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December 11, 2015 4:43 pm  #1


All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Friday's 6 o'clock news is cancelled as rumours swirl one of Canada's pioneering TV stations may be shut down.

From the Hamilton Spectator:

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6180588-chch-tv-cancels-tonight-s-newscast-station-future-uncertain/

Last edited by RadioActive (December 11, 2015 5:09 pm)

 

December 11, 2015 4:50 pm  #2


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Was there any sign of this coming?  I know news is expensive, but I thought that Channel Zero was making a go of it.  Wow I'm shocked.
 


Cheers,
Jody Thornton
 
 

December 11, 2015 5:02 pm  #3


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Wonder if they'll put on Bloomberg TV instead ?

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6180588-chch-tv-cancels-tonight-s-newscast-station-future-uncertain/

CHCH news staff is waiting to find out the fate of their station after being told there will be no 6 o'clock newscast tonight.

An announcement to staff is expected at 4 p.m., by email, sources inside the CH newsroom say. The fear is the station is shutting down or being dramatically reduced.

Employees began asking questions this morning after money was unexpectedly deposited in some employees' bank accounts. One staffer — who does not want to be identified — says the amount was equal to about two paycheques.

The station is owned by Channel Zero in Toronto.

One staffer, who didn't want her name used because she was clinging to the hope she might still have a job on Monday, said the mood is "awful."

As of 2:45 p.m. people were still optimistically working to file stories, she said.

More to come.


Madness takes its toll.  Please have exact change.
 
 

December 11, 2015 5:04 pm  #4


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Not going off the air (yet) though.

Apparently
Significant changes to programing schedule.
Fewer newscasts, etc.
Forced to make cuts but will try to maintain core news services.

 


Madness takes its toll.  Please have exact change.
 
 

December 11, 2015 5:07 pm  #5


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Channel Zero official came on screen at 4:02 PM to announce news format was cancelled but that limited newscasts would return on Monday, following cuts he said were difficult but necessary to ensure station's survival. Unsure yet how many are being let go, but it looks like a number. Channel Zero rep said they had no choice due to market conditions. For now, they're running non-stop promos, then launched into old episode of 20/20 as filler.

Guess the old cliche is wrong. No news isn't good news.

Condolences to those let go so close to Christmas.

Last edited by RadioActive (December 11, 2015 5:16 pm)

     Thread Starter
 

December 11, 2015 5:31 pm  #6


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Let go not only so close to Christmas, but on a Friday, no less.  Great way to start a weekend.

There used to be an unwritten rule that you never let someone go on a Friday.  What happened to that?   

So now the question is, what will they fill the time with?  Well, they can always fill it will vintage movies and episodes of the "Being Frank" show.  

 

 

December 11, 2015 6:52 pm  #7


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

[Via CNW]

CHANNEL 11 L.P., CHCH-TV'S FORMER SUPPLIER OF LOCAL NEWS, FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

HAMILTON, ON, Dec. 11, 2015 /CNW/ - CHCH-TV and its parent company, Channel Zero, have implemented a restructuring that will allow the channel to remain viable and for it to continue to deliver local news in the Greater Hamilton area. Channel 11 L.P., the entity that has created local news for CHCH since 2009, has in turn filed for bankruptcy effective today. CHCH is not ceasing operations or going off the air. CHCH and Channel Zero remain committed to the delivery of local news. Starting Monday, CHCH, joined by many of the familiar on-air personalities, will continue to broadcast the local news that viewers have been watching for over 60 years.

"When CHCH was acquired in 2009, funding support for local television was available, along with healthy national advertising revenue. That has since changed dramatically," said Romen Podzyhun, Chairman and CEO, Channel Zero. "Despite ongoing efforts over the past two years to make CHCH sustainable following serious cuts to local broadcasting support and declines in national advertising, Channel Zero is no longer in a position to continue subsidizing the losses stemming from the station's local news operations. This decision was extremely difficult but necessary to allow CHCH to remain on the air."

CHCH will continue to broadcast with a new format that keeps the core news broadcasts intact, but contains fewer overall hours of local news. Starting on December 12, CHCH will transition to a new schedule that includes CHCH's popular 6pm and 11pm weekday news broadcasts, and starting Tuesday, Morning Live will return. In addition to the familiar faces, viewers can expect to see the same high quality local news programming that CHCH has delivered to the region for over 60 years.

"We are so grateful and proud of the excellent programming and years of service that the employees of Channel 11 L.P. have given to this community" continued Podzyhun. "Business decisions like this are hardest because they impact the personal lives of people we care about deeply."

CHCH will continue to exceed the CRTC local broadcasting requirements as part of its commitment to its license and the Region. Furthermore, CHCH and its parent company, Channel Zero, are financially unaffected by this filing. Channel Zero looks forward to participating in the CRTC's upcoming hearing on the policy framework for local and community television programming in the New Year.

