If ever there was a sign that the CBC has lost touch with Canada, this is it.
The Globe and Mail reports that our ‘national’ broadcaster has taken a pass on renewing its license on the iconic Hockey Night in Canada theme. From the Globe:
John Ciccone, president of Copyright Music & Visual, said in a press release posted on its website that CBC’s licence agreement ended with the conclusion of Wednesday’s NHL playoffs and that the public broadcaster has taken a pass on a new agreement in order to “move in a new direction.”
The CBC “has advised the composer, owner and administrator of the musical composition that it is not prepared to enter into a new license agreement with respect to the use of the theme,” the press release states.
To which I say: are they mad? No, really. Are they mad? I mean, I know no one watches the CBC, but I thought that was a bad thing, not something to be encouraged by screwing with one of the few bankable properties the Corp actually owns.
The HNIC theme was written in 1968, making it the longest-lived theme song ever, anywhere. And they want to ditch it to go in some new direction? That’s bordering on criminal. Everyone I know can hum that song in their sleep. Even people who don’t like hockey. It truly is like a second national anthem. I cannot believe the CBC would do this. The question has been asked before, but seems particularly appropriate here: have you no decency, CBC? Have you no decency at all?
Call the CBC. Call you MPP. Lauch DoS attacks on their website. Do whatever it takes. THIS WILL NOT STAND. I’m turning this post, effective immediately, into a petition. If you love the theme like I do, please sign the petition below! We can stop this madness, people. Fight the fight.
UPDATE: Even the CBC is reporting on this story, which is a pretty good sign it’s legit. Also, the Star has a piece up too.
Momentum is starting to build on the Interwebs. Check out this post by awesome Vancouver blogger Miss604.
Help spread the word! Go digg this post!
Sign me up.
Jackals!
June 5th, 2008 at 11:02 am[...] In disbelief, many Canadians are shocked, outraged, and there is a huge reaction from the blogosphere. One of my teammates from January’s Test the Nation is even starting a petition: If ever there was a sign that the CBC has lost touch with Canada, this is it… …are they mad? No, really. Are they mad? I mean, I know no one watches the CBC, but I thought that was a bad thing, not something to be encouraged by screwing with one of the few bankable properties the Corp actually owns. [There is a petition going which you can sign at the bottom of this post at Nunc Scio] [...]
June 5th, 2008 at 12:08 pmThe petition is poorly worded. It should read…
“We the undersigned deem the CBC management to be a bunch of moronic gits who couldn’t manage a hot dog stand, and demand that they be placed on the unemployment roles forthwith, thus affording them the opportunity to continue their careers in some capacity for which they are better suited - to whit, one that doesn’t require a great deal of, you know, thinking.”
June 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pmThere are some things you don’t change in Hockey. One - the size and shape of the nets. Two - the HNIC theme song.
CBC might as well hand over Saturday nights to TSN. First you guys jeopardize one of the few decent segments on the CBC by almost axing Grapes and MaClean. Now your axing the theme song that is integral with Hockey Canada’s identity. This will be the beginning of the end in tearing apart the HNIC brand recognition.
Why all the attempts at self-destruction. Has Little Mosque on the Prairie gotten so popular that it needs a new Saturday night slot? Might as well pencil it in, because aside of watching your favorite team, other networks offer much more than HNIC.
I watch HNIC because of the identity. Do you think I enjoy listening to Cole and Neil consistently mess up the play-by-play? No, but the ENTIRE package (anthem, Cole, Neil, MaClean, Cherry) is Canadian and comforting like dinner with the family.
Our identity as a nation is stretched in a multitude of directions to help preserve and boast our democratic multicultural society. HNIC in many ways helps me feel that Canada is sovereign and not just a stomping ground for immigrants to live well, yet boast about how much better their country of origin is. It pisses me off.
What a joke. Get over the petty differences whatever they may be, and make amends. That theme is more Canadian than our National Anthem.
If this is a monetary thing - how about cutting Little Mosque and spending our tax dollars on preserving what little true identity we have left as born and raised Canadians. Aren’t we all about tradition, history and culture?!
It might seem excessive, but that is what the silly little HNIC anthem represents to me.
