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February 8, 2021 4:59 pm  #121


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

eladb wrote:

I heard the same segment on Tom McConnell's show and kudos to him for dealing with the issue of the cuts and not avoiding it. 
Personally, even though I live in the GTA, I prefer McConnell's show to The Rush on 1010.

Agreed. I tune out The Rush's hours until the rush hour is over. I can't imagine how it's relevant to a London audience.

 

February 8, 2021 5:45 pm  #122


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

RadioActive wrote:

Agreed. I tune out The Rush's hours until the rush hour is over. I can't imagine how it's relevant to a London audience.

It's interesting - I feel the separated, remote broadcasting necessitated by the pandemic over the last year has really killed the flow and conversational vibe "charm" of "The Rush". Ryan Doyle and Jay "Mad Dog" Michaels are both solid broadcasters; the show was never my favorite, but I'd hear it in passing and the back-and-forth chemistry and banter really had a very specific rhythm to it that they could do while looking across the table at one another.

They've, of course, had to adapt to a remote way of working (and Michaels moved back east to Nova Scotia, not making a secret of it, during the economic downturn; not sure if that's still the case, though) which can be very challenging for a show like this - and I know that they've said they use FaceTime while broadcasting for themselves for non-verbal cues and gestures about who takes lead, etc.  But for many months and even still I hear them talking over each other, each pausing for the other to jump in, one of them on a delay by a few seconds and not adding much to addressing the guest or caller. Frequently, any momentary kinetic energy that might otherwise be there is deflated and gone - gradual build-ups ruined by timing or technical issues.

Admittedly It's gotten *slightly* better as they figure out their new way of working - and I don't envy trying to do a rapidfire "banter" show like this while physically separated - but I'm surprised at how often a show like this falls down completely by not being in the same studio together and picking up on conversational rhythms from each other in-person.

 

February 8, 2021 5:56 pm  #123


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

RadioActive wrote:

Agreed. I tune out The Rush's hours until the rush hour is over. I can't imagine how it's relevant to a London audience.

Do Jay and Ryan even acknowledge that they are on in London as well? Do they run any items that can be of interest to that specific market? If not, I can't imagine the appeal for the London audience, particularly when CFPL runs local programming at the same time.
 

 

February 8, 2021 10:12 pm  #124


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

On Sunday night, Andria Case was forced to do a brief weather report on CFTO's 6 & 11:30 news, since it appears Lyndsay Morrison somehow can't work seven days a week. Go figure. Since anchors already do highlights when a Toronto team plays (since they previously fired all their local sports anchors) I suppose this was no surprise. 

But one day it's going to bite them hard. There will be a winter blizzard and they won't have a weather person to go to for more information. That's when those people are really needed. But someone on tape or not working that day can hardly tell viewers what they need to know. 

I recently watched a few of the New York City TV stations as they endured the worst Nor'easter in 2 years, with at least 18 inches of snow falling in about 48 hours, creating a state of emergency. They not only brought in one of their regular meteorologists to cover the event, they also had another one doing different angles. And they went live for hours, interrupting network programming when needed. It was great coverage and was exactly what viewers needed to see and hear, complete with all the maps. 

You won't see that on CFTO, since there's no longer anyone there to do it.  

Bell Media: pennywise and pound foolish. But that's the way the wind is blowing there. Not there's anyone there to tell you which direction it is. 

     Thread Starter
 

February 9, 2021 8:27 am  #125


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

I also noticed that about the NYC network affilliates AND they all still have real, live sports reporters to deliver the local teams activities and scores.

 

February 9, 2021 9:22 am  #126


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

I feel for CJBK and the listeners, when I worked there, it went from hits to "Light Rock" a new ownership group took over and well, that decision lost us half of our ears...listeners went to FM96 and CKSL which was like CFTR in the days of Tom Rivers, Mike Cooper and Tarzan Dan...

For 1290 not to have local programming in that city is a disgrace and they need to think things through and re-design programming to fit these fringe markets that have lost that local feel.

It has been a disheartening week for sure in this business we love... actually it is the art we love, the business of it, not so much.

 


The world would be so good if it weren't for some people...
 

February 9, 2021 9:51 am  #127


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

And THIS is exactly why people hate Bell, Rogers and Telus - especially after the former lays off so many people. Outrageous greedmongers.

Top telecoms took in almost a quarter-billion dollars from Canada’s wage-subsidy program — and kept paying dividends




 

     Thread Starter
 

February 9, 2021 11:16 am  #128


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

mace wrote:

I also noticed that about the NYC network affilliates AND they all still have real, live sports reporters to deliver the local teams activities and scores.

