In the words of the old comic strip character Ziggy, “Today has been one hell of a year!” 2025 held a little bit of everything – from two changes of network news anchors, more heritage stations going from AM to FM, two local broadcasters going political, one station getting new owners and another going silent, a U.S. government war on the media, late night talk show hosts and PBS, a mammoth takeover attempt by two industry giants and a certain Toronto baseball team singing the Blue(s) Jays after coming this close to winning it all.
 
It was that kind of year in the media and on SOWNY. Here are the highlights of what you talked about in the past 365 days. Click on any topic headline to see that thread.

January
 
Jan. 6 – Roger, Over & Out

After five years on radio stations across the country, Roger Ashby’s syndicated Oldies Show ends its run in mid-January. It aired on dozens of stations during its relatively short time on air, but reruns can still be heard on podcasts here – if you don’t mind the missing music.
 
Jan. 13 – Weather Or Not

In what would be the first of many threads about missing weather on CTV Toronto’s weekend newscasts, Lyndsay Morrison returns from a year-long maternity leave, only to see an actual anchored weather forecast on the station’s weekend newscasts disappear from the airwaves. They become the only major Toronto outlet without a forecaster on the air on Saturday and Sunday.
 
 Jan. 23 – Old News
 
After only a short 5-year run as anchor of the CBS Evening News, Norah O’Donnell is unceremoniously dumped, leading to a new format of multiple anchors promising fewer headlines and more in-depth reporting. By the end of the year, though, both of those front men – John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois – announce they’re leaving the post, leading to talk that, ironically, O’Donnell could be restored to her previous post. In the end, it goes to former CBS Morning Show host, Tony Dokoupil.
             
Jan. 26 – Green Without Envy

After a broadcasting career that lasted 50 years, Roy Green does his final show. He worked for decades on the now defunct CHML in Hamilton, but had been doing weekends across the Corus Radio Network for more than 17 years. He retired after being diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer and told listeners he was going to devote the rest of his time to fighting the disease, but continues to comment on his Twitter/X feed.

  
February
 
Feb. 1 – A Sign-Off Of The Times
 
It was a sad day on the first day of the second month of the year, as Toronto radio veteran John Donabie passed away from cancer. He was on just about every station in Toronto you could name - CKFH, CHUM-FM, CFRB, CJCL, Jazz 91.1 and even U. of T.’s CIUT. A wonderful man with an intense knowledge of music and a great interviewer, including his famous on air chat with John Lennon. Donabie was 78.
 
Feb. 10 - B.T. Stands For “Bad Times”

A new week at City TV’s Breakfast Television starts without two familiar faces. It’s soon revealed that Rogers has let go of both Sid Seixeiro and Meredith Shaw. It’s not clear why they’re no longer with the program.
 
Feb. 25 – Tayler Made Sadness

He worked for a large number of Toronto radio stations, including some of the biggest like CFRB, CHUM, CKEY and even CKO. Tayler Parnaby was a veteran old time Toronto newsman with a larger-than-life personality, who was a fixture in this market for years. He passed away at age 83 after a lifetime of story telling.
 
Feb. 28 – A Vote Of Confidence
 
After years of sitting in newsrooms reporting on politicians, Stephanie Smyth actually becomes one, being elected as an Ontario Liberal MPP in the Toronto riding of St. Paul’s. She had a pretty amazing radio and TV career, with stops at CFTR, Global and most famously CP24. She often appeared on AM640 (where she was once news director) as a guest panelist from TV, only to keep showing up now as an elected official – the very kind she used to question so rigorously.
 
March
 
March 17 – A New Breakfast Meal

After much fanfare, City TV’s Breakfast Television reveals its new line-up of hosts. They’re Tim Bolen and a familiar name – Dina Pugliese. They replace Tracy Moore and Sid Sexeiro. Some posters would later comment on the fact Dina was back - but not, it seems, very often.
 
March 18 – Early Riser Again

After AM640’s Greg Brady announced his decision to seek a seat in the upcoming federal election, the station needed a new morning man. They found one in Kevin Frankish, the veteran from City TV and Breakfast Television. Frankish’s time in the air chair is brief. After Brady lost in his Ajax riding, he returned to the morning slot and continued where he left off.
 
March 28 – School’s Out
 
After decades of turning out broadcasters of all stripes, Humber College confirms it’s ending its long running radio course. The program graduated hundreds of industry veterans over the years and it’s a sign of the times, as other colleges with broadcasting courses also end their offerings.
 
April
 
April 14 – Strike Up The “Band"
 
It was a short announcement in a CRTC press release. But it also presaged the end of an era. The Commission granted permission for Chatham station CFCO to leave its longtime perch at 630 AM and switch permanently to FM. The station had been on AM since 1926, almost 100 years. It would not be the last of the old guard to change bands in 2025.
 
April 22 – TVO No Longer Has An “Agenda”
 
After 19 years hosting TVO’s most prominent show, “The Agenda,” Steve Paikin announces he’s out and the show will come to an end. He remains with the educational network in different roles, but a longtime nightly news program is over.
 