More...

 


Madness takes its toll.  Please have exact change.
 
 

December 11, 2015 9:30 pm  #9


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Jody Thornton wrote:

Was there any sign of this coming?  I know news is expensive, but I thought that Channel Zero was making a go of it.  Wow I'm shocked.
 

The first sign of this coming was when they went with "all local news" well beyond their required amount. They made a "go" of something that was admirable, but made zero business sense. 

 

December 12, 2015 12:19 am  #10


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Don wrote:

The first sign of this coming was when they went with "all local news" well beyond their required amount. They made a "go" of something that was admirable, but made zero business sense. 

"CHCH will continue to exceed the CRTC local broadcasting requirements..."

 http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/chch-tv-implements-major-restructuring-to-remain-on-the-air-561608271.html

Last edited by Radiowiz (December 12, 2015 12:21 am)


RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person. 
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.

 
 

December 12, 2015 12:21 am  #11


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Mark Hebscher's programs, Square Off and Sportsline are gonzo....I would assume that means Bubba O'Neil (Sportsline co-host), Liz West (Square Off co-host), Kate Carnegie (weekend anchor), and some reporters and back up anchors are not having a very good weekend either?

 

December 12, 2015 12:24 am  #12


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

I'm inclined to agree with the earlier speculation, Channel Zero probably isn't making nearly as much as it used to.  Nowhere close.  I'd guess with their main content generators though, they have to play really nice with the CRTC based on the complaints I'm sure the show titles alone would generate.

After all, you can get it free on the internet now,  And you don't have to give anyone your name, address or pay a monthly fee to get it, and that's just news.    Same with porn .  

I would also venture to guess that the legislated 'soft' porn they can show is probably akin to a 1978 playboy versus what you can find online along the river bank .
 

Last edited by ig (December 12, 2015 12:25 am)


Madness takes its toll.  Please have exact change.
 
 

December 12, 2015 12:30 am  #13


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Johnny B wrote:

Mark Hebscher's programs, Square Off and Sportsline are gonzo....I would assume that means Bubba O'Neil (Sportsline co-host), Liz West (Square Off co-host), Kate Carnegie (weekend anchor), and some reporters and back up anchors are not having a very good weekend either?

Were the sports ratings there? Global tossed the idea out, then CH picked it up...and then what? Now what?


 


RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person. 
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.

 
 

December 12, 2015 12:36 am  #14


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

ig wrote:

I'm inclined to agree with the earlier speculation, Channel Zero probably isn't making nearly as much as it used to.  Nowhere close.  I'd guess with their main content generators though, they have to play really nice with the CRTC based on the complaints I'm sure the show titles alone would generate.

After all, you can get it free on the internet now,  And you don't have to give anyone your name, address or pay a monthly fee to get it, and that's just news.    Same with porn .  

I would also venture to guess that the legislated 'soft' porn they can show is probably akin to a 1978 playboy versus what you can find online along the river bank .
 

I do believe The real question is, how is AOV  actually doing?  
That was one business they had investments in.
AOV could still do online sales and make money...keeping on mind, we're not just talking about porn videos or the AOV channel.
Maybe the sale of sex dolls, fancy condoms and other...whatever stuff. 
(there's also the actual stores...)
 


RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person. 
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.

 
 

December 12, 2015 12:45 am  #15


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

ONEIL wrote:

Has Channel Zero announced where they're intending to put Bloomberg?  CH might fill the spot.

I agree, I thought I posted that thought also this afternoon, but god only knows where .  It would make sense, even just throughout the day, both sales departments win.


Madness takes its toll.  Please have exact change.
 
 

December 12, 2015 2:17 am  #16


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Another update Via The Spec.

