Inside CBC Sports

Well, if I were in charge of Sports at CBC, I would probably say "you want to see what it is like if we do no curling?" People think because TSN broadcast daily draws during the Scottie and Brier that they will do it for everything.. NO WAY. As a few people have mentioned - it is hockey season now and they aren't going to give up their games to send their equipment to other parts of the world. Do you think they will go to Sweden or Japan? Get a grip - and why, since so many of you keeping saying how close Dakota is, didn't you go there and watch? Kudos to CBC for webcasting - not their fault people don't have computers. Most people do these days and all grateful to be able to watch those games.

First, I would like to thank CBC for having the courage to take the curling fan's opinion. Also, I would like to say that the only other channel which is broadcasting the curling games ,TSN ,not to name it, is only broadcasting the games played in Canada ,did you notice it; so thanks again CBC for the games sometimes coming from around the world.

About the complain concerning the sports schedule, I have seen it many times on the other channel, why CBC is not broadcasting the games on delay tapes? I do understand that some people do not have the satellite dish or cable and this solution would be perfect, I think but who am I ? Just another curling fan like you.

Also, just like the other fans, I was disappointed not to see all the games on bold but I know that money talks and we cannot get everything yet;maybe when curling will be as popular as hockey but this is not for tomorrow.

Argh! Hey curling fanatics, please take a reality pill. You can't seriously think other nets like TSN would play world curling over live Stanley Cup playoffs?!? Really? It's obviously been a long winter & you've been inside the rink too long. Time to stumble outside into the real world...

Just be happy that your sport is even televised.

Dear CBC Sports
Yes, we too were VERY DISAPPOINTED that the Team Canada games and possibly others were not covered on the regular CBC channel. It was finally nice to get the semi-final, but again, disconcerting that the Bronze game was not televised on regular CBC. We still look forward to seeing the final but must temper that significantly with the overall disappointment with coverage.
Maybe, if there is a next time, you can get your act together and provide decent coverage for the 'regular channel' viewers.
Garry & Marlene

Granger: I have always been somewhat skeptical of those who run CBC. Your comment that curling fans want to see every game is the most assinine statement I have ever heard. At best, in world curling we might get 10 or 12 on the women's side and the same for the men's. If they got into the play-offs we would get a few more. Compare that to baeball, hockey, and all of the American sports we get. You should brush up on your Math.

thanks cbc - its turning out pretty darn good !

you are showing the games on free preview mts channel 30 in winnipeg - and i enjoy the coverage and commentary - we have access to Bold too ..

as to the commentary complaints - come to my house - my wife says i never shut up with my ongoing analysis ( offered to drive her to grand forks tomorrow for the final - not if she has to sit beside me ! )

keep up the good work and thanks

kelly moss winnipeg dee thx u 2

Similar to those providing comments to date, I too am disappointed to see that CBC has made the autocratic decision to not provide world curling coverage. Similar to many other viewers, we do not have access to Bold and we do not appreciate trying to watch games (Canadian only---even that leaves out other competitive teams when Canada is not playing) on the computer. It strikes me that this is yet another example of the arbitrary decision-making that CBC is known for. Of course, hockey coverage on television will not be sacrificed---even if the teams are not Canadian---correct?? The only positive thing that can be said about the coverage (or lack thereof) this week is that the commentator was excellent---comprehensive and yet not verbose and, best of all, no distracting interviews in the stands and no extended advertisements that prevent coverage of each and every end of curling that interfere with weekend television coverage. If CBC is accountable to the citizens of Canada (as one would think, receiving funding from the taxpayer), it needs to take into account the priorities of those who fund it and act accordingly, as opposed to the autocratic manner displayed in the decision regarding curling coverage.

Quote:

"It’s apparent that we, as a broadcast industry, have created an expectation that as a fan of any sport, you have a right to expect and demand live coverage of every game or match you want to see.

I suppose that’s our collective fault for continuing to try and provide more coverage on various different networks and platforms.

The only response that can possibly be appropriate then is that we’re sorry we are not able to live up to that expectation in all cases. As a sports fan, I’d love to see CBC do nothing but sports, but that wouldn’t be serving the Canadian public as a whole."

Wow! Talk about the total arrogance in those comments. Talk about talking down to fans of curling who are simply trying to elevate the sport to a level it deserves. If we don't speak up, guess what will happen? We will be lucky to see any curling covered anywhere.

I too am a very disappointed curling fan. CBC we expect better!

Could the team of announcers that broadcast the curling for CBC, PLEASE try to loose their negative attitiude towards Canadian curlers. They almost always forecast the gloomiest results and always point out the worse shots that the Canadian curlers are making or trying to make. It gets very tiring.

They should not worry about being called HOMERs.

Our curlers are trying their best to represent Canada to their best ability.

Stuart Anderson

I am terribly disapointed in your lack of broadcasting the mens world curling. The womens curling was covered in from beginning to end . Why Why Why such a change in viewing policy. I can't imagine in Argintina not watching all the final socar games . Curling , Hockey are part of the Canadian staples.

Funny thing how the only quote from this blog that shows up on the main curling page is the assinine observations of some CBC Employee named GRANGER. It is so obvious that he works for CBC. In his comments he only talks about the sporting events that TSN is covering and then goes on to preach about perspective. Perspective!!

What we have here is a feeble attempt to try to sway public opinion like the people who are working for political parties who call into radio talk shows. I could be wrong here. GRANGER could only be a very confused individual who doesn't see that the reason people are so pissed off with the CBC is because any other broadcaster will put on what the people want to see. The more people watching means more companies advertising on your networks and gives other networks the ability to survive without my tax dollars. A simple case of supplying what is demanded. A concept in economics that the socialist, elitist, bleeding hearts, that allow the CBC to survive, don't understand.

