In 1972, the CBC celebrated by having a festive chat with entertainer Guy Lombardo. The era was a casual one, when even the prime minister wore mutton chops. But on TV and radio, self-reflection was also in order. In 1971, Canadians were still not Canadian enough, studded snow tires were outlawed and hockey superstar Gordie Howe had retired.
Most of the programs in the TV grid below were listed in TV Guide, Toronto-Lake Ontario edition for Jan. 1 - 7, 1972. The exceptions are Chez Hélène, Front Page Challenge and Weekend, which appeared later that week or month. The radio schedule aired exactly as listed.
CBC Classics are those CBC programs that have remained in the Canadian memory due to their popularity, quality and sheer longevity.
The CBC in 1972
In an era when the CRTC called Canadian TV not Canadian enough, even the CBC had problems meeting its 70 per cent CanCon goal. It reached 60 per cent during primetime. The CRTC expressed dismay over TV ratings showing that only 10 of 40 top shows on the CBC and CTV were produced in Canada.
****
Rumours swirled about cutting hosts with non-Canadian accents. Newspapers alluded that the jobs of UK-sounding newsmen (Michael Maclear, Ron Collister, Gordon Donaldson) seemed at risk. (They never did get cut.)
****
More UK disassociation came when the Mother Corp cancelled BBC import Monty Python's Flying Circus. The "Great Python Squeeze" was met by a street protest in Montreal.
****
Former Liberal Cabinet Minister Paul Hellyer accused the CBC of being a Trudeau pawn during the October Crisis.
****
Two prominent newsmen went on an exchange. David Halton, CBC's Paris news correspondent, swapped jobs with Peter Daniel, a Montreal correspondent. (effective Nov. 1, 1971)
CBC Classics are those CBC programs that have remained in the Canadian memory due to their popularity, quality and sheer longevity.