By: The Hamilton Spectator Published on Fri Dec 11 2015
At least 129 full-time employees and close to 30 part-timers have been let go as part of a massive restructuring of local news at CHCH TV.
A newsroom staffer says the number of cuts was announced in a meeting with senior management Friday.
Of that group, 71 people have reportedly been offered new jobs, but it’s unclear in what capacity.
With the changes, CHCH is expected to reduce its local programming from 80 hours to 25 hours a week, Unifor media sector director Howard Law reportedly told The Canadian Press.
News staff at CHCH TV learned Friday their company has filed for bankruptcy.
As of 4 p.m., newscasts were cancelled for Friday and the remainder of the weekend.
Channel Zero chair and CEO Romen Podzyhun went on the air late Friday afternoon to tell viewers that local news would return on Monday. He did not detail what changes would be happening.
“This new reality put us in an untenable situation and as a result, in order to ensure the continued broadcast of CHCH, we’ve made some significant changes to our programming schedule,” he said. “Decisions like these are hard because they impact the personal lives of so many colleagues we care deeply.”
A press release issued by Channel Zero — the parent company of CHCH — said CHCH will transition to a new schedule including 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts starting Saturday.
According to the release, Morning Live — the station’s morning show — will return on Tuesday.
Employees began asking questions this morning after money was unexpectedly deposited in some employees’ bank accounts. One staffer — who does not want to be identified — says the amount was equal to about two paycheques.
The station was bought by Channel Zero in Toronto in 2009. It was on the verge of going off the air then when CanWest Global collapsed.
Executive producer of television news at CHCH John McKenna said he had few details.
“It’s a very hard and a very sad day,” he said.
One staffer, who didn’t want her name used because she was clinging to the hope she might still have a job on Monday, said the mood is “awful.”
As of 2:45 p.m. people were still optimistically working to file stories, she said.
Staff took to social media with reaction to the news cut.
Aaron Rathbone, a producer, used Twitter to say: “I usually use twitter to find sources. Now using it to figure out if I have a job.”
Hamilton Centre MPP and Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath tweeted: “Thinking about all the folks at CHCH TV right now. Hoping they can continue to tell local stories.”
Greg O’Brien, the Westdale-based editor and publisher of online industry magazine Cartt.ca, described the news as unfortunate but not surprising given the growing challenges facing TV news networks.
“They’re great for local news but man, it’s expensive to do,” he said of the station. As he understands it, local advertising is still strong, but the national advertising dollars — the real bread and butter — just isn’t there.
For example, CHCH must keep their over-the-air transmitters running at all times to maintain their must-carry status on cable, O’Brien says — which can cost between $15,000-30,000 a month in hydro power alone. Plus the costs of news trucks and reporters on the ground.
CHCH was one of just two independent news stations left in Canada. The other, O’Brien says, is in Victoria.
With files from The Canadian Press
 


Madness takes its toll.  Please have exact change.
 
 

December 12, 2015 10:13 am  #17


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

One thing they ought to consider doing is to shut down all those OTA transmitters outside of Hamilton.

 

December 12, 2015 11:03 am  #18


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

andysradio wrote:

One thing they ought to consider doing is to shut down all those OTA transmitters outside of Hamilton.

In order to maintain the "must carry" status with cable and satellite carriers, CHCH is required to operate and maintain their regional transmitters.

The build out of the CHCH regional transmitter occurred in the late 90s as part of the " ONtv rollout under the former WIC  occupation...
 

 

December 12, 2015 12:25 pm  #19


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Glen Warren wrote:

In order to maintain the "must carry" status 

Sure, but do they need this status any more? How many viewers in Sault Ste. Maries, Sudbury, North Bay or Ottawa....... want to watch a TV station from Hamilton?
 

Last edited by andysradio (December 12, 2015 12:28 pm)

 

December 12, 2015 12:48 pm  #20


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Radiowiz wrote:

Don wrote:

The first sign of this coming was when they went with "all local news" well beyond their required amount. They made a "go" of something that was admirable, but made zero business sense. 

"CHCH will continue to exceed the CRTC local broadcasting requirements..."

 http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/chch-tv-implements-major-restructuring-to-remain-on-the-air-561608271.html

Yes, by a very small amount - the same margin of error amount as other stations. Not sure what your point is.

Last edited by Don (December 12, 2015 12:48 pm)

 

December 12, 2015 1:14 pm  #21


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

andysradio wrote:

Glen Warren wrote:

In order to maintain the "must carry" status 

Sure, but do they need this status any more? How many viewers in Sault Ste. Maries, Sudbury, North Bay or Ottawa....... want to watch a TV station from Hamilton?
 

I'm not sure what the viewership would be in those areas, but I do think you would have to separate the daytime news viewers from the evening prime time viewers...  some of the evening prime time programming is pretty good...  and they still manage to get some good movies as well.

Yes the main newscasts are pretty hyper local to Hamilton/Niagara so I agree that these newscasts are probably not of much interest to viewers outside of the Hamilton/Niagara area.  But the former daytime "News Now" wheel did have a good balance of provincial, federal, and international news stories. So, I could see that being watched in other areas like North Bay, Sudbury, Ottawa, etc.  The weather segments covered both local and regional areas of Ontario.


 

 

December 12, 2015 4:07 pm  #22


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

This is another article from The Hamilton Spectator

Federal broadcast policies blamed for CHCH troubles

Hamilton Spectator
By Steve Arnold

Hamilton's CHCH TV won't be the last local television news operation to run into financial trouble, warns the head of Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.

In the wake of Friday's announcement that the venerable Hamilton station will cut its workforce and slash local news programming to 17.5 hours a week from 80, Ian Morrison said more local news operations will fail if the federal broadcast regulator doesn't adopt policies better suited to the new digital world.

"What happened in Hamilton today is a direct result of the CRTC's failure to address the problem," he said in an interview. "This is very bad news for the million people who live in and around Hamilton."

