CBC cuts to Radio 2, Republic of Doyle just ‘speculation’: spokeswoman
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting's claims described as inaccurate
A Canadian Broadcasting Corporation spokeswoman dismisses published reports that the public broadcaster is considering service cuts that could make Radio 2 online-only and drop TV shows like Republic of Doyle.
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, an arm's-length watchdog group, said Thursday that CBC executives will propose several major cuts, including moving Radio 2 from the airwaves to online, when the corporation’s board of directors meets in Ottawa on June 17 and 18.
The group says it learned of these plans through "high-level sources inside the CBC."
CBC spokeswoman France Belisle said in an email that the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting’s assertions are “speculation, inaccurate and misinformation.”
Belisle said some service cuts highlighted by the group Thursday, including the decision not to extend digital operations into London, Ont., and the cancellation of CBC-TV’s Arctic Air, are correct but were announced last month.
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting spokesman Ian Morrison said shows like Republic of Doyle and Best Laid Plans may also be on the chopping block when the board of directors meets, and that some French and English music shows might be combined.
CBC announced in early April that Republic of Doyle would be back for the 2014-15 television season.
The CBC has been forced to lay off hundreds of employees and slash $82 million from its budget this year in the wake of funding shortfalls, losing the rights to broadcast Hockey Night in Canada and a loss of advertising revenue.
With files from The Canadian Press