Tragically Hip’s Kingston concert won’t be rebroadcast or on demand: CBC

TORONTO – Set your DVRs, Tragically Hip fans, because the airing of Saturday's big show is a one-time deal.

CBC says the live broadcast of "The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration'' will not be re-aired on television or made available through any of its on-demand platforms.

That means unless you're recording it, you'll be out of luck for an encore presentation.

The Kingston, Ont., stop on the "Man Machine Poem" tour will be available on an array of CBC platforms, including its main network, CBC Radio One, the CBC website and its YouTube and Facebook channels.

Many expect the band's hometown concert could be their last show as lead singer Gord Downie faces terminal brain cancer.

Jennifer Dettman, executive director of unscripted content at CBC, says the broadcaster wants this to be a national event in real time.

"Our goal was to bring the experience of this live concert to Canadians in that moment on any different platform," Dettman says.

"I'm sure the band will figure out what they will want to do with the concert afterwards."

Tickets to the Hip's tour sold out almost immediately as fans raced against scalpers, who commonly use bot software to grab tickets and sell them at a marked-up price.

Fans who were shut out from attending the live event have been planning viewing parties across the country, while some local communities are holding public screenings and afternoon entertainment in the lead-up to the concert.

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