Letter to a CBC Radio Two listener
April 25, 2008
Over the past few weeks, we have received dozens of letters and emails regarding forthcoming changes to Radio 2. A few express dismay at the potential loss of their favourite programs. A very large number contain inaccurate information. Most contain some variation on the theme "we love Radio 2 just the way it is, don't change a thing."
We're enthusiastic about the changes being planned. It's good news for Canadian performers and Canadian listeners and we'd like to take the opportunity to provide some background.
The question facing CBC is whether, as a public broadcaster, we use Radio 2 to reflect excellence in all Canadian music and musicians or just a part of the industry; and whether we serve a broad spectrum of Canadian listeners or just of a portion of the audience. That is the beginning and the end of the challenge.
Here is the context.
First, there are about 30,000 pieces of music released commercially by Canadian performers every year. Less than 250 (0.8%) of those receive regular airplay on commercial radio stations. Half of the airplay of current Canadian songs heard on private radio come from less than a dozen acts. The rich diversity of Canadian music and musicians is not being heard on Canadian airwaves, and Radio 2's new programs will expand the spectrum of talented acts played on-air.
Next, we recognize the quality and public value of "serious" music. When the evolution is complete, classical music will remain the most broadly represented form on Radio 2. It is our intention to actively promote many forms of music for adult Canadians, but classical remains
the prime component.
You also mention that we are breaching our mandate. You may be interested to know that our mandate in the Broadcasting Act charges the Corporation with the responsibility to "reflect Canada and its regions to national and regional audiences, (and) actively contribute to the flow and exchange of cultural expression." It is also to "reflect the multicultural and multiracial nature of Canada." Proposed changes to the schedule will improve performance in both areas.
In recognition that there will still be some listeners who desire nothing but classical, or jazz, or adult singer-songwriters, CBC Radio will be launching 3 new hosted 24-hour-a-day web radio services to serve each niche exclusively. Our preference would obviously be to have a full FM network for each genre, but since that is not feasible the online solution is another option for Canadians.
As for the decision to disband the orchestra, it was not an easy one. They are good people playing great music and it was a sad day for us all. However, the CBC Radio Orchestra is the last of the line. There were once 70 similar orchestras in locations across North America. We sustained the group as long as possible but in the end the inevitable economics that resulted in the others being disbanded forced the same result here. We can record 3 concerts with existing Canadian orchestras for every show we put on with our own. With more than 30 other orchestras in Canada worthy of our support, it's a luxury we can no longer afford.
We will, however, continue to record many live concerts of classical music throughout the year with a variety of Canadian orchestras and chamber groups. You may enjoy the highlights around Glenn Gould's 75th birthday or the upcoming Beethoven Festival with live recordings of all 9 symphonies as just two high profile examples. We will also continue a heavy schedule of commissioning original Canadian compositions.
To your point about our programs, Saturday Afternoon At the Opera, Sunday Afternoon In Concert, Tonic, The Signal, Inside the Music and Canada Live will remain. Right now, Tom Allen, Jurgen Goethe and a variety of hosts you know and some you don't are producing pilots for exciting new additions to the schedule. We're increasing concerts-on-demand, adding 3 new 24/7 web radio stations, including one that is exclusively classical, creating more podcasts and putting the best music shows on FM radio anywhere.
We're passionate about Canadian music. Radio 2 will be the only place to truly reflect the incredible breadth and depth of talent that exists in this country.
We look forward to your comments when the new shows are introduced in the fall.
Richard Stursberg
Executive Vice President
CBC English Services
Jennifer McGuire
Executive Director
CBC Radio
We're enthusiastic about the changes being planned. It's good news for Canadian performers and Canadian listeners and we'd like to take the opportunity to provide some background.
The question facing CBC is whether, as a public broadcaster, we use Radio 2 to reflect excellence in all Canadian music and musicians or just a part of the industry; and whether we serve a broad spectrum of Canadian listeners or just of a portion of the audience. That is the beginning and the end of the challenge.
Here is the context.
First, there are about 30,000 pieces of music released commercially by Canadian performers every year. Less than 250 (0.8%) of those receive regular airplay on commercial radio stations. Half of the airplay of current Canadian songs heard on private radio come from less than a dozen acts. The rich diversity of Canadian music and musicians is not being heard on Canadian airwaves, and Radio 2's new programs will expand the spectrum of talented acts played on-air.
Next, we recognize the quality and public value of "serious" music. When the evolution is complete, classical music will remain the most broadly represented form on Radio 2. It is our intention to actively promote many forms of music for adult Canadians, but classical remains
the prime component.
You also mention that we are breaching our mandate. You may be interested to know that our mandate in the Broadcasting Act charges the Corporation with the responsibility to "reflect Canada and its regions to national and regional audiences, (and) actively contribute to the flow and exchange of cultural expression." It is also to "reflect the multicultural and multiracial nature of Canada." Proposed changes to the schedule will improve performance in both areas.
In recognition that there will still be some listeners who desire nothing but classical, or jazz, or adult singer-songwriters, CBC Radio will be launching 3 new hosted 24-hour-a-day web radio services to serve each niche exclusively. Our preference would obviously be to have a full FM network for each genre, but since that is not feasible the online solution is another option for Canadians.
As for the decision to disband the orchestra, it was not an easy one. They are good people playing great music and it was a sad day for us all. However, the CBC Radio Orchestra is the last of the line. There were once 70 similar orchestras in locations across North America. We sustained the group as long as possible but in the end the inevitable economics that resulted in the others being disbanded forced the same result here. We can record 3 concerts with existing Canadian orchestras for every show we put on with our own. With more than 30 other orchestras in Canada worthy of our support, it's a luxury we can no longer afford.
We will, however, continue to record many live concerts of classical music throughout the year with a variety of Canadian orchestras and chamber groups. You may enjoy the highlights around Glenn Gould's 75th birthday or the upcoming Beethoven Festival with live recordings of all 9 symphonies as just two high profile examples. We will also continue a heavy schedule of commissioning original Canadian compositions.
To your point about our programs, Saturday Afternoon At the Opera, Sunday Afternoon In Concert, Tonic, The Signal, Inside the Music and Canada Live will remain. Right now, Tom Allen, Jurgen Goethe and a variety of hosts you know and some you don't are producing pilots for exciting new additions to the schedule. We're increasing concerts-on-demand, adding 3 new 24/7 web radio stations, including one that is exclusively classical, creating more podcasts and putting the best music shows on FM radio anywhere.
We're passionate about Canadian music. Radio 2 will be the only place to truly reflect the incredible breadth and depth of talent that exists in this country.
We look forward to your comments when the new shows are introduced in the fall.
Richard Stursberg
Executive Vice President
CBC English Services
Jennifer McGuire
Executive Director
CBC Radio
