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SOWNY » Ratings for the Junos? Meh, not so much » Today 6:42 pm

The Juno's failed to hit the mark on Sunday...and according to Billboard Canada. The numbers were so-so...Keep in mind big names didn't show, (Drake, The Weekend) etc. weren't even bothering to submit for the Juno awards itself.

Billboard writes, "The Juno Awards continue to struggle to reach Canadian viewers.CBC reports that TV, radio and streaming audiences were all up for the 2024 Juno Awards compared to 2023. However, drilling down on reported analytics for the Sunday night telecast, only about 672K people tuned in to watch the show live between 8 and 10 pm ET.Citing data reported by the pubcaster, the awards streamed more than 170,000 times in Canada and globally on CBC's digital and streaming platforms including CBC Gem, more than double the number for last year’s show. On radio, 471K listeners tuned into the broadcast on CBC Radio One and CBC Music, with an average audience of 89,200, up 9% over 2023."

One key thing about demographics was who was watching...it wasn't Gen Z, Millennials but those 55 and over. 

Media reporter Bill Brioux adds, "that while the ratings were up from last year, the majority of viewers were over 55 — not likely the demographic the Juno's are coveting."


I watched for about 10 minutes and felt the award show was borrowing on social/political commentary...which is funny given the turn of events with P-Diddy, can we stop the political social discourse moving forward and celebrate who we all are, rather than shame others for not sharing the same ideals. 

I have never heard of a musician doing negotiations for peace talks or putting new economic policies into play.  Although Bob Geldof sure raised awareness for hunger in Ethiopia. Maybe less calling out and more boots to the ground action is needed.








 

SOWNY » Well that was short lived, NBC News cuts ties with McDaniel » March 26, 2024 7:59 pm

She gave NBC her best 24 hours and this is the thanks she gets!

The McDaniel era is done, caput, finished. Or is the McDaniel error... NBC announced this early evening that she will no longer be employed.

Here is more on this

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/nbc-news-cuts-ties-ronna-mcdaniel-rcna145155


I have to admit, her left wing colleagues weren't too happy with this decision. I mean if you let her in, does that mean Kevin O'Leary is the new business correspondent? (Asking for a friend)... 
 

SOWNY » Revolt in NBC's news division » March 25, 2024 9:59 pm

Maddow is an absolute alarmist, resorting to "premature rejection",  of anything right of center. Maybe, if things don't work out for her on MSNBC, The View can hire her.

She is insane and her radical scare tactics at anything on the right is a pure ratings grab and tiring political theatre and is highly divisive.

 

SOWNY » Tim Pool hosts talk show TimCast on YouTube and in my HO it rocks » March 25, 2024 9:11 pm

This is one of the best talk shows, it takes on topics like betting (The Otani story) the financial repurcussions in New York of Trump case, P-Diddy's raid and case, and how younger woman are giving up working for a living and turning to selling sex. Sites like Only Fans are making selling sex almost "normal".

There are a variety of guests, and the round table offers younger perspectives of some contentious issues. I feel talk radio in this city needs to take note. It is a vibrant discussion with different views, leaning a little more to the right.

Tim Pool formerly with Vice media nails it most nights.

They draw super well and are using the YouTube platform properly, while also hosting events, selling so merch and membership.


Here is a sample of the show, it airs live at 8 pm each night M-F.




 

SOWNY » Could This Ratings Claim About Toronto's CINA 1650 Possibly Be True? » March 24, 2024 9:09 pm

Don't laugh he may be right. Back in 2010, I did a radio interview for a newcomer entrepreneur program  I was running for a local Toronto based non-profit. It was on a Punjabi AM radio station, a short 5 minute interview. I shared my work phone for any listeners interested. Within 1 minute of ending the interview I got 3 calls. I have done many interviews and never got that kind of response.

The ethnic radio stations have a captive audience and promote within their communities quite well. So, perhaps he is not far off the mark.

 

SOWNY » CNBC article states that radio listenership is holding it's own » March 22, 2024 9:58 am

A number of people are choosing not to watch or listen to the news out of the notion of self-care and protecting their mental health. The "bad news" is a bit of a downer (no pun intended to newscaster Nathan).



The station I then to listen to, has no newscasts now, this has been the case for over a year now. I actually don't mind that.

