I was just reading this article about how the Toronto Maple Leafs are to blame for the programming cuts on the CBC. While it is pretty unfair to pin downsizing and cutbacks on a sports team, it is pretty much true and just shows how sad the business model of the CBC is. The CBC has long been hitched up to the gravy train that is the Toronto Maple Leafs and now they’re paying the price for this over reliance. Since I’m a fan of jPod I find this news a bit upsetting, but not really at the Maple Leafs. This was just piss poor scheduling by the CBC. First the show was on Tuesdays up against American Idol for the first 3 weeks in some markets. It did well the first week, which also happened to be probably the weakest episode, so many people stopped tuning in. It was then moved to Friday, which was pretty much the death knell for the show. I, like most people I know who would probably fall into the target demographic for the show, enjoy going out on Friday nights. Putting the show on then just shows they don’t care about it.

The part that gets me is how stupid CBC is with their scheduling. Why not put the show on Thursday where they are showing documentaries during primetime? If I were programming there I would move the documentary shows to Tuesday or Wednesday when American Idol is on. Everyone knows AI is a television blackhole. Putting intellectual programming against it makes sense given most people who watch documentaries are probably not going to be inclined to watch American Idol.
The more I’ve watched jPod, the more I’ve really liked the show. Since I never read the book the whole story seems really wacky and fresh. There are all sorts of scenarios that I’ve never seen presented on TV or in movies, like Ethan’s mom growing weed as a hobby, or Steven getting kidnapped and sent to China to work in a factory making knockoff Nikes. The show does have a certain charm to it and it’s really unfortunate that it isn’t being renewed. The ironic part to this whole thing was that CBC actually made a show I was interested in watching. I rarely, if ever, watch the CBC. Since jPod is gone, I’m gone as a viewer too.

I think if the CBC actually used their heads when doing their programming they probably wouldn’t need to rely on the Toronto Maple Leafs to make them money. While I hate the Leafs as much as the next person, I have a tough time laying this problem at their feet. Besides, you’re never going to see me root for the Leafs to make the playoffs any year, no matter how many shows they get cancelled.