May
 
May 2 – The Unkindest Cuts

Claiming they’re too biased, Liberal and a waste of money, the Trump Administration cuts funding to both PBS and NPR. The public stations immediately go into survival mode, trying to find a way to replace the money they’ll need to continue operating. Some go off the air, others manage to raise funds to keep going – including Buffalo’s WNED.
 
May 9 - Patriot Games

Buffalo radio maverick Buddy Shula announces he’s acquired WHLD 1270 AM in Niagara Falls, N.Y.  What, exactly does he plan to do with it? At the beginning, it simulcasts his own WECK and the oldies. But after much speculation, he confirms it will become a far-right conservative talk station, taking on WBEN-AM on its own turf. With the call letters changed to WUSW, it soon becomes “The Patriot 1270.”
 
May 14 – Now Is The Season Of Our Dissed “Content”

 The CRTC begins a series of long running hearings trying to update and re-define what qualifies as “Canadian Content.” Some of the changes eventually announced please almost no one and the debate continues.
 
May 30 – Anchor’s Away
 
Having confirmed he’d be leaving as anchor of NBC Nightly News in the spring, Lester Holt does his final newscast after a decade in the chair. But he’s not departing the network. Instead, he turns his attention to fronting Dateline: NBC, the network’s documentary series. Tom Llamas takes his place at the beginning of June.
 
June
 
June 13 – Game Over
 
After more than 40 years behind the mic for the Toronto Maple Leafs, broadcaster Joe Bowen confirms he will be retiring after the 2025-2026. He says his only goal is to see a Stanley Cup Parade in Toronto. It appears he may have to come back for at least one more year if he really expects to see that happen.
 
June 16 – Changing The Station

After months of speculation about when Whiteoaks would take over ownership of CKTB in St. Catharines, it finally happens in the middle of June. There are only a few changes at the Niagara-area talk format, mainly adding veteran Gene Valaitis for mornings, replacing Bell’s Jerry Agar. But despite the fact they’ve cut ties with the telecommunications giant, they retain a good deal of their previous programming, including Vassy Kapelos and Shane Hewitt.
 
June 17 – The Doctor Is Out

At age 84 and after a 55 year career playing nothing but novelty tunes, Dr. Demento (aka Barry Hansen) officially announces his retirement from radio after a few more shows. His program used to play in Toronto and is fondly remembered by many SOWNY members.
 
June 18 – Far From The “Madan” Crowd

After 20 years at the CBC (and several others at CTV and City TV) newsman Richard Madan quits broadcasting and covering politicians for a new endeavour – becoming one. He was appointed Manitoba’s Trade Rep. in Washington.
 
June 27 – Leading With Their CHIN
 
After having their AM transmitter forced from the Toronto Islands site and becoming a daytime-only broadcaster on the band, CHIN applies to the CRTC to take over the frequency at 900, the former home of the now defunct CHML. So far, there’s been no determination if they’ll get it, but it would allow them to go back to a 24-hour-a-day schedule.
 
June 30 – Jack Off

After months of bragging about how his audience was growing to incredible heights, jeweler-turned-broadcaster Jack Berkovits disappears suddenly from Sauga960. His comments on the Middle East may have been a factor. He blames a turn away from a more conservative bent, although Trump supporter Marc Patrone remains on the morning show.
 
July

July 1 – No Rhyme or Region
 
After warning they were in dire financial straits, CFMS 105.9, aka The Region in York, abruptly changes format and is now all ethnic, calling itself “Radio Y.” It was a station few listened to or were aware of, but featured some well known names, including Kevin Frankish, Ann Rohmer and former CFTO sportscaster Suneel Joshi.
 
July 7 – Hitting AWOL

What became of Travis Dhanraj on the CBC, who suddenly disappeared from the network? It turns out the answer may be quite complex, with Dhanraj insisting top Corp. brass tried to silence him and his choices for guests, accusing them of not liking the idea of having more conservative opinions on his show. He’s since taken the CBC to the Human Rights Commission.
 
July 11 - No Kidding

Corus announces it’s closing 5 cable channels in Canada – Disney Jr., Disney XD, La Chaine Disney, ABC Spark and Nickelodeon. The CRTC officially revokes the licences later in the year.
 
July 17 – Cancel Culture
 
With no real warning, CBS announces the sudden cancellation of its long running “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” The program will continue into May 26th, and it’s not quite clear what the network plans to put in that slot – if anything. It’s just the first shot across the bow of late-night attacks from the White House, after the President declared war on the media and comedians who criticize him. It will get much worse later in the year.
 
August
 
Aug. 6 – A Stern Rebuke

The first rumours begin circulating and quickly take on a life of their own – SiriusXM  broadcasting veteran Howard Stern will be either quitting or not have his contract renewed. It’s a big deal, since Stern signed a huge contract with the satellite service and is said to have brought in a large number of subscribers. The rumours persist almost until the last day of the deal, when Stern announces he’s not going anywhere.
 