I sense several mitigating factors influencing listening habits, where information radio is concerned. For us crunchy granola types, it gets stale listening to people arguing, angry AF at the government and that there was a shooting or stabbing in the "6" overnight.


 

SOWNY » CNBC article states that radio listenership is holding it's own » March 21, 2024 10:02 pm

Yes, radio ad revenue may be down, but people are still tuning in. The key reasons are that it is accessible, low cost and the ability to listen online has helped radio compete in the changing landscape. Even the plethora of podcasts hasn't hurt.

Here is the article, it goes into more detail than what I am suggesting. 


https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/05/radio-resilience-media.html


Even in Toronto, what I notice about radio is that mainstream music radio stations are thriving, yet talk radio is sagging big time and nice music stations are also being challenged. Listeners are still listening, but the key leading stations are breaking away from the pack.


 

SOWNY » Are program directors aware that the hosts maybe sound "tired" » March 17, 2024 8:18 pm

Stinand wrote:

What amazes me is one would think ratings would rule the indicator  if a host or show is working or not. Apparently this is not true  a show can be tanking and there is no change, ratings suck then everyone shouts "radio is dead " NO substandard radio should be killed. I run my own biz and if a team member is not performing up to spec  its goodbye . It's a simple concept.

Stinand, that is also something to note both the stations I referred to, have dropped in the ratings, the FAN has and the other station has hit a low point too... 

SOWNY » Are program directors aware that the hosts maybe sound "tired" » March 17, 2024 3:34 pm

To you as well Radio Aaron, by the way, what do you call an Irishman who stays outside all winter? 

Paddy O'Furniture!!!


 

SOWNY » Are program directors aware that the hosts maybe sound "tired" » March 17, 2024 3:24 pm

I have been meaning to post this for a month now. I have noticed that my go to station for music and to listen to, is sounding "tired" and may be in need of new on air talent.

The thing is, the program director is super tight with the morning show hosts and other on air hosts, so the likelihood of any change is remote. 

Remote is a good segue, as the morning show has no host until 8 am and then, when the host comes on air, it is voice tracked. No weather, or time checks. Although their are traffic checks.

Here is why the sound and listening experience needs a re-fresh...

The closings to 3 of the shows have not changed in over 3 years. If you recall Dennis Miller, used to close out his appearance on SNL with the famous, "I am outta here". On 3 different shows, the closing remarks are the same every day. 

The morning show sounds like a ghost town of late, it lacks excitement, energy and even fun!

It is bland sounding and there is more voice tracking than live to air radio happening.

This is true for some other stations in the city, I find the FAN 590 has changed up it's morning show host 2 or 3 times in the past few years. The morning show used to be the drive home show and the morning show is now the drive home show? To borrow a sports saying, "Who's on Air, no, no, "Who is on First"???

My question is this, are program people too married to who is on air, to change personnel or re-fresh the order of how the shows are delivered and what is said? If the relationships are super tight, is the PD reluctant to make change in the fear of affecting the work/friendship relationship?


As a listener it sounds, tired, confusing, boring and un-inspiring. I wish in some cases the PD or management can institute subtle shifts to make what we hear sound a bit more creative and imaginative.

Comment away.


 

SOWNY » No more swimsuit issue or any print issue at Sports Illustrated in May » March 17, 2024 2:58 pm

With the recent financial news and editorial changes at Sports Illustrated last month, another nail in the coffin was announced the other day.

The month of May will signify the end of Sports Illustrated being published, for those who love the swimsuit issue or whatever your "sports" racquet is, it is symptomatic of the changes in media, consumption patterns and online choices as to what media we call our go to thing to take in.

Now, even though the print issue is done, the electronic version will remain, yet to me, it is not the same.

Here is more on the end of printing Sports Illustrated.


https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/sports-illustrated-print-mag-ending-6643978/
 

SOWNY » The future prospects for sports media in North America » March 8, 2024 8:17 pm

The Bob McCown podcast had a chat with U.S. based sports writer/reporter, Peter King about the changing landscape of the sports broadcast industry.

In the 4 minute chat, they bring up the diminishing sports outlets, such as the demise of the local paper, radio station etc. 

They also talk about how more and more women are covering sports and doing it well. They subtly question if the audience is ready for more female hosts/reporters. King makes reference to his daughter who love sports and feels that as acceptance grows the opportunities can be abundant.

