Ever heard that? Maybe that statement would be better phrased "There's nothing to watch on Canadian cable TV". God knows that would be true…until now.
The fall of 2001 is a fairly important time as far as Canadian television goes. We are at the dawn of a new era in Canadian cable with the launch of a multitude of new specialty digital channels. The amount and variety is unprecedented for the likes of Canadian programming. There are so many in fact, that many consumers and would-be consumers are overwhelmed. Overwhelmed? Many that I have heard sound more like they are complaining. "Why do we need all these?" or "There are too many…who needs that many channels?" To these people I say, shut up and turn off the TV. I welcome these new specialty channels with an open converter! I appreciate them most of all…for the welcome opportunity of choice.
Canada has long been plagued with some of the worse TV channel options. The packages available to cable subscribers through the different suppliers were very sparse. Literally the only way to get access to interesting specialty channels was by putting a NASA-like satellite dish in your yard or through illegal means. (not that anyone ever did that??) When visiting the U.S., I would find myself in awe of all the channel options available to TV viewers. Comedy Central, HBO, FX, VH1, and the list went on and on…It is about time for Canadian cable to get trendy.
How can there be too many TV channels? No one complains that there are too many books. Too much music. Too many magazines. Give us a wide variety and let me choose what I want to watch. Sure there are some that won't appeal to you. I can't see myself ever saying "Wonder what's on Book TV tonight?" or "Hey baby, wanna come over and watch Tech TV?" But I don't need to have to like all the channels, each will appeal to a different vertical audience. The point is there is choice now …a privilege that has long escaped Canadians.
So I greet the plethora of new specialty channels with a willing and able clicking thumb. A few extra dollars a month is a small cost to have cool TV like the Drive-In Classics Channel. So bring on BBC Canada, Scream TV, DejaView, and the many others! I say Canadians are ready to be entertained again while sitting in front of their television sets. But most of all, someone alert Dire Straits…and tell them that I finally got my MTV!
…but that's just my opinion.
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