[problems]

Sure, but you're currently getting that value, it's still not an increase in value to you of $45/year. And it still doesn't rationalize it for someone like me who doesn't consume CBC content much to pay that.

I find they're way too politically slanted in their news coverage and I'd rather deal with the ads than pay them $45/year for the few programs I watch occasionally.

[rpeden]

Politically slanted in what direction?

I remember them criticizing the Chretien and Martin governments pretty heavily, then saw them do the same for Harper, and am seeing them criticize Trudeau quite heavily now that he seems to be dragging his feet on electoral reform.

A few elections ago, I remember a CBC host (can't remember which one) giving Jack Layton a hard time because he kept repeating talking points instead of actually answering questions.

I've voted for all three major parties at various points in my life, and I've watched CBC news criticize them all, which seemed fair to me.

But I completely understand that they way they cover things comes across differently to you.

I also find their non-political news coverage to be more calm and balanced than most alternatives. I was living in Ottawa during the Parliament Hill shooting a couple of years ago, and I remember following the coverage on both CBC and CNN. CNN had Wolf Blitzer flipping out and talking about multiple gunmen, while CBC had Peter Mansbridge staying calm, trying hard to separate fact from rumour. There were lots of remarks later on about the differences between the CBC and CNN coverage of the event[1].

It's fair to ask if the cost is worth it, but it's also fair to remember that it not being worth $45 a year for you doesn't mean it shouldn't be done. I pay more tax than the average Canadian, and lots of it goes to things I'll never benefit from personally. I'm sure some it even goes to things I personally dislike. But I find that life is pretty decent overall, and what's best for me personally is not necessarily what's best for the country.

[1] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/canad...

[derrickdirge]

You're already paying $36/year and dealing with ads.

Going ad-free and getting sixteen extra minutes per hour of additional television content isn't worth an extra $9 every year?

[problems]

It's actually $11 extra per year.

And no, it isn't remotely because I don't consume it. I'd rather the whole amount be removed.

CBC should be running in the private marketplace just like everyone else, considering the type of news coverage they tend to provide and the generally low quality entertainment they create. Tax payers paying for it seems like a complete waste of money. Just flushing money down the drain.

[toomuchtodo]

It sounds like you live in the wrong country to be arguing against socialized government services.

What next? Universal healthcare!?

[problems]

At least with something like universal healthcare I can see a guaranteed benefit in some ways. Both directly and indirectly. It's hard to predict healthcare costs. I can at least see the argument.

However, it's very easy to predict CBC consumption desires.

[derrickdirge]

Do you think the low quality of the content has anything to do with the fact that advertisers pay for ratings? Conventional wisdom dictates that the best way to boost ratings is to appeal to the lowest common denominator.