1 of 1- RadioActive
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Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
I don't want to get into the politics of this, just the way it affected radio on Monday. Turns out there was a huge story - and no one to talk about it. The Ontario government, in a classic news dump, confirmed the long-expected resignation of Housing Minister Steve Clark in the midst of the Greenbelt scandal.
It was almost inevitable and it was predictable it would happen on a day when most newsrooms aren't being staffed and talk show hosts are off on vacation. I expect it will become a huge topic of discussion come Tuesday, along with the usual back-to-school stories and the unusual Sept. heatwave.
But the fact there's no one in to actually do this as a topic proves that sometimes having a live voice, even on a lazy Labour Day, is worth the effort. I'm just surprised they didn't launch this political missile on Friday night. But I guess some people were working on the weekend, so this gives it the least media impact.
The government used the holiday as cover. and it looks like they're getting away with it. Because 'breaking news' is no longer breaking when it's nearly 24 hours old.
- RadioAaron
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RadioActive wrote:
The government used the holiday as cover. and it looks like they're getting away with it. Because 'breaking news' is no longer breaking when it's nearly 24 hours old.
Kind of weird that they still do this. Yeah, there's nobody around to talk about it on talk radio, but very few people would hear that anyway. However, absolutely everybody who's interested will know within hours, if not immediately. Toronto Star pushed it to my phone over an hour ago.
You can't bury breaking news anymore.
- RadioActive
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Re: Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
The (usually) late Friday news dump is a political tradition. They're gambling you either won't see it, won't care or will forget about it for a while because you're off doing something else a lot more fun. I just wish there was a show I could tune in today to hear listener reaction.
But hey, at least we know what John Moore will be talking about in his new timeslot come Tuesday!
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Thread Starter- John D
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Re: Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
Seems to be more of a Canadian thing. Especially in Toronto TV news. If you watch CNN or any other American news program they will always have staff to report on breaking news; on holidays. Usually they're weekend anchors sitting in. You always seem to catch the big stories of the day; on U.S. TV. In Toronto TV, it's a day off. The same for radio. Great for staff; but I think a disservice to the audience. Just my opinion. Radio Aaron makes a great point. Great topic RadioActive.
Last edited by John D (September 4, 2023 11:27 am)
- RadioActive
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Re: Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
At least the CP24s and the CBC News cable channels have it. So someone's on it. But this being Labour Day, both CTV Toronto and Global have opted out of their regular noon news shows, so this won't hit their airwaves until 6 o'clock.
Ironic in a way, because there are probably more people home to watch it on the off day then will see it during the week when most of them are back at work.
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Thread Starter- RadioActive
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Well, well, well. Looks like I spoke too soon. I was surprised (but pleased) to hear AM 640 had live talent (normal weekend host Maggie John) doing the afternoon drive show on Monday. Not only can she deal with the Steve Clark story and others, but she can keep a lot of people coming back from cottage country company with an actual live broadcast on their way home.
First change from new boss Mike Bendixen? I have no idea, but bravo for actually bringing a live body (in addition to a producer) in