I could be wrong on this but ask yourself this question. WHY IS GRANGERS COMMENTS THE ONLY ONE THEY POST AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE COMMENTS ON THE CURLING COVERAGE?

I dare you, the CBC, to post my comments. I will also be sending these observations to my local MP, Stephen Harper.

Mitch

Sat. Ap.12, 3:30 pm ADT
Finally curling on cbc-tv
What...it's not in hd?
This is so bush league.

When the World Curling Federation decided to create two separate events they hopelessly diluted the product and attendance. As well, as long as they insist on holding the Worlds the same week as the Masters and the start of the hockey playoffs I doubt that even TSN will be giving curling fans what we want, so I think many of you are wasting your argument there. I feel badly for Ford as their sponsorship money could be spent so much better. It is high time for the World Curling to take a spotlight position but the Federation seems to be working against itself.

The point remains that CBC has an alternate channel to use that is otherwise a waste of time and money, CBC bid on the Worlds, advertised coverage but did not come through. I will laud CBC for the "attempt" but they failed miserably and have yet to explain that.

So many un savy Curling fans particularily seniors have missed a whole week of curling.I think it is absolutely terrible that the Mens world Curling Championships were not better covered by the mother network.I watch very little C.B.C. programing news,documentaries,and major sports like curling.Who did by the way cover the mens round robin was it pay per view.So many seniors who are technically and finacially challenged were hurt by this lack of forsight by all of Canadas major networks.I work with seniors in the community and all were very dissapointed by the desregard shown to the huge numbers of dedicated curling fans.Shame,Shame Shame,Arne Hill Kelowna B.C.

I am amused by the comment asking Curling fans to suck it up.

Has anyone ever done a percentage comparision of how many hockey games, how many baseball games ae broadcast as copared tp curling?
We would get a very different perspective.
At the very least, in Curling, Canada has a consistent chance of winning.
Equal space for all sports is what I say
Or perhaps even better, let's skip the Stanley Cup Playoffs all together....Why not

What else can anyone say, Your coverage of curling is lousy, but I guess you know that. Thought you might care what the viewing public thought, obviously not.

Having worked in the sports broadcasting business in a previous life, I can appreciate your contractual obligations to the big draw (pardon the pun)items such as NHL playoffs. As a fan of curling, my issue is with putting the 1-2 playoff on a channel that the vast majority of Canadians couldn't justify subscribing to for one evening.
Personally, I would have thought that waiving the webcast blackout for this event would have been a great PR move for CBC Sports.

As an avid curling fan I wish to join other fans who are bitterly disappointed in the Mens World 2008 Curling coverage. Hockey is covered for almost 10 painful months but curling fans are deprived of one short week of their favourite sport. Canadians are proud of their curling heritage and of the teams who represent our country so well. Our curlers bring more recognition and medals to Canada than almost any other sport on the world scene. There has been no coverage whatsoever and I find this an extremely frustrating situation. Please bring curling back to TSN and the regular C BC channel for those of us who appreciate this wonderful Canadian game.

We are whining, yes we are, But,if it were hockey, hockey fans would be heard sniveling too!
We love our sport just as much.
I am gald cbc is done this year, now you will see an increase of people watching curling, given the chance and alittle education on the sport of curling and people enjoy watching. I was never shown the sport of hockey, a friend took the time to show me and now I can watch it and enjoy. I think the same is with curling, if you watch it witha curler, or a person with curling knowledge its a better exciting game.
I also think we are good at it! Wow were at the top of the world in this sport I am very pround to be a CANADIAN CURLER. as time goes on we will get better and better, but watch out for the Asian teams!!!!!
Thank you
Cyndi Hopkins

I guess the point is that not covering the Worlds would be like not covering the Stanley Cup playoffs - it is THE part of the curling season that people want to see. The mens and womens total of around 50 games at the Scotties/Brier/Worlds is a lot of TV time, I suppose, but it is a very popular game here in Canada.

It is unfortunate that these games must compete with hockey, and we all know who wins that battle. TSN should be getting just as much flak as CBC, of course.

People also forget that the curling demographic is not the 15-24 crowd who is happy watching streaming video, and this 35-60+ group may not even have digital cable. A definite misread by CBC in that department (TSN doesn't even have an excuse).

My husband & I are not really big sports fans. We do however, look forward every year to the Brier, Tournament of Hearts and the Worlds. Curling is a short season compared to hockey or baseball which go on forever. Or golf which has its own channel 365 days of the year Please, consider televising all of the major curling events.

Hopefully next year curling will be back on TSN, at least they show the games, CBC,,, very disappointed

Curling is not a long season sport. You would think that we could see some of the games, since Canada is a part of it. I feel sorry for the seniors and shut-ins who were waiting to see the World's Curling. Oh well, just put a few more of those killing, sex,and outrageous shows on.

I don't see any posts congratulating CBC on it's wonderful curling coverage - and there sure won't be one from me either!

Do us a big favour and please don't bid on these curling events if you have no intention of covering them on regular cable. Let TSN have it and I sure even Ford will be more happy as thier logo will been shown all week. I think it's possible that your lack of coverage may even jeopardize the sponsorship!!!!

Ditto what everyone said...extremely disappointed.

Had the CBC let TSN have the coverage, we wouldn't have missed a bit. We would have had it all...every single draw.

And, may I add, archives of games to be watched later. But the CBC being the CBC, only showed live streaming the last time I checked.