The only station around here that still covers local sports with a sports director and anchor is CHCH.  As a matter of fact in addition to sports director Bubba O'Neil channel 11 also has two sports reporters that cover local teams. 

And weather, they have three on air weather specialists on staff.  So good on CHCH, showing the over rated big guys in Toronto how it's done! 

 

February 9, 2021 11:46 am  #129


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

If you remove localization of radio stations with music then all you're giving people is a stream.  If people just want a music stream then they'll turn on their phones in the car or at home.  It's a strategy bound to fail.  That said, the teflon suits at Bell will then say, "see, we told you there's no market for radio."  It's the reason I listen to and support stations like JAZZ.FM91 and Classical 96.3.  I want to learn more about the music and what's happening in Toronto with respect to these music genres.


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

February 9, 2021 12:31 pm  #130


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

Norman peters wrote:

Ashley is doing the newscasts this morning. Russ Courtney is on vacation, getting a well deserved break, or just another number in the ever shrinking CFRB news department.

Russ back at it this morning.

Seems to be some confusion on the actual branding to use for those multi-station "network" shows, i.e. Jerry Agar's. I've heard it referred to as both "The Bell Media Talk Radio Network" in other host intros/voiceovers as well as "The iHeartRadio Talk Network".

 

February 9, 2021 12:53 pm  #131


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

paterson1 wrote:

mace wrote:

I also noticed that about the NYC network affilliates AND they all still have real, live sports reporters to deliver the local teams activities and scores.

The only station around here that still covers local sports with a sports director and anchor is CHCH.  As a matter of fact in addition to sports director Bubba O'Neil channel 11 also has two sports reporters that cover local teams. 

And weather, they have three on air weather specialists on staff.  So good on CHCH, showing the over rated big guys in Toronto how it's done! 

Good on them indeed.  As a cottager, really wish CKVR Barrie was left untouched like CHCH and run on their own (just remembered CHCH also has a repeater in Muskoka near me).   

Its like someone poured bleach all over the station.  

 

February 9, 2021 1:13 pm  #132


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

AspectRatio wrote:

Norman peters wrote:

Ashley is doing the newscasts this morning. Russ Courtney is on vacation, getting a well deserved break, or just another number in the ever shrinking CFRB news department.

Russ back at it this morning.

Seems to be some confusion on the actual branding to use for those multi-station "network" shows, i.e. Jerry Agar's. I've heard it referred to as both "The Bell Media Talk Radio Network" in other host intros/voiceovers as well as "The iHeartRadio Talk Network".

I thought Newstalk didn't have a 12 noon news anymore?  They had a noon hour cast today and it sounded local to me. To be honest with you listening to the station yesterday and today, I haven't really heard much difference at least during the day.  The only change I have noticed is in the afternoon with Jim Richards gone and the annoying frat boys new time.  Never listen to 1010 in the evening anyway so I can't comment on their evening programming.   

 

February 9, 2021 2:17 pm  #133


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

RadioActive wrote:

On Sunday night, Andria Case was forced to do a brief weather report on CFTO's 6 & 11:30 news, since it appears Lyndsay Morrison somehow can't work seven days a week. Go figure. 

I noticed this too, but I suspect that the situation is only temporary. Lyndsay will go back to working just noon and 6pm shifts on weekdays once Bell hires a new weekend weathercaster (not a real meteorologist of course, but someone cheap who wants to crack into journalism for some reason and will cost far less than Anwar and Tom).  

 

 

February 9, 2021 2:40 pm  #134


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

TomTV wrote:

RadioActive wrote:

On Sunday night, Andria Case was forced to do a brief weather report on CFTO's 6 & 11:30 news, since it appears Lyndsay Morrison somehow can't work seven days a week. Go figure. 

I noticed this too, but I suspect that the situation is only temporary. Lyndsay will go back to working just noon and 6pm shifts on weekdays once Bell hires a new weekend weathercaster (not a real meteorologist of course, but someone cheap who wants to crack into journalism for some reason and will cost far less than Anwar and Tom).  

 

Doesn't CP24 have a weekend weather person? They'll probably get them to do CFTO's weekend weather.
 

 

February 10, 2021 10:47 am  #135


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

RadioActive wrote:

As noted in another thread, one Bell fired another. 

Steve Bell, who was at CKLW as sports director for an incredible 41 years, was given the boot by his Bell Media bosses this week. I understand that you can't always let someone go back on air after they're let go, but if anyone deserved to be able to say goodbye to listeners, it was this guy. 

I shudder to think what they would have done had Wally Crouter still been doing mornings at RB. 

