Last week saw reports that Ottawa is set to make a major announcement regarding the future of the CBC in an attempt to “modernize” the public broadcaster. Senior government officials were reported as saying that alongside major legislative and regulatory changes, a new CEO is expected to be named. The data suggests that the CBC’s value ultimately depends on which Canadians we’re discussing. For instance, a typical young suburban family in Toronto is probably only vaguely aware there is a CBC. But private broadcasters and other media know it all too well—and view it as an existential threat to the industry.