Your blog missed the point, if you bid on coverage of an event the public expect that you would cover that event in it's entirety since you are effectively cutting out any of your competitors from doing live coverage.
Well CBC will get what they deserve, no one watching the semi final and/or the final as you have failed to create any interest in this event and you are up against the best commercial free golf coverage of the year--The Masters. I hope your rating is point Nothing its what you deserve

I have just read your blog blaming the fans for having expectations to see every sporting event live (I am paraphrasing). I think you missed our point entirely. The hockey games while playoff games, are not the Stanley Cup Final games. I am a big hockey fan and enjoy the games but I can get coverage on every sport show around while with the curling most of the sports shows don't even show the highlights. The curling is a once a year and event and the playoffs go on and on. Please put the blame where it belongs not on us the fans.

the curling coverage has been abominable

We came home last evening Friday Apr.11th around 5 PM, hoping to see the Semifinal between Canada and Scotland to be on our TV guide, and nowhere did it say on the Guide that Curling was on. I guess one has to guess at it whether the Men's World Curling game was on between Scotland and Canada. Is communication between Cable Companies not there anymore.
We have been frustrated all week with the guide not saying that there was Curling on, and must say it is up to CBC to let the Cable providers know whether Curling is on or not.

CBC .ca only for info does not cut it. Seems to me with all the funds CBC receives from the Canadian Tax payers, I would hope the communication lines between the Cable Companies,whose subscribers deserve better than this, are able to get info from CBC where and when the Scotland Semifinal with Canada will be aired, is this so much to ask.

Two more frustrated Curling Fans.

Scott's blog says the WCF wanted better televising to inspire more fans to come to games. That may be partly true. The larger part of the responsibility rests on the shoulders of the North Dakota organizers. Clearly, the locals could care less about this world championship. They flunked, as did the WCF for giving this event to North Dakota. If held in Canada, even with only webcast coverage, the stands would be packed.

Curling fans get ripped off! What if the World
Hockey Champs or the Stanley Cup Finals weren't brodcast?- Who'd be crying then!

Only 4 major curling tournaments a year (Scotties, Brier, Mens and Womens Worlds) and you don't deem it important to cover a World Championship sport. A World Championship sport that Canada is dominate in?
If you can't meet the expectations of the people who's tax dollars keep you in business, then don't even bid on it. I actually found it quite amusing this week on the web site that on one half of the page you were touting your praises that you had the most viewers ever for the Women's World and the other half was nothing but complaints about lack of coverage for the men. So you cannot claim ignorance of the popularity of curling. I realize that there are numerous sporting events of interest going on at the same time during this period. But time for a reality check CBC... TSN managed to broadcast and make available (2) NHL playoff games and The Master "at the same time" last night. The viewer only had to choose what they wanted to watch and was able to do so.
CBC is seriously lacking , and I don't mean in funding. They do not have a clue as to what programming is important to their viewers (and I might add funders). Come on, this is the same group who thinks that the entire country wants to watch the Leafs (there are 2 other eastern Canadian hockey teams for your information) week after week after week on Hockey Night in Canada. Everyone complains but nothing changes... I don't expect this public outcry to change anything either.

The cbc,ca/sports gave me an opportunity to watch more world curling than I was able to last year. Thanks for that; with the number of channels available now, coverage should only improve, one would hope.

Get it right Scott Moore....its not your lack of coverage its the exceptionally poor quality of the coverage you do have.

Curling is a relatively short season compared to other sports - baseball, hockey, basketball etc. This particular tournament is one week in total. If game times conflict with hockey playoffs or baseball game openers that's a tough one to call. Of course the majority should rule and there will always be some angry feedback. My big beef with CBC Coverage is - IF YOU SAY IT WILL BE ON CBC-BOLD, THEN PUT IT ON THE DAMN CHANNEL. I am a curling fan - I usually watch all I can. Sometimes I arrange my schedule around games so I don't miss anything. Your curling web page clearly stated that some games would be on CBC-Bold - as well as CBC.ca.
Only the very first game was televised despite the tv schedule. I cannot access online live coverage where I live. Therefore I have both cable and satellite tv because I am a sports fan. I am very disappointed with the coverage and I agree - shame on CBC. At least if you advertise that it will be on Bold - put it there.

Congratulations to CBC...you have won the gold medal for the most pathetic coverage of a world championship. Yet again you have bid on a contract with no intentions of showing the Canadian curling except for the finals. You have no problem staying all day on the television for other sports like hockey. We curling fans have been screwed again by the CBC. Thank heaven TSN will take it over next year and my advice to CBC would be to stay out of the curling coverage completely.

Ann Kendall
Frustrated curling fan

As an avid curling fan I am absolutely disgusted that so few games were televised. Our Canadian team deserves better treatment. They all worked very hard to become # 1 in the world of curling and you could have supported them better. Your "don't care" attitude did not go over very well with the fans. Your lack of support is the main topic of conversation at our morning coffee clatches. Shame on you !

Granger...I'll bet you are a hockey fan, or a happy basketball viewer, content in the massive viewing that comes your way, almost as a human right. Curling is a short season, a growing, wonderful game, so don't whine (your particular kind) when those who have other interests than yours feel strongly and say so.

Gordon B.

I was very happy to see that CBC had online coverage of the Men's worlds. Unfortunately I keep getting the "not available in your area" note on the video. Is CBC blacking out games now? It is kind of a long drive to go see it in person and most certainly you cannot find it on the U. S. channels!