Windsor Star: Angry reaction at radio layoff of Steve Bell after 41 years

This shows how much a local personality can mean to a community. The guy was with CKLW for 41 years.

Steve Bell overwhelmed by support after being let go by Bell Media

     Thread Starter
 

February 10, 2021 2:21 pm  #136


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

It looks as though Jerry Agar's show is now also simulcast on CJBK in London, in addition to the previously reported simulcast on 610 CKTB.

We've already noted that The Rush from 1010 is simulcast in London. Add in Evan Solomon and it looks like the CJBK morning show is the only remaining local offering on the station.

 

February 10, 2021 4:28 pm  #137


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

eladb wrote:

We've already noted that The Rush from 1010 is simulcast in London.

To add insult to injury for those other stations taking the show, they only give out the Toronto phone number for callers, even though there is a toll free long distance line. Completely irrelevant for anyone in London. 

     Thread Starter
 

February 10, 2021 8:21 pm  #138


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

RadioActive wrote:

eladb wrote:

We've already noted that The Rush from 1010 is simulcast in London.

To add insult to injury for those other stations taking the show, they only give out the Toronto phone number for callers, even though there is a toll free long distance line. Completely irrelevant for anyone in London. 

I don't disagree, but please take note that few people worry about paying long distance charges anymore. Mind you, those sitting in their London kitchens, still paying monthly rent to Bell for that old wall-hanging rotary dial phone, may not realize that still paying long distance charges is the equivalent to driving a Model T on the 4nought1.
 

 

February 14, 2021 3:55 pm  #139


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

Peter the K wrote:

In another thread I made a not so flippant quip about the yearly tradition of bell lets talk day followed by the inevitable cuts.  I didn't think it would mean this kind of bloodbath.  Kinda wish I kept my mouth shut.

Condolences to all involved -- however it may be.

I feel awful.
 

I agree with you.  It's almost as if Let's Talk Day acts like a partial coverup as the positive news stories it gets from the press helps mitigate the impact of negative news stories that come out a few days after as a result of the cuts. 

There is a big difference this year however with the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that Bell obtained $123 Million in wage subsidies from the Federal government in 2020 but has decided this year to increase its quarterly dividend payout to shareholders by 5.1% (i.e. an additional $0.0425 per share).

$0.0425 per share may not seem like a lot but with 904,400,000 shares in the market, this represents a dividend payment of about 38.42 Million per quarter so in all of 2021, Bell will pay an additional $153.68 Million to shareholders!

Last edited by PwrSurge (February 15, 2021 4:06 am)

 

February 14, 2021 7:37 pm  #140


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

ED1 wrote:

TomTV wrote:

RadioActive wrote:

On Sunday night, Andria Case was forced to do a brief weather report on CFTO's 6 & 11:30 news, since it appears Lyndsay Morrison somehow can't work seven days a week. Go figure. 

I noticed this too, but I suspect that the situation is only temporary. Lyndsay will go back to working just noon and 6pm shifts on weekdays once Bell hires a new weekend weathercaster (not a real meteorologist of course, but someone cheap who wants to crack into journalism for some reason and will cost far less than Anwar and Tom).  

 

Doesn't CP24 have a weekend weather person? They'll probably get them to do CFTO's weekend weather.
 

Saron Fanel did the weather on the 6pm CTV News. Anyone know where she came from.

 

February 14, 2021 7:45 pm  #141


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

mace wrote:

Saron Fanel did the weather on the 6pm CTV News. Anyone know where she came from.

Based on this from January 2020 (a year ago):

"Saron Fanel is leaving CTV Saskatoon to return to CTV Ottawa. Prior to joining CTV Saskatoon as an anchor, producer and VJ in 2018, Fanel was a community reporter for CTV Ottawa and worked as an anchor/producer on 580 CFRA."

Her social media is updated to "CTV Toronto" currently, so that's a bunch of moving around!

 

February 14, 2021 8:33 pm  #142


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

We're about to get one of the worst snow weeks in Toronto in years, with two huge storms, and CFTO not only doesn't have a meteorologist on staff, they barely have a weatherperson. It's not going to be enough to have Lyndsay Morrison on tape at night, when 30cm of snow (estimated) falls by or around Thursday night into Friday morning. 

I watched Saron Fanel try to do the weather on Sunday's 6 and it wasn't pretty. While she seems to be OK on air, she clearly wasn't familiar with the map, called for a Toronto temperature that wasn't shown and had to backtrack, and breezed by the long range forecast, with Thursday and Friday's major dumping barely being mentioned. Kind of important to know.

