Marketplace is a Canadian television series, broadcast on CBC Television. Launched in 1972, the series is a consumer advocacy newsmagazine, which shows investigative reports on issues such as product testing, health and safety, fraudulent business practices and other news issues of interest to product and service consumers. The program was influential in the banning of urea formaldehyde foam insulation and lawn darts in Canada, the legislation of warnings on exploding pop bottles, successful prosecution of retailers for false advertising, new standards for bottled water and drinking fountains, new regulations to make children's sleepwear less flammable, and the implementation of safer designs for children's cribs. Marketplace was originally hosted by Joan Watson and George Finstad. Other hosts have included Bill Paul, Harry Brown, Norma Kent, Jacquie Perrin, Christine Johnson, Jim Nunn and Wendy Mesley. The program's current hosts are Tom Harrington and Erica Johnson. Early seasons of the series had a theme song, "The Consumer", which was written and performed by Stompin' Tom Connors. For several years, every episode would begin with Connors singing the song, which became a hit.
Seasons & Episode
"In four decades of Marketplace, we've come across a lot of products - and a lot of pitchmen - that proved to be too good to be true. We're revisiting three of the most outrageous stories, and the people behind them: from an outrageous inventor pitching a $20,000 electronic cure-all; to guarantees of a job in a troubled economy; to a juice marketed as a miracle in a bottle. Where are they now?"
"Marketplace puts six of the largest hotel chains in Canada to the test. We're investigating the cleanliness of Canadian hotels - in the most comprehensive test of its kind, ever. This month, we'll reveal the risks you don't see - and what you can do about them."
"Last week's investigation of hotel cleanliness got Canada talking last week. Now, we're digging deeper - testing how well chains are maintaining their hotels. We reveal some of the most surprising results yet, and what the companies could be doing to clean up their act and protect their guests."
"What happens when you give shady repair companies a second chance? Last season we put garage repair companies to the test - and some of them tried to rip us off. Now we're putting them to the test again. We want to know: have they changed their ways?"
This week on Marketplace: telemarketers from hell. We're out to catch them breaking the rules. We go undercover half a world away, inside a call centre that might be calling you.
This time, we're testing air duct cleaners; yup air ducts... the things that carry hot and cold air from your furnace through your house. Watch what happens when the duct cleaners discover our hidden cameras and we discover they're better at cleaning wallets than air ducts.
"Are you frustrated with banking fees? Marketplace reveals three sneaky ways the banks fatten their profits at your expense. We also give one family a financial makeover and reveal easy money-saving tips."
"We revisit two stories, and see what happened after the Marketplace bust. Dirty Hospitals: have they kept their promise to clean up? Clean Water, Dirty Tricks: Are they still spouting the same old scam?"
"What they don’t want you to know about prices You've sent us e-mail after e-mail asking why things cost as much as they do. It's a mission that people behind the prices don't want us to take. But we're choosing to accept it. Marketplace investigates shocking secrets about pricey cosmetics, the massive mark-up on hearing aids and the real reason we pay more than Americans for everything."
"We're on the trail of false claims, rounding up big names with their hands in your pockets. We're cracking five cases that will have you yelling, ""You're Busted!"" Has Air Canada come through on its promise to improve punctuality? And is that high-end Kobe beef you're paying for actually Kobe beef? Tom Harrington and Erica Johnson are on the case."
"If a deal sounds too good to be true... then it probably is. We delve in Dealfind, the largest Canadian-based e-retailer. It claims to offer unbeatable deals... so why are so many people not getting what they paid for? How can it offer a $299 service for just 24 bucks? Many Canadians are finding it can't. ""I'm beyond angry,"" says one Dealfind customer. Find out why in What's The Deal?"