1 of 1- Rsd
- Member
Offline
Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
Announced today via twitter. Often a lightning rod, but I always thought a lifer. Doesn't seem like it was his choice. Interesting, in his announcement, he thanked lots of people. Jerry Howarth was not one of them.
- RadioActive
- Moderator
Offline
Re: Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
Another big Rogers cut - and this time one of the voices of the Jays themselves. This one is surprising and somewhat disturbing because of the message it sends to the rest of the employees. If such a high profile staffer can be let go, no one is safe.
What they said:
What he said:
- Radiowiz
- Member
Online! 
Re: Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
How are they going to replace Mike Wilner for less money??
RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person.
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.
- RadioActive
- Moderator
Offline
Re: Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
From the Canadian Press via the CBC:
Sportsnet parts ways with veteran Blue Jays announcer Mike Wilner
It's also on the Toronto Star page and other sites. The one place the story is missing? The Fan 590's home page. Don't see it on 680 News, either.
- Forward Power
- Member
Offline
Re: Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
How about Rogers just totally cleans house and shuts down completely? Do us all a favour and put that piece of crap company out of its misery. Same with Bell.
- Prod Guy
- Unregistered
Re: Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
Does it seem odd to anyone that Rogers PR would put out such a complimentary statement about someone they just got rid of?
We love him. If only he still worked here.
- betaylored
- Member
Offline
Re: Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
Prod Guy wrote:
Does it seem odd to anyone that Rogers PR would put out such a complimentary statement about someone they just got rid of?
We love him. If only he still worked here.
It's the corporate breakup version of "it's not you, it's me."
Quite a few people leaving the radio business this month, some voluntarily retiring, as well as the seasonal company "turkey dump".
Last edited by betaylored (November 28, 2020 2:25 am)
- Radiowiz
- Member
Online!
Re: Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
How about Rogers just totally cleans house and shuts down completely? Do us all a favour and put that piece of crap company out of its misery. Same with Bell.
Bell is most likely doing a lot better than Rogers financially.
The thought that maybe Rogers IS bankrupt, but not yet filed does come to mind.
THAT
Or maybe they want to wash their hands of all the businesses they own, but need to make it look profitable before the sale...
I don't know, but something is not adding up when you figure all the recent cuts PLUS the recent hikes in cable, internet, etc...
RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person.
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.
- Leslieville Bill
- Member
Offline
Re: Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
Thankfully, Rogers has that NHL deal.
... and Shomi plus their $500 million, next-gen cable box. LOL
Last edited by Leslieville Bill (November 28, 2020 9:03 am)
- Not an industry person. Just a guy with a love of Toronto radio.
- Leslieville Bill
- Member
Offline
Re: Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
I guess for Roger's it's all about putting out the cheapest product possible. It's a shame, I enjoyed hearing Wilner.
- Not an industry person. Just a guy with a love of Toronto radio.
- paterson1
- Member
Offline
Re: Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
The broadcast division for Rogers has not been doing well, what media is right now? Likely the bad news started with the expensive NHL broadcast deal which still has years to go until the 2025/26 season.
Rogers will be glad to be rid of that drain on their revenue. Their only hope between now and the end of the deal would be that a Canadian team makes it to the NHL final. Look for the next NHL broadcast package in Canada be a split between Rogers, CBC, and Bell.
Rogers seems to be getting into real estate in a big way, with a big development in Mississauga and an even larger one proposed for downtown Toronto which may be on hold until the economy settles down.
Their $10 billion take over of Cogeco is dead but it does show that Rogers still has a lot of cash to throw around. The Cogeco takeover included a lot of radio stations and it would have been interesting to see if they would have kept them or sold some or all of them off. Most of the stations were in Quebec where Rogers doesn't have any.
- RadioActive
- Moderator
Offline
Re: Mike Wilner out at Rogers/Blue Jays
This local radio story made at least one U.S. newspaper. Still no explanation about what led to the parting, although economics is almost certainly a part of it.
U.S.A. Today: Sportsnet parts ways with Blue Jays radio announcer Mike Wilner