Yesterday I gave my thoughts on what to make of CBC’s early season ratings slump. My theory is that CBC is changing but their built-in audience hasn’t yet, and to realize their vision, the public broadcaster will need some patience. Here’s what you had to say:
@tv_eh Re new shows at least: CBC doesn’t have the marketing muscle to launch a fall show. They should be launching new shows mid-season. — Paul Mather (@paulmather007) October 16, 2014
@BarryKiefl @tv_eh Just a thought: CBC is wide but promo reach is limited. Contrast with a media conglom’s diverse promo reach.
— Cathleen MacDonald (@motionpix) October 16, 2014
@tv_eh CBC is sadly trapped between noble ambitions to redefine their programming and a specific audience who resist that change. — JonathanLloyd Walker (@J_L_Walker) October 16, 2014
@tv_eh AMC went through a similar metamorphosis but it took years and deep pockets to achieve. I hope CBC can stay this new course.— JonathanLloyd Walker (@J_L_Walker) October 16, 2014
Some  offered other suggestions for why the ratings have declined besides fierce US competition, aging shows, and small marketing budgets:
@tv_eh imho the promo for Strange Empire was vague; didn’t grab. One had to be committed to check it out & be pleasantly surprised.
— Cathleen MacDonald (@motionpix) October 16, 2014
@tv_eh We no longer get CBC. I am NOT getting cable for 2 channels #CBC #CBCNN I go to friend’s house. — susan n (@biosunu) October 16, 2014
@tv_eh Before the change in cable Northern Ontario got CBC and CTV without the cable requirement. I think that’s why ratings are declining. — susan n (@biosunu) October 16, 2014
@tv_eh maybe everyone is watching CBC on their phones, which is not measured… — Barry Kiefl (@BarryKiefl) October 16, 2014
And we all speculated on how they could build their audience, including patience:
@J_L_Walker @tv_eh it takes years to rebulid a brand (a brand that I would argue has been badly damaged over the past 10 years). — Richard Koo (@richard_koo) October 16, 2014
@tv_eh Keep the Murdoch/Heartland audience early evening, build the new audience at 10pm and PVR/online. Slowly re brand. — JonathanLloyd Walker (@J_L_Walker) October 16, 2014
What do you think – are you worried about your favourite show’s ratings? Â Ideas for how CBC can attract more viewers … or if that should even be their goal?
Most people I know watch tv for one of three reasons: sports, news and CBC kids. CBC also has a reputation as a maker of historical dramas but in that regard, there’s almost an attitude that CBC is high-brow arts entertainment, good for those who love history but isn’t really considered to be a provider of mainstream entertainment in the same category as Global and CTV. Out West, there’s also mistrust of CBC as a Liberal (as in the party) loving channel and Ontario-centricness. I tried to sell the show to various family members. Here were some reactions:
My husband said no thanks because it’s about a bunch of women. (His favourite shows are Swamp People, Timber Kings and Yukon Men)
My mom watched one episode but said it didn’t interest her because she doesn’t like stuff set in olden times except for Dr. Quinn and she doesn’t like a bunch of killing. Knowing her, she would have liked it had there been at least one good romantic pairing or had there been more sentimental scenes. (Her favourite shows are Nashville, Parenthood and Revenge).
My brother watched it and said he was bored because it was too slow-paced, (His favourite shows are The Walking Dead, Arrow and Agents of SHIELD).
My female cousin said it looked boring (her favourite shows are all reality ones like The Bachelor and Survivor).
My other female cousin said she would watch it cause it looks good but then didnt because her boyfriend didn’t want to watch it because all his shows were on that night.
In conclusion, judging from the preformance of many female-centred shows I’ve liked in the past, I think many men automatically shy away from a show with female leads if there are no male leads plus Mondays have so many male-centric shows that in many households male-centric shows win out. As it is, last week, I watched Strange Empire after my husband went to bed and we watched The Originals and Sleepy Hollow on the dvr together after the kids went to bed. I watched Strange Empire the next day when he went on the computer.