MEDIA COUP!!!!!!!

In a historical move, 3 of the television networks have banded together to form a coalition media empire. This reporter has learned that as we speak, CBC has joined forces with CanWest Global, and along with the support of Radio Canada, have formed a coalition media empire to fight the growing audacity and power of CTV.

Stemmed by the loss of the Olympic Games, CBC's seems to have have their "rightful" position as Canada's media network. The recent loss of the Hockey Night in Canada theme has been the final blow. CTV, although not supported by a majority of Canadians, has been acting as the de facto media mogul of the Canadian's broadcasting theme. This has not sat well with the remaining viewership; CBC, CanWest, and Radio Canada, representing nearly 65% of the market share (compared to CTV's 35% market share) may represent a majority of Canadian's broadcast views, but none have the numbers of CTV.

Now comes the historical decision by the heads of CBC and Global to form a coalition of broadcasts. We learn that they will consolidate their schedule and form a strengthened choice of shows - one may even call it a "Cabinet" of choices. Expected to remain will be George Strombolombolobmaodkhypotheneus in the driver's seat of this - as some have described it - clownish merger of once incompatible approaches.

To muddy the waters even further, this coalition of CBC and Global will be propped up by Radio Canada. Canadians will be asking themselves, what is next, bilingual broadcasts? Many CTV supporters, especially local affiliates in the West such as CFCN in Calgary, are furious. Says one viewer : "if these eastern bastards start showing my news in French, I'm just going to have to sepearate myself from Canadian television and start watching American television exclusively." Many have in fact blamed CTV's American style approach to broadcast, with their reliance on American shows such as ER, Ghost Whisperer, Law & Order, Grey's Anatomy, CSI and Lost.

The coalition has in fact blamed CTV CEO Ivan Fecan for his American style approach and his utter inability to work with the remainder of Canadian broadcasters. Says CBC spokeman Ron Maclean : "CTV's utter disregard for the views of Canadians borders on the totalitarian. I mean, when Canadians think of hockey they think of CBC, not TSN. If this broadcaster cannot bring Canadians the shows they want, we have every legal right to ban together with Global to bring Canadians the television stability they deserve."

Truly historic times. One wonders if this situation is in any way related to the historically low voter turnout in the federal elections just 6 weeks ago; could this coalition of broadcasters be a simple ploy to rejuvenate Canadians interests in the broadcasting consortium? One wonders. This reporter is just hoping that the mayhem does not result in too many broken television sets on behalf of frustrated watchers, or, God forbid, a prorogation until digital cable is available in the new year!