Low & behold, another confused & disapointed curling fan.
Maybe not so confused any more after reading your blog and some of the other comments. But still don't understand why we didn't even get the games on Bold even when they said they were going to be on. We didn't even get the 1-2 game tonight? (I wasn't home but my husband said it wasn't on) Also early in the week my parents were phoning me from Vancouver asking if we were getting the games as they were getting frustrated with the coverage as well. Both of them are in their late 70's and are both active curlers and avid viewers of the game. I can't imagine the 2 of them sitting infront of their 15" laptop monitor argueing over what shot to play, or what turn!
I understand that it is a very busy time of the year for other major sports events such as hockey, basketball, baseball & the Master's Golf, which the only one of these sports I've seen on CBC is hockey, Why can't you broadcast the curling games at later times. If I knew we were going to get a broadcast at say 8:00pm I'd be tuned in. But whats been the most frustrating is when it's supposed to be on and it's not.
Over the last few years curlers have gone through alot of changes to their game for TV broadcasting, (the free guard zone and clocked time)but I don't see the broadcasting coverage getting any better!
I guess from what I've read from you is next year, you'll be getting slammed when there's no coverage for the World Ladies other than the finals and we'll see all of the Mens Round robin games. Hopefully all this feed back will help get the roaring game on TV next year. Thanks

Granger says: "I've never seen a bigger bunch of self-righteous whiners than curling fans. Fans of much more popular sports don't get to see every possible game or match. Suck it up."

Sir, we are upset because 1) these are the WORLD Championships of a sport that Canada excels in and 2) what we were promised is nowhere near what we received. THAT is the problem. As Neil Young said... "you pay for this and they give you that". And indeed many did subscribe to CBC Bold because CBC falsely advertised curling coverage.
What you say may be true but is not applicable in this situation.

I do not know why you people are complaining so much. Yes it would have been great to watch the World curling on TV but CBC gave us the opportunity to watch it on the computer. When the World Curling is played in another country we only see the semi and final matches and this year it is played in the USA. This is another country. Watching it on the computer gave us a chance to see every one of Kevin Martin team's matches. At the Women's world you did not see every one of Jennifer Jones team's matches. Bravo to CBC to try and satisfy our needs. Stop complaining people.

Lots of curling fans want to blame the CBC for the fact that TSN didn't pick up the round robin portion of this tournament. The fact is TSN didn't pick up the tournament because curling events outside of Canada lack the corporate sponsorship to make such a broadcast economically feasible.

Anyone who thinks the CBC somehow outbid TSN for the rights to the round robin games (just so they could broadcast them on the internet commercial-free) is just out of touch with reality. TSN didn't carry the games because the corporate sponsorship isn't in place.

CTV/TSN cannot broadcast unsponsored events as a charity to Canadians.

Of course, that's where a country's public broadcaster is supposed to take up the slack and broadcast culturally important events that commercial broadcasters won't touch, like this tournament. And you can't get more grassroots-Canadian than curling, especially in the prairies.

Unlike most countries, however, Canada does not have a proper public television broadcaster. CBC-TV is a hybrid. Yes, CBC picked up the games (with no economic return), but they didn't make the broadcasts suitably available to Canadians because the CBC depends heavily on its commercially successful broadcasts in order to make ends meet.

When you compare the state of public television in Canada to that of Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, France, and virtually every European nation, Canada stands alone. If you think Canada deserves *real* public broadcast television (not the kind that is hidden on specialty digital channels) I suggest you write to your MP.

I remember years ago when the final of the Silver Broom was played someone from C.B.C. told me that it was the largest sports
television audience in c.b.c.s history including any grey cup to that time. I think we do a terrible diservice to the thousands of curlers in western canada (particularily older people without computers) who live and die to watch curling. Would appreciate your thoughts.

While I appreciate some of CBC's problems with the Men's Worlds, I am at a loss to understand why CurlTV.com was blacked out for games not shown on TV or CBC.ca here in Canada.

Were I in just about any other country in the world I could have watched our Canadian team all week.

Wow! Mis-informed, mis-guiding and mis-directed. The 'attacks' on CBC for their curling coverage are bizarre. TSN is the network that routinely pre-empted curling for WWE Wrestling in prime...but no one complained. TSN is the network that pulled the plug on morning draws during the last rounds of rights discussions with CCA, CBC and TSN. TSN was also the network that played a game of chicken with both the CCA and CBC demanding only one network carry curling...en result was less curling for everyone. All parties were pretty public about both those points and no one denied any of it. CBC came back with a plan that offered more curling (Live not delayed) than ever before, and the doodoo hit the fan. Some ex-Canadian posts a web site and starts a petition to keepcurlingontsn and lots of people 'unite'. No one seems to have an issue that this person was living in the US and offer lots and lots of advice on how to leave Canada. In fact, he called both Winnipeg and Calgary small time cities and was glad to be out...and yet....he was the curling 'patriot'. I just don't get it.

Now that TSN is back in the game, part time this year, and full time next year, I hope you are all happy. I hope TSN gives you the coverage you want.

In future, spare us all the personal bias and hatred of the CBC. If you were really curling fans, you would know that curling gets more coverage than ever before thanks to a collective of CBC, TSN and CurlTV. You would also know that TSN is a business and if you think curling will get the kind of coverage and priority you are describing above (even on an all spots channel), you are in for a rude awakening. I hope I'm wrong, but somehow I doubt it.

So..........NOTHING on CBC Bold network tonight. So much for your comment about the Canada/Scotland game being broadcast at 8 pm EDT. Perhaps now you can understand our frustration with this whole farce coverage.

I'll be curious to find out what the "new" excuse will be. Over to you.....

