The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum » Is Local Radio The Future For Local TV Shows?

RadioActive · February 20, 2026 12:27 pm

Radio Insight's Lance Venta notes that, while many talk shows and other programs are being cancelled on TV due to increasing budget constraints, he suggests that turning to local radio may be one solution. It's been done before and since those programs are already being made for an audio audience or podcast, he suggests it may make financial sense to put the radio back on TV.

"...television stations are seeking cheap and affordable ways to fill a half-hour or hour while providing local content targeting 25-54 audiences which local radio shows are already doing in abundance. Just produce your show as regular and then edit the video down to air somewhere in the late morning/early afternoon timeslot.

Most radio studios have been setup with cameras for use for social media and video streaming already. The only thing that may have to change is no-more coming to work in sweatpants."

I know CBLT already simulcasts part of its "Metro Morning" on channel 5 every day, and it kind of works - although it's not very visually compelling, especially when it goes to some pre-recorded interview or sound bite. But it fills in a blank at an early hour of the day and it beats rerunning last night's "The National."

It could be a win-win for both sides, and save money, too, since so many of the big guys here own stations in both media. But would you regularly watch a radio show on your television?

Can Local Radio Be Local TV's Saviour?

Binson Echorec · February 20, 2026 12:39 pm

Watching radio has always come across as boring to me. It's much more exciting to listen to it than it is to see it.

I might argue it'd be easier to go the other way and put something like CP24 Breakfast on radio - the visuals already exist, they would just need to tweak their writing and delivery style.

Still would beat some other filler just on the basis they'd be delivering useful information.

Last edited by Binson Echorec (February 20, 2026 12:41 pm)

RadioActive · February 20, 2026 12:41 pm

Binson Echorec wrote:
Watching radio has always come across as boring to me. It's much more exciting to listen to it than it is to see it.

I might argue it'd be easier to go the other way and put something like CP24 Breakfast on radio - the visuals already exist, they would just need to tweak their writing and delivery style.

Yes, especially the "as you can see on your screen" lines that seem to always be part of CP24's appearance on CFRB every weekend morning.

MJ Vancouver · February 20, 2026 1:54 pm

I remember a radio simulcast of CP24 on 1050 was tried 15+ years ago, with poor results. I can imagine that there would be hesitancy to try that again.

Binson Echorec · February 20, 2026 2:02 pm

MJ Vancouver wrote:
I remember a radio simulcast of CP24 on 1050 was tried 15+ years ago, with poor results. I can imagine that there would be hesitancy to try that again.

I'd forgotten this move. I do recall one of the issues being they adapted nothing for the radio audience. It was like being in the kitchen but being able to hear the TV in the living room.

I do think if it were to be done well, it has to be done with both in mind from the get go. Converting one into the other doesn't really work.

Aytononline · February 20, 2026 2:11 pm

It really depends on the type of shows you are talking about. Many podcasts now have a youtube channel. If its long form interviews or a round table discussion then it might will work well.
Could you replace CTV Morning with John Moore, I am not so sure, but in Montreal to replace the national morning show from Toronto on CTV with the local radio show from CJAD, this is something to take a look at. Maybe move some of the radio show to the TV studio and it just might work.

haydenmatthews14 · February 20, 2026 6:53 pm

MJ Vancouver wrote:
I remember a radio simulcast of CP24 on 1050 was tried 15+ years ago, with poor results. I can imagine that there would be hesitancy to try that again.

Then you got CFAX 1070 that airs on CTV 2 Vancouver Island in the morning and the AM800 Morning Drive show on CTV 2 Windsor. I wonder how those are doing today?

RadioAaron · February 20, 2026 7:03 pm

Binson Echorec wrote:
Watching radio has always come across as boring to me. It's much more exciting to listen to it than it is to see it.

.

I think the real use would be more as radio, maybe glancing at the screen for the time/weather/sports tickers. Actual radios in homes are becoming quite rare; this would be a good way to get the programming heard where it often isn’t.

RadioAaron · February 20, 2026 7:04 pm

RadioActive wrote:
Binson Echorec wrote:
Watching radio has always come across as boring to me. It's much more exciting to listen to it than it is to see it.

I might argue it'd be easier to go the other way and put something like CP24 Breakfast on radio - the visuals already exist, they would just need to tweak their writing and delivery style.
Yes, especially the "as you can see on your screen" lines that seem to always be part of CP24's appearance on CFRB every weekend morning.

The “as you can see” example is so tired. People are smart enough to know they’re listening to TV audio and aren’t getting 100% of the experience of watching.

Paul Jeffries · February 20, 2026 9:13 pm

RadioAaron wrote:
The “as you can see” example is so tired. People are smart enough to know they’re listening to TV audio and aren’t getting 100% of the experience of watching.

And most likely, the average NewsTalk 1010 listener of today probably isn't nearly as discriminating as the old 'RB listeners of yesteryear. Still, TV audio not adapted for radio tends to scream "we're cheap".

PJ

RadioAaron · February 20, 2026 9:27 pm

Paul Jeffries wrote:
RadioAaron wrote:
The “as you can see” example is so tired. People are smart enough to know they’re listening to TV audio and aren’t getting 100% of the experience of watching.
And most likely, the average NewsTalk 1010 listener of today probably isn't nearly as discriminating as the old 'RB listeners of yesteryear. Still, TV audio not adapted for radio tends to scream "we're cheap".

...to those in/from the industry. Most listeners won't think twice. More likely they're just thankful that if they worked late or are running an errand they can hear their favourite newscast in the car.

Last edited by RadioAaron (February 20, 2026 9:28 pm)

torontostan · February 20, 2026 10:18 pm

Many of you severely underestimate just how much higher the TV audience is compared to radio.....

arc23 · February 21, 2026 12:34 pm

MJ Vancouver wrote:
I remember a radio simulcast of CP24 on 1050 was tried 15+ years ago, with poor results. I can imagine that there would be hesitancy to try that again.

I listen to CP24 on my smart speaker every morning through iHeartRadio Very few times have I found it lacking When I'm moving around my place I'm not looking at the TV anyway and I don't have to waste the extra energy of my TV Just ask for Cp24 from iHeartRadio on either Google or Amazon and it should work for you

paterson1 · February 21, 2026 1:21 pm

When I have heard CP24 simulcast on radio, I find that it is superior to many radio newscasts. A lot more content with interviews and actualities, musical breaks in and out of commercials and a higher energy level than radio. I agree that the audience listening is aware they are hearing a simulcast of television, so the odd reference to what is happening on the screen isn't going to phase the radio audience.

I listened to a bit of the Olympic Canada/Finland hockey game in the car on CBC Radio One. It was an audio feed from TV. Excellent. You could clearly hear the body checks into the boards and the skates scraping the ice and of course the loud crowd. Great commentary during the game and when they broke for commercials on TV.

ig · February 21, 2026 4:59 pm

Back in the early days of XM Canada, one of the shows Macko & I pitched to fulfill our quota was a 'TV Audio channel'. Low bandwidth, mono, and so many great shows that carry themselves as amazing radio. We used the original 'Star Trek' series as an example, where the writing was so good you didn't need the visuals. I still think this would be a viable format. Even partnering with AMI or someone to use their DV shows including many Canadian to meet the quota.