CBC Cuts Prairie Music Programming

This week a tsunami of cuts to music programming was announced by CBC in response to Federal budget cuts. Much of the radio cuts have been targeted at the CBC music department. These cuts will have enormous implications not only for staff but for reflection of live regional music on the CBC network.

Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Halifax will be the major centers in the country still able to record live concerts. These locations will have funding cuts, but will retain all mobile, studio facilities, recording engineers and music producers. Staff reductions in the 3 largest cities have been absorbed by staff changes already in place. The exception will be Halifax with 1 producer reduction.

Most AFM money for live concerts will reside in these 4 locations. Musicians outside of these regions may have their concerts promoted or appear on local shows in a smaller on air studio setting. Musicians across the country will be affected by these cuts with fewer AFM dollars in their region.

Ottawa received 1 cut, Newfoundland 2 cuts; both lost mobiles and studio facilities are closing.

The Prairies have been the hardest hit region in the country, with all recording resources being eliminated. There will be no gear and no staff expertise to handle concert recordings of major music events in the Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba.

Winnipeg – music funding cut, mobile sold, recording studio, music producer position cut.

Edmonton - music funding cut, mobile sold, recording studio, recording engineer and music producer positions cut.

Calgary - music funding cut, mobile sold, recording studio, recording engineer cut.

Regina - music funding cut, mobile sold, recording studio, recording engineer and music producer positions cut.

Inquiries to CBC about cuts can be sent to:

Chris Boyce, Ex. Director Radio Music & Audio - chris.boyce@cbc.ca

Mark Steinmetz, Director CBC Music - mark@steinmetz@cbc.ca