So I read today that CTV has pulled off the biggest cue of the week by buying the rights away from CBC for the use of the Hockey Night in Canada theme. What the hell is this country coming to? The Hockey Night in Canada Theme Song is an iconic symbol of what is great about Canada. It's synonymous with CBC, with Hockey Night In Canada (tm - CBC) and synonymous with a great tradition that is truly Canadian.
This is the song that meant it was time for families across this country to put down their feeble and petty pursuits and cheer their home team on to victory. This is the song that, for over forty years, has signaled the end of bad family conversations and watching uncle Bob and aunty May squabble over the price of bread and sent families scrambling to turn the boob tube to channel three.
CTV says it will use the song for all things hockey including its coverage of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Some say nice I say blah blah blah. This is not an olympic hockey song or a Monday night hockey song - it's a Saturday night, CBC blarring, Hockey Night in Canada Song. Delores Clamon claims that this song is like her child and she just wanted something fair for its use. Delores - the song is bigger than you!!! You've sold out and in the process ended something great.
CBC did the right thing. Given the state of the public broadcaster, I don't think it should have paid the reported price of $2.5 million. I do think however the government of Canada has spent more on less and could make a cultural case for buying the rights of the song for what it was intended. HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA!!!
