There's always plenty of discussion in here of Toronto TV stations but not much talk abkut CHCH. I watch them for news, daily (because they're the closest to my house) on the Canadian side of the border, I also watch WGRZ (2) in the AM and CITY (57) from 11 PM, but CHCH is doing what many other stations just don't do: give local businesses and affordable(?) place to advertise on TV.  Sure, in Buffalo you'll see a handful of local ads, but do you really see any on and Bell or Rogers owned TV?

CHCH news director Greg O'Brien made a good point in one of their podcasts about being a station that doesn't have to answer to shareholders and only being focused on their broadcast area: Hamilton, Halton and Niagara. But are they profitable?  I'd like to think so.

As with these radio stations that Bell sold off perhaps the same is true for local TV:  Be more local.  If I'm going to see local commercials I don't mind seeing a low budget ad supporting my local TV. 

The perfect example is that really  budget looking ad on Buffalo TV for Airport Plaza Jewelers.  "Just look for the big red awning"  --You see?  It works...probably cost em $100 to make!

Tony Monaco has been with Evanov for THREE DECADES.

I stopped listening to Z about 14 months ago after Campanelli disappeared from the morning show without any word which is common practicein radio. 

Being a listener of HOT 103...now Z103 since 1995 I know, from listening all those years that the average life of a morning show on that station is about 12 to 18 months.  (Personal opinion: I couldn't stand Sandra) So I stopped listening all together. I had heard their Noon and Drive at 5 mixes so often I knew what song was coming in next...like they were pre-recorded.

I went back to Sirius XM Hits 1 for my morning show fix. 

Some other notable morning show hosts were Jesse Dillon (after AM640 went talk) and the late, great Don Berns.  I remember calling the station asking what happened to Don Berns on the morning show, because they'll never say on-air and I was told he was "in permanent vacation".

A couple of years ago I did email Paul Evanov after one of Bell's first round of cuts to thank them for not being owned by Bell and to show my appreciation for locally owned radio.  He responded rather quickly and thanked me for the kind words.

BBC Radio1 plays more new music and I can listen on the BBC sounds app so they're my replacement for Z103.

I saw it on ABC last night...had a hunch who the ad was for before it ended.  Good ad, I thought.   Been a subscriber since 2011

I've been using the same antenna for more than three decades. It's on a 30' tower with a rotor too. 
Newer antennas are much smaller and pull in 45 to 55 channels in the Niagara region; all digital and of course, free.  I've installed many as a side hustle I used to have and you can use a small 4 bay (in most cases) to relieve everything from Buffalo, Hamilton and Toronto.

You can connect one single antenna up to as many as four TVs and watch four different channels at the same time.  There are DVR options available too.  (I've been using Tablo for about 8 or 9 years).

For best results, install your antenna outside.  Height does make a difference, but a tower isn't necessary:  a tripod in your roof with a mast will work just as well.  Just remember:  There is  NO SUCH THING AS AN HD ANTENNA. That's a marketing gimmick.

I watch the Superbowl every year and have the option to watch it on an American or Canadian channel...I'm sure you can guess which one I watch it on!

In St. Catharines at the Pen Centre "The Source" & "Best Buy Mobile(?)" are across the hall from one another...for now.

I've been a customer since 2011.  I have three radios and I always call and "do the dance": Negotiate a deal or threaten to cancel.

They always give me the low price deal that I demand:  about  $4 or $5/month for one radi, but only for 12 months.  The other two I told them to shut off.  Then the love letters came in the mail.  I hold off...Each one offering a better deal than the last until one day an offer was seriously good: $6.99 per month until I cancel.   No need to call and negotiate every year. 

Never had a problem with them.  I'm sure my account is flagged: "a**hole customer"  and I'm fine with that!

Plex is another good FAST service worth having.

Oh, when did CHTZ move from St. Catharines to Hamilton?

Hosts or personalities touting a product has been a "thing" as long as TV has existed.   The sports betting is annoying,  I'll agree to that.

With respect to sim-sub: It's the number one reason I only watch local TV with an antenna. I've never subscribed to Cable TV.  I'll choose the channel I want to watch, thanks.  I don't need it switched on me.

I'll record it on my OTA DVR.  Channel 17.

It appears that the situation *could* be fixed:  there were no issues tonight during the news, but let's wait and see what happens tomorrow...

Still glitchy here in St. Catharines.   The signal breaks up, pauses for a couple of seconds every few minutes or so, about a dozen times an hour.  I never had any problems like this before last Friday. 

I've sent CHCH an email about it.

I'm in Merritton and didn't have to re-aim my stationary 4 bay (pulling in 45 channels), the rotary antenna is 32 years old and pulls in 53 channels (its able to get WBBZ from Buffalo) I wouldn't have noticed any change if it wasn't for the signal cutting out here and there.  Thanks to this forum that's where I learned CHCH was about to make the switch to their new tower.

Through the "magic of the internet" I watch THE Channel 4...alot.  A British public broadcaster with great programming and a nightly newscast that makes North American news outlets look like they air nothing but soft puff stories.  One of their most popular and multi award winning shows: Gogglebox never really took off here: In Canada: "The people's couch" and in the U.S. "Celebrity watch party" an American version of the summer replacement: Celebrity Gogglebox, I'll make a point to watch it live with the rest of the U.K., otherwise I'll stream it the next day.  It's a shame this streaming channel isn't actually Channel 4 or their free streaming service (the largest in the U.K. as they advertise it) but it's a start.  Now if only we could get it in Canada.

I tuned in to 88.5 in my truck this morning and it was a little fuzzy here and there in St. Catharines.   

The HD indicator came on but their signal is too weak to pull in full HD.  In the house, I'm using a 90s era VHF/UHF/FM antenna aimed west (towards Grimsby/Beamsville) on a 30 ft tower.  It comes in fine, but it would be nice to be able to receive this station all over the Niagara Region.

Good music variety (even if most of the music is older than me--nothing wrong with that, either!)

The best thing about CKLK:  They're not owned by Bell!