Before Friday's cuts, CHCH offered 15 hours a day of local news.

In a September brief to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, the overseer of Canadian broadcasting, the Friends group said private broadcasters across the country have seen collective revenues fall from $1.94 billion in 2013 to $1.8 billion in 2014. In the same period, pre-tax earnings went from an overall loss of $2.3 million to a loss of $138.7 million.

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting is an independent watchdog group for Canadian programming.

A study of the industry concluded that half of Canadian TV stations could close by 2020.

In the face of those declines, Bell Canada has warned it has contemplated shutting down between five and 20 of its local stations as early as September 2017 and small-market independent stations have warned closures are imminent.

In that context, CHCH TV's corporate parent, Toronto-based Channel Zero, announced it was slashing local news coverage and terminating a large part of its local staff.

When Channel Zero acquired CHCH in 2009, it announced a bold new plan that would put local news at the heart of its programming. Cal Millar, president of the company, admitted news is an expensive form of content, but it's one people wanted. Later, the company added some syndicated American programming, but neither attracted the advertising dollars the corporate parent needed.

"Channel Zero really didn't have the deep pockets needed to keep this functioning," said McMaster University business professor Marvin Ryder. "It wasn't able to generate the revenue it needed on its own without having a big daddy to write a couple cheques for them."

Adding to the sinking revenue problem for Canadian stations has been the loss of other supports such as the federal Local Programming Improvement Fund. For CHCH, it was estimated that fund provided the station between $5 million and $8 million a year — between 12 and 20 per cent of its revenue by some estimates.

London-based technology analyst Carmi Levy said the loss of that fund, increased competition for advertising dollars and viewers drifting away from traditional television to other forms of entertainment all played a role in bringing CHCH to the brink of failure.

"This is the result of a long-term list of factors," he said. "There's never just one smoking gun."

CHCH, he added, was a model for the industry by pouring resources into local news, so the failure of the experiment is especially sad."CHCH really was a category of one," he said.

"They were the model for this kind of operation in the digital age.

"Levy and Ryder both added there's always a slim chance someone might buy the station — Ryder rated the chances as "better than being struck by lightning or winning the lottery."

"It has happened, if you have a buyer with the will and the deep pockets, but I'm pretty sure Channel Zero would have scoured the market before taking this step." Levy said.



http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6181004-federal-broadcast-policies-blamed-for-chch-troubles/

 

Last edited by Glen Warren (December 12, 2015 4:30 pm)

 

December 12, 2015 4:27 pm  #23


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

If only the weasel Liberals could manage hydro and not watch as it pissed away billions, maybe the savings in power would have been enough to cover the transmitter costs .  (See how it all comes back..)
 


Madness takes its toll.  Please have exact change.
 
 

December 12, 2015 6:40 pm  #24


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

The paper once proudly known as the K-W record did an interesting and somewhat more personal take on the story:

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6191457-chch-tv-suspends-newscasts-amid-bankruptcy-and-restructuring-moves/


 

 

December 12, 2015 10:57 pm  #25


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Sad end to a once great station that brought us such Canadian classics as Smith & Smith, Me & Max, Tiny Talent Time and The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.

Davester.

 

December 12, 2015 10:58 pm  #26


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Mary Bellows 'do it for yourself' or something like that.

Davester wrote:

Sad end to a once great station that brought us such Canadian classics as Smith & Smith, Me & Max, Tiny Talent Time and The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.

Davester.

 


Madness takes its toll.  Please have exact change.
 
 

December 13, 2015 1:32 pm  #27


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Davester wrote:

Sad end to a once great station that brought us such Canadian classics as Smith & Smith, Me & Max, Tiny Talent Time and The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.

Davester.

Don't forget "Red Green."

Last edited by mikew (December 13, 2015 1:32 pm)

 

December 13, 2015 1:53 pm  #28


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

grilled.cheese wrote:

Is there any information available about Frank D'Angelo's show?  

eight-figure bidding said to be happening already
 

 

December 13, 2015 4:03 pm  #29


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Party Game, The Pierre Berton Show ... the list goes on and on!

Last edited by Leslieville Bill (December 13, 2015 4:04 pm)


- Not an industry person.  Just a guy with a love of Toronto radio. 
 

December 13, 2015 5:23 pm  #30


Re: All News Format Ends As CHCH Makes Cuts

Captain Andy
A Special Place
Grampa Schnitzel
Hilarious House of Frightenstein
Smith & Smith
Polka Party (with Walter Ostanek)
At the Caribou/The Harry Hibbs Show
Ein Prosit
George Hamilton IV Show
The Palace
Don Messer's Jubilee (after the CBC cancellation)
Ringside/Maple Leaf Wrestling

My god, those were literally off the top of my head.  That place was a powerhouse and so many Canadian treasures were produced there.  Kind of sad thinking about it.