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SOWNY » Hollywood Actors Going On Strike. What Will It Mean In Canada? » July 14, 2023 9:46 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 13

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RadioActive wrote:

I had no idea this was the case - or the reason why.

Why Daytime Soap Operas Won't Be Impacted by the SAG-AFTRA Strike

Same for the news depts.  CBS, ABC and NPR anchors and correspondents are SAG-AFTRA too, but it's separate collective bargaining agreement. 

SOWNY » Hollywood Actors Going On Strike. What Will It Mean In Canada? » July 14, 2023 12:41 am

Mavridis
Replies: 13

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The studios say it would only apply to 'background' actors (basically extras and non-speaking roles).  I've got a lot of actor friends who live off those jobs and who the hell is desperate enough to sign away their likeness for 535 bucks?   As for the networks, this is actually good for their corporate bottom lines.  They'll make a killing on reality and competition shows, which is basically their main source of revenue now.   The longer this goes, the better it'll be for CBS (Paramount+), ABC (Disney+), NBC (Peacock) and the rest.  

The pandemic made TV a distant second to streaming and as long as people have access to 'Friends' and 'The Sopranos', they'll forget all about 'Chicago Fire'.   As for re-runs from the 70s?... don't hold your breath. 

SOWNY » Low expaktations » February 23, 2023 1:39 am

Mavridis
Replies: 10

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"they won AN a-hundred-and-fifty dollar prize"

SOWNY » Could CityNews Add This Change To Its Format? » February 22, 2023 1:38 am

Mavridis
Replies: 3

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The quarter hour ratings still count for something and sports headlines aren't exactly a tune-in factor on an all-news station.  WCBS figured this out in 2019 and it helped.  That same PD went on to all-newsers in Philly and now LA, and has spread his winning philosophy along the way.  More than anything, it's about adjusting the clock so they can do headlines at the quarter and sweep through to the bottom of the hour with more relevant local content.  

SOWNY » Cable News Network Signs Off For The Last Time With Emotional Farewell » December 7, 2022 1:01 am

Mavridis
Replies: 24

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First, they're not changing the name.  Most of the people who land on it have no idea it means HeadLiineNews.  And even fewer know it's affiliated with CNN.   They'd be erasing 2 decades of marketing.  

Second, Morning Express didn't do much better than CNN's shabby morning numbers.  The best they ever averaged was about 200k total.  But usually, it was closer to 90k.  Even so, it still made money.  The show wasn't expensive and filled 7 hours of programming (even their music and graphics package was produced in-house).  CNN just didn't want them digging into the new show's potential audience (and they needed to cut 3 billion in budget).  The plan now is to keep going with HLNs focus on true crime. The mornings are slated to become a clearing house for Warner Bros owned series, as kind of a tasting menu for HBO Max.  They tried it on Thanksgiving with a 4-day marathon of the West Wing and it was a giant success.      

SOWNY » Radio Hirings: "We Won't Get Back To You" » December 6, 2022 1:54 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 9

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In 2008, New York's WPLJ was looking for an Exec Producer and I was looking for something new, so I applied.  2 weeks later, the phone rings and - I sh*t you not - it's SCOTT SHANNON!  He told me the job was awful and only paid about 55K (which wouldn't even cover rent in NYC), but said it was mine if I wanted it (not a great salesman).   I passed but I still kinda regret it. That call and his honesty stayed with me.  Years later, I was talking to a new colleague who had done the rounds in New York Top40 radio and she recounted the same damn story!  Difference is, she went on to co-host with him for a summer.  I think the moral here is: only apply for jobs where Scott Shannon is working.

SOWNY » Death Throes: N.Y.C. Radio Station Says Goodbye By Looking Back » October 26, 2022 12:52 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 7

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(as of now) It's going to be "1010 WINS, All News 92.3 FM".  Eventually, it'll be just 'WINS News'. 

SOWNY » Carts, Cuts & Cueing - Has The Computer Age Made Radio Less Fun To Do? » October 26, 2022 12:08 am

Mavridis
Replies: 7

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There's nothing quite like watching your stack of 16 carts tumble to the ground 7 seconds before the start of your newscast.   CBS was still using carts until about 2012.  We had a cluster of 6 machines in each studio and about 300 carts we'd been recycling since the 1980s.  The late Dave Barrett was a genius at mixing sound live on air.  Even harder than it sounds when you're also counting the seconds down to your hard out time.  Jim Cauchon was brilliant too.  He'd also roll a reel-to-reel during the talk shows at 640, then pull clips and produce a recap of the craziest moments heading into spots.  Who remembers sticking scraps of paper into the reel to mark what you wanna edit? 