Good Evening Mr Moore I am just waiting for another call to give my impression of CBC broadcasting and how I would RATE their PROGRAMING having to do with SPORT"S. You are paid with my TAX DOLLAR'S to bring as much CANADIAN as possible. You will bring sport's with out one Canadian on it and no team's from Canada and show the SPORT for at least 2 hrs but didn't even think it was IMPORTANT to SHOW the ONE and TWO GAME SEMI-FINAL CANADA AND SCOTLAND to the "ALL OF CANADA" this evening. I LOVE SPORT"S of all kind's and can't for the life of me think why somebody in your possion would not think it was important to bring ALL THE CANADA MEN'S WORLD CURLING GAMES.If you didn't wish to show the games why would CBC bother to put a BID to get them. Maybe you should really think seriously HOW WRONG YOUR DECISION WAS.In the FUTURE I would STRONGLY SUGGEST if your going to put a bid in on showing a CANADIAN TEAM in a TOURNAMENT that the WHOLE THING be TELEVISED. The GAME you SHOW on Saturday CANADA may not even be PLAYING. Thank's for the OPEN EAR. Do a BETTER JOB IN THE FUTURE or let TSN do it

I am another disappointed curling fan. Not everyone has CBC Bold and when I did get the chance to watch a game on Bold, at a friend's house, another disappointment. The programming said Curling but when we tried to watch we got Dr Who and then The Tudors.
Not everybody likes to watch hockey, but I do understand that those fans like to see their game, just like the curlers. I thought CBC had a commitment to broadcast the curling. so much for commitment. World Championship obviously does not mean much to you.
Let's hope TSN is our broadcaster next worlds then maybe we will see our champions.

It's near impossible to please everyone, but at least we had to chance to watch it online which is better than not watching it at all. Practicality comes in to play with the masters and hockey finals on at the same time. I enjoyed watching every game online, I have my laptop and headset as not to bother anyone else in the house. I love watching curling and golf so any chance I get I take it.

thank you for at least giving me this option

Lise K

CBC has once again proven to me that they should not be in the sports game at all. You have ruined most major sporting events you have covered. The absolute waste of our tax dollars amazes me. It must be nice to bid on events using my tax dollars without a thought on whether you have the ability to cover it or not. Not covering world curling proves how out of touch you people are. This is a sport that fills arenas everywhere it goes. It is enjoyed by most yet most cannot watch it. Why bid on something you have no intent of covering. The best thing that could happen is that our tax dollars to CBC be stopped as it is the biggest waste of billions of dollars there is in this country. Try staying afloat in the industry without help like everyone else

Overall, I'm not too upset about the coverage. Because at least I got to see some games because of the webcast coverage. Sure, you really can't read the weight of the rocks because of the stuttery nature of live streaming, but at least you can see the result and the calls.

Only two little things really bothered me about it... the first one is that the games that were also broadcast on Bold used an older codec than the ones that were only webcast which caused those games to very poorly deal with changes of camera angles making things much harder to follow. This shouldn't be too hard to fix.

The second is problems with the syncing of audio and video. The video often ends up lagging a bit behind the audio during shots leading to hearing the result before seeing it. I haven't had much luck fixing it on my end because it only occurs when there's lots of action, most of the time it's lined up quite well. If the people calling the games could just wait a second or two before saying the result it'd be a lot better.

I am a curling fan was was really looking forward to watching the World's on TV. I was stunned to find out we couldn't watch the best curling teams in the world compete! After the shock and disappointment, I was angry! Curling has never been given the respect it deserves. I enjoy watching hockey and golf as well, but when we have a great curling team competing at a world class competition, I think we should be able to watch the games. Curling is much more popular than you think!

GO CANADA BRING IT HOME BOYS!!!!! YOU ROCK BENNY, CHEERING YOU ON ALL THE WAY !!!!! Kevin, John and Mark keep up the good work guys, do us proud.

It's not that we, as curling fans, expect every curling bonspiel or event to be televised, we're pretty much smarter than that. What we, as curling fans expect, is at least to watch WORLD CURLING COVERAGE. I phoned TSN at the beginning of the week only to be told they didn't win the right and that CBC had won. I phoned CBC right away to ask about the coverage, well... you know what I heard. CBC, can't you do better than this?

I was so disappointed that the networks did
not broadcast the entire Mens Worlds in Grand
Forks. I really enjoy watching such great
curling. What was the problem that TSN or any
of the other stations broadcast this event it
is a world championship?????? The womens was
broadcast. I don't remember seeing anything
as to why GB

Shame on CBC. The worst coverage ever of a World Championship Curling Event.

First, regarding curling I believe CBC is doing the best it can to provide coverage. I haven't missed a Canada game yet but I have had a few problems staying connected to the games on cbc.ca/sports.

On another front, hockey! the Canadians vs Boston! Old time hockey at its best! I'm a long time Canadians fan and for too many years since I have lived in Winnipeg I've had to endure more Leafs games that I could take. I am NOT a Leafs fan, I watch many games in French. Last night was a game somewhat like I remember in 1970 etc in the then "new" Forum.

I am very disappointed in the coverage for the World Men's Curling.
All week there have been indications that the CURLING could be watched on our computer?
Sorry could not find it!!!
Thanks for the disappointment!

I must say that I agree with Marilyn Pigeon's premise. Do we expect every podunk sport to get broadcast? Not for a minute! But that's not what we're talking about! We're talking about a sport in which any of the top 4 men's teams would have a legitimate shot at the world title. We're talking about a sport that fills arenas for the national playdowns. We're talking about a sport in which anything but a gold medal is something of a disappointment on the world stage. Why? Because we're good at it! We're talking about a sport in a country where we wouldn't have to change the time of a match to fill an arena for a world playoff (anywhere - coast to coast!).
Further, we're talking about a game loved coast to coast by LOTS of Canadians. It's not a fringe sport...it's not an obscure sport...it's not even an unpopular sport!! Yes, you should be showing it, no if's and's or but's (and spare trying to make us feel guilty for even bringing it up!!)

Thanks for listening. I will enjoy watching Canada vs Scotland tonight. I am a curling fan (not just Canada) and would have enjoyed watching any game. I would be interested though in knowing what percentage of people would in fact have been tuned into CBCsports.ca to watch or listen to the curling this week.

Of course you can put it on bold at the last min. whoever would watch the station otherwise. You have ruined curling the last 5 years but keep on bidding on it.
Where do you suppose the billion $/yr. goes. Not throwing in old tapes and now the hockey. Please dont tell me you have the coverage of the olympics because im sure that will be a mess too.

