CBC Outbid for Hockey Night in Canada Theme by CTV

I read in the paper this past weekend, that talks between the CBC and the original composer of the Hockey Night in Canada theme had broken down. At the time I thought that the demands of the 80 year old composer were probably a little steep, as a public broadcaster, CBC doesn't have an unlimited budget.

However I also felt that the theme which most young boys and many young Canadian girls had grown up with a part of their life, should remain with Hockey Night in Canada, as it is almost a part of our National Heritage.

When I read today that CTV, a rival network which owns TSN (the Sports Network) had purchased the rights to the song, at first I laughed and then thought how ridiculous that was.

Of course CTV is making it sound as though they have "saved" the song, and thus the entire country, but in reality they are just trying to win a marketing battle as they promote their coverage of Olympic and NHL hockey in the coming years.

The funny part of it all is the comments listed on that article on the TSN website are almost all negative against TSN and CTV using the song, that I wonder if perhaps their plan hasn't back-fired.

CBC on the other hand, says "oh well, we couldn't afford what they were asking and we will hold a contest to choose the new song". I hate contests like that, but that is another topic for another day.

Bottom line, that is like Pepsi buying the rights to the stylized text that Coke uses, and changing all their packaging! If you can't come up with a better hockey broadcast, do you really think you can fool people that they are going to get the same coverage and camera work, just because the song is the same?

Well good luck to you CTV!