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The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
I must say so far ( and it has been eight weeks since we arrived in Calgary) that the quality of the TV seems "rubbish" there are way too many adverts and a whole lot of nothing going on, especially with cable.
But I have to say that I still do love watching re- runs of Frasier. All of his little idiosyncrasies are great and I used to watch the show a lot when I was in he UK. Watching episodes in Canada is like putting on a comfortable slipper, and I hate to say it add's a little quality to my viewing. |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by smelly
I must say so far ( and it has been eight weeks since we arrived in Calgary) that the quality of the TV seems "rubbish" there are way too many adverts and a whole lot of nothing going on, especially with cable.
But I have to say that I still do love watching re- runs of Frasier. All of his little idiosyncrasies are great and I used to watch the show a lot when I was in he UK. Watching episodes in Canada is like putting on a comfortable slipper, and I hate to say it add's a little quality to my viewing. Sometimes you find the odd good thing to watch. Some people download off the internet for up to date shows from the UK, |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by smelly
I must say so far ( and it has been eight weeks since we arrived in Calgary) that the quality of the TV seems "rubbish" there are way too many adverts and a whole lot of nothing going on
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Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by smelly
I must say so far ( and it has been eight weeks since we arrived in Calgary) that the quality of the TV seems "rubbish" there are way too many adverts and a whole lot of nothing going on, especially with cable.
I'm sure those who have been in Canada for some time will say that there are more and more adverts coming on so it will always be rubbish. Stuarty |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by smelly
I must say so far ( and it has been eight weeks since we arrived in Calgary) that the quality of the TV seems "rubbish" there are way too many adverts and a whole lot of nothing going on, especially with cable.
But I have to say that I still do love watching re- runs of Frasier. All of his little idiosyncrasies are great and I used to watch the show a lot when I was in he UK. Watching episodes in Canada is like putting on a comfortable slipper, and I hate to say it add's a little quality to my viewing. But aleast you have Corrie, Emmerdale and Antique Roadshow on CBC in the afternoon. ;) :p I was so suprised to see them when I went back to SK last summer. I don't mind Antique Roadshow and the CBC has been showing Corrie for a million years but Emmerdale.......!!!!! |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by MrsWillow
But aleast you have Corrie, Emmerdale and Antique Roadshow on CBC in the afternoon. ;) :p
I was so suprised to see them when I went back to SK last summer. I don't mind Antique Roadshow and the CBC has been showing Corrie for a million years but Emmerdale.......!!!!! Thought I was getting away from soaps :p Stuarty |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Very few people it seems watch TV these day unless one has digital cable or satellite TV and then the speciality channels of one's choice can be enjoyed. There don't even seem to be any funny comedy shows anymore except the re-runs; Roseanne for me, right now, as it was on so long ago that I can hardly remember it and it seems down to earth and all the actors, including the kids, are great. I think the British Antiques Roadshow is much better than the US and Canadian versions, much better experts and funnily enough there are Canadian and Americans who agree, maybe because, on the whole, the quality of antiques is better. A lot of the British HGTV shows are much more interesting than the Canadian/US copies -again better experts. And we don't need news programmes anymore because we can get all our info here on the internet and don't have to put up with commercials. North American soaps are different too - cultural difference I should think, so when the culture is embraced here and the American Dream aspect of the soaps understood then they might become popular with newcomers.
Anyway don't you guys download stuff these days? |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Its so funny as ive always thought this and just recently all its been is contests to win such and such, reality TV and crime shows!!!
I refuse to pay for cable as its all poo, even BBC america I didnt think much of really. i have id say 15 channels for free with a good antenna, and I have found the following British TV on these Channels: WNED (public television) they show an enormous amount of British TV including a lot of good documentarys made in the UK. they even have British Comedy on a saturday including Monty Python which is a cult classic. CBC: already mentioned. W network: has some good British Stuff including Most Haunted on a friday at 8pm I have a disgustingly large amount of English DVD's www.amazon.ca is fantastic. recently got 'Men Behaving Badly' Awesome series. I also got that DVD player from a previous thread that plays English DVD's so bought a crap load back in May. I download a lot, including Most haunted which i loved, and Father Ted. and I get out more, see my freinds socialise and also surf the web LOL I seem a little pathetic knowing when all these shows are on, but its been three years of poo telly, you get to know the good stuff heheheeeh |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by hot wasabi peas
Consider it a blessing in disguise. :)
Right on. Get a Life! |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
I think that tv in the UK isn't so good either. I watch a fair amount of SKY and even many of the programmes on there are repeats :(
So I go out for walks with hubby, read and hang out with my pet badger ;) |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
I think the TV in Canada (I have StarChoice satellite TV) is quite good, except that it has way too many commercials - very irritating commercials at that.
