Pierre Berton was the host and moderator of a televised debate between two guests who argued about a given proposition.
However, the broadcaster encountered financial distress within months of its debut and owed My Country Productions $48,000.
Berton, however, proceeded to pay guest debators personally, in full for their appearance and travel.
[4] CHCH-TV picked up The Great Debate from Global for its third, 1975-76 season, and aired these in the Tuesday 10 p.m. time slot.
[81][82] The following episodes are on file with Library and Archives Canada:[83] During its initial month, The Great Debate gained a 3% share of the BBM television ratings, competing unfavourably to CTV which earned a 31% share for The Streets of San Francisco.