The CBC in Canada is following in the footsteps of the BBC and moving towards bringing together television, radio and online.
Its English-language services are being formally integrated under one big boss, its current English television vice-president, Richard Stursberg.
The purpose is look at ways of having the three media arms work more closely together, such as the CBC is trying out in its integrated news operation in Vancouver.
It marks the end of a year of tumultous change at the top of CBC, with the departure earlier this year of news chief Tony Burman and the forthcoming retirement of CBC Radio vice-president Jane Chalmers. Now, as one blog put it, all your media belong to Stursberg.
Stursberg has tried to reassure employees that “there is no plan whatsoever for any reduction in staff.” But some may feel uneasy, especially when they look at the plans for job looses at the BBC as it moves to an integrated multimedia news operation.
The timing of all of this is significant. It comes as politicians consider the future role of CBC.
UPDATE Nov 23: The Inside the CBC blog has more details on the briefings about the new, integrated CBC. Special emphasis was placed on reassuring the radio folks who are worried that a TV guy is now in charge of them.
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