The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum » Cuts At Corus Could Spell More Trouble Ahead

RadioActive · August 10, 2023 6:54 pm

They call it a "Reorganization" or a "Restructuring." But what it really means is more people are out of work at Corus stations around the country. Broadcast Dialogue reports that among those caught up in the layoffs is Larry Gifford, the National Talk Radio Director, who also has fought a very public battle with Parkinson's disease, including a widely hailed Corus podcast called "When Life Gives You Parkinson's."

Also gone: the P.D. of Corus radio in Hamilton. It's a pretty flippant farewell for Jeff Storey, who has worked for the company for almost 30 years.

It's not immediately clear yet who else may have been let go, but it comes as Corus has already admitted it's not sure there's a future for AM radio. What that might mean for AM 640 or CHML going forward remains to be seen.

Corus undertakes restructuring in audio division

Brad · August 10, 2023 8:13 pm

Looks like CFPL London's News Director and Program Director are now in charge of CHML. Jeff Storey did both positions before being cut.

News Director Scott Monich and Program Director Trudy Kitchen. This is based on a quick google search. They may well be running other stations as well.

https://globalnews.ca/pages/contact-900chml/

RadioAaron · August 10, 2023 8:14 pm

I don't know how CHML lasts the year.

640 has equally terrible ratings, but at least it's in market #1 so that's still a decent number of listeners.

The Calgary AM/FM still only combines for #12.

CHED Edmonton #15.

CKNW Vancouver is the only one in good shape at #5.

We're going to be hearing a lot about CORUS and AM Radio in the next year.

67GreenRambler · August 11, 2023 5:23 pm

https://bayobserver.ca/breaking-news-bill-kelly-show-cancelled-by-corus-entertainment/

Jody Thornton · August 11, 2023 5:29 pm

67GreenRambler wrote:
https://bayobserver.ca/breaking-news-bill-kelly-show-cancelled-by-corus-entertainment/

That's really heartbreaking. For quite sometime, you had a really worthwhile current affairs talk show still coming out of Hamilton. For a while it was simulcast on CFPL in London too. So I guess Alex will be on both stations, in addition to 640.

This is NOT looking good at all. Hate to keep saying it, but I'm glad I got out. I would hate having to try and fain positivity in the light of all these cuts. AI and station shut downs.

RadioActive · August 11, 2023 5:51 pm

The article notes that Kelly's last show will be Monday. I'm surprised they're giving him a shot at saying goodbye. That's very rare these days.

If they keep cancelling shows, I suspect their nightly three-hour recap, "Let's Talk" with Dani Stover, could be next. The entire thing is based on taking the best of that day's programming and regurgitating it for those who may have missed the shows during the day. Material from Kelly's show was a major part of it. But you can't recap what never aired.

paterson1 · August 12, 2023 9:38 am

Always a gentleman and professional, I enjoyed listening to Bill on CHML. He has been in the broadcast business for over 40 years and at CHML in Hamilton over 20. I noticed that when his show was simulcast with CFPL in London, he would always say the PL call letters first.

unclefester · August 12, 2023 10:45 am

RadioActive wrote:
Kelly's last show will be Monday. I'm surprised they're giving him a shot at saying goodbye. That's very rare these days.

I couldn't stand Bill Kelly.

Every time I tuned in (and that was rare) I'd be gone within 10 minutes or less.

So I won't miss him in the least

Too much of a blowhard for my taste. Often very unfair & one sided.

Facts, logic and evidence on many issues were not his strong suit

See ya' Billy boy

Last edited by unclefester (August 12, 2023 10:47 am)

g121 · August 12, 2023 12:57 pm

unclefester wrote:
RadioActive wrote:
Kelly's last show will be Monday. I'm surprised they're giving him a shot at saying goodbye. That's very rare these days.

I couldn't stand Bill Kelly.

Every time I tuned in (and that was rare) I'd be gone within 10 minutes or less.

So I won't miss him in the least

Too much of a blowhard for my taste. Often very unfair & one sided.

Facts, logic and evidence on many issues were not his strong suit

See ya' Billy boy

re: See ya' Billy boy

You're such a class act .. pretty safe to say Bill Kelly doesn't give a rats ass what you think ..

unclefester · August 12, 2023 1:11 pm

g121 wrote:
unclefester wrote:
RadioActive wrote:
Kelly's last show will be Monday. I'm surprised they're giving him a shot at saying goodbye. That's very rare these days.

I couldn't stand Bill Kelly.

Every time I tuned in (and that was rare) I'd be gone within 10 minutes or less.

So I won't miss him in the least

Too much of a blowhard for my taste. Often very unfair & one sided.

Facts, logic and evidence on many issues were not his strong suit

See ya' Billy boy

You're such a class act .. pretty safe to say Bill Kelly doesn't give a rats ass what you think ..

LOL

Hello Bill

In Phase · August 12, 2023 1:50 pm

unclefester wrote:
Too much of a blowhard for my taste. Often very unfair & one sided

I'm looking for words, but I'll just shake my head and have a chuckle instead

Dial Twister · August 12, 2023 2:09 pm

In Phase wrote:
unclefester wrote:
Too much of a blowhard for my taste. Often very unfair & one sided
I'm looking for words, but I'll just shake my head and have a chuckle instead

Ditto

RadioActive · August 12, 2023 9:21 pm

More endings in the offing - Inside Jokes, a weekend show about Canadian comedy on AM640 that's been running for eight years, had its last show on Saturday night. No word on why it was axed, but I have to guess it's part of the Corus cuts. More to come? I think it's likely.

Brad · March 12, 2024 7:25 pm

Jeff Storey Named Retail Sales Manager @ Evanov Toronto Cluster:
https://www.milkmanunlimited.com/post/jeff-storey-named-retail-sales-manager-evanov-toronto-cluster

Binson Echorec · March 13, 2024 8:54 am

Good for Jeff. He's one of the few decent people left in radio.