Lights Out for 'Hockey Night' Theme Song?
A dispute over the rights to the theme song for one of Canada's most popular television shows has sparked outrage north of the border. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. is threatening to stop using the theme to "Hockey Night in Canada" if it can't resolve a dispute over payments to composer Dolores Claman. Claman's theme has been in place for 40 years and it's hugely popular. It's often called the second Canadian anthem.
ROBERT SIEGEL, host.
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SIEGEL: That music, the theme to "Hockey Night in Canada," first at the air waves in 1968.
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SIEGEL: It's been heard just about every Saturday night in every hockey season ever since on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. But after 40 years a dispute over rights to the music could send the theme into retirement. Take our word for it, north of the border this is a very big deal. "Hockey Night in Canada," which features the game of the week, is a colossally successful TV program. The theme is often called Canada's second national anthem. A quick search on YouTube proves its popularity. We've found renditions by an orchestra in Kanata, Ontario...
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SIEGEL: ...by Canadian peacekeepers in the Golan Heights...
Unidentified Men: Hockey night in Syria!
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SIEGEL: ...by a ukulele master...
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SIEGEL: ...and the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band.
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SIEGEL: Also, there are videos of toddlers dancing. The list goes on and on.
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SIEGEL: This is actually a "Hockey Night in Canada" theme ring tone. News that the CBC might not re-up its contract with composer Dolores Claman is being taken kind of hard. One blog post says: more proof that the CBC is on crack. And one fan told the Detroit News: they must be joking, I've been telling people I want them to play that theme song at my funeral. Well, the dispute may not be easily resolved. Among other things, the CBC wants Claman to drop a $2.5 million lawsuit that accuses the network of overusing the theme. Pretty big story, eh?
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