Bell did not do themselves any favours by cutting CTV's senior weather people in the middle of February, arguably the worst winter month of the year. I'll be watching either Global's Anthony Farnell or City's Adam Stiles - both bona fide meteorologists - for the updates I need as winter's worst approaches.

     Thread Starter
 

February 14, 2021 9:48 pm  #143


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

To be fair, Saron probably never expected to be doing the weather... until the Bell Media cuts came along. While it's being mentioned, there were so many issues with Sunday's CFTO 6 p.m. show... wrong supers, the old font being used for the city name on the screen behind the anchors... and at one point, the screen behind Pauline and Rahim went black. 

I've never understood why CTV News went with a different font for their city names instead of a complete top-down redesign. Maybe it's my OCD talking, but it's been at least a year and a bit and they still use a mix of the old and new fonts. 

 

February 14, 2021 10:16 pm  #144


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

time check

 

February 14, 2021 10:17 pm  #145


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

time is a hour ahead 

 

February 14, 2021 10:57 pm  #146


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

cash wrote:

time is a hour ahead 

This time change thing seems to only affect certain people on Boardhost, (including yours truly) and I've never been able to understand why some see the wrong time while others don't.

But if it really bugs you, the fix is very simple. I outlined how in a previous thread a while ago. You can read it here, but remember with the Daylight Saving Time change coming exactly a month from today, you'll have to readjust it again then. Hope this helps. 

We now return you to your regular bitching about Bell, already in progress. 

     Thread Starter
 

February 14, 2021 11:23 pm  #147


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

RadioActive wrote:

cash wrote:

time is a hour ahead 

This time change thing seems to only affect certain people on Boardhost, (including yours truly) and I've never been able to understand why some see the wrong time while others don't.

But if it really bugs you, the fix is very simple. I outlined how in a previous thread a while ago. You can read it here, but remember with the Daylight Saving Time change coming exactly a month from today, you'll have to readjust it again then. Hope this helps. 

We now return you to your regular bitching about Bell, already in progress. 

thanks 
 

 

February 15, 2021 1:20 pm  #148


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

RadioActive wrote:

We're about to get one of the worst snow weeks in Toronto in years, with two huge storms, and CFTO not only doesn't have a meteorologist on staff, they barely have a weatherperson. It's not going to be enough to have Lyndsay Morrison on tape at night, when 30cm of snow (estimated) falls by or around Thursday night into Friday morning. 

I watched Saron Fanel try to do the weather on Sunday's 6 and it wasn't pretty. While she seems to be OK on air, she clearly wasn't familiar with the map, called for a Toronto temperature that wasn't shown and had to backtrack, and breezed by the long range forecast, with Thursday and Friday's major dumping barely being mentioned. Kind of important to know.

Bell did not do themselves any favours by cutting CTV's senior weather people in the middle of February, arguably the worst winter month of the year. I'll be watching either Global's Anthony Farnell or City's Adam Stiles - both bona fide meteorologists - for the updates I need as winter's worst approaches.

Agree with your take on this. I saw the same newscast and it wasn't good.  Not blaming the individual;  but the decision makers responsible.
 

 

February 15, 2021 10:12 pm  #149


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

RadioActive wrote:

We're about to get one of the worst snow weeks in Toronto in years, with two huge storms, and CFTO not only doesn't have a meteorologist on staff, they barely have a weatherperson. It's not going to be enough to have Lyndsay Morrison on tape at night, when 30cm of snow (estimated) falls by or around Thursday night into Friday morning. 

 

When Bell was making the cuts for Toronto, why didn't thy just shut the CFTO weather department down all together and let Lyndsay go too?
Just go to weather from the CP24 newsroom. Wouldn't that work?  
Is there a meteorologist @ CP24? 
 


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

 
 

February 15, 2021 10:50 pm  #150


Re: Big Bell Bloodbath Hits Properties In Toronto - 210 Positions Cut

Radiowiz wrote:

RadioActive wrote:

We're about to get one of the worst snow weeks in Toronto in years, with two huge storms, and CFTO not only doesn't have a meteorologist on staff, they barely have a weatherperson. It's not going to be enough to have Lyndsay Morrison on tape at night, when 30cm of snow (estimated) falls by or around Thursday night into Friday morning. 

 

When Bell was making the cuts for Toronto, why didn't thy just shut the CFTO weather department down all together and let Lyndsay go too?
Just go to weather from the CP24 newsroom. Wouldn't that work?  
Is there a meteorologist @ CP24? 
 

Yes, both Chris Potter and Bill Coulter are meteorologists at CP24...