[/rant]
June 5th, 2008 at 1:57 pmHockey Night in Canada would never be the same again!
June 5th, 2008 at 3:51 pmThey CAN’T get rid of our 2nd National Anthem!
Keeping the tradition alive ensures the continued support of older generations who have lost touch with today’s game but remain a vital part of our hockey-playing heritage. The song lives up to it’s mandate for composition: it embodies the ideas of big, adventurous and brave, indeed ideals Canadians can relate to. Please reconsider your decision and keep the hockey anthem alive.
June 5th, 2008 at 3:54 pmVery important, the Canada theme. Got nothing better to blog about?
June 5th, 2008 at 4:16 pmNo, but apparently you’ve got nothing better to read.
Also, the six commentators before you and the number of people who’ve signed my petition make me think its more important than you suggest.
June 5th, 2008 at 4:27 pm[...] Everyone’s up in arms about the report the theme from Hockey Night in Canada has been played for the last time. They’re even blogging like it’s a fait accompli. It’s as Canadian as beaver pelts and Bruni Gerussi [sic] and more people can keep up with its tune than our National Anthem. However, the CBC announced recently that it will not be renewing the Hockey Night in Canada theme. [Miss 604] CBC ditches Hockey Night in Canada theme! THIS WILL NOT STAND. Sign the petition! [Nunc Scio] [...]
June 5th, 2008 at 4:56 pmAs a taxpayer, who therefore pays the salaries of those that decided not to renew the license, I think I have the right to fire all of them!
June 5th, 2008 at 5:12 pmWTF!!! What’s next? Denouncing the mighty beaver? Tofu syrup? Don Cherry on ESPN (wait, scratch that last one)?
June 5th, 2008 at 5:20 pm[...] Original post here [...]
June 5th, 2008 at 8:09 pmSave Our Song
June 6th, 2008 at 12:50 amPlease make sure we consolidate the petition so that we have enough numbers to make CBC realize how important this song is. I did a search and found at almost 10 petition. How are we gonna convince CBC with signature when the number isn’t overwhelming since it’s all divided
June 6th, 2008 at 1:47 amSave our song!
June 6th, 2008 at 8:11 amdont do it
June 6th, 2008 at 9:05 am[...] You can Digg this post by Nunc Scio. Hockey nut Miss 604 of course writes about this too. Sphere: Related [...]
June 6th, 2008 at 12:06 pmFrom the USA, stop messing with tradition, change isn’t always good
June 6th, 2008 at 12:25 pmIf CBC is willing to give up on the HNIC theme song they should also give up the right to broadcast any further NHL games. The song has been a standard by which many Canadians have spent their cold winter Saturday nights. It is a melody that is recognized and responded to by TRUE Canadians. I have personally experienced impromptu versions of the song in the Caribbean, Europe, and many spots in the US. It is a song that unites Canadians and creates instant friendships. I find it difficult to believe that those who state “It’s time for a change” are true hockey fans or Canadians. Accept it or not, the theme is part of our heritage. So if you want to get rid of it, why not get rid of a few other Canadian symbols? How about we cut down every last maple tree from coast to coast? While we’re at it, those pesky beavers don’t serve any purpose either. Let’s shut down all the Tim Hortons. We as Canadians have become so complacent in our lack of identity and pride, and this is just another example.
Has anyone asked any “Canadian” NHL’er what their view is on this matter? I’m sure they all grew up listening to it with their families and dreaming of someday making the Big Show.
June 6th, 2008 at 3:07 pmwhat a joke i hope tsn buys it and plays it all day long
let them hire ron and don and just bury the cbc. its the most profitable show they have trust me they aint making much off little mosque in the prarie
June 7th, 2008 at 2:33 pmYou gotta keep it. I dont care what it costs the cbc, i have grown up with that song and i want my kids to grow up with it too.
June 8th, 2008 at 9:04 pmcongratulations to CBC they have money to keep ”RACIST” Don Cherry $$$$$$$$$$
but they let our 2nd national anthem go !
June 10th, 2008 at 8:06 amunder Hitler’s Harper’s reign who’s supposedly is a hockey buff , CBC can forget me anyways we see too many
Maple Laugh games , makes it easy to drop , just like the Leafs out of the playoffs ….