Fox News
The Briefing:

Fox News coming to a Canadian digital channel near you
Updated at 17:29 on November 18, 2004, EST.

OTTAWA (CP) - Canadian fans of Fox TV will soon be able to watch the network's lively and controversial all-news channel here in Canada.

The CRTC, the country's broadcast regulator, announced Thursday that Canadian cable companies can offer the right-wing news channel to digital subscribers as early as next year.

Even though Fox News hosts have sometimes mocked Canadians, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said it found "there is substantial demand in Canada for Fox News."

A couple of notes: first off, I think it is fine that Fox is here. I probably will not watch much of it, but I am glad that the CBC, CTV and CNN won't be the only choices for news on TV. I wish there were more independent Canadian stations, but that will come later I assume.

Personally, I don't like Fox too much. Their 2004 election coverage was extremely poor...And reading the transcripts from The O'Reilly Factor is a depressing exercise watching the simplification of extremely complex issues into a 5 word soundbite half way through a steroid enhanced and self righteous screamfest... that O'Reilly spins to his own advantage. He is an isolationist wanker and a complete hypocrite. Why is able to 'moralize' to other nations like ours after his long history of debasing himself and his co workers is beyond me. Next time he is on the air, and says something to Dan Savage (or anyone else) about how legalization of drugs is akin to giving crack to preschoolers, a canuck should phone in:

"Hi there, this is Mike from Canmore. Um, I heard your comment about drugs and just wanted to say that sexually traumatizing a vulnerable coworker, while being a complete idiot and hypocrite is much worse. I hope your stay on Canadian TV is short. Goodbye."

The overall net affect of Fox News? Positive. My overall reaction? A forced..smile.