SOWNY » CBS Tackles Divisive Talk Radio In The U.S. » October 20, 2022 12:05 am

Mavridis
Replies: 11

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Is it just me or did that CBS piece feel a little left-leaning?...

SOWNY » Lisa LaFlamme out at CTV » August 18, 2022 11:53 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 144

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LOSat wrote:

With the CBC getting ready to launch a FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) News Service it might be a bit of a coup for them to sign Lisa LaFlamme as a marque anchor.  It would certainly guarantee CBC a lot of free publicity for the upcoming service should this come to pass.  Every news outlet and social feed would be full of the story should they sign her and instant eyeballs for the service.

...except then they'll be stuck paying her salary after the 9 minutes of interest the story gets.  Why would the CBC do that and not give the next gen a shot?  And what's with everyone needing to resurrect this career?!  She's rich!  She was a monumental success, by any media standard.  How many news people do you know who make it to 58 without getting laid off, fired, cancelled or removed on a stretcher? ... Or work 35 years for the same company?  She had to her time.  Thanks a million... next! 

SOWNY » Lisa LaFlamme out at CTV » August 16, 2022 2:24 am

Mavridis
Replies: 144

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Oh my god, you guys are ridiculous.   First, Lisa LaFlamme doesn’t need a job; she made more than all of you combined.  And what’s the benefit for Global, City or CBC to hire her?   Have you seen what they’re billing for a :30 spot during a newscast these days?  How will they make their money back? Lisa was part of a package deal no one at Bell wanted.  And as soon as Wendy Freeman was gone, Lisa was vulnerable.   Also, just because the marketing says ‘Canada’s Number 1 Newscast’ doesn’t mean it was a ratings smash.  CTV National been bleeding viewers for a decade.  If any of y’all happen to know any managers at Bell/CTV, ask about the ‘Radius’ audience research report they did in the winter/spring (EVERYONE there has seen it).   It’s become increasingly difficult to attract new viewers to that newscast and keep the ones they’ve got - and there was one main reason why.   Lisa had a good run.  She did solid work.  Getting fired sucks.  But 8 months from now, someone will stop her on the street and tell her that they watch her every night.   Most people just don’t care about the news business the way folks here do.

SOWNY » CTV Toronto Late-Night Sports » July 17, 2022 10:41 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 16

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Radiowiz wrote:

Mavridis wrote:

Unless someone dies, there's no reason why local newscasts should be doing sports. 
 

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read in my entire life. 
If anything, CTV Toronto news should be going to sports from the TSN sports desk instead of the news anchor having to do sports. That also adds the benefit of free plug for TSN while they're at it.

 

Really?  THAT'S the most ridiculous thing you've ever read in your life?  

Tell me, what's the benefit for CTV to run a TSN update?  Because CTV ain't gonna make a penny from it.  In fact, all that's doing is keeping you from flipping over to TSN to watch a little Sports Centre, and maybe make it part of your routine.  What is the point of a 'free plug' if you're not actually getting eyeballs on that channel.  It's not like TSN is new and needs a 'plug'.  But hey, you're apparently the programming genius here who has never read a more ridiculous thing.  Dying to know how you'd make money from this.  
And remember, they don't give a crap about servicing you.  They just want your time and money.  OK, Go!  

 

SOWNY » CTV Toronto Late-Night Sports » July 17, 2022 2:36 am

Mavridis
Replies: 16

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Unless someone dies, there's no reason why local newscasts should be doing sports. Same goes for CP24 blasting email alerts with Leafs and Raptors results when Numeris and Nielsen have proven for years that the vast majority of sports fans don't watch games live.    
 

SOWNY » The Law & Order SVU & FBI Episodes You'll Never Get To See » July 6, 2022 12:04 am

Mavridis
Replies: 1

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'Prodigal Son' will be available for streaming on Paramount+ sometime over the summer, most likely ahead of the season 5 premiere.   No fanfare.  Just keep checking.   

SOWNY » What Will Happen To Q107's Ratings Without Derringer? » May 26, 2022 3:09 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 18

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Radiowiz wrote:

Hansa wrote:

Radiowiz wrote:

Right, so what is being said here? That Q 107 should pick up the Bob & Tom show from the States because it's cheaper and nobody really cares? Or what...?

