Respectfully, I'm going to decline to answer that RA.  Doing so may/may not be disrespectful to others who make this their current livelihood, since I'm speaking on their behalf, without permission.  If they wish, they can volunteer what they'd like.  But I don't think it would be too classy of me to divulge inner workings of an organization that allowed me plenty of on-air exposure.

I hope that's understood.  I don't wish to be difficult.  I understand the curiosity.

Last edited by Jody Thornton (May 5, 2025 8:51 pm)

Thanks Dial Twister.  I know I've always been curious on the inner workings of CHUM, CKOC and CFTR (even Rock 102 and TM Stereo Rock's relationship), but those are in the past, and divulging any of that is more intriguing, rather than revealing.  I feel a bit of hypocrisy on my part, because I would eat that stuff up, so I get others wanting to know about what happens behind the scenes.
 

I guess we’ll just have to wait for that very special episode of How It’s Made

Buzzy Krumhunger wrote:

I guess we’ll just have to wait for that very special episode of How It’s Made

Good idea Buzzy Krumhunger, or... a radio station could use RA's post as an opportunity to do a behind the scenes look with the traffic reporters. Several short clips, the Coles Notes on how the traffic reports are created, what sources they use, how to access the traffic reports on the app ;), AND how useful handsfree updates from listeners who are driving are to the station and the community and first responders when an accident or other incident, a tire on the road etc occurs. If possible, come up with a handle for the feature as witty as 1010's "Campaign Trail Mix" and finally go all the way and get it sponsored.

p.s. Last Friday I heard a 1010 traffic reporter read ad copy during a live update that mentions that we're still in winter... here's a request to  whoever is in charge of writing the ad copy, please update the season.

Last edited by betaylored (May 5, 2025 4:22 pm)

Ale Ont wrote:

Many years ago, CBC radio in Ottawa asked the traffic reporter how information was gathered.
The answer.  Traffic cameras, listeners and monitoring the private stations.

Wow, that's interesting. So the CBC, with its huge publicly funded budget, was getting some of its traffic information from its own competitors in the market? Not sure I would have wanted to admit that. That is outright information theft. It does not look good on them.

Doesn't make it right.

My all time favourite is when a station will brealthelssly come on air with a breaking news banner and say something like "CTV News has learned X,Y, & Z has taken place. Stay tuned for more on this breaking story."

And then you discover that they "learned" it from Global, which really did have the exclusive in the first place and reported it 20 minutes ago. Happens all the time and while I understand the reason they're reporting an important breaking story, taking credit for it by copying someone else is very sleazy. 

RadioAaron wrote:

It's publicly available information once 680 reports it.

I suppose. But then, you can use that excuse for stealing anything from anyone. An exclusive in the Toronto Star? Not if NewsTalk 1010 reports it without credit. It's a fine line they shouldn't cross so often.

I constantly hear AM640 use CTV (i.e. Bell Media) clips, mainly from Vassy Kapelos' shows, on their programs without credit. They can use them, but they need to attribute who did all the work and where it originated from, otherwise it's just theft. 

Radiowiz wrote:

Jody Thornton wrote:

But I don't think it would be too classy of me to divulge inner working of an organization hat allowed me plenty of on-air exposure.

More of a helmet, no?

Sigh!  It was a spelling error.  Should have been "that"
 

LOSat wrote:

I believe the other source of traffic data is probably Waze.  It will show slow downs and user reported accidents.

I'd wager most commuters use Waze in their cars rather than rely on radio traffic reports.

It always makes me lough when I hear a radio or TV news reader say they have "learned" such and such a news item.
Except by they have "learned" means they read the Canadian Press or Reuters or AP wire that they subscribe to.
Yes, that's how they "learned" that.