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Rival network nabs iconic hockey song

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Why you can trust SCMP
Petti Fong

Vancouver

If you're a Canadian and a hockey fan, close your eyes and hum these few notes: Dunt-da-dunt-da-dunt-dunt.

OK, it requires some imagination, but if you're a true Canadian you will know the third 'dunt' is emphasised. Played properly with trumpets to the fore, it's as close to a national clarion call as Canada will ever have.

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Indeed, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's hockey theme song is so familiar that it's often called the second Canadian anthem, and it's probably the most hummed tune in the country.

It's been getting plenty of airplay lately, but not for anything to do with hockey - CBC has now lost the right to play the tune after licensing negotiations with the song's 80-year-old composer went sour, and the rights were snapped up by the rival CTV network for millions.

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It all came down to money, and for Vancouver-born composer Dolores Claman, a little respect. CBC, it seems, fell short in delivering both.

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