By the second week of her parents' visit, Grace's father had claimed the armchair by the window. After breakfast and a walk, he liked to settle in with a Chinese news program. Her mother preferred a drama later in the day, when the apartment was quiet and Grace was at work.
Their visit still had plenty of shared plans: groceries, weekend outings and dinners that somehow always produced leftovers. The hours between those plans mattered too. Familiar television gave her parents something they could enjoy on their own, in the language they used every day.
A day with a rhythm of its own
For parents spending several weeks or months in Canada, television can be a comforting part of an ordinary day. A familiar presenter, the conversation in a variety show or the next chapter of a drama gives them something to look forward to between a morning walk and an afternoon cup of tea.
iTalkBB Chinese TV brings live Chinese-language channels from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to the home, alongside licensed dramas, variety shows and movies on demand. Parents can enjoy the flow of live television or choose a story when they feel like sitting down to watch.
Most channels also offer 72-hour catch-up. If an outing runs into the afternoon, television can fit around it. A favourite show need not dictate the whole day's plans.
The pleasure is in having choices that feel familiar. One parent might follow the news; the other might enjoy a food show, recognize an actor or become absorbed in a drama. They have their own interests to pursue while the household's working day carries on.
Something to bring to the dinner table
One evening, Grace's mother described a dish she had seen on television and suggested trying it over the weekend. Her father joined in with a story from his day's viewing. Grace asked what had happened to the character her mother had been so annoyed with the night before.
There was plenty to talk about before anyone asked how work had gone.
Explore iTalkBB Chinese TV's live channels and on-demand entertainment to bring a familiar part of your parents' day into their stay in Canada.
