Canada's public broadcaster to cut 650 jobs

OTTAWA: Canada's public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada on Wednesday announced 650 job cuts, after the government slashed its funding by more than 10 percent or $115 million over three years.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation president Hubert Lacroix said the staff reductions and other changes aimed at modernizing its television, radio and online programming "will have a significant impact on our services."

Of the 650, 475 positions will be eliminated this year, he said.

To minimize the need for further reductions, he said CBC will "pursue additional digital revenue," ask the regulator to approve advertising and sponsorships for its two national music radio networks, and reduce its "real estate footprint."

The broadcaster will also hasten the shutdown of its analog television broadcasts, which only 500,000 Canadians or 1.7 percent of the population still watch.