As I have stated before, when you put curling on Country Canada, NOT EVERYONE and I suspect the majority do not have access to Country Canada and now Bold. Hence, you are depriving many of our viewers the opportunity to watch curling. Thank god, TSN has picked it up again, at least most people can get it on their regular TV. I know you have to be on cable or on a disk, but most Canadians are on one or the other.

I would to happy if you taped delayed it as TSN has to do every once in awhile. But at least show it in channels the majority of people can get!

Scott, thanks for your postings explaining to fans what to me sounds like nothing more than spoiled canadians at home that dont understand the broadcast landscape and to me sound like whiny schoolkids that didnt get their way on the playground. I am somewhat embarrassed to be a canadian curling supporter in times like this.

And thanks for taking the initiative to cover games on Bold and for working with a streaming partner to provide FREE online BONUS coverage even when the CBC is not contractually obligated to do so. At least you made an effort to show us canadian games...TSN didnt even bother trying to cover this, and you dont hear the crybabies reading them the riot act!

As a lifelong sports fan I am appalled at the sparse coverage Canada is receiving in world curling. We've played hide and seek with BOLD only to find that which is being advertised isn't happening!

If media reports are factual, then curling has high viewership, beating out many other sports.

I'm a hockey fan, ball fan, you name the sport I enjoy watching. We can have hockey, virtually from fall until late spring and ball from spring until fall.

How limited are our opportunities to watch world calibre curling? When it is provided, having only one commentator takes away from the limited coverage we are receiving.

I'm expressing the disappointment of many, many friends, and viewers who don't have access to E-Mail.

We went through this when curling was broadcast over CBC Country Canada a few years back. The response of the viewers was negative then as it is now.

Maybe you need to dig a little harder for sponsors, if that is your issue. At least 1,000 Canadians are in Grand Forks watching the curling live, which indicates the draw world curling has.

It's interesting that we watched world women's hockey from China. Perhaps they can share with you how they managed sponsors when CBC is claiming they haven't enough.

As a publicly funded broadcasting corporation, you've let us down on this one.

Allen

I have watched the too few games that have been shown on Bold and look forward tonight to see Canada vs Scotland. My comment is - I don't know the name of the gentleman doing the coverage but I commend him. He makes his comments and then is quiet and we are able to hear the players talk. Some announcers never stop talking and I have watched many games on mute because of their idle chatter when I would prefer to hear the players talking. Thank you.

My mother taught me that if I has nothing good to say, to say nothing, so-----
ENOUGH SAID about your curling coverage!

Try as you will to excuse the poor coverage of curling this week. To add more frustration to this situation, you announced that you will broadcast the final games. What happened to the China game this afternoon???? Do you not consider that as a final game. Poor, very poor. The paper lists the game being broad casted at 1:00 pm on bold. Right try again fans. CBC has not even come close to meeting the expectations of curling fans. We had to pay to get the bold channel and what a joke that was to catch as few games as it showed!!!

We stuck-at-home-but-still-avid-curling-fans only have 4 competitions per year..Canadian Ladies, Canadian Mens, World Ladies and World Mens. That is 4 measly weeks out of 52.
To have Worlds being played and not covered in any depth is an insult to the thousands of curling fans in Canada.
Yes, Bold has covered some games....but it is not always easy to find out when. The Guide says curling but something else is shown - or - the guide says something else is playing but it is actually curling being broadcast.
Were there any tiebreakers played this morning? What happened to the 3v4 game? If the 1v2 game is actually telecast we might find out the rest of the story.
Our Canadian men ended this week in the #1 position but we haven't been able to watch and cheer them on. If you are not going to broadcast this sport why bid on the contract at all?
Shame on you.

As a long time curler and a curling fan I am very disappointed in the World Culing coverage this year from Grand forks. You may have had your good reasons for not doing a live TV coverage but when we get excellent coverage though the cooperation of TSN and CBC for the Brier it is a big let down on the World competition. It looks like no one but Canada can put on a good show for this event so why do the other countries get a chance to screw it up so badly. It appears the crowd was light at Grand Forks as well.

The top curling event in the world and what does the CBC care. Moreover Canada has the favorite rink to win right from day one.
Guess CBC does not care if our/their country gets coverage or even if we let the rest of the world take over the sport in which we are tops.
This is absolutely shameful.

There had better be some much more adequate apologies and an immediate change of CBC attitudes or I and and I'm certain a great many Canadians (who do have some Canadian pride) are going to write off the CBC and vehemently send a strong message to Canadian Members of Parliament!

So the CBC can't be everything to everybody?
They can't possibly broadcast every event. Nobody is asking them to. Just if you are not going to do a good job, don't bid on them. How is it that we were able to watch all the woemans games, but not the mens?? It is because the CBC got involved. Boo CBC.

Since discovering curling on CBC TV several years ago, I have become an avid fan. With our large roof antenna, we receive Toronto's CBC Channel 5 as if it were right down the street.

In the beginning, I was quite puzzled by some terms used, and still don't understand the differennce between "in turn" and "out turn", but have come to appreciate the nuances of curling and the incredible skill of the Canadian teams, both men's and women's.

This year, as a bonus, I also discovered that I can watch many of the championship games and playoffs on my computer, when CBC-TV isn't covering the game in question.

So what if you can't cover every game; I can still watch many more than I could see on TV just a few years ago. My one regret is not having enough hours to sit in front of the TV or the computer during the curling season. Besides, I'd get all cramped.

Keep up the great work.

An appreciative curling fan.

The lack of coverage for this years Men's World Curling Championships is just another CBC snub of the many thousands of curling fans in Canada.

But why should we be surprised? Remember the fiasco of the other " Bold " experiment; namely Country Canada....that's another " Bold " move by the CBC.

