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July 12, 2019 4:08 pm  #1


You Be A CRTC Commissioner: Do You Grant This Urgent Request?

Bayshore Broadcasting owns CISO FM (aka Max FM 89.1) in Orillia, a station that’s been on the air under various formats since 2011 and is currently airing a “modern rock” playlist. When it was licenced ten years ago, the owners agreed to play 12% of what’s called “Category 3” music.
 
What’s that? According to the CRTC’s definition, it can be anything from folk, world beat, jazz, blues, classical to opera or concerts. (You can see the full list here.)
 
But on Friday, Bayshore came to the Commission complaining that that 12% Category 3 – particularly when it comes to having to play Blues - is making them completely uncompetitive against their competition in Orillia, Barrie and anywhere else in the region the signal reaches.
 
“Bayshore has noted anecdotally that audiences will tune CISO FM in the evenings until the Category 3 block programming begins, and will then switch to a new radio station programming a more appealing format. Many listeners do not switch back to CISO FM as a result…
 
“The Category 3 music blocks on CISO FM garner virtually no listeners, and therefore few national advertisers will even consider a purchase during those times.”
 
They supplied the CRTC with actual letters from sponsors asking to have their spots removed from their evening shows, since they’re not getting any return on their investment. The station claims it believed there was a market for this kind of programming when it started broadcasting in 2011, but events have since proved them wrong.
 
And they say there’s a chance the station could go broke if the licence isn’t changed to remove this provision.
 
So here’s the question for you would-be CRTC commissioners: Do you allow them out of this commitment or double down and tell them they knew what they agreed to a decade ago and hold them to it?

CISO-FM Request

 

July 12, 2019 5:20 pm  #2


Re: You Be A CRTC Commissioner: Do You Grant This Urgent Request?

NO WAY!!!  It's horseshit.  They can do what needs to be done and WIN!!!  Hire a program director who knows the format AND THE MUSIC.  Spend some money.  Elevate yourself above the pack.  Just typical corporate 'radio' BULLSHIT!!!  Hold 'em to their 'promise' CRTC.  Grow a pair!

 

July 12, 2019 5:21 pm  #3


Re: You Be A CRTC Commissioner: Do You Grant This Urgent Request?

Is this any different from the Redmond broadcasting days when it was decided that CJEZ needed to drop some of their licence commitments in order to better compete as a radio station? (I believe this was early 90's when the station was steering away from easy listening and heading in a new direction...)



 


RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person. 
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.

 
 

July 12, 2019 7:03 pm  #4


Re: You Be A CRTC Commissioner: Do You Grant This Urgent Request?

Cat 3 is differently regulated than Cat 2.. your Cat 3 is spread over the entire week, 6a-Mid, not the 6a-6p and 6a-Mid as Cat 2 CanCon is, so you can in fact "ghetto" the programming.
Not defending, but 12% in a broadcast week can be tough even with evening specialty shows.. that said, package it, promo it and do a damn blues show from 10p-Mid + a repeat Sunday night??  Should be enough hours.
Also, when you play Cat 3, or what you think is Cat 3, can be way off base to what the commish thinks.

 

July 13, 2019 8:11 pm  #5


Re: You Be A CRTC Commissioner: Do You Grant This Urgent Request?

If a station really wanted to find a good program and host there are plenty who are capable. I agree this sounds like typical corporate radio nonsense. Hold them to their commitment (not that they actually will be.)

 

July 14, 2019 5:59 pm  #6


Re: You Be A CRTC Commissioner: Do You Grant This Urgent Request?

Allow the station the freedom to change. The more restrictions levied on a station the less likely they will succeed. Success is the goal. Yes, some of you want the station to adhere to the CRTC rules and regulations. Isn't it right to hope a station is strong? You can say the station can succeed with the current rules. Well, you can succeed at a diet but that won't stop you from having your favourite meal that's not good for you.

Rogers and Bell should not be the only companies allowed to push through format changes to their major market stations. Let Bayshore have their change and hope for the very best.

 

July 15, 2019 5:18 am  #7


Re: You Be A CRTC Commissioner: Do You Grant This Urgent Request?

WilliamT wrote:

   Let Bayshore have their change and hope for the very best.

  
Mr. Caldwell promises everything, not only to regulators but also to the local, target community (via councillors & service clubs) at the outset and after a year or two slips in changes.    In one notable instance he moved the studio to a nearby town (an apparent real estate play).   

The hard-working mayor of the community he abandoned had a heart attack shortly after.     Hope springs eternal, William T?