Refocusing the CBC

Abstract

How would the Canadian broadcasting system look if there were no CBC? What would be the programming mix? Would it be deficient, leading to market failure? Digitization, convergence, and the development of the Internet are transforming broadcasting. If there were no CBC, would we create such a public service broadcaster now in a broadcast system where numerous choices, including 64 specialty channels, are available by cable and direct broadcast satellite? Would the benefits of creating a CBC be greater than the costs? If we invented a CBC today, what would be its focus? How does this compare to CBC's current operations and to the vision of its President? Our examination of these questions will concentrate on CBC English television.