
When Calgary had the Junos in 2008, CTV put up ads touting the Junos (complete with their Calgary airtime) in bus shelters directly across the street from Citytv, as well as another ‘bus shelter’ type of ad in a parking lot two blocks south.
Coincidentally before they went up City had the space for months before hand and had them for a few months after.
I feel like I’m being brainwashed and distracted from the real issues when I walk by these in your face billboards.
Did they change the billboards recently? I’d like to think I can pass them without seeing the shudder-inducing face of Brent Butt.
Brent Butt’s face ain’t that nightmarish.
Who needs a billboard when the writing’s on the wall?
I was hoping it was the 2012 reincarnation of the ONE TON CHALLENGE. Surely the Suzuki foundation can fund another eco guilt crusade.
I was recently in Toronto on business and I was on a company tour and believe me, the billboards are very noticeable.
What was noticed; however, was how non-Canadian, CTV really shows up as most all of thier programming is American which also shows up on their new zippy CTV advertisement “Naturally”. Naturally what, “American” as it focuses on 99.% american broadcasting.
Marilyn, it’s not just CTV: CBC’s most-watched shows are also produced in the USA. But don’t blame the broadcasters: blame the Canadian populace. After, *they* decide what to watch.
There’s a CBC billboard facing the CTV / MTV building at Yonge & Davenport.
Lovely, John. Paid for by you and moi.