Canada – CBC to cut 657 jobs

CBC president Hubert Lacroix announced on Thursday afternoon that 657 jobs would be eliminated over the next two years for reasons that included — although were not limited to — the end of Hockey Night in Canada production at the CBC. 

Most of the positions will be cut in the months ahead as the Saturday night games produced by Rogers will continue to air on the CBC as a vehicle on which to promote other programming. But no direct revenue will be generated from the tactic.

A total of $130-million had to be cut from annual expenses at the CBC in order to balance the budget, Lacroix explained.

The town hall meeting for the current 6,994 permanent, 859 contract and 329 temporary employees, who were initially asked not to divulge details on social media, evidently broke down the details of why the cuts were necessary.

Professional sports will no longer be on the agenda with the NHL rights snapped up by Rogers in its $5.2-billion deal but amateur sports coverage will continue including the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

via CBC to cut 657 positions and stop local expansion after the loss of Hockey Night in Canada | canada.com.