There's a long history of syndicated morning shows flopping in Toronto (at least if they're based somewhere else and piped in here). Not sure if it matters as much who replaces Derringer as long as the show remains a Toronto show. 
 

Howard Stern wasn't a flop though, & Bob & Tom do fit the rock format, at least.  
The other possible idea is to air the Y108/FM 96 morning show and really save some money! 
 

It might save them money but it won't make them any.  Advertisers won't pay Toronto rates for a Hamilton show.  

SOWNY » Poll Question: Will John Derringer be on the air tomorrow morning? » May 25, 2022 11:16 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 48

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Just a Radio Fan wrote:

=12pxHe was allowed to keep working and made millions.  He's almost retirement age so it's not like this is gonna ruin him.  He'll still sit court-side at the Raptors games and drive a really nice car and probably keep getting freebies.   I totally disagree.  Companies and organizations will run and hide.  All will collapse around him and no one will go near him.   It is over.  He is now toxic.

 You know we're talking about the world of Q107 here, right?   Do you really think he won't be able to find a golf buddy?   Or that the Raptors and Leafs won't accept his money?  I bet most of his fans don't give a crap about how he treats a female coworker anyway. My point is that he had his time,  Unabridged.  He made MILLIONS while others were cast off and suffered.  And I doubt he's living paycheck-to-paycheck.  

No one's going to jail here.  And it's not like he's gonna need to find a real job or move in with his mom like that other radio idiot.  Those women aren't gonna get to travel back in time and relive those opportunities without him.  Punishment won't erase the damage those years have done.  

This should have happened decades ago.  Instead, the guy was celebrated.  Shame on all of us.  

SOWNY » Poll Question: Will John Derringer be on the air tomorrow morning? » May 25, 2022 7:53 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 48

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RadioActive wrote:

Mavridis wrote:

Hansa wrote:

I think Corus will have to suspend Derringer and then fire him after an investigation.  

Please!  NOTHING is gonna happen. !

You know what? I originally agreed with you. But I was very surprised by other media's reaction to this story.  

YEAH, SAME HERE!   This is all great and I really hope things change because of it.  But you know what won't?...  His bank account.  

He was allowed to keep working and made millions.  He's almost retirement age so it's not like this is gonna ruin him.  He'll still sit court-side at the Raptors games and drive a really nice car and probably keep getting freebies.  

He's been around long enough to build a loyal fanbase that might to overlook his behavior and download his podcast, if he made one.  And you never know with Toronto media... a station might just offer him yet another chance at his dream job.  That's way more than Jacqui and Jen and Andrea and Colleen ever got.  Same for everyone else who has chosen to keep their name out of it knowing they'd be the only one punshed for it. 
 

SOWNY » Poll Question: Will John Derringer be on the air tomorrow morning? » May 24, 2022 1:25 am

Mavridis
Replies: 48

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Hansa wrote:

I think Corus will have to suspend Derringer and then fire him after an investigation.  

Please!  NOTHING is gonna happen.  It's not on anyone's radar.  Bell and Rogers pretend like no other media companies exist, so they won't cover it (unless he gets fired first).  Q's audience isn't exactly the social justice type.  The only paper that might touch it is the Star and, let's face it, it's not exactly their audience.  And Corus isn't worried because they control their own messaging.  

If you're expecting someone to leave, you're probably going to have to wait for a retirement announcement.  And it'll come with an honorary street-naming.

Congratulations, radio industry!  You're Number 1 at acting like it's still 1986!   
 

SOWNY » Veteran Newsman Wonders If CNN Can Win Audiences With Actual News? » May 11, 2022 1:58 am

Mavridis
Replies: 6

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There's a very good reason why the network newscasts are among the most watched on TV... 'cause there's nothing else.  

Broadcast is getting creamed by streaming.  Even a platform like Paramount+ has more active subscribers than most prime time network shows get per night.  And if you condensed Fox and CNN's prime time into a half hour, they'd get a lot more viewers than CBS, ABC and NBC combined.  CBS has this little trick of renaming the Friday edition of the Evening News (which tends to get much lower numbers than the rest of the week) so it's not included in their weekday average.  