We had better get our annual curling fix from
TSN, as if we wait for CBC Sports, we might as well as change our viewing preference to
The National, which at least provides more entertainment value than the lame attempt by CBC Sports to cover curling....oh, I misspoke..that's Championship curling in CBC Sport's vocabulary. Ya right!

Mr. Moore: Thanks for your second response. I guess it would only be fair to ask Kevin Martin & his team since this is a World Championship, are they not worthy of their every game TV coverage? If I were Kevin Martin I would be raging mad & disgusted. Curling fans across Canada indeed do deserve to watch every Team Canada game! Especially by the CBC as you are funded by Canadian taxpayers. Just remember, a World Champioship series is just as important as the Olympics. Curling is on that sporting agenda and of course will be televised to the hilt @ 2010 Olympics. If the winter Olympics were held outside Canada in 2010, the Team Canada curling matches would still all be televised. Please give assurance that next year will be different. The medium of watching anything on a computer screen is just plaim BAD and extremely uncomfortable sitting at a desk,in which I do all day! I watch TV from my SOFA, not sitting on some office chair!

As CBC is a funded to provide Canadian content, why won't they provide coverage of a worldwide curling championship competition? Especially as our team is a favorite and doing so well. We should be able to celebrate our champions!!!

I've never seen a bigger bunch of self-righteous whiners than curling fans. Fans of much more popular sports don't get to see every possible game or match. Suck it up.

And consider this:

TSN is currently showing the NHL playoffs and the Masters - and last night even pushed the NHL aside until the Masters was over.
Do you REALLY think they would have moved those 2 to broadcast your precious curling live?

A little perspective people.

There was to be a game earlier in the week that was to be broadcast on at 8pm ET on BOLD. That evening our satelite guide stated "Curling", your website stated "Curling". Where was the curling on BOLD? Hopefully, the 1-2 game will actually be on BOLD tonight. We will, once again, be watching and waiting. Very disappointing coverage of a World Sporting Event. But, a good marketing plan to get new subscribers for your BOLD channel.

I am so happy at the sacrifice you have made on the Bold Network. I feel so privilage that the effort was made. Even though a whole week of the worlds was missed entirely and we are stuck watching a butch of over paid men skate around. Also, I am glad that at the end of the month I have a choice to not take Bold as a package because there is certainly nothing good to watch on it.

I waited all year for curling coverage, and for the past few years I have been disappointed with CBCs so-called coverage. Why it was taken from TSN, I'll never understand. This was WORLD CURLING!!!!and CBC blew it again and again.

Thank you for deciding to cover the curling match tonight on BOLD, much appreciated! We have been looking all week, and very disappointed that there was such little coverage of men's world championship curling!!! You mentioned that Canada usually dominates the week of round robin - so what!!! If they are so good, why play at all!! We like to watch this event, even if at times, it is boring to see such domination, but at least give us the opportunity of watching or not!!!
Again, thank you for telecasting the game tonight, we will look forward to seeing Canada hopefully dominate Scotland!

Regards
Margaret Pilon

I just read that CBC had the largest audience watching the Women's World final last week. It also stated that TSN had the largest viewing audience for the Women's World's for the round robin. I believe that should send CBC a message. I don't see anything spectacular about changing the playoff game time. Other programs have been changed for other reasons, why not curling. I am not one normally to complain but CBC coverage of curling has always ben pathetic. You can learn from TSN. I would hope that CBC forgets about covering curling and leave it to the professionals.

"It’s apparent that we, as a broadcast industry, have created an expectation that as a fan of any sport, you have a right to expect and demand live coverage of every game or match you want to see."
I think you missed the point. This is the world championship series of a sport that has a significant number of Canadian fans - not just any game or match.

Well! So you suppose we sports/curling fans expect to see every game of our choice? Come on...get real! Of course we don't expect that and that was overstating the matter to say the least. We do, however, expect to have good televised coverage of a World Sports Event. Not too much to ask in this day of instant communication I would say. We have been force-fed programming by CBC for so many years that it was a real eye-opener when television programming expanded to today's choices....TSN in particular! A lesson could be learned from their coverage of curling in particular, from the excellent filming to the knowledgeable, informative, and always entertaining Linda, Ray, and Vic. Far cry from the lacklustre commentary provided by the CBC over the years. Last night's hockey game was broadcast on over a dozen channels on our TV....is this really necessary? Advertising is alive and well and evidently supported for other sports, what is the problem? Instead of making excuses and shuffling the walnut shell to hide the pea, get on with it and get together with the necessary people and companys and IMPROVE it. We would be forever grateful!

You have now changed your coverage to 8:00 pm (Eastern) to cover the Page 1-2 Playoff - GREAT!
What has happened to the coverage of the Page 3-4 Playoff which you were going to cover at 3:00 pm (Eastern)?
The World Curling Federation did not change their time schedule. The schedule was for any tie-breakers @ 10:00 am (Eastern), Page 3-4 Playoff @ 3:00 pm (Eastern) and the Page 1-2 Playoff @ 8:00 pm (Eastern).
We are out of luck for any tie-breaker, if there was one, how would we know? But can you not still show the 3-4 Playoff as you had in your schedule originally. Why not cover both?

i have been disappointed in your coverage or lack of it on the medium, tv, that everyone has in their home... needless to say some of us have to go to work and can't watch the computer during the day.... canadian company should be interested in what the canadians are doing in the world scene.
tsn understands the curling world and how passionate we curling watchers are, give them back the monopoly...
thank you for listening or not

As a curling fan all my life right beack to werenich and savage and having curled myself which I no longer can do I am appalled at the very few broadcasts there have been - I have bold only because of curling - I am sure you could broadcast the whatever comedy some other time. If you and your bigwigs up there thought of the older generation that only have the privilege of watching curling on tv -and we look forward to it all year long and that is gone - the thrill of last year was my son got me to Hamilton to watch my Martin and his wonderful team - I write this on behalf of all of us older seniors who can no
longer parcipitate nor can we afford to.