Aug. 8 – The Buck Restarts Here
 
After more than two months off the air, Sportsnet Blue Jay announcer Buck Martinez returns to the booth, just in time to see the Jays clinch the division and head to the World Series. He’s been battling cancer, but found the strength to finish what turned out to be an amazing season.
 
Aug. 21 – “X” Marks Its Spot

It was a major event in Windsor, Detroit – and on the SOWNY Board. Word surfaces that 89X is making a return to the local market, after years as a country station. It makes big news in the city and Motown, where the station was revered by many. The flip officially happens on August 28th, to great publicity.
 
September
 
Sept. 1 – The Silence Is Loud
 
After fighting for a non-existent audience for years, CFPT-FM, the Indigenous station at 106.1 in Toronto (and its counterpart in Ottawa) officially goes off the air. The station(s) did not have enough listeners to be able to attract advertisers and could not continue broadcasting.
 
Sept. 4 – The Voice Is Familiar

In an odd programming move, the folks at iHeart begin offering a syndicated weekend version of “The Vassy Kapelos Show.”  AM640 grabs the program, meaning the political pundit, long associated with Bell’s CTV and CFRB, is suddenly also being aired by competitor Corus. Both broadcast the show on the same day, making for an even weirder schedule.
 
Sept. 17 – Late Into The Night
 
A huge controversy ensues, after ABC, seemingly caving into pressure from the White House, pulls an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, after the host comments on the assassination of arch conservative Charlie Kirk. The entire event explodes over several days, with two station owning companies keeping him off the air, even after he’s allowed to return. It follows Colbert’s cancellation on CBS, presumably for also offending the feds. And it launches a huge debate about freedom of speech and perceived government control of the airwaves.
 
The surreal situation explodes several weeks later, when Kimmel appears on Colbert and Colbert appears on Kimmel.

October
 
Oct. 10 - Taking Licence

In a huge series of changes, the CRTC rules that radio station licences in Canada will no longer expire, freeing them up from a huge bureaucracy of paperwork. In addition, the Commission wants to make it easier for a station to go from AM to FM.
 
 
November
 
Nov. 1 – So Near, But Yet So Far
 
It was a World Series for the ages, a to-the-wire battle for baseball supremacy between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. And it came down to just a few controversial plays in later innings to determine the best in baseball. We all know how it turned out, of course. But with an incredible 18-inning marathon game that went on past 2 AM Eastern time, historic back-to-back home runs to start one of the contests, and the battle of two incredible pitchers - the famed Ohtani and the virtually unknown Yesavage - with the exception of the final outcome, it was generally considered one of the most amazing fall finales in the sport’s history. And the ratings proved it.

Never has "wait till next year" seemed quite so far away.
 
Nov. 20 – Firing Lines

With just over a month to go before Christmas, Bell rings down the year with another 650 job cuts. None of them are on air positions.
 
Nov. 24 – Over & Out
 
With only a week’s notice, longtime Toronto broadcaster John Oakley tells listeners he’s retiring from radio and will be leaving at the end of the week. He finishes a 46-year broadcasting career at AM640, after stints at other local stations, including CJCL and CFRB. There’s no word on whether he has any future plans.
 
Nov. 30 – Car Hopping

After years on the otherwise obscure Sauga960, car dealer Greg Carrasco confirms he’s going to CFRB to host an automotive show. The program began on Saturday, Dec. 13th. 
 
December
 
Dec. 5 – Flix Flex

Netflix blows up the entertainment industry with a stunning $82.7 billion takeover bid for Warner Bros. The studio, which goes back to the 20s, is one of the largest producers of movies and TV shows, and experts predict it could have a major effect on the future of the entertainment industry, from movies in theatres and network TV shows, to Canadian streaming services like Crave, which has a contract for HBO shows here. What happens when that runs out remains to be seen.
 
A few days later, Paramount, owned by Trump friend Larry Ellison and with the U.S. President’s son-in-law involved, announced they would be making an expensive counter-offer for almost the same property. Questions lingered about whose offer would be accepted, whether the government would give its approval and how much Trump’s family involvement would influence the decision.
 
Dec. 12 – Station To Station

After weeks of speculation, Blackburn officially files an application with the CRTC for an FM licence to replace CKNX-AM 920. That opens up a hearing for others to apply for the same newcomer, even as eight other radio owners insist there’s no room for another player in the market – something the CRTC determined was not true. Those interested have to get their paperwork together by March 2, 2026.
 
Dec. 22 – Zero to “60”

In a major embarrassment to the network, CBS’ new editor-in-chief orders the cancellation of a piece about prisoners sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador by U.S. authorities. But word never reaches Global in Canada, which puts the now delayed piece on its website. It’s quickly found by Internet viewers, who make copies and put the item all over the web, despite the network trying to pull the segment.
 
Critics claim it made the American government look bad while CBS insists it wasn’t ready for air and that’s why it was pulled. But the cat is out of the bag and the story takes on a life of its own, making headlines around the world.