Why Canadian Television is more ‘Canadian’ than American Television is ‘American.’

Recently I’ve been spending time analyzing trends in Canadian television. As Canadians we are constantly exposed to, and regularly prefer, American television compared to Canadian offerings. I have to admit to that bias for myself, too. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy many Canadian productions, and there are some very good Canadian shows available. In fact today, I would argue, Canadian television is as good and perhaps better than it has ever been with shows like Corner Gas, Little Mosque on the Prairie and the Trailer Park Boys. These shows have a typical Canadian ’softness’ about them, while also exhibiting greater edge than I can ever remember seeing from shows produced north of the border; they are very funny while remaining relatively unoffensive.

 

There have also been several Canadian productions, usually with limited runs, that are similar in some way to American television shows, and yet are distinctly Canadian. In fact I will be so bold to say that the Canadian representatives of said shows are much more Canadian than the American shows are American, thereby fully immersing themselves as bastions of true Canadiana. These shows, it could be argued, are the epitome of Canadianism.

 

Here’s a list of some of these shows that have recently run on Canadian television:

 

Canadian Idol vs. American Idol

 

Canadian Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader vs. Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader

 

Canadian Deal or No Deal vs. Deal or No Deal

 

As you can see all the Canadian programs have the word ‘Canadian’ in the title, while only one of the American programs has the word ‘American’. This reflects on the value of patriotism that viewers in each country feels. Canadians, it is quite obvious, are much more ‘Canadian’ than Americans are ‘American’. Our pride is greater, therefor we as a people are greater.

 

So, take pride my fellow Canadians for with continued programming such as these fine examples of Cultural Significance Canadian Television will soon be a dominating force on the home front, capturing the attention of most, if not all, of Canadian viewership. This can only build momentum, and with that kind of momentum can domination of the American market be soon behind? Obviously the answer is yes.