Says the Herald:
A lack of television coverage of the 2011 Canada Winter Games has ticked off some Nova Scotia fans…
He said it is disappointing major broadcasters like CBC or CTV do not have additional cameras and crews in Nova Scotia for the two-week celebration of athletics and culture that has about 2,700 young athletes from across Canada in the province, along with hundreds of supporters.
“Isn’t CBC supposed to be our national broadcaster?” he fumed.
A similar story was heard from other frustrated fans, some of whom called or emailed The Chronicle Herald to complain about the limited television coverage.
Sigh. This is a product of locals over-hyping the Games. Yes, the Canada Games are a fun event, and yes, we should welcome our visitors with open arms, and maybe, hopefully, some of the highlight on athleticism will spillover to getting our own youngsters more interested in becoming active, healthy citizens themselves (although that truism is questionable). But, come on– They’re just the Canada Games. Not the Olympics. Not the Commonwealth Games. Not the Aboriginal Games. Not the NFL. Not a CFL football game in Moncton. Not even a SMU football game.
I mean no disrespect. The Canada Games are a worthy enterprise, and good on the athletes, good on the organizers, hope the spectators have a lot of fun. But nobody much in Calgary or Vancouver or Toronto wants to sit around the teebee and watch them. The Canada Games is a little event, a little hokey, just like its host city. Those are good things, in my opinion. That’s just the way it is.
Send us your Canada Games pics and vids; email ourgames@thecoast.ca.
This article appears in Feb 10-16, 2011.
How much coverage did the summer games get? Does anybody from Halifax who wasn’t involved in some way even know that the summer games were in PEI?
Didn’t think so.
The problem with Scotland is that it’s full of Scots!
a SMU football game is more important than the Canada Games?? Now I know why the Coast does not focus on sporting news. The reason the Canada Games are not as popular an event as the other ones you listed is for that exact reason. It does not get the broadcast exposure it deserves. Only then will we be able to say that the Canada Games are as important.
Tim, you really think a SMU football game draws more than the Canada Games?? Now I know why the Coast does not focus on sporting news. The reason the Canada Games are not as popular an event as the other ones you listed (except for the SMU reference) is exactly because our public broadcasters are not paying enough attention to it. If we want a healthier population, we need to build on the success from the Vancouver Olympics and promote regional and national sporting events. The Canada Games are not getting the exposure it deserves although the organizers have done a great job using social media to promote the event.
I find it really interesting that Haligonians/Nova Scotians/Maritimers are up in arms this year about TV coverage – or the lack thereof. Where was the outcry when the games were held in Whitehorse, or London, or Brandon? How come you weren’t outraged then?
This is the way Canada Games coverage has ALWAYS been. Let’s face it – it wouldn’t exactly be a money making venture for our local television stations. In fact, I daresay they’d lose their shirts if they decided to pre-empt American Idol or Criminal Minds for a bunch of 15 year olds playing squash at Saint Mary’s. I’m not trying to belittle the games, but I don’t exactly think the masses are dying for full coverage of these events.
I would imagine our locals news crews (CTV Atlantic, CBC, and Global) will have nightly highlights from the games on their evening newscasts, no? I actually caught a few minutes of Live at 5 on Friday (I know, I know) and they were doing their show from the oval.
I always find it interesting when people complain about things being on specialty or premium channels rather than basic cable. It’s 2011 and nothing is free anymore. If you want to be able to pick and choose what you watch at whim, spend the extra money to get the channels.
I have to agree with Mr. Bousquet. The Canada Games is for the young participants to enjoy and learn from. Its not really intended for many spectators or television coverage.
It’s not “Just the Canada Games”. This is an amazing accomplishment for many young people. An opportunity to watch future Olympians. It is sad that the people would rather watch reality TV shows than their own athletes represent their province. We need more coverage for the Canada Games period. Show some patriotism for your province and your country people!!! Be proud of your athletes and their accomplishments! We’re quick to claim Crosby as our own once he made the NHL, but he too came through Canada Games. We need to know where we’ve come from to know where we’re going!
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