RolyH, same in the States and Canada. Maybe worse in Canada because they have imitation Discovery and History channels of Canadian manufacture which broadcast old war movies etc., over and over.
Cable in Canada offers about 150 channels (the more you get, the more you pay). Channels with the old tv comedies and "classic" oldies cost extra. Fed up because some nights there is nothing I want to watch, so I end up with my recorded collection or listen to radio stations which carry classical and some bluegrass-folk-etc.
Some good stuff on the internet. Been listening lately to KBON, the Louisiana Cajun station broadcasting Cajun and zydeco. Of course the BBC, CBC, WQXR and CKUA when they have something of interest.
The news channels have talking heads going over and over the same speculation over and over with the same pictures over and over until I go "over and out."