By now you may have heard of CBC-TV’s plans to displace its flagship news program this summer to make way for a U.S. reality show. On Tuesday nights this summer, The National will air early on the East Coast and be delayed an hour in Ontario and Quebec so that CBC-TV can simulcast ABC’s new reality show The One: Making a Music Star. From Manitoba westward, The National will not be affected.

Here is the schedule. The National will be seen on the main network at:
9:30 p.m. Nfld
9 p.m. in the Maritimes
11 p.m. in Ontario and Quebec
10 p.m. Manitoba West

The National will available on Newsworld at: 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern Time everywhere. 80% of Canadian homes have cable access to Newsworld.

(The One will follow young musicians competing for the chance at a recording contract, under the tutelage of industry experts and vocal coaches. The CBC has also planned to launch a Canadian version in late 2006 or early 2007.)

There are two main schools of thought that most people on the net and in the press are talking about so far on this:

1. The CBC shouldn’t be airing American shows just to “chase ratings”; it’s the public broadcaster and it should air Canadian programming only.

2. Why not let the CBC have a couple of popular shows on air, even if they are American; it can fund itself, then, instead of through the taxpayer?

On what side do you stand, and why?

UPDATE: Dead Things on Sticks has some interesting points on this topic.

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	Programming, The National