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February 20, 2021 10:28 pm  #1


CKOC Hamilton

So, CKOC has been flipped from TSN to Bloomberg Radio. Since I have zero interest in sports radio, I see this as a positive move.

But I would like to contact someone at the station about some technical issues. Anyone have any idea how I can do that? Their website doesn't give any mailing address, phone number or e mail address.


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
 

February 20, 2021 10:39 pm  #2


Re: CKOC Hamilton

There is a Contact us section lower down on the page if your scroll down, although it doesn't appear to give you an option to type in any comments. Maybe they don't care. 



PJ


ClassicHitsOnline.com...If you enjoy hearing the same 200 songs over and over again...listen to the other guys!
 

February 20, 2021 10:45 pm  #3


Re: CKOC Hamilton

I'm afraid you may be right.


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
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February 21, 2021 12:01 am  #4


Re: CKOC Hamilton

I dread having to phone Bell or Rogers in Ottawa.  If, someone answers the phone they usually do not know the answer or say someone will get in touch with me.  Of course, that doesn't happen.
I remind them they are in the communication business.  But to them, it's a mute point.

 

February 21, 2021 1:05 am  #5


Re: CKOC Hamilton

The Bell Media web page has a "contact us" tab you can click on. But then it just asks what kind of advertising campaign you want to do. 


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
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February 21, 2021 10:34 am  #6


Re: CKOC Hamilton

Just after a promo spot for BNN Bloomberg Radio, very early this morning, up pops a re-roll of what sounded like Bill Carroll's Friday morning show on the iHeart Talk Radio Network...all on 1150.

Mind you, I was still wake-up groggy.
 

 

February 21, 2021 11:11 am  #7


Re: CKOC Hamilton

turkeytop wrote:

The Bell Media web page has a "contact us" tab you can click on. But then it just asks what kind of advertising campaign you want to do. 

This has become one of my pet peeves, and it's not just confined to broadcasting. Turns out no one in any business seems to want to talk to you anymore. There have been a plethora of occasions when I tried to reach someone at 680 News or NT1010.

It's almost impossible to find an actual phone number and if you do, you're greeted by a 10 minute voice mail that tells you that you MUST listen because all their options have recently changed. (How often do these guys change these options, anyway? Every one of them seems to be in a constant state of flux.) You choose one of them and get more voice mail that doesn't answer your question, but nowhere does it tell you how to reach a receptionist, who can connect you to the extension you want. 

(The only exception seems to be reaching the newsroom for a tip, but no one there can ever answer a question unrelated to their specific job, has no idea who you should speak to and can't connect you to an extension they don't know and are too busy to look up in any case.)

It's either a cost saving move having an electronic operator (and no live person) - not a surprise by either Bell or Rogers - or else they simply do not want to talk to you. You don't matter and your question makes no difference to them. 

Sometimes, they invite you to leave a message or an email, but in all the years I've been dealing with this, not a single one of them is ever returned - unless it's by a very unhelpful automatic reply, which does absolutely nothing to help you. 

No wonder people think corporations are faceless and see their customers solely as wallets. Because in the end, that's exactly what you are.  

 

February 21, 2021 11:53 am  #8


Re: CKOC Hamilton

RadioActive wrote:

turkeytop wrote:

The Bell Media web page has a "contact us" tab you can click on. But then it just asks what kind of advertising campaign you want to do. 

This has become one of my pet peeves, and it's not just confined to broadcasting. Turns out no one in any business seems to want to talk to you anymore. There have been a plethora of occasions when I tried to reach someone at 680 News or NT1010.

It's almost impossible to find an actual phone number and if you do, you're greeted by a 10 minute voice mail that tells you that you MUST listen because all their options have recently changed. (How often do these guys change these options, anyway? Every one of them seems to be in a constant state of flux.) You choose one of them and get more voice mail that doesn't answer your question, but nowhere does it tell you how to reach a receptionist, who can connect you to the extension you want. 

(The only exception seems to be reaching the newsroom for a tip, but no one there can ever answer a question unrelated to their specific job, has no idea who you should speak to and can't connect you to an extension they don't know and are too busy to look up in any case.)

It's either a cost saving move having an electronic operator (and no live person) - not a surprise by either Bell or Rogers - or else they simply do not want to talk to you. You don't matter and your question makes no difference to them. 

Sometimes, they invite you to leave a message or an email, but in all the years I've been dealing with this, not a single one of them is ever returned - unless it's by a very unhelpful automatic reply, which does absolutely nothing to help you. 

No wonder people think corporations are faceless and see their customers solely as wallets. Because in the end, that's exactly what you are.  

I’ve noticed this trend in general with businesses, especially anything tech-related. Facebook is one of the worst offenders.

The recent story about a Robinhood investor committing suicide after being unable to reach anyone at that firm regarding the negative balance in his investment account shone a light on this practice, and it shocked them into action to provide easier ways for their clients to contact them.

