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May 8, 2026 2:08 pm  #1


Sick Radio

Is it just me, but are local radio stations, particularly AMs now flooded with ads concerning disease and health checks?
Are they catering to what they feel are aging boomers who are all developing serious illnesses, or soon to?
Just off the top of my head the ads include getting scanned for diseases at a clinic that sounds like it charges in addition to OPHIP
There's also the Heart Health clinic which promotes what sounds like another pay out of pocket health service.
Then there's the ad that dwells on children getting cancer that seems to imply that Canadian parents are going broke, like in the US, while treating their cancer stricken children.
There's one or two more, all of them playing in high rotation and are included on almost every commercial break.
It reminds me of CNN where just about every ad is for some kind of drug to treat obscure illnesses, and listing all the terrible side effects each drug can have.
Needless to say I'm sick and tired of these depressing and perhaps misleading ads.


 

 

May 8, 2026 2:55 pm  #2


Re: Sick Radio

It’s targeting the audience that’s left on terrestrial radio. It shouldn’t be a surprise…

 

May 8, 2026 3:10 pm  #3


Re: Sick Radio

CNN and most radio AM's could be owned by Pfizer

 

May 8, 2026 3:20 pm  #4


Re: Sick Radio

newsguy1 wrote:

Needless to say I'm sick and tired of these depressing and perhaps misleading ads.

Well, if you're sick and tired, perhaps one of the meds they advertise will make you feel better!

 

May 8, 2026 3:25 pm  #5


Re: Sick Radio

ED1 wrote:

It’s targeting the audience that’s left on terrestrial radio. It shouldn’t be a surprise…

The AMs anyway, whose rates (680 aside) are low enough for the drug-markers' high frequency goals.

 

May 8, 2026 4:27 pm  #6


Re: Sick Radio

All 640's Brad Smith ever seems to yak about anymore are health-related topics.  Physical, mental, spiritual, alternative treatments, magic mushrooms etc.  Maybe they should change the name of his daily drivel to 'The Dr. BS Show'.  It might attract more related advertising.

 

May 8, 2026 5:35 pm  #7


Re: Sick Radio

In a related issue, while the disease commercials play, the talk show hosts at 1010 have become increasingly fixed on economics, finance, money etc.  Nothing wrong with this per se, but I have to change the channel or turn off the radio when all the hosts talk about is money, money money economics, more money.
Why don't they just change over to business news stations.

 

     Thread Starter
 

May 8, 2026 7:41 pm  #8


Re: Sick Radio

I wouldn't mind CRTC changing the rules for Meds to be on par with the FCC. 
People shouldn't have to google what meds are for. They should have the right to know, just like they do in the States.


CityNews 24/7: https://toronto.citynews.ca/video/
RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person. 
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.

 
 

May 8, 2026 7:45 pm  #9


Re: Sick Radio

Radiowiz wrote:

I wouldn't mind CRTC changing the rules for Meds to be on par with the FCC. 
People shouldn't have to google what meds are for. They should have the right to know, just like they do in the States.

Unfortunately part of that same American law makes it mandatory to list all the possible side effects. Which results in that ridiculously long and often sped up read of possible symptoms which no one can possibly follow or even understand.

 

May 9, 2026 7:15 am  #10


Re: Sick Radio

RadioActive wrote:

Radiowiz wrote:

I wouldn't mind CRTC changing the rules for Meds to be on par with the FCC. 
People shouldn't have to google what meds are for. They should have the right to know, just like they do in the States.

Unfortunately part of that same American law makes it mandatory to list all the possible side effects. Which results in that ridiculously long and often sped up read of possible symptoms which no one can possibly follow or even understand.

Those end of ad side effects keep people like John Moschitta Jr. employed. He can speak 556 words in one minute. Probably best remembered for his Fed Ex "Meeting" ads.