Canadian radio companies complain about CBC's online streaming

[Viper550]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repor...rticle2399162/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle2367090/

Basically, they're complaining that the CBC shouldn't be allowed to stream its radio stations online. Yet, I thought they already had online streams of their radio stations, but only just built a new portal around them recently.

[Jake]

Thanks for the heads up. Here is the link for those wanting to sample the sounds. Streams look to be about 160kbps.

http://music.cbc.ca/

A number of Canadian media companies have joined forces to try to shut down a free music website recently launched by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., claiming it threatens to ruin the music business for all of them.

This debate could get interesting but I don't see this service lasting. Enjoy it while you can. Who buys music from these sites anyway?

The stakes are high. Music sales are estimated at about $500-million a year in Canada and digital sales account for 34 per cent of the market, while companies such as Corus earn hundreds of millions in revenue from radio advertising on music stations.

[MCIBUS]

If the CBC can't stream their broadcast over the net neither should private broadcasters.

Its called freedom I should be able to listen to any CBC station wetherits in Ottawa,Toronto Vancouver etc.

[classicsat]

This is about CBC's new digital music service (which I listen to, but like just enough), not the regular CBC station streams.

The problem the conventional radio stations have is that the service is free, not that it exists at all. I reckon they would not complain if it were a pay service.

Another problem is that the CBC pays a flat rate for music licences, for the whole English and French networks. The music service abuses that.

[ScaryBob]

Just looked at the CBC site. For the most part, it appears to promote Canadian music and Canadian musicians. Is that a bad thing? I really doubt it will affect broadcasters in any significant way. It will likely be good for Canadian musicians. The companies involved, "Quebecor Inc. QBR.B-T, Stingray Digital, Cogeco Cable Inc. CCA-T, the Jim Pattison Group and Golden West Radio", need to shut the eff up and get back to business. The only thing that is ruining their business is their own selfish, narrow minded conduct. Canadians deserve better.

[NovaMan]

Listening to the Free CBC Streaming music now and enjoying it. I have added the site to my radio bookmarks that include Tune-in Radio, AccuRadio, Sirius Satellite radio, Slacker Personal Radio and Iceberg Radio. Notice that the only one I have to pay for is Sirius and that is because I enjoy listening to it in my car. I guess, technically, I pay for Galaxie by Stingray Digital on my Shaw Direct bill, but I never listen to it on line.

[ScaryBob]

All CBC needs to do is tie their streaming site to a Galaxy subscription (via a Canadian BDU.) That would make most Canadians eligible and neutralize the complaint in a heartbeat.