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Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by oceanMDX
I think the TV in Canada (I have StarChoice satellite TV) is quite good, except that it has way too many commercials - very irritating commercials at that.
Although, I have to say, that watching less TV is brilliant, so we don't mind the poor quality. Jane P.S. Hubby has just corrected me - the sports channels are also very good - apparently! |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by Canada Jane
We seem to watch only a couple of channels regularly - CTV HD and HGTV. Most of the others are a waste of time!
Although, I have to say, that watching less TV is brilliant, so we don't mind the poor quality. Jane P.S. Hubby has just corrected me - the sports channels are also very good - apparently! |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by smelly
I must say so far ( and it has been eight weeks since we arrived in Calgary) that the quality of the TV seems "rubbish" there are way too many adverts and a whole lot of nothing going on, especially with cable.
But I have to say that I still do love watching re- runs of Frasier. All of his little idiosyncrasies are great and I used to watch the show a lot when I was in he UK. Watching episodes in Canada is like putting on a comfortable slipper, and I hate to say it add's a little quality to my viewing. Rich. |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
The PBS stations coming out of Seattle and Detroit and the educational stations are well worth watching. We very seldom watch TV (maybe an hour a week) but when we do its these stations.
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Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by willmore
The PBS stations coming out of Seattle and Detroit and the educational stations are well worth watching. We very seldom watch TV (maybe an hour a week) but when we do its these stations.
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Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by oceanMDX
Yes! Especially in HDTV. :)
Getting pissed round a camp fire singing... Why don't you, why don't you, just switch off your television set and go do somthing less boring instead (for those who remeber that show) lol.... :beer: |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
ok, sorry for my last post,,,,,
You can always watch re-runs of Skippy the bush thingy, or Lassie who saves little Timmy who fell down the well in the middle of no where..... or Top Gear on BBC Canada 4pm Sunday Pacific : :beer: :beer: :beer: |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Try UK Nova for past and present British programs - non-commercially available programs that is...
http://www.uknova.com/ |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
I enjoy watching Fox News for the US neo-conservative Government propaganda.... it makes me smile knowing that tens of millions of 'mericans think it's real. One of those 'laugh or cry' things really I think; as you say, to millions of Americans I guess, this is their truth. I'd point out though that for any interested parties, at least one free to air TV channel in Quebec seemed to show softcore pr0n every single night at a surprisingly early hour. The pomme really doesn't fall far from l'arbre. Oh, and if you're going to be strict about it, don't all those Vancouver-based shows really count as Canadian TV? Battlestar Galactica anyone?? :) (Oh the shame ;p .) edit: Don't forget Due South. Like modern Aesop's fables they are :D |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by smelly
I must say so far ( and it has been eight weeks since we arrived in Calgary) that the quality of the TV seems "rubbish" there are way too many adverts and a whole lot of nothing going on, especially with cable.
But I have to say that I still do love watching re- runs of Frasier. All of his little idiosyncrasies are great and I used to watch the show a lot when I was in he UK. Watching episodes in Canada is like putting on a comfortable slipper, and I hate to say it add's a little quality to my viewing. Thank goodness for PBS the very odd CBC production and some BBC Canada stuff. I download some of the older UK shows that you have most likely seen already off Newsroups. These would be things like Inspector Lynley, The Vice, Spooks etc. Cheers Steve |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by oceanMDX
I enjoy watching Fox News for the US neo-conservative Government propaganda.... it makes me smile knowing that tens of millions of 'mericans think it's real. :D
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Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by smelly
I must say so far ( and it has been eight weeks since we arrived in Calgary) that the quality of the TV seems "rubbish" there are way too many adverts and a whole lot of nothing going on, especially with cable.
