CBC’s new five-year plan promises all things for all people, as long as you’re Canadian

CBC’s new five-year plan promises all things for all people, as long as you’re Canadian

The CBC is making good on recent promises to increase Canadian programming with their newly-announced five-year plan with the rather ambitious name 2015: Everyone, Every Way. The $33-million blueprint emphasizes local and regional coverage while improving digital programming and increasing Canadian content.

So where’s the $33 million coming from? The CBC says it will find the extra cash through additional streamlining and cost cutting, promising it won’t be asking for any extra government subsidies to make the proposed changes and improvements. CBC/Radio-Canada president and CEO Hubert Lacroix says the plan will improve local programming by expanding regional offices and upgrading equipment. There will also be an emphasis on local news programming, including pilots for new morning and weekend news shows.

CBC’s new head of English programming, Kirstine Stewart, has been promising more Canadian fare since day one of her tenure. This new plan will see prime time American programming like Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy phased out in favour of Canadian hits like Battle of the Blades and Dragon’s Den. The plan also doubles the percentage of the budget going towards digital services, bringing the total to five percent.

Plan 2015: Everyone, Every Way appears to steer the CBC back toward regional reporting and Canadian content. Once again, we’re looking forward to seeing how exactly the Ceeb will square Can-Con with ratings.

• CBC 5-year plan includes more regional service [CBC]
• CBC’s new five-year plan to emphasize local and regional coverage [Globe and Mail]
• CBC promises 10 annual ‘signature’ events in 5-year plan [Toronto Star]