[AmbitionlessHipster]

"my biggest question is why should government get more involved in regulating how much Canadian content is on the radio or TV? To me its like telling the government that we dont have any free will to change the channel or find music that has more meaning and value to us"

Perhaps it is broadening our perspectives a little, giving us more of a selection. Do you have any idea how important Canadian content is? This is how the "little guys" get a least some (minute) exposure to the public. For a long time, many Canadian artists have gotten this "bad rap" or stereotype simply because they are Canadian and typically do not have enough money or support to promote themselves in the same manner as American artists do. Honestly, how many times did you turn on the CBC and refuse to watch it because of "low quality." Factor this in with the fact that there is no support (not to mention CBC lost some more of its budget today, thanks government).
You want the history lesson, here goes: In 1900's, the Allmen Brothers (canadian) started film centres/theatres. In 1920, Paramount /famous Players wanted into the market and also wanted to buy out the Canadian Allmen brothers so that they could retain a monopoly. Allmen Bros did not want to do this, so Paramount got angry and convinced Hollywood producers to not sell their films..... so then in 1922, the Allmen bros were bankrupt. From then on there were no longer any Canadian distributers, therefore, Candians were not being heard. Candian films do not get entry into the market, simple as that. And as far as Im concerned, it is a terrible thing because it has to potential to be a great cultural industry, but American money paves the way.
No one is disputing the free will to use the clicker, that is obvious. How about supporting our canadian artists and industries instead of taking it up the ass from American ones? :rambo: We need to nationalise canadian talents before we can even begin to attempt to internationalise them.

[The Heron Outside]

Seems as if this discussion has gotten a little off topic, but that's fine, I still find what you guys have to say interesting. I think AmbitionlessHipster may have said what I wanted to say, but I'll throw in my 2 cents anyways.

my biggest question is why should government get more involved in regulating how much Canadian content is on the radio or TV? To me its like telling the government that we dont have any free will to change the channel or find music that has more meaning and value to us.

Do you have any idea how desperately we need CanCon? Right now Canadian radio stations must play 30% Canadian music, which I say isn't nearly enough. First of all, without CanCon, I think big stations like the Edge in Toronto, which is great for new rock, would have absolutely no problem playing the new Jane's Addiction, Blink 182 and Linkin Park singles TO DEATH when they come out. Problem is, these bands make maybe 2, 3 stops in Canada each tour. That forces people to head down to the Toronto of the states, Buffalo, to see bands play, and do we want that? NO! I say, if a band can't see how popular they are up here and only make 2 stops, f them. But without CanCon also, do you think The Hip would have gotten such big airplay back in the early 90's? Here was a great, hot new band out of Canada, not grunge, but something with a bit of an Edge. If it wasn't for CanCon, I think The Hip would have been drowned out on big radio by bands like PJ and Nirvana. And CanCon does NOTHING for someone like Avril, who was handpicked by record companies, but it does wonders for BNL, who got big here thanks to CanCon and then toured their ass off in the states and got big, with the help of their rep. back home. We need CanCon and the CRTC, and I believe it's one of the best things our Federal Government has going for them. I am with you AmbitionlessHipster!

[AmbitionlessHipster]

But without CanCon also, do you think The Hip would have gotten such big airplay back in the early 90's? Here was a great, hot new band out of Canada, not grunge, but something with a bit of an Edge. If it wasn't for CanCon, I think The Hip would have been drowned out on big radio by bands like PJ and Nirvana.

Exactly... it's all about distribution. Could you imagine if concert venues were like theatres and showed 95% American acts (bye bye Hip), or perhaps if art galleries and radio stations only produced 5% of Canadian artists for us to see/hear....Maybe even the HMVs and Sunrises would only sell 5% Canadian product.... Why should we allow American films to monopolise Canada? Why should Canadians not get showcased simply because we want American money? :rambo: :rambo:

[sherpahigh]

I think the problem has more to do with peoples' taste in films and music, i would say around 60 percent of the american and canadian population wants films, TV shows and music to entertain them, make them enter a fantasy realm and don't care if the content they are watching is thought provoking or culturally important. Sure, every once in awhile they might pay attention to something Ken Burns produces or Riverdance but the bottom line is thats what they want.i dont know what you are talking about with Viacom, a little info would be greatly appreciated. my biggest question is why should government get more involved in regulating how much Canadian content is on the radio or TV? To me its like telling the government that we dont have any free will to change the channel or find music that has more meaning and value to us. That's what the internet is for, baby! :rambo:

Gotta agree with VioletlightHeron here. I think the problem has more to do with the general populations tastes in music/movies/tv. I don't believe that the government controling what we watch or listen to is the right way to go about it. It does reak of Big brother watching. Increasing the percentage of Canadaian content that stations must play dosn't gaurantee that you'll get to hear the indie acts and good stuff from the "little guy". What it does is guarantee that you'll get to hear a lot more Nickleback and clone acts like that, that are already proven money making machines. I also don't buy the argument that CANCON is responsible for the Hip being where they are today. Maybe I'm wrong on that front, but I think that their touring and word of mouth played a large roll in thier popularity. Once they became a big proven Canadian act, then you started to hear more and more of them on the radio.

I'm not too sure what Australia's rules are in regards to playing Australian content on the radio(I'm sure it's similar to Canada), but at least there they have a national radio station that actually does something for the "little guys" Triple J is a station that showcases local up and coming Australian content and mixes it in with popular music from around the world. They have a contest called Unearthed where they go around Australia to different regions and hold a battle of the bands of sorts. Check it out here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/unearthed/about/default.htm">http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/unearthed ... efault.htm</a><!-- m -->


Anyway, these are all just my opinions, could be wrong.

[AmbitionlessHipster]

Gotta agree with VioletlightHeron here. I think the problem has more to do with the general populations tastes in music/movies/tv. I don't believe that the government controling what we watch or listen to is the right way to go about it. It does reak of Big brother watching. Increasing the percentage of Canadaian content that stations must play dosn't gaurantee that you'll get to hear the indie acts and good stuff from the "little guy". What it does is guarantee that you'll get to hear a lot more Nickleback and clone acts like that, that are already proven money making machines. I also don't buy the argument that CANCON is responsible for the Hip being where they are today. Maybe I'm wrong on that front, but I think that their touring and word of mouth played a large roll in thier popularity. Once they became a big proven Canadian act, then you started to hear more and more of them on the radio.

I would agree that it is totaltarian *only if* the government was gaining something, or if they were brainwashing us. Do you really see a problem with the government trying to promote Canadian artists? They cannot really have that much vested interest (or economic gain) in trying to support Canadian talent... so perhaps then, it is for the benefit of Canadian society to "learn about their own" so to speak. It is ture to an extent that CanCon does not promote indie bands... however, it promotes many singers from all genres (in order to comply with different radio stations).
I like to think a little optomisitcally.... if the Cdn. govt. promotes Canadian artists, then maybe the larger (more famous) Canadian acts (i.e. The Hip) will support smaller, more indie acts (which I think the Hip have done by having many different people open for them) and therefore tbe people who go to their shows will see the indie acts and pick up from there.

All I am saying is that there are many ways to do it, and if the government wants to help out cultural indutries for the sheer fact of promoting ""Canadianism," then it is not mind control at all... it wont benefit the govt nor will it bring them any sort of money... so :thumb: