A Fool's Errand
It has come to my attention that there is still much confusion over Flashpoint by viewers in Canada and the USA.
I hope to un-confuse you. Though this might be a bit of a Sisyphean task, I live in hope.
Read carefully, and be edified.
Point 1:
In this modern world in which we live, chances are, you have several options available to you to see Flashpoint. You have your TV screen, and you have your computer screen, or other mobile device that allows you to view the content.
Flashpoint, in case you were not aware up to this point, is filmed and produced in Canada. I will quote directly from the Flashpoint site at CTV.ca:
Flashpoint is produced by Pink Sky Entertainment and Avamar Entertainment in association with CTV and CBS Paramount Network Television. The series was co-created and written by Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern. Anne Marie La Traverse and Bill Mustos serve as executive producers. Tassie Cameron is co-executive producer and head writer. Louise Clark and Virginia Rankin are the CTV production executives working with the series. Louise Clark is Vice-President, Program Development for CTV. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. Alchemy TV and Tele Munchen are the international distributors.
CTV is in Canada, and broadcasts Flashpoint to Canadians.
CBS is in the USA, and broadcasts Flashpoint to Americans.
CTV has made choices about times and dates to broadcast that CBS has sometimes followed (they call this innovation 'simulcasting'). CTV has also made choices about times and dates to broadcast that CBS has chosen to ignore (they call this innovation 'recipe for mass confusion and frustration').
Now, CBS' programming decision-making would be all fine and dandy if CBS' broadcasting signals remained contained within its own geographic region. Unfortunately, many a household in Canada does something called 'subscribing to cable/satellite', which often includes a feed from CBS.
Canadians, being Canadians, often shun local programming and choose to watch American networks instead of Canadian ones, even if Canadian networks import shows from American networks and simulcast them.
Here's where it gets sticky in regards to Flashpoint: CTV has sold broadcast rights to CBS, not the other way around, as is typically the case.
[Update: To reflect the most accurate information as provided by the producers of Flashpoint:]
"The only thing I want to clarify is that CTV did not sell the broadcast rights to CBS. The producers hold all rights and have licensed Canadian rights to CTV and US rights to CBS and CBS Distribution. So when Flashpoint appears on ION, it is as a result of a sale made by CBS Distribution. (via their arrangement with the producers). International rights have also been assigned to certain Distributors."
-The producers of Flashpoint, via Facebook, Flashpoint Team One
(Thanks, most profusely, for the correction, FPTO!)
This means that a lot of Canadians were probably watching CBS over CTV for Flashpoint. Or a mix of both, depending on the situation. For example, when Season 3 episode 'Acceptable Risk' aired, CBS decided to call it the Season Three finale, when CTV still had some episodes in the can left to show. At this point, Canadian viewers got more Flashpoint if they watched CTV, and American viewers got some other show if they watched CBS the following week.
Canadian viewers got the cliffhanger episode 'Fault Lines' as a Season Three finale, and await its resolution some time in the Summer of 2011. (June, possibly). on June 17th with an episode titled 'Personal Effect'.
UPDATED: this, from the producers from the Flashpoint Team One page on Facebook as of May 20th, 2011:
"Hey fans, don't shoot the messenger, but pretty sure it won't be June 17th as previously announced (re the CTV premiere of Season IV). Don't mean to sneak this in but thought I should begin forewarning."
-The producers of Flashpoint, via Facebook, Flashpoint Team One
[Note: There are some lucky Americans who reside close enough to the US/Canada border that are able to pick up CTV broadcast signals, and/or actually have CTV as part of a cable package. These Americans would have been able to see everything Canadians saw.]
Point 2:
One complaint I see on a frequent basis from someone on the Internet trying in vain to view some Flashpoint promo on-line goes something like this: (and I have to admit such complaints particularly rankle):
(paraphrasing)
"This SUCKS! I LIVE in Toronto and I can't see Flashpoint on the website! Lame!"
Or:
"How come I can't see this because I'm not in the right 'geographic location'? I effin' live where this show is made! Total bull!"
Or words to that effect.
Now, as I mentioned earlier, Yes, Flashpoint is indeed made in Canada. Proudly so.
But if you're in Canada and want to see anything Flashpoint-related, STOP BLOODY TRYING TO USE CBS TO DO SO!!!!!!!!!! This applies especially to those of you who frequent the CBS Facebook Flashpoint page. It's great you're fans of the page, but you do yourselves no favours if you're fans of Flashpoint north of the 49th parallel.
Why, you ask?
Because CBS on-line content is licensed only for Americans. You may think this is stupid, but try viewing anything on any American website. You'll get the same message.
But, how do I see Flashpoint on-line, then, you ask.
The answer is simple. Use the website that does cater to your 'geographic location':
http://shows.ctv.ca/FlashPoint.aspx
Hold up a minute, you'll say, I tried to watch the 'most recent episode' of Flashpoint on-line, and it wasn't there! Well... Here's where I'll speculate a little...
To that, I say this is probably a case of CTV trying to ensure they get the highest number of live viewers for the broadcast of the episode, even if it is in re-runs. They may have pulled an episode from the website to make sure people are watching TV (it's all about ratings!) and it will go back up as soon as it has aired all across the times zones.
Let's wrap this up, then. What have we learned from this lengthy rant?
1 - if you're in Canada, don't rely on CBS. Watch Flashpoint on CTV or CTV.ca
2 - CBS is behind on Seasons. What they are calling 'Season Four' is not what CTV will call Season Four. CBS is currently showing episodes already broadcast by CTV ('Collateral Damage' through to 'Fault Lines'.)
3 - CTV is best for Canadian viewers.
4 - CBS, in spite of its best intentions, will only confuse and infuriate you if you live outside of the USA. Do not rely on them, or any info on any of their websites.
And a final word: If you want the best, most up-to-date info about Flashpoint, join the Facebook group Flashpoint Team One, which is run by the actual producers of the show.
I hope I have not offended anyone, but that I have cleared up a few misconceptions.
Happy Flashpoint viewing, whether you're in Canada, the USA, or elsewhere in the world.
I hope to un-confuse you. Though this might be a bit of a Sisyphean task, I live in hope.
Read carefully, and be edified.
Point 1:
In this modern world in which we live, chances are, you have several options available to you to see Flashpoint. You have your TV screen, and you have your computer screen, or other mobile device that allows you to view the content.
Flashpoint, in case you were not aware up to this point, is filmed and produced in Canada. I will quote directly from the Flashpoint site at CTV.ca:
Flashpoint is produced by Pink Sky Entertainment and Avamar Entertainment in association with CTV and CBS Paramount Network Television. The series was co-created and written by Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern. Anne Marie La Traverse and Bill Mustos serve as executive producers. Tassie Cameron is co-executive producer and head writer. Louise Clark and Virginia Rankin are the CTV production executives working with the series. Louise Clark is Vice-President, Program Development for CTV. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. Alchemy TV and Tele Munchen are the international distributors.
CTV is in Canada, and broadcasts Flashpoint to Canadians.
CBS is in the USA, and broadcasts Flashpoint to Americans.
CTV has made choices about times and dates to broadcast that CBS has sometimes followed (they call this innovation 'simulcasting'). CTV has also made choices about times and dates to broadcast that CBS has chosen to ignore (they call this innovation 'recipe for mass confusion and frustration').
Now, CBS' programming decision-making would be all fine and dandy if CBS' broadcasting signals remained contained within its own geographic region. Unfortunately, many a household in Canada does something called 'subscribing to cable/satellite', which often includes a feed from CBS.
Canadians, being Canadians, often shun local programming and choose to watch American networks instead of Canadian ones, even if Canadian networks import shows from American networks and simulcast them.
Here's where it gets sticky in regards to Flashpoint: CTV has sold broadcast rights to CBS, not the other way around, as is typically the case.
[Update: To reflect the most accurate information as provided by the producers of Flashpoint:]
"The only thing I want to clarify is that CTV did not sell the broadcast rights to CBS. The producers hold all rights and have licensed Canadian rights to CTV and US rights to CBS and CBS Distribution. So when Flashpoint appears on ION, it is as a result of a sale made by CBS Distribution. (via their arrangement with the producers). International rights have also been assigned to certain Distributors."
-The producers of Flashpoint, via Facebook, Flashpoint Team One
(Thanks, most profusely, for the correction, FPTO!)
This means that a lot of Canadians were probably watching CBS over CTV for Flashpoint. Or a mix of both, depending on the situation. For example, when Season 3 episode 'Acceptable Risk' aired, CBS decided to call it the Season Three finale, when CTV still had some episodes in the can left to show. At this point, Canadian viewers got more Flashpoint if they watched CTV, and American viewers got some other show if they watched CBS the following week.
Canadian viewers got the cliffhanger episode 'Fault Lines' as a Season Three finale, and await its resolution some time in the Summer of 2011. (June, possibly). on June 17th with an episode titled 'Personal Effect'.
UPDATED: this, from the producers from the Flashpoint Team One page on Facebook as of May 20th, 2011:
"Hey fans, don't shoot the messenger, but pretty sure it won't be June 17th as previously announced (re the CTV premiere of Season IV). Don't mean to sneak this in but thought I should begin forewarning."
-The producers of Flashpoint, via Facebook, Flashpoint Team One
[Note: There are some lucky Americans who reside close enough to the US/Canada border that are able to pick up CTV broadcast signals, and/or actually have CTV as part of a cable package. These Americans would have been able to see everything Canadians saw.]
Point 2:
One complaint I see on a frequent basis from someone on the Internet trying in vain to view some Flashpoint promo on-line goes something like this: (and I have to admit such complaints particularly rankle):
(paraphrasing)
"This SUCKS! I LIVE in Toronto and I can't see Flashpoint on the website! Lame!"
Or:
"How come I can't see this because I'm not in the right 'geographic location'? I effin' live where this show is made! Total bull!"
Or words to that effect.
Now, as I mentioned earlier, Yes, Flashpoint is indeed made in Canada. Proudly so.
But if you're in Canada and want to see anything Flashpoint-related, STOP BLOODY TRYING TO USE CBS TO DO SO!!!!!!!!!! This applies especially to those of you who frequent the CBS Facebook Flashpoint page. It's great you're fans of the page, but you do yourselves no favours if you're fans of Flashpoint north of the 49th parallel.
Why, you ask?
Because CBS on-line content is licensed only for Americans. You may think this is stupid, but try viewing anything on any American website. You'll get the same message.
But, how do I see Flashpoint on-line, then, you ask.
The answer is simple. Use the website that does cater to your 'geographic location':
http://shows.ctv.ca/FlashPoint.aspx
Hold up a minute, you'll say, I tried to watch the 'most recent episode' of Flashpoint on-line, and it wasn't there! Well... Here's where I'll speculate a little...
To that, I say this is probably a case of CTV trying to ensure they get the highest number of live viewers for the broadcast of the episode, even if it is in re-runs. They may have pulled an episode from the website to make sure people are watching TV (it's all about ratings!) and it will go back up as soon as it has aired all across the times zones.
Let's wrap this up, then. What have we learned from this lengthy rant?
1 - if you're in Canada, don't rely on CBS. Watch Flashpoint on CTV or CTV.ca
2 - CBS is behind on Seasons. What they are calling 'Season Four' is not what CTV will call Season Four. CBS is currently showing episodes already broadcast by CTV ('Collateral Damage' through to 'Fault Lines'.)
3 - CTV is best for Canadian viewers.
4 - CBS, in spite of its best intentions, will only confuse and infuriate you if you live outside of the USA. Do not rely on them, or any info on any of their websites.
And a final word: If you want the best, most up-to-date info about Flashpoint, join the Facebook group Flashpoint Team One, which is run by the actual producers of the show.
I hope I have not offended anyone, but that I have cleared up a few misconceptions.
Happy Flashpoint viewing, whether you're in Canada, the USA, or elsewhere in the world.