Last edited by MJ Vancouver (February 21, 2021 11:54 am)

 

February 21, 2021 12:03 pm  #9


Re: CKOC Hamilton

It's especially frustrating when it comes to medicine, a miasma I'm currently in the middle of. Not only can't you reach a doctor (understandable, they're busy) but in most cases, you cannot get an answer at their office or department. Requests to leave a message and "you'll be called back," results in you never hearing from anyone.. 

It's bad enough when it's broadcasting or a business. But when it's your health, it makes you crazy - and it can be dangerous. I was lucky. I was connected to one of the few physicians/specialists who seems to understand this. He makes it a point to have his receptionist answer his phone as long as his office is open. If she takes a break or goes to lunch, he makes sure someone else is there to take her place. So his phone is ALWAYS answered.  

I asked him about this once and he said it's important patients be able to reach him and know their questions or concerns have been heard. What a refreshing attitude! Unfortunately, he's vastly in the minority. 

 

February 21, 2021 2:22 pm  #10


Re: CKOC Hamilton

The issue I wanted to bring to their attention is this. Just when I get interested in an item or story in the program, they cut away to an ad. I know they need ads to pay the bills, but they should time them better.

When the ads are over, they don't return to the same story. They start in the middle of the next one.


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
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February 21, 2021 2:29 pm  #11


Re: CKOC Hamilton

I've tried repeatedly to reach Corus about their feed of Charles Adler. There's a hard break every hour at the 26-minute mark on the network. I'm not sure why - perhaps 640 is still in delay mode - but they never, ever, ever make this break without the host being cut off in mid-sentence. 

"When we return we'll look at why Justin Trudeau hasn't ---" spot begins. or "Coming up next - our special guest will tell you why Canadians should never have to --" and commercial. 

This has been going on not for weeks or months, but literally years and they never fix it. You'd think someone there might have noticed this by now, but it happens night after night. I guess no one who works there ever listens to their own station after dark. 

I've actutally tried to reach someone there to ask about it, but you can never get through to anyone, there's no extension or phone number to call and no email to leave feedback. Frankly, it's an embarrassment in the major market in the country.

 

February 21, 2021 4:24 pm  #12


Re: CKOC Hamilton

Everyone has been let go!!!!

 

February 21, 2021 8:36 pm  #13


Re: CKOC Hamilton

Normally we spend our winters in Florida. Of course, we can't this year. But I listen the Bloomberg radio there and it goes smoothly. Breaks are built ion to the program stream to accommodate local ads.


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
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February 21, 2021 8:58 pm  #14


Re: CKOC Hamilton

Driving out of the Big Smoke this afternoon and decided to flip on 1150. BNN Bloomberg Radio was playing non-stop smooth jazz.

Mmmmmmmkay. I guess with the markets closed, may as well chill.

 

 

February 21, 2021 9:38 pm  #15


Re: CKOC Hamilton

They seem to do that a lot on weekends. I could handle that as a format too.

I've noticed Bloomberg Radio is different than Bloomberg TV. Whereas Bloomberg TV has two or more video screens active plus text scrolling across the screen, Bloomberg has only a single audio stream.


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
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February 22, 2021 10:52 am  #16


Re: CKOC Hamilton

turkeytop wrote:

The issue I wanted to bring to their attention is this. Just when I get interested in an item or story in the program, they cut away to an ad. I know they need ads to pay the bills, but they should time them better.

When the ads are over, they don't return to the same story. They start in the middle of the next one.

Being the fact it's TV audio... it's possible the visuals make sense.. but the audio does not..

ZERO to do with anything local as there is zero people there to run things.    TV will be running the controls and will fire local breaks when tv goes to break. 

#1 reason TV can't work on radio is what works on TV with visuals does not work with Radio and audio only. 

Sadly it's cheap and this is why Bell is doing it. 

 

February 22, 2021 2:06 pm  #17


Re: CKOC Hamilton

I believe, that, in the U.S.,Bloomberg Radio and Bloomberg TV are separate entities. 


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
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February 22, 2021 6:14 pm  #18


Re: CKOC Hamilton

Bloomberg radio in New York City....WBBR 1130 AM

 

February 22, 2021 9:59 pm  #19


Re: CKOC Hamilton

They also have a station in Sarasota FL, I listen to when I'm in FL. I forget ther frequency, somewhere around 1300 - 1400 KHZ.


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
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February 23, 2021 12:15 am  #20


Re: CKOC Hamilton

Bloomberg Radio and Bloomberg TV in the US are co-owned. Bloomberg itself owns only one radio station, WBBR 1130 in NYC, and directly operates two others, WDCH 99.1 in Washington and WRCA 1330 in Boston. The other "Bloomberg Radio" affiliates in the US are owned by other companies and just carry the format. 

