Following host Shelagh Rogers’ decision to leave the show on May 30th, the CBC has decided to pull Sounds Like Canada from the schedule at the end of the summer.
The move seems to further reduce the amount of network radio programming which originates in Vancouver.
- Last year, CBC Radio cancelled Vancouver-produced Freestyle — the program which replaced Richardson’s Roundup. That time slot is now occupied by Q, a program produced in Toronto with more than twice the number of staff that Freestyle had.
- Just weeks ago, CBC Radio announced that Jurgen Gothe’s CBC Radio Two show will be pulled from the schedule in September.
- Randy Bachman is in negotiations to relocate his show’s production to Victoria.
- (On the television side, last year CBC replaced Vancouver-based Canada Now, its supper-hour national newscast, with regional programming.)
But it’s hardly an exodus, says Chris Boyce, CBC Radio’s interim program director. “We’ve actually moved a tonne of programming to Vancouver in the last year or two: Vinyl Tap, The Debaters, and we’ve moved Saturday Afternoon at the Opera from Toronto to Vancouver, as well as Bill Richardson’s Sunday Afternoon In Concert show. Both of those occupy huge chunks on the schedule.”
“We’re also in the process of developing a lot of new programming. On Radio Two we’re looking for a new morning show, mid-day show, afternoon show, and weekend morning show. Any of those could come from Vancouver.”
In the case of a replacement for Sounds Like Canada, CBC Radio is using a slightly different internal process to develop the show. Most new programs are selected from an open-proposal system, where CBC staffers pitch show concepts that are usually complete with a description of the show’s features, how it would sound, often who the host will be, and so on.
In this case, radio management is inviting suggestions about the program’s basic concepts first. Within a few weeks, small groups of programmers will be brought together to brainstorm ideas and possibilities. (If you have suggestions and program concepts, they can be forwarded to your local regional director or network department head by April 9.)
Rogers is still in discussions with CBC Radio about a new weekly show on Radio One.
Sounds Like Canada was one of CBC Radio One’s flagship programs with This Morning and the legendary Morningside programs as part of its bloodline.
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I think you are making a big mistake, yet again, pulling a lot of the most popular programs.I think you will loose a lot of your audience - especially the baby boomers. Who by the way make up a very large part of the population.
Whatever replaces "Sounds like Canada", I hope the new show will be less inane.
Personally, I’m heart-broken to lose that show. I think Shelagh Rogers is one of the most amazing interviewers I’ve ever heard. Granted maybe not every segment of that show has been riveting but with Rogers at the helm I keep tuned in. I can’t imagine weekday mornings being the same. I’m very sad to lose Rogers to Radio 2.
Whatever replaces it, I hope it will be a programme dedicated to classical music, as those seem to be disappearing from the Canada-wide CBC schedule faster than two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
Ba-a-a-ad CBC!!!
Dismayed with all of this CBC deconstruction. Once again, pandering to the lowest common denominator as determined by the dumb-dumb execs that WE pay! I’m looking for alternatives. We should have a tax revolt.
Jurgen Gothe’s program is the only reason I listen to ANY kind of radio in the afternoon. I’ve been listening to Jurgen since 1988 and adore both his voice and his listening choices.
"Q" is CRAP! Dump it instead.
I’m with Ian; I hope that Sounds Like Canada is replaced by a programme that will build on the CBC’s tradition of presenting quality Classical music. What I’ve loved about the CBC’s programming over the years is not only the excellent music played, but also the interesting and educational continuity that goes with it. I feel I learn something every time I tune in.
I hate to see the consolidation of programming. CBC is for all Canadians, and we vary by region.
Western Canadians’ votes don’t count for much in the political arena, but we should count for something when it comes to public programming. Let us keep our locally produced programs. Diversity matters to me. This is not a private corporation.
Montreal has less and less network programming, but I don’t hear any whining about it.
I’m thrilled to see Rogers heading elsewhere. She is one of the most self-centered hosts on CBC. Her series of interviews she called "Shelagh on Stage" last year was the height of her narcissism. My 15-month-old could’ve come up with a better title.
I’m sad to lose all of Sounds Like Canada, though. The content has been interesting to me, a new permanent resident of Canada.
Re: the perceived dumbing-down of CBC - what I’ve liked about the CBC is its mix of intellectual and entertainment shows. CBC’s American counterpart, NPR, takes itself entirely too seriously and is absolutely inaccessible to the average listener in the U.S. Kudos to CBC for representing, entertaining, and informing everyone instead of just the elite.
WHAT? They couldn’t have someone like Kevin Sylvester move in to Sheila’s chair? That show is awesome, whoever is hosting it: I feel that the staff behind the scenes on that show must be really awesome at what they do, and it would be a shame to dismantle the show entirely.