Is it really a controversy? Can't remember the last time a broadcaster (other than ones who'd promised above & beyond) has even brought it up.

It's a controversy Don.  It's just that people gave up trying to do anything about it.  10% would be a FAR more realistic number.  Good gawd!!!  Don't you listen?  We need to raise the friggin' bar.  How?  Make it harder to get airplay.  That's how.  That's the way it should have been from the get-go.

10%...Perfect.

This is going to seem like a bit of a rant, but I can't tell you how much this topic has always rubbed me the wrong way.

How about 0%... Here's why:

It would make the playing field level and make the music stand on it's own merit.

Media already funds to support the music financially, and the quality has got better.

It also would end overplaying of some songs that are not strong enough, just so a station can hit their legal requirement without leaving format.

I also feel it will allow more formats to exist in Canada where currently are impossible due to lack of quality Canadian music to hit the magical limit.

The time has come to end this ridiculous communist style rule dictated by people that either want a free ride by getting undeserved airplay OR not needing to try, or simply people who don't understand today's consumption habits.  NO station will pay 0% Cancon, but play only songs worthy of airplay, and songs that fit the format of the station.

The CBC should be the true ALL CANADIAN home for CANADIAN music.   That's reasonable and fair.

Only in Canada, a self proclaimed FREE COUNTRY do you find these ridiculous rules that echo those of countries like China.  I say the same regarding rules on foreign ownership of telecommunications and media in this country.     

It's time this ended.

 

Last edited by radiokid (March 18, 2016 5:10 pm)

Old Codger wrote:

It's a controversy Don.  It's just that people gave up trying to do anything about it.  10% would be a FAR more realistic number.  Good gawd!!!  Don't you listen?  We need to raise the friggin' bar.  How?  Make it harder to get airplay.  That's how.  That's the way it should have been from the get-go.

10%...Perfect.

But who's the controversy with? The public, when asked directly, overwhelmingly support it (Hypocritically, mind you, given that don't consume that much when building their own playlists.)

Stations playing mostly current music in pop, rock, and country aren't having much trouble filling the quotas these days. Language quotas are far more burdensome...hence this story. This isn't me supporting the need to regulate it, just pointing out that it's not a big problem right now, for the most part.

Anyway, I agree 10% is the natural level overall, but it depends on format. Pointless exercise in Oldies or Classic Rock, for example.

They can overlap 100% of the playlist now on KiSS Toronto & Vancouver, and Bounce Edmonton now if they want. Why on earth would a station in a city of 3 million simulcast a station from a city of less than 300k? This is completely absurd.
 

Don wrote:

They can overlap 100% of the playlist now on KiSS Toronto & Vancouver, and Bounce Edmonton now if they want. Why on earth would a station in a city of 3 million simulcast a station from a city of less than 300k? This is completely absurd.
 

They can use an American playlist and wipe it ALL out.
 

Radiowiz wrote:

Don wrote:

They can overlap 100% of the playlist now on KiSS Toronto & Vancouver, and Bounce Edmonton now if they want. Why on earth would a station in a city of 3 million simulcast a station from a city of less than 300k? This is completely absurd.
 

They can use an American playlist and wipe it ALL out.
 

You can use an all-american playlist without simulcasting an american station and it costs nothing! 

This is one of the weirdest points you've ever tried to make.

Who would want an all american playlist in Canada? A lot of the 35-40% Cancon is really good stuff and having to maintain that level of Cancon eliminates some of the crap that makes it to the US Top 40 and some of the way overplayed recurrents that also makes up much of the playlists of US stations. Yes, we have overplayed recurrents in Canada too - some stations more than others. I listen to US Top 40 when we travel in the US and am always glad to get back to Canadian radio.

Don wrote:

Stop. You're embarrassing yourself. 

I highly doubt that. 
 

RadioKid is right. Put it to 0%. 

If music made by Canadians are good enough for radio play, radio will play it. If not, the listener doesn't need to have the music jammed down their throat because of Government policy. As for playlists being used in Toronto and other markets, this is already happening with certain stations. It allows the big companies to save $$$ by having one central music director programming certain formats in different markets rather than pay for 1 music director in a single market.

Radiowiz wrote:

WilliamT wrote:

RadioKid is right. Put it to 0%. 
As for playlists being used in Toronto and other markets, this is already happening with certain stations. It allows the big companies to save $$$ by having one central music director programming certain formats in different markets rather than pay for 1 music director in a single market.

Yes, but then why pay Canadians anything for anything to do with the music content?
At that rate, just toss on an already produced American playlist. Since the American stations wouldn't have to worry about adjusting for Canadian content, they won't charge all that much for their efforts and there won't be any need to have any Canadian jobs on the music side of things at all. 

Exactly. If Canadian music wants to stay afloat they know what they must do - be better.

Radiowiz wrote:

WilliamT wrote:

Exactly. If Canadian music wants to stay afloat they know what they must do - be better.

Can Con regs are still keeping Canadian MDs employed. Yes, the job has been cut back, changed or eliminated in some cases, but at the end of the day, it's still a Canadian (give or take) that is programming the music on Canadian stations and not an American station doing all the work for us. 
 

 Aside from a few ticket g​iveaways and assistance on the promotions side, how is Can Con lifting radio stations? The short answer is they aren't. These regulations are not helping the radio station regardless of the format. These radio
conglomerates do not pour tens of thousands of dollars into marketing for nothing; they find out most Canadian music does not hit nearly enough to justify the 35% they are required to play.