A Commentary by Doug Draper
Elwy Yost, the original host of TV Ontario’s Saturday Night at the Movies, must be spinning in his grave like a film reel on a projector.
Elwy Yost, one of the late great ambassadors for TV Ontario, would likely be heartbroken to hear about the province’s cuts to that public broadcasting network now.
The current Liberal government, in an effort to reduce a multi-billion-dollar deficit and make up for its squandering of hundreds of millions of dollars on eHealth, moving sites for gas-fired power plants to protect the butts of some of its caucus members and other chicanery, had to include its only public broadcaster as a target with a cut totaling about $2 million.
Some out there may say; ‘So what. Public broadcasting is not a necessity like food or home heating. It is more of a frill.’ But for those who appreciate the educational and cultural value networks like TVO, CBC Radio in Canada and the National Public Broadcasting radio and television networks in the United States, these cuts represent another stumble down the evolutionary ladder when it comes to a quality of broadcasting we often can’t find on commercial stations.
By the way, for those who don’t remember, Elwy Yost, who died last year, was the original host of TVO’s Saturday Night At The Movies when it went on the air some three decades ago. It became such a popular program for TVO that Yost remained its host well after he originally intended to retreat to his home in British Columbia. The current version of the program has been interesting in its own right, featuring more obscure, independently produced films, compete with interviews by their actors, directors and film experts that people normally aren’t exposed to on more commercial screens.
There is another ‘by the way’ that I feel needs to be thrown in here. Like public broadcasting networks in the U.S., TVO has been in the position for many years of counting on more and more of its funding from individual and corporate donors.
I’ve often been impressed with how enthusiastically Americans send in enough donations to fill the gap when there is any danger of programing being cut for lack of government funding. How willing we Canadians, who have had more of a history of government paying most or all of the cost for public services, are willing to make up the difference with money from their own pockets is a wide open question? And what about corporate donors in this country? There is a good deal of corporate support for special programing on public networks in the U.S. To what extent are corporations in Ontario that have enjoyed so many benefits of doing business here over the decades, willing to step up to the plate for public broadcasting here.
Those questions aside, the cutting of already lean people resources and of programming on TVO that has had a record of being engaging and contributing so much to the common wealth of art, culture and ideas that bond us together as Ontarians is a tragedy.
You can learn more about TVO and find out how to donate to its programming if you like, by clicking on the network’s web page at http://ww3.tvo.org/ .
(Niagara At Large invites you to share your views on this matter, remembering that NAL only posts comments from individuals who share our call for transparency and accountability by sharing their first and last name to their views.)
Niagara At Large 
Keep in mind “3. Is TVO a registered charity? TVO is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency. TVO’s charitable registration number is 85985 0232 RR0001. All donations will receive a charitable tax receipt from the CRA”. From TVO web page above.
LikeLike
That just burns me up!! DISGUSTING!!!!
LikeLike
There will probably be some who want to start shooting arrows as soon as they get beyond this sentence. I ask them to wait until they have read it all.
I am a strong believer in public broadcasting, particularly the TVO & PBS types. I think the money that the federal government pours into the CBC should be used for a PBS type of operation, not the type of thing we get from the CBC today (a slightly Canadianized American entertainment network). I think we, as Canadians, must demand that our MPs ensure that the CBC becomes a network similar to PBS – but with a strong Canadian focus.
I understand why governments are reducing funding — Canadians are constantly demanding more from our government. The only place the government can get the money to provide more is from our pockets in the form of taxes. Oh … but you don’t want to pay more in taxes. If that is the case, then stop asking for more from the government!
In his commentary above, Doug talks about providing individual financial support to TVO. I strongly encourage everyone to do so. I will be making a financial donation within the next couple of hours. I challenge you, if you truly want this type of quality programming, to do the same.
If you want the drivel that passes for programming on CBC television …. I pity you. But you are getting what you want from your tax dollars.
LikeLike
It certainly sad to see movies now off the Saturday Night roster. They were movies not readily available anywhere. Elwy Yost always had such, in depth interviews , I always enjoyed them, as I am a history buff as well as a news junkie. I miss dear old Elwy rest in peace he was always enthusiastic.
LikeLike
There has to be a way to stop this embezzlement of the provincial coffers. Last night I watch a program that cause reflection on this governing gang that inhabits Queen’s Park it dealt with the rampant corruption in China and while I watched I thought Hell I don’t have to watch this because we have our share of the same stealth right here in Ontario.
Previously the Republican cut the funding of PBS in the USA and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney actually stated during a recent debate that he would cut all funding for PBS WHEN elected …Thank God he did not succeed in being elected. Corporate media is becoming more aggressive and lobbying here and in the USA for total elimination of Public information medias.and If that happens dictatorships follows
LikeLike