But I have to say that I still do love watching re- runs of Frasier. All of his little idiosyncrasies are great and I used to watch the show a lot when I was in he UK. Watching episodes in Canada is like putting on a comfortable slipper, and I hate to say it add's a little quality to my viewing. http://www.meldrum.co.uk/mhp/testcar...tcf_2_orig.jpg |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by 1066
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Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by smelly
I must say so far ( and it has been eight weeks since we arrived in Calgary) that the quality of the TV seems "rubbish" there are way too many adverts and a whole lot of nothing going on, especially with cable.
But I have to say that I still do love watching re- runs of Frasier. All of his little idiosyncrasies are great and I used to watch the show a lot when I was in he UK. Watching episodes in Canada is like putting on a comfortable slipper, and I hate to say it add's a little quality to my viewing. Don't get me started!!!!!! ... it's taken me 4 years to stop bitching about Canadian TV *major chuckles* I can't watch much TV here, only the British stuff I find (thin on the ground) ... otherwise, I am on the PC! :) |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
I have to say that since moving into our new house we have spent more time looking out of the window at all the new birds in the garden than watching TV.
We have our camera set up, binoculars and Ontario bird identifier book and it is much more interesting that TV. Sadder perhaps, but hey, there are some beautiful birds out here - and some strange critters! :mad: BTW a week to the day after installing our StarChoice HD receiver etc it broke. We are waiting for the repair guy to come out and fix it. Haven't really missed it yet, other than missing seeing the time on the front of the box! Jane |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by Canada Jane
I have to say that since moving into our new house we have spent more time looking out of the window at all the new birds in the garden than watching TV.
We have our camera set up, binoculars and Ontario bird identifier book and it is much more interesting that TV. Sadder perhaps, but hey, there are some beautiful birds out here - and some strange critters! :mad: BTW a week to the day after installing our StarChoice HD receiver etc it broke. We are waiting for the repair guy to come out and fix it. Haven't really missed it yet, other than missing seeing the time on the front of the box! Jane |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
We just switched from cable to satellite - OH thought satellite might have something on 'cause there are more channels - but it's just more of the same. slowley getting out of the habit of watching it. The commercials do my head in - every 7 minutes with 5 minutes of film :eek: :scared: :confused:
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Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Come on, do none you people have A&E ? "Growing Up Gotti" and "Dog The Bounty Hunter" are just the ultimate in trash TV. Granted Fox has some tacky shows and the CBC some astonishingly cheesy stuff but A&E truly scrapes the barrel. Relax into it, there's eight months of cold and darkness ahead, learn to wallow like the locals. Start with Cops and AMW if you need something fairly highbrow before you're ready for Inked.
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Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by sbays
Come on , TV, Were do I start, Mountain biking, Walking, Fishing, Skiing, Speed Boat. swimming, ice hockey.....
Getting pissed round a camp fire singing... Why don't you, why don't you, just switch off your television set and go do somthing less boring instead (for those who remeber that show) lol.... :beer: |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by hot wasabi peas
Consider it a blessing in disguise. :)
Couldn't agree more! Through having to wait for 5 months for our shipping we became used to not having the Telly so when it arrived we just had no interest in swiching it on. In the end I had no option but to cancel our Licence. That was some 6 months ago! |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by oceanMDX
LOL! Exactly what reciever model do you have?
Guy came out yesterday and confirmed what we already knew, the receiver is knackered. he called Star Choice and they made him go through the same process we had on Saturday - hold this button, disconnect this cable etc etc - and this guy installs them for a living. Eventually they agreed we needed a replacement, but then they said they would charge us $13.50 to deliver it! :scared: We responded by saying that if that was the case they could collect the lot and refund our money and we would go with Bell. They then said they would not charge on this occasion. Bloody cheek - we have only had it a week! Anyway, the new receiver should be with us in about a week! Jane |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by Canada Jane
We have the 505 I think it is called. It is the HD one from Star Choice without the recording option (new , not reconditioned).
Guy came out yesterday and confirmed what we already knew, the receiver is knackered. he called Star Choice and they made him go through the same process we had on Saturday - hold this button, disconnect this cable etc etc - and this guy installs them for a living. Eventually they agreed we needed a replacement, but then they said they would charge us $13.50 to deliver it! :scared: We responded by saying that if that was the case they could collect the lot and refund our money and we would go with Bell. They then said they would not charge on this occasion. Bloody cheek - we have only had it a week! Anyway, the new receiver should be with us in about a week! Jane The major benefit of StarChoice is when you want to take it out of Canada - say to the US or Mexico, where I have a home, StarChoice doesn't mind. They even gave me a bigger dish - for free - so I could get a stronger signal in Mexico! :) ExpressVu, on the other hand, does not approve of you accessing their signal outside of Canada. Plus, you can't get many of their channels from Mexico or the southern US, with StarChoice you can. If you only plan to access the signal from Canada you likely would be better off with ExpressVu. I'm a special case because I want to watch TV in Mexico. If it weren't for that fact, I would switch to EXpressVu. |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
We only really watch TV during the winter, there's too much to do outside during the summer.
I was selling some tickets for a charity event around our lake last Sunday and I couldn't believe how many people were inside watching TV, I'd say about 20% - on a lovely Sunday afternoon, and the majority of these people had driven up for the weekend - stupid! Having said that I will be watching Doctor Who which starts on Ocober 9th at 8:00pm on CBC, it's the most popular search on their website. |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
It seems that many dislike Canadian TV because of all the commercials, which has indeed become a real problem.
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Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by oceanMDX
It seems that many dislike Canadian TV because of all the commercials, which has indeed become a real problem.
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Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by oceanMDX
It seems that many dislike Canadian TV because of all the commercials, which has indeed become a real problem.
I can live with the commercials on regular shows for short periods, its a chance to channel hop and try and find something less brainless to watch (fat chance though), but I dislike that they synchronise them now more often than not all that is on is more commercials. Strangely Canada has produced some good, if short lived shows. Unfortunately without US sydication they tend to die quickly. "Made in Canada" was a classic I enjoyed, but it was cancelled after a US Studio bought the production company. "Red Green" should be compulsory viewing for canadian newcommers...there is much to be learned there! Frankly I think TV sucks everywhere though, I dont think Canada is unique. It tends to go for lowest common denominator programing now. Thanks god for reruns of intelligent programing on PBS. There is the odd winner though, "House" is great (although basically the same plot each week) "The Office" (either US or UK) is funny in a very nasty biting UK way, "My name is earl" is funny too, but some of the recent UK imports Ive seen just left me scratching my head. "Little Britain" for example I just didnt get when they aired some on Showcase. I guess I'm just out of touch :) Glad to see Dr Who is coming back in the fall. Life's too short to waste too much of it watching TV anyway. |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
I recall years ago when satellite TV first came out.... they promoted it (at least in the US) as commercial free. Obviously, those days are sadly gone.
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Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
The frequency of commercials is a real problem. Often three sets in half an hour of TV.
My girlfriend likes a lot of tacky TV but we both enjoy watching series such as 24, The Sopranos, Lost etc. However watching them on the box is not an option. Especialy with 24, its a very fast paced program and the commercials just break it up and ruin the show. What we do is use E-Bay. We buy a season boxset, watch it through and then sell back on to E-bay usually getting our money back so we can order the next series. I know a lot of people download shows but im not sure how. |
Re: The TV in Canada is shockingly poor!
Originally Posted by oceanMDX
Okay, I have the same receiver and it has been replaced 3 times!!!! The 505 HD has major problems associated with it - software related. They sent me the replacement receiver via UPS and didn't charge me - if I recall correctly. The new receiver still has problems.
The major benefit of StarChoice is when you want to take it out of Canada - say to the US or Mexico, where I have a home, StarChoice doesn't mind. They even gave me a bigger dish - for free - so I could get a stronger signal in Mexico! :) The only reason we went with Star Choice is because they offer CTV in HD, whereas Bell don't. As CTV is the only channel we watch with any regularity, it seemed the best option. We haven't been doing too well since we got here a month ago: First the water didn't work (well pump broken). No water for first three days Second we had a 13.5 hour power failure because of the storms - no electric & no water Thirdly, the satellite TV broke after only a week Fourth, the internet connection was delayed a week and then hasn't worked properly since installation. I suppose if we get all these things out of the way now, things can only get better - can't they? Jane |
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