Please CBC pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee We are sick of soccer baseball hockey etc and let us have the pleasure of the best sport in CANADA - CURLING CURLING CURLING ----A VERY DISAPPOINTED GRANDMA - BY THE WAY THERE IS NO WAY I CAN SIT AT A COMPUTER TO WATCH A MATCH

Hi Scott,

Thank you for taking the high road on this issue and as the head of network sports, I appreciate that you have personally have issued 2 blogs in the matter and your commitment to the viewing public is to be commended.

For all of those who are grilling the CBC here, take a look of what the other 2 sports networks are broadcasting tonight:

7pm EST: Rogers Sportsnet - New Jersey Nets vs Toronto Raptors

7pm EST: TSN: NHL Playoffs - Philly vs Washington.

7pm EST: CBC Main network - Ottawa vs Pittsburgh.

So where do you fit the Canada vs Scotland 1-2 page playoff game?

While CBC was not contractally obliged to broadcast the games due to their current contract, CBC and Curl TV teamed up to have the games on bold and on cbcsports.ca and they did not have to do this as they were they only obliged to cover the semi finals and finals on the main network.

Don't think for one moment that TSN and Sportsnet will pre-empt the playoffs and Raptors Basketball to show the Canada vs Scotland 1-2 page playoff game.

The only place that will be shown is on Bold and on cbcsports.ca and for those who complain about watching the games online and have very choppy connection, take that up with your ISP (internet service provider) and not the CBC because there is a high level of usage among Bell, Telus, Rogers high speed services during peak hours.

This is a scheduling issue and perhaps an issue the WCF may have to consider in the future perhaps reuniting the Men's and Women's World into one single world championships and hold them at the end of March so networks won't be faced with this problem. Afterall, Canadian Networks and Sponsors are paying the bills for the World Curling Federation.

Just wanted to express my disappointment in there being no coverage on TV in Canada of the Men's World Curling Championships. I so looked forward to seeing Kevin Martin play this week. I just assumed, having watched the women's championships, that the men's would have been broadcast also. I'm an avid viewer of all sports, be it hockey, baseball, football, tennis, golf, etc. As a Canadian woman age 50 I often wonder if broadcasters realize there is a large demographic out there that is being ignored. Please bring back curling. Of course I realize the finals will be broadcast this weekend but I haven't had time to sit in my bedroom all week, in front of my computer, watching curling on a 19" screen. Bad CBC!

As a curling fan, I too am frustrated with the coverage of an International Event in which Canada is a real contender. I am even more frustrated as a CurlTV subscriber that I cannot view their coverage of a game that CBC is not covering because CBC has restrictions. I paid to have CurlTV coverage and I feel I am being short changed. The least you could do is allow CurlTV to lift their blackouts in Canada and allow me, the subscriber and fan to see the games CBC is not going to carry!!!

There you go again diappointing the fans. All week it has been advertised that BOTH page playoff games would be shown on the highly inconvenient venue,computer video. Today,as I was checking the standings and who would be playing. Lo and Behold only the page one playoff game will be shown. Bet they wouldn't miss showing violent hockey. According to CBC blog over 30 players have had to cut short their playing careers due to concussions. At least we don't see curlers hitting each other with brooms (instead of sticks) or fighting on the ice. Don't get me wrong I used to watch hockey and I knew every player on every team in the league.But over the years I have lost interest due to the violent nature of the game.

If team Canada wins the Men's World Curling Championships this weekend, which I'm hoping they do, please don't go to commercials, like you did for the Canadian Women's World Champions, and not return until after they had recieved their medals and the national anthem was half finished. I found that kind of disrespectful, especially for a Government funded bussiness. Please stay the course no matter what country's team wins, which again I hope is Canada, it's the only respectable thing to do. GO CANADA GO

Excuses excuses. I agree with you that it is your fault for TRYING to provide more coverage on various different networks and platforms but NOT SUCEEDING. Surely you can do better.

If nothing else I at least appreciate your candor.If we have come to expect our sports live then so be it.CBC and all other networks seem to feel that the news needs to be live and so also should our sports.If you can't provide it,let another network take a shot.Is anyone watching BOLD for anything other than curling?I didn't even know BOLD existed till this week-the publicity has put BOLD on the tv map.You should be thankful to curling.

Scott Moore, I would just like to comment on the poor coverage of the men's world curling. Having just read your response to the many people whom have provided feedback (probably quite negative) you certainly did not acknowledge any shortcoming on the part of CBC. That's discouraging because it seems you will continue to operate this way. Curling is important to Canadians, much more important than a lot of the other drivel you spend our tax dollars on. CBC does a lot of great coverage of sport but not for curling. If you are unwilling or unable to step up please stop bidding & let others rise to the challenge!!

Scott,

Is it true that CBC gets paid by the Curling Federations to broadcast (or web cast) the Curling games?

I believe it should be the other way around - just like the NHL, CFL, NBA, NFL...etc.

If this is the case, then your webcasts or broadcasts of the curling should be PRIORITY 1 (never prempted, etc) since these events are for PAYING, CONTRACTED customers.

I want to be counted as another very very disappointed curling fan. Disappointed with CBC and the decisions you made this week. There was so much confusion whether curling would be on TV. One night, the TV menu on Bold listed another show, but low and behold it was Canada curling!! So how many times did you just decide to change your mind. I think you need to realize that there is more sports than hockey-would you just decide not to show a few games of the play-offs? I am bitterly disappointed that I couldn't watch the round robin play. You think now you are in the good books because you are broadcasting the rest of the games.