CBC calls itself 'precious'; viewership numbers say otherwise

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The remarks about the value of CBC to the national fabric were made by CBC's New York residing CEO Catherine Tait in an appearance before the Commons Heritage Committee.

"This is a precious asset," Tait told MPs.

Tait explained that cutting the CBC's annual $1.3 billion budget "would be devastating" to Canadians, hitting rural residents particularly hard.

I will be fine. https://t.co/IuHjvBeO6B

— Sheila Gunn Reid (@SheilaGunnReid) November 2, 2023

However, not many Canadians would notice if the state broadcaster disappeared.

CBC is a "precious asset," @PresidentCBCrc tells MPs. Any cut to $1.3B subsidy "would be devastating" for the nation tho @CBC TV market share is down to 4.4% and dropping.  https://t.co/6bhcKfxVX4 #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/VKYTfUTkiU

— Blacklock's Reporter (@mindingottawa) November 3, 2023

According to Blacklock's Reporter:

"CBC Television in its last Annual Report to Parliament said its market share was 4.4 percent projected to fall to 4.1 percent in 2024. CBC Television fell below target as both CBC audiences and total available audiences across the segment declined,” it said.

BREAKING: CBC President refuses to apologize for publishing dangerous disinformation spread by Hamas, a criminal terrorist organization regarding the rocket attack on a hospital in Gaza. This is a choice. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/tITrG7QexM

— Melissa Lantsman (@MelissaLantsman) November 2, 2023

Tait was called by MPs to answer for CBC's policy to refuse to call Hamas, a designated terror group in Canada, terrorists. A CBC manager issued a directive for journalists instead to use the term "militants" to describe the Gaza-based terror group.