Lastly, they chat about how the NFL is controlling the sports reporting narrative and has an enormous and potentially biased control of the messaging and the people delivering the message.

Here is the link to watch. Comments welcome.







 

SOWNY » It's good to see Mike Wilner covering the Jays » February 21, 2024 7:12 pm

I have to admit I lost track of Mike Wilner since the FAN cut ties and I didn't know where he went after that. He has his own web and social media presence as the Wilnernes, however on this video clip below, (he appears at 46 seconds in) you will see a serious looking Wilner with a mic in hand catching the media scrum with Bo Bichette today.

The good news is he is writing for the Toronto Star. I like when you hear or read comeback stories like this. It sucks getting fired, yet it is nice when you can discover new opportunities. I wish that for all of us in the media biz who have been handed a pink slip! 







Here is his post in the Star too.




https://www.thestar.com/sports/blue-jays/blue-jays-notebook-bo-bichette-on-doubters-and-the-challenge-ahead/article_c3b93fae-cf61-11ee-beb6-8749d90db6fe.html

 

SOWNY » Conrad Black is the headline keynote at the WAB conference in June » February 19, 2024 9:26 am

Muffaraw Joe
Replies: 15

Go to post

I must admit, I enjoyed listening to Conrad Black when he was a guest contributor on the Arlene Bynon show on 640 Toronto years ago. I still enjoy hearing him speak, when he pops up on my feeds (social media) from time-to-time. 


What amazes me is that he is still deemed to be relevant at his age. So much show that he has been named as the Keynote for this June's Western Association of Broadcaster's conference.

I also sense a very different edge in political views in the West as compared to Central and Eastern Canada too.

Is it me, or is Black, the best choice for this? There has to be other relevant speakers in Canada, that have a vibrant message to deliver.

Here is more on this story...



https://broadcastdialogue.com/conrad-black-headlines-junes-wab-conference/
 

SOWNY » The Best NHL Announcers And Analysts Of All Time » February 19, 2024 9:10 am

What about Dick Irvine, Foster Hewitt and Dave Hodge

SOWNY » Aww, spring. Sportsnet to broadcast 26 Jays games this spring training » February 14, 2024 10:21 pm

Nothing like baseball to watch as of next week, to get your mind off of winter and into warmer days, beer at the ballpark and cheap hot dogs on Tuesday nights.

Sportsnet has the baseball fan covered by airing 26 spring training games. Lot's of Jays action and in an ideal world by the start of the season, we are looking so good, that missing out on Otani and almost signing Robert Herjavec at the Toronto Airport last December is no big deal.

Here is the link to what is in store.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/sportsnet-to-broadcast-26-blue-jays-spring-training-games-ahead-of-2024-season/
 

SOWNY » "The 12 Best Music Stations In Canada." Do You Agree With This List? » February 14, 2024 10:14 pm

Muffaraw Joe
Replies: 10

Go to post

If AI is an Oldies fan, then it needs to be re-named to AK... An AK in Yiddish stands for an Alta Kakker, it means an old person, if you live near Bathurst and Steeles, there are a lot of AK's driving, slowly I might add...and I am turning into one...lol... 

 

SOWNY » Is this a future for listener supported radio/TV? » February 14, 2024 6:03 pm

Jazz FM has been having a fund raiser. No it is not the normal on air fund drive, but they got the greenlight to hold a 50-50 draw. They've been promoting like heck on air...and in the month that the draw has been open, they have raised close to $90,000. 

The payout is half that.

Here is the link to the website that is managing the 50-50 draw...it is pretty well done and seamless.

https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/jazzfm91


Is this a model that could catch on for stations like CIUT, Humber College, PBS in Buffalo?

The fund drives are a bit tiresome...and doing this every other month, could yield close to $300,000 based on current situation and numbers.



https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ke9fijnFgOo

 

SOWNY » Ottawa Radio Morning Show Crew The Latest Victims Of Bell Cuts » February 14, 2024 5:46 pm

Muffaraw Joe
Replies: 17

Go to post

Can you imagine the Sesame Street characters as media types...here is a run down of what they would be doing working in the media...

