Our Audience Relations team works hard to find answers
to every question they receive - and that's a lot of questions. They go directly to the source, consulting with producers, editors, schedulers and all levels of management when necessary.

We thought it might benefit our viewers to present some of these exchanges, and we encourage you to let us know what's on your mind.

Check back here for regular updates. And please feel free to contact Audience Relations with your questions or comments.

You also may be interested in a new special that premiered September 26th on CBC Television. Viewer questions and comments were featured on ASK CBC, a one-hour program hosted by Ian Hanomansing.

>View examples of questions and answers appearing on Ask CBC ...



Subject: "Breaking news" interruptions

From a viewer in Nova Scotia:

Q: Why do you constantly interrupt programs because of “breaking news?” Can’t this news wait until the end of a program?


A: Going to a “breaking news” story during a program in progress is a very serious matter to the CBC. We realize the impact that interruption can have on the show and the audience watching.

The CBC is Canada’s national broadcaster and as such we have a great responsibility first and foremost to inform Canadians of any major news stories. Unfortunately in recent times we have seen many such events in Canada and around the world, from problems with national security to weather disasters and political upheaval. In these cases we feel that it is necessary to interrupt programming.

The decision to break into programming is never made lightly. Live coverage of this nature requires the authorization of senior executives and senior news editors.

We understand how frustrating this interruption can be but we feel our audience tunes into the CBC knowing that when big events happen we will let them know right away.

We asked: "What's the toughest thing about being a dedicated hockey parent?"

You said: Dealing with obnoxious hockey moms, dads and coaches