Having worked there for 2 decades, I can tell you: most American tv viewers don't care for 'real news' or 'balanced coverage'.  They want an echo chamber, whether they know it or not.  That's why cable news rules. 

SOWNY » New Bell imaging spot... » April 14, 2022 10:50 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 7

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I think we're forgetting all the OTHER departments at Bell.  A friend works in the marketing division.  She's turned down half a dozen job offers - for more money - to stay at Bell.  She got an extra month of paid maternity leave when she told her bosses she wasn't ready to go back yet .  I used to play hockey with brothers who were Bell techs and absolutely LOVED working for the company.   They gave them all sorts of family flexibility,  No job is perfect but they all say they're treated really well.  

Media doesn't make the kinda money it used to.  And maybe it's not the 'company' but the bosses in TV and Radio that suck.    

SOWNY » The Sad State Of Sloppy Local Radio News » April 9, 2022 2:45 am

Mavridis
Replies: 24

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Please!  This isn't a mentoring issue.  It's a laziness thing.  

 First, I have to think back to the early 90s to remember having a news director whose only job was being a “news director”.  Everyone else also had an on-air shift - usually mornings - and a pile of other crap to do.  Good luck getting that exhausted slob give you a useful air check or some sage writing advice on the regular.   

You don't need a 45-year veteran of news to hold your hand and tell you how to pronounce your own correspondent's name.  Youtube can do that.  

Need to know how the locals in Ukraine say 'Mykolaiv'?  Find a tour video.  In the US, 'Greenville' is one of the most common town/city names but it's pronounced differently depending on the state.  And don't even get me started on all those f-ed up places in Massachusetts (why isn’t Bicester spelled 'Bister'?).  Youtube's good for that too.   

And for the record, it took me about 2 seconds to find a video of Reggie Cecchini saying his own name.  Just because someone avoided getting fired or laid off for half a century doesn’t make them wise or even good.   Everyone’s just gotta learn to be clever with whatever resources they've got.  

SOWNY » BlogTO: CP24/CTV To "Temporarily" Leave 299 Queen West » March 15, 2022 3:47 am

Mavridis
Replies: 20

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Radiowiz wrote:

Gotta love those rumours! Is this the plan? (From Urban Toronto)

That's the old Hudson's Bay building on Granville...in Vancouver.  But that would probably work for 299 Queen. 

SOWNY » Disney+ Cuts Subscription Fee - With A Catch » March 5, 2022 1:01 am

Mavridis
Replies: 5

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No space for ads, except for some old series that already had them.  That means abrupt stops - just like on youtube.  

SOWNY » 6 PM News Reporting » January 28, 2022 11:27 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 3

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Why are you blaming Bell and not the reporter?  He could have had access to all the same elements and people as City, right?  And it's not like CTV had to scramble last minute to do the story - they had all day, didn't they?    

SOWNY » Last show for Brian Williams on MSNBC » January 26, 2022 2:24 am

Mavridis
Replies: 12

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Just a negotiating tactic.  Norah's contract is up.  Question is...with there even BE an 'Evening News' to anchor?

SOWNY » If I was the new PD of Newstalk 1010. » January 11, 2022 3:28 am

Mavridis
Replies: 25

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RadioQuiz wrote:

...(SIX) Start with one show - get dedicated to digital.   Every day a 10 minute best of on youtube, a 1 minute highlight to twitter, IG and Facebook.   A podcast that includes a bit more than just the on-air show.    Content in the show that is built for the purpose of “best-ofs”.   The goal of this should be content and revenue.  Once you build a model - its easy to replicate to other shows.

(SEVEN). Just switch to BNN Radio already.  Because all that stuff costs way more money than it'll ever make in 2022, and we're talking about Bell here.   Also, a bespoke podcast takes a lot of time and effort and most national/regional advertisers won’t even bother with you unless you’re pulling in more than 50k listeners per show.  And even then we’re not talking that much money.  Otherwise, you’ll be hawking whatever affiliate sales deals you can get. 

Can you say: ‘Z-i-p-R-e-c-r-u-i-t-e-r’?

SOWNY » N.B. Radio Station Break & Enter A Sign Of The Times » January 5, 2022 12:07 am

Mavridis
Replies: 8

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RadioActive wrote:

Everyone has to start somewhere. Overnights are a great place to learn. And yes, I do believe radio will survive in some form or another. Whatever it morphs into, someone will need to be there to service it. Finding the future Jay Nelson, John Moore or Brady In The Morning is less likely if they never get the chance to try their talents. 