 

February 23, 2021 1:33 am  #21


Re: CKOC Hamilton

fybush wrote:

Bloomberg Radio and Bloomberg TV in the US are co-owned. Bloomberg itself owns only one radio station, WBBR 1130 in NYC, and directly operates two others, WDCH 99.1 in Washington and WRCA 1330 in Boston. The other "Bloomberg Radio" affiliates in the US are owned by other companies and just carry the format. 

Thanks for clearing that up. So, the one in Florida is only an affiliate. By the time I go back, it might be flipped to All Bagpipes All The Time
 


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
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February 23, 2021 11:09 pm  #22


Re: CKOC Hamilton

I've been sitting on 1150 a bit. Haven't heard any Cdn content. Is there any?

 

February 24, 2021 10:45 am  #23


Re: CKOC Hamilton

Saul wrote:

I've been sitting on 1150 a bit. Haven't heard any Cdn content. Is there any?

I think there is quite a bit since they pick up the audio feed from BNN Bloomberg which is based in Toronto, and most of their programming daytime at least is local.

This morning has been full of talk about Canadian stocks, TSX, and Trudeau's virtual meeting with Biden yesterday, and some news reports from CTV.  Also they had local Hamilton traffic and weather with Michael Dimacchio  when I was listening and Michael did identify the station as BNN Bloomberg Radio 1150 Hamilton.  They seem to be running audio for the TV ads during commercial breaks but I also heard some local Hamilton ads around traffic and weather.  Kind of choppy however.  And some long commercial breaks.

Talk radio in Canada normally hasn't picked up much American or foreign programming over the years, so I don't know what if any local content requirements are.  But likely 1150 is already mostly Canadian sourced 6am to 6pm since they are running the TV feed which already is mostly out of Toronto, with some out of NY    

 

March 1, 2021 8:34 pm  #24


Re: CKOC Hamilton

I had high hopes when this flip was first announced. I have zero interest in sports radio. 

It could have been great, but it's doomed to fail. It deserves to fail. Bell Media just doesn't care enough to run it properly. They view the programming as just something cheap to fill the time between ads. That isn't a recipe for success. It shows disrespect for the audience and their audience won't tolerate it.

I've given up on it already.

Last edited by turkeytop (March 1, 2021 8:40 pm)


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March 1, 2021 9:17 pm  #25


Re: CKOC Hamilton

turkeytop wrote:

I had high hopes when this flip was first announced. I have zero interest in sports radio. 

It could have been great, but it's doomed to fail. It deserves to fail. Bell Media just doesn't care enough to run it properly. They view the programming as just something cheap to fill the time between ads. That isn't a recipe for success. It shows disrespect for the audience and their audience won't tolerate it.

I've given up on it already.

Funny, that's very similar to what I said about AM 1280 when they chose to go all business...they didn't last long and now they're gone.


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

 
 

March 1, 2021 10:19 pm  #26


Re: CKOC Hamilton

Radiowiz wrote:

[
Funny, that's very similar to what I said about AM 1280 when they chose to go all business...they didn't last long and now they're gone.

But it doesn't have to be that way. There is enough demand for that kind of a radio format if they would only do it right.. But the media Companies just don't care. They'll just keep on making their advertisers believe someone is actually listening. When they can no longer keep up the charade, they'll flip it to something else. Maybe All Bagpipes.


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
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March 1, 2021 10:23 pm  #27


Re: CKOC Hamilton

turkeytop wrote:

Radiowiz wrote:

[
Funny, that's very similar to what I said about AM 1280 when they chose to go all business...they didn't last long and now they're gone.

But it doesn't have to be that way. There is enough demand for that kind of a radio format if they would only do it right..

You'd spend more on "doing it right" than you'd make back. There's a pretty low ceiling on this format's potential. 

 

March 1, 2021 11:23 pm  #28


Re: CKOC Hamilton

I get CKOC here in London. So I would expect their signal must also get into Metro Toronto. That's a pretty huge audience if they want to make an effort to attract that audience.

Sure, the Hamilton, local businesses aren't interested in pitching their ads to a Toronto market, But they might attract National advertisers

Would they be allowed to sell advertising in Toronto?


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
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March 2, 2021 7:56 pm  #29


Re: CKOC Hamilton

So, I had it on in the car today. The Bloomberg program had a break built right in for commercials. The announcer said "Time for a commercial break. But when we come back - - -"

That would have been the perfect spot for some local commercials. Instead, they filled in the time with promotions for various CTV programs.

After the break, they came back with the item the guy had promised, but about one minute into it they cut away for commercials. Never did get to hear the rest of that story.


I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
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March 2, 2021 9:10 pm  #30


Re: CKOC Hamilton

turkeytop wrote:

Sure, the Hamilton, local businesses aren't interested in pitching their ads to a Toronto market, But they might attract National advertisers

Would they be allowed to sell advertising in Toronto?

Yes, but national advertisers won't likely bite if they don't subscribe to the Toronto ratings, which they won't.

But again, this isn't an attempt to be a successful radio station -- it's a brand extension and keeping a license alive.