Oscar the Grouch- The bean counter and the CFO who would make the staff cuts

Miss Piggy who would go by "she/her" would be the entertainment reporter

Bert would have a role like Sid Seixeiro on a morning TV Show

Ernie would be the sports guy and ever time he would play a practical joke on his co-hosts, he would do that laugh of his

Big Bird would do traffic giving us the birds eye view

Elmo would do weather if the forecast is inaccurate like it has been for a while now, who could be mad at him, he is cute and likeable.

Kermit would move from reporter to the news director

Count Dracula would do business reports...the number 5, like the Dow was up 5 points, 5!

Cookie Monster would host a cooking show to rival Mary...

Telly Monster would be the news anchor (Telly tends to worry), so he'd fear every news story...

Snuffy would be the station care-taker (janitor), hoping for his big break on air...


That is your Muppet Media Line-up...


 

SOWNY » Bad time for the newsvaper industry » February 14, 2024 5:29 pm

There is a man among men, the King of Kensington, he sells newspapers too! Or he did at one point...

SOWNY » KISS Ottawa morning show mourns loss of competitor » February 14, 2024 5:28 pm

Sandra Plagakis of the Kiss morning show, was a co-host with Humble and Fred back in the CFNY days...she is passionate and that is a classy thing to do.

SOWNY » When will the Taylor Swift effect on the NFL ratings begin to wear off » February 13, 2024 7:50 pm

USA Today writes about the massive ratings Stateside, and all over the world (The UK, Brazil, Canada, Mexico etc.).

These massive ratings were partly (and a big part) of the love relationship between Swift and Travis Kelce. 

Here is the story and link to it.  

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super-bowl/2024/02/12/super-bowl-tv-ratings-chiefs-49ers-cbs-smashes-record/72567666007/




My question for you all is, when does this wear off?

When will fans of Swift, move onto something else other than the NFL and the Chiefs?

If you were marketing the NFL, how can you take advantage of this edge?

Lastly, what happens if the relationship ends? Then what?


Have at it everyone!




 

SOWNY » Polls are showing Canadians have a big dis-trust of government & media » February 13, 2024 7:16 pm

Canadians are bit-by-bit not trusting that Government have the solutions to dig us out of the economic issues facing many and the legacy media isn't giving us much hope either, in this report it sums it up.

https://rabble.ca/politics/canadian-politics/federal-poll-suggests-declining-confidence-in-government-and-media/

Many Canadians over 60% are just not feeling it as far as policy decisions by all levels of government and that MSM is not on the up and up either.

I feel change is happening and more to come, I truly hope it is for the better, but there could be a bloodletting on all fronts first.


 

SOWNY » Trudeau gets pissed at Bell Globe Media for the cuts » February 12, 2024 7:19 pm

I think the Bell cuts, anger Trudeau more than truckers honking on the 401. But, the Prime Minister is passionate about his feelings over these cuts.

As you watch the clip, he says he's angry, but there is something missing for me. I feel he lacks ideas and authenticity about the situation.

Maybe he needs to meet with John Pole, who truly gets the media business and the dynamics of it.


Here is the video.




 

SOWNY » The 2024 Juno nominee list is out... » February 11, 2024 8:43 pm

Here is the link to the Juno Nominee list for 2024 awards event. 

https://junoawards.ca/2024-full-juno-nominee-list/

My question is this, are the Juno's still relevant and does receiving one mean as much as Stan and Walt intended way back when, when RPM magazine launched them?

I ask this, because I was at a concert Thursday night in Markham and Sammy Jackson was on the bill that night, singing her top song, "Honey" and she was introduced as a Juno award winner, On the marketing material on the Flato Markham Theatre, they also mention her being a 2023 recipient of the award.

My sense is people don't understand the significance of winning one...or aren't even familiar with the Juno's period.

What say you Big Yellow board?


Here is her Juno award winning song...










 

SOWNY » Super Bowl ads preview... » February 3, 2024 9:35 pm

Here is video of some of the Super Bowl ads ahead of the big game. I feel they are not that great. Really lacking creativity and true humour. 

They left me saying, "not so much".

What is your take?  Video is below.





 

SOWNY » Groundhog Day Tomorrow Feb 2nd. How Accurate Are These Rodents? » February 1, 2024 7:19 pm

Muffaraw Joe
Replies: 14

Go to post

Ya, if I see my shadow tomorrow, it means 6 more weeks of diet...

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