A massive power outage in the downtown core that began around 12:30 PM Thursday is slowly being repaired, but as of this posting, some 10,000 customers are said to still be in the dark. Important to note that "10,000" number counts as individual buildings and complexes, so the true amount of those affected is almost certainly a lot higher than that. 

At one point, the Eaton Centre was amongst the places affected and I can't help but wonder if City TV, which is right across the street at Yonge-Dundas Square, was also one of those with the plug pulled. They seem to have stayed on air, but it's not clear if it was under emergency power or not. 

All the downtown-based radio stations I monitored appeared to have remained on-air during the blackout. 

And it's a good thing they're there - with so many without hydro, radio begins to play a bigger part of their night, especially if it goes on past sundown - which it appears for many, it will.

My question: what will the so-called talk and information stations do once their live programming is over? Will CFRB go back into reroll mode at 7 PM, replaying a hopelessly dated morning show and providing absolutely no help to those in the dark, or will they actually broadcast updates beyond the top of the hour news for those affected?

My guess is the latter and that's too bad. There is nothing like a radio in the dark of a power outage to keep you company and informed, especially if your phone runs out of juice and you can't recharge it. This is where the medium makes it bones and becomes a truly invaluable companion. Unless there's no one there to provide that companionship. 

It will be a dark time for some in the downtown core once the sun sets. My fear is it will be a dark day for radio, too, if stations don't shine a light into that darkness.