I'm just saying that the graveyard shift was the best place to figure things out, note what did and didn't work for an up and coming hopeful and try to graduate from Bathurst N.B. to a station on Bathurst St. in Toronto or any other larger market. I don't recall saying there was any obligation for anyone to staff those shifts. I'm just lamenting that they've essentially disappeared over the years for those wanting to try their hand at radio. Like so many of us did when we were kids.

Those starting out know it's generally not about the money, it's about the future and getting better. The money, whatever the amount, will come when that happens. Still, it IS radio, so you have to be realistic about it!  

You've mentioned before you work (or have worked) with CBS Radio News - where did those people get their experience? I'm wagering the vast majority didn't start on Day One in the now defunct Black Rock. I'll wager they began in a small market somewhere and worked their way up.

And if no one's listening, I hope you have another gig to fall back on! (But hopefully not on the overnight shift!)

And just how rich is your grandma, anyway?

You’d be surprised.

Most of the folks working in Network newsrooms started there as Desk Assistants and either worked their butts off or hung around long enough to score a decent gig.  Most Network news bosses and EPs don’t waste their time searching far-and-wide for new talent.  They’d rather hire from within or steal someone they know from another net (who also started at the bottom).    

The guys who first hired me "found" me on their Top of Hour newscast

SOWNY » GNR640's Bizarre Holiday Schedule/Jamil Jivani Gone From CFRB? » January 4, 2022 11:49 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 49

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RadioActive wrote:

 There is simply no excuse for a radio station in the major market in Canada to go into a nine day (!) rerun cycle, regardless of listenership size. If that's the only criteria, then it could be reasonably argued they should just sign off at midnight, because the audience is so small. But of course, that would be unthinkable. 
.

Why is that so unthinkable?   It’s not like it’s 1973 and the radio is all we’ve got.   Last time I checked, 640 had a 1.6 12+ (and if you haven’t sipped from the PPM marketing KoolAid you know that’s about 5000 regular listeners - if they’re lucky).    As the guy who spent the majority of his radio career working sh*tty holiday shifts, I think shutting down was a fantastic idea.  It’s been a hard year for radio people;  there was no break from all the terrible stories.    Why not let everyone stare at a blank wall for a week and recharge.  

I know most people here are consumers and no longer working in radio, but eating that kind of crap every day will mess with your head - especially if you’re working remotely.  So, why would you ruin the holiday of even 1 of your lowliest staffers to make them pump out a product that virtually no one will hear or appreciate (or generate any money)? 

I get that you (RadioActive) are a radio super-fan.  And that’s awesome!  Your passion for it is evident.  But most people who listen aren’t.  And if someone happens to be stuck driving around on Christmas Day, I’m sure they probably appreciated whatever garbage 640 was running that day anyway.  And if they didn’t, there’s always Spotify.

SOWNY » N.B. Radio Station Break & Enter A Sign Of The Times » January 3, 2022 6:21 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 8

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RadioActive wrote:

I'm well aware that's the case. But I just find it sad. Consider how many people cut their broadcasting teeth on air in small town radio graveyard shifts. It was a great place to start, learn, and yes, make mistakes. There will still be great people finding their way in the biz in the future. But there probably won't be as many of them. 

That experience was invaluable. It's too bad it's no longer available like it once was. 

You're assuming that there's even gonna be a future for radio.  Can't understand why so many here believe that small markets have an obligation to train the next generation.  If they're lucky, they barely make any money.  And what great experience to you gather working overnights in Bathurst, NB anyway?  No one's listening!   And if you did start there, where do you graduate to?  A station in Toronto paying 120 bucks a shift?   Hope you've got a rich grandma...

SOWNY » Solved: The Mystery Of That Endlessly Running Radio/TV Drug Commercial » December 27, 2021 2:03 pm

Mavridis
Replies: 10

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It's illegal in Canada for pharmaceutical companies to advertise any prescription drug.  The way they get around this is by having a separate organization (usually owned by the Pharma company anyway) produce a "reminder ad" (that's when you can only say the name of the drug).  It's also illegal to reference the disease.   American ad rules make them include the most common side effects which is supposed to take up at least half the ad.  Same for lending commercials, but they're now getting away with speeding up the financial disclaimer to the point that it sounds less like language and more like a motorboat. 
 

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