Thanks CBC

[Axel Rose]

That is really good to hear, Tigger. I will make sure to write to CBC to express my appreciation of their live Internet streaming too.

The thought of Rod Black crying foul whenever his favourite doesn't win is already sending shudders down my spine. Please tell me Tracy will be there to be the voice of reason.

 

[Saundy]

The thought of Rod Black crying foul whenever his favourite doesn't win is already sending shudders down my spine. Please tell me Tracy will be there to be the voice of reason.

I pray to God she is...for our sake.

 

[Ladskater]

I actually enjoyed the Country Canada commentator but I think the average skating fan is not going to "find" the skating on this channel. They're also not staying up until midnight to watch the big names commentate so I am confused by their reasoning on this. Obviously it's for financial reasons that CBC isn't broadcasting in prime time (they've had some financial problems in the last few years and have lost some of their big time broadcasters).

I know that someone will post that I'm missing the point of their coverage but I actually am at a point in my life where I don't want to watch 3 hours of endless coverage every night - I'd prefer the packaged programming. Hopefully it's better next year.

The CBC is good at recapping their programming so they will likely show all the highlights in a shorter version. They did so last night at 7:30 pm - showed Virtue/Moir, Joannie and Mao Asada - 30 minutes.

The CBC has a contract with the NHL so has to share the air waves accordingly with their hockey coverage. I thought they did extremely well with their coverage and though it was on late, they did make up the time difference by broadcasting live on the internet. Although, was hard for me not to peak ahead of time to see the standings!! I still like the element of surprise by not knowing too much. I also stayed off Golden Skate quite a bit.

I am just so grateful that the CBC did such a great job and that figure skating is still alive and well here in Canada as always. I was getting a bit worried there about our coverage. CTV used to do a great job as well. I hope CTV is up to the standards of the CBC come 2010!

And yes I plan to thank CBC for a job well done!

 

[astimegoesby]

Thanks to Tigger for letting us know about Scott Moore's comments on the CBC site, and thanks to Scott for taking the time to post them. I had a feeling the last-minute schedule change was the reason why so much of the main network coverage was scheduled for midnight, but it's nice to have an official explanation just the same.

And at least the last few CBC timeslots for skating have been at more reasonable hours, so at least I think CBC is trying its best to accommodate skating fans with whatever timeslots are available to them. And I definitely agree it's better than no Canadian Worlds coverage at all!

I actually enjoyed the Country Canada commentator but I think the average skating fan is not going to "find" the skating on this channel. They're also not staying up until midnight to watch the big names commentate so I am confused by their reasoning on this.

Unfortunately, I have to agree, and that's the main reason why I was disappointed in those midnight time slots on the main network. I know most of the diehard skating fans here and on other boards will tune in/set their VCRs or DVRs to record skating regardless of what time it's on, but most casual fans, unfortunately, might not. And those casual fans are the ones CBC needs to win back to the sport in order to get more coverage and more reasonable timeslots for next season. I just hope enough of us diehard fans tuned in this year to acheive that goal...especially considering how well the Canadian skaters did at Worlds!

BTW, for anyone who missed some of those midnight broadcasts on the English CBC network, the French CBC is showing Worlds right now!

The thought of Rod Black crying foul whenever his favourite doesn't win is already sending shudders down my spine.

My biggest fear about the CTV Olympics coverage is Rod introducing Elvis Stojko in the building as one of the commentators. Because if Elvis will be in the building, Rod will let us know.

 

[fumie_fumie]

Favourite Rod Black comments

My favourite Rod Black comments is

He uses this same comment, regardless of how Eman does, whether he implodes or he skates his socks off.

"Isn't it so Emanuel tonight?"

 

[Tigger]

Thanks to Tigger for letting us know about Scott Moore's comments on the CBC site, and thanks to Scott for taking the time to post them. I had a feeling the last-minute schedule change was the reason why so much of the main network coverage was scheduled for midnight, but it's nice to have an official explanation just the same.

You're welcome. I was rather impressed he took the time to do that too.

My biggest fear about the CTV Olympics coverage is Rod introducing Elvis Stojko in the building as one of the commentators. Because if Elvis will be in the building, Rod will let us know.

Oh Dear SkateGods in Heaven NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

BTW...

One of the best parts of today, seeing Debbie Wilkes nearly leap out of her skin and then nearly take out Lee Barkell when she hugged him after Jeff's skate today. The look on her face said it all. Those long years of looking like there's hope and then, nope, not really for her in the broadcast booth had to be just as tough for her as it was for us and to see her literally beaming today was just wonderful.

 

[Angela V]

I had to tape EVERYTHING. So annoyed at that because I do have a HD tv now but I'm still using a VCR. I saw Skate Canada on HD, and it was awesome. The late showings at Midnight and Easter weekend forced me to tape. Which was sad for me because taping digital tv isn't all that great. Though maybe this will convince hubby we really need a PVR.

Though am glad someone picked up Worlds.

 

[JoannaLouise]

I absolutely loved the live internet coverage (and even took my laptop to my Wednesday lecture last week to surreptitiously watch skating during class...don't tell anyone!), but prime-time broadcasts on the main network would have been nice. I think I'm still recovering from lack of sleep - staying up to watch CBC at midnight, and then getting up super-early to watch the online coverage. I do hope that CBC will be able to include more prime-time coverage next year (and from what people have posted above, it sounds like there might be a chance).
Does anyone know if they are planning to cover the Grand Prix at all next season?

and I might be in the minority here, but I actually like Rod Black...maybe just because he reminds me of when I would watch skating as a kid? (off to hide in the corner, lol)

 

[astimegoesby]

Does anyone know if they are planning to cover the Grand Prix at all next season?

I don't know if CBC will cover the entire GP next season, but I certainly hope they'll show the GPF and at least a couple of the other GP competitions in addition to Skate Canada.

And if CBC Country Canada gives us this amount of coverage for all (or at least most) of the GP series, I'll definitely (finally!) subscribe to it by next season!