Canadian content is a rule governing the operating licenses of TV and Radio stations in Canada. Roughly, It requires that a TV station ensure that 60% of their content is of Canadian origin. For radio that figure is 35% for commercial radio, and 50% for CBC/Radio Canada. There are exceptions to these numbers of course.

Similar rules also exist in other countries. Australian TV must air about 55% content of Australian origin.

Apparently the UK is subject to a European Rule, although I was unable to find any details on how this is applied. It's probably buried in a Vogon dungeon somewhere in Brussels. Although, I don't remember too much Euro trash on the BBC.

So what is your view on the Canadian content rule? Is it a good thing? Do you feel it holds back TV and radio? Is it any of our business? Would scrapping the rule lead to a weakening of home grown Canadian television and music? Or could it inspire Canadian production companies to be more, or less, innovative?

Personally, I've tried to watch Canadian sit-coms. Trailer park boys, Rent a goalie, Little mosque on the prairie, Corner gaz etc., but I struggled to appreciate them. The words "watching" and "paint drying" spring to mind. But that may be that I'm just accustomed to a different brand of humour.

The Cancon rule is a major reason for the satellite radio in my car. I'm pretty much insulated from the Canadian media though I did have need to enter a shop recently and heard some Nickleback. I asked for a discount on the merchandise I intended purchasing, on account of my suffering.

I listen to 6 music on my pc using bbc iplayer. I tried listening the the edge 102.1, here in Toronto, but I just gave up in the end. BBC iplayer is my salvation.

Or they might suck. I like some (TPB for example, some of Rick Mercers satire, Ron James and a few others), I loath (many) others, but thats true of UK shows too, some are good, some are total dross.

Cancon, its a mixed blessing. I like that the intention is there to shelter canadian tallent to some extent from being swamped by the obvious danger of a US influx, but its very hypocritical too in some respects as A: Art should be able to stand up for itself based on its own merits, and B: Most of the protected artists would like nothing better than to hit the big time and move to the States anyway, and in many cases already have.

On the other hand, I like Neil Young, The Barenaked Ladies, even the Guess Who, and a few other canadian bands I probably would never have been exposed to otherwise so I dont mind a bit of that on the Radio to make up the numbers
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I see dbd beat me to sticking the boot in

I bit my tongue. Nothing about protectionism spawning hypocritical acts that then proselytize in favour of Ayn Rand. Glittering prizes and endless compromises shatter the illusion of integrity, my arse.

I love Niel Young too, and the Barenaked Laides, and Joni Mitchell. Some Canadian bands I've discovered since living here are; the Weakerthans (from Winnipeg), Sloan (Halifax), New Pornographers (Vancouver) and Arcade Fire (Montreal). These aren't just ok bands, they are actually really good. I believe Canada has a lot to offer musically, I've not seen so much evidence TV wise though. But then I'm more into music.

The Barenaked Ladies are not a good example of the merits, if any, of the Cancon rules. They were first successful in Baltimore and only then became established in Canada. Neil Young and Joni Mitchell probably predate Cancon, I don't think the Cancon rules came in until after the invention of the wireless.

I think cancon was a well-intentioned idea when it was first implemented. But, roads hell paved intentions and all that.

Now, it serves mainly to protect a small group of insiders against competition and new ideas. I'm opposed to it. I read recently the CRTC wouldn't let music station start in Quebec because it would compete with another music station. Even THOUGH it was also Canadian.

I say, throw the gates open, let Canwest die a natural death (we need more fresh voices in media) and force people to compete. I actually don't believe people don't want to see Canadian content - just not the crap that serves as Cancon right now.

That said there is good stuff made occasionally. Occasionally. Overall I watch absolutely no Canadian drama or comedy. I think it sucks.

Surely you mean 'Transistor Radio'?

Canadian radio is like being trapped in an Edgar Allan Poe story.

Darkness there, and nothing more.

I'm with you. Allegedly Corner Gas does really well in the prairie provinces.

I think it's lame.

Not yet come around to becoming a Rush fan then

I wonder how my favourite freddy vette show on CJBQ 800AM gets around Cancon...he seems to play nearly exclusively old 50s/60s rock and roll.

I watched the first episode of Little Mosque on the Prairie. I thought the idea was quite original and worth checking out. But it was just plain awful.

I believe even the satellite radio companies have to have the canadian content law.

Although of course you can get a US subscription

maybe someone who knows more about the satellite companies will be able to confirm