He started out in Kelowna and for the first time in decades, former MuchMusic and Hockey Night In Canada host George Stroumboulopoulos did a surprise air shift at the radio station that started his broadcasting career. 

Strombo pulls impromptu shift on Kelowna’s 104.7 The Lizard where it all started

RadioActive wrote:

I can only imagine the howls of protest if the Super Bowl ever went off free OTA television, even for those who watch it on cable or satellite in the U.S. There is something about having to pay for something you got free for decades that would rub most people the wrong way. 

In fact, there's already action down south about the way the League is operating with politicians accusing the NFL of illegally placing games behind paywalls, depriving viewers of seeing their favourite players for free or forcing them to subscribe to endless multiple packages just to follow their teams.

Congress Probes NFL's Antitrust Exemption Over Fees

That hasn't happened here, with Rogers basically buying itself a monopoly that is great for the company - but not necessarily all that good for the viewing public. 

The NFL is a whole different matter. They bring more in rights fees than the NBA/NHL/MLB combined and they have the ratings to back it up. If there is money to be made, the NFL will do what it wants.

RadioActive wrote:

Shorty Wave wrote:

As it turns out, that may have well been MacLean’s last broadcast.

Maybe or maybe not. I heard one of those commentators/experts on radio Wednesday morning say MacLean works for Sportsnet - not the CBC. So he could be back. 

Maclean's current contract with Sportsnet is done, and the speculation on him not returning is real.  It was Rogers that fired Don Cherry, not CBC. 

Shorty Wave wrote:

As it turns out, that may have well been MacLean’s last broadcast.

Promise?
 

“Oh no! I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money!” he said knowingly. I know this was cocky of Colbert and I love it!

This is far from scientific, but I found it interesting. A U.S. university professor decided to ask a highly select group of Gen Z-aged students what they listened to in their cars as part of an assignment. Although Spotify and Apple CarPlay all scored high on their lists, many admitted radio wasn't entirely off their radar, either. 

Among their comments: 

“AM/FM radio usually comes into play if I can’t get Spotify working” said one.

“When I do not know which genre would accommodate my passengers, I feel as though radio is the safest bet,” another opined.

A third participant faces the same dilemma we all have. “Sometimes all the stations I am familiar with are on commercial breaks so I get bummed out and turn it off."

And perhaps this is the main reason some reject radio behind the wheel. “I don’t usually listen to the radio when I’m driving, mostly because I don’t have the choice to pick songs." 

Yes, it's only a small survey. But one perhaps worth paying attention to. 

Tuning In With Gen Z: Lessons From the Villanova Dashboard

I worked in the same newsroom as Pete McGarvey when we were both at CKEY in Toronto. But I had no idea about some of his accomplishments off air until I read this tribute in a local newspaper. 

He created the Mariposa Folk Festival when he was working at CFOR in Orrillia. And he's the one you have to thank for those "Heritage Ontario" vignettes you used to see on TV and radio stations in the past. He was also a great broadcaster and did the morning news on CKEY for years, to respectable ratings. 

Quite a career and quite a column about a long gone but not forgotten radio pioneer.

Pete McGarvey was a real Canadian hero

The new executive of one of the world's most prestigious broadcast networks has announced massive layoffs and program reductions will hit the BBC. It comes as Britain's public broadcaster, which runs multiple channels, is an institution in the U.K. and is known around the world, is facing fiscal challenges despite being publicly funded. 

"Matt Brittin, the former Google executive, told staff in an email on Wednesday that the savings plan will mean canceling shows and reviewing the BBC’s “broadcast TV channels and radio network portfolio as audiences move online.”

“The scale of savings requires tough choices, careful work and won’t all be ready at once. We are committed to letting you know as soon as we have plans in your area. All divisions will be making significant savings,” he said."

The cold blooded way the new CEO explained the reductions to staff isn't exactly getting rave reviews from those affected:

"Reductions of this scale inevitably mean some compulsory redundancies, though we will work hard to avoid this wherever we can. Many divisions have already opened voluntary redundancy windows; more will be opening today."

The $670 million in cuts could result in as many as 2,000 positions being eliminated.

BBC To Cancel Shows & “Review” TV Networks As It Cuts Content Spend By $107M

Paul Jeffries wrote:

I think there's many members here that would be more than willing to pay a small nominal fee to keep it going, if it ever came to that. 


PJ

See? Told you so. 


PJ
 

RadioAaron wrote:

For context, best I can find - Canadian households

15% watch OTA only
54% Subscribe to cable, etc.
46% Cut cable/never had it, primarily use streaming.
 

That's one aspect, however Leafs games on HNIC were basically a 50/50 AMA split between CBC and Sportsnet. Even when playoff games didn't have CBC (on random occasions), there was always a bit of a drop.... 

Well nothing will always be there, but CBC has the Olympic rights until 2032.  And the games are every two years split between summer and winter. So they could have this new Saturday night sports programming for six years even if the Olympic agreement was not extended. 

This gives me a chance to say how much I dislike those Shure microphones CHCH uses in these YouTube shows. Brittle, clipped, harsh and dry. So unpleasant to the ear.
As for Anette Hamm, I noticed here and in a print story she doesn't mention the name of anyone she has worked with. (Only Kathy Renwald) In 40 years that's the person to credit?  She did the Morning Market business report with George Jonescu - why not say that? In fact I think George retired or moved on to make room for her.

It turns out she and Rick are old acquaintances, for those who applied for the gig when Tim Bolen left. And I wonder if they will continue the uninteresting and boring book author interviews with new host Simone Gavros.

The winning team will win $250,000 cash and a trip around the world.  CTV Announces THE AMAZING RACE CANADA Partners and Grand Prize Sponsors Ahead of Season 12 Premiere, July 7 - Bell Media

Radiowiz wrote:

RadioAaron wrote:

Radiowiz wrote:

Just a quick check on something.
I thought the CRTC has regulation in place that requires x percent of hockey games are carried OTA, the same way they were before Rogers got involved.
If this is still true, it most likely means x percent of Leaf games will still be seen on City TV...(?)

No such rule.

No, I think I am mistaking it for back when Rogers first got the contract years ago.
There were markets with no City TV or something, so CRTC (at that point in time) was securing that OTA be available there for games of that particular market.  It's very old information, accurate or not. 

 

Not accurate. Nothing about the Rogers NHL deal fell under CRTC regulation.

DX wrote:

Maybe I missed but I wonder if CBC retains the rights to the Hockey Night in Canada name and so now the name will disappear?

According to the CBC, the Corp. owns the name which - unless they somehow decide to revive it - is going to disappear from the Canadian media landscape. 

"CBC still holds the Hockey Night in Canada trademark and could incorporate the brand into future coverage."