So, it comes as no surprise that the cuts that have just been announced have been made with an eye to reducing services in smaller communities. Local radio in the large centers has been largely left untouched. Bigger audiences mean bigger bonuses. It is simply not in the economic interest of the SET to make cuts that jeopardize audience sizes in large cities. But if cuts have to be made, cutting in those places that have larger audience shares but smaller absolute numbers, makes perfect economic sense.

Similarly, the SET is making cuts to network radio programs with smaller audience shares. The SET is using the economic crisis as cover for these cuts. Instead of making across-the-board cuts that would have drawn a line in the sand and united all of CBC’s viewers/listeners in protest, managers are re-shaping the CBC in their best interests. The Broadcasting Act’s call for all Canadians to be served in an equitable manner is subsidiary to the call of bigger bonuses.

The bias of SET is also evident in its treatment of programs that provide a great public service but don’t meet audience targets. These programs, such as Market Place, are targeted for cuts. Instead, the investments are made on bets to produce shows that maximize eyeballs.

The maddening thing about PMSD is that we’re all complicit in helping senior managers secure those bonuses even when we may have views of the role of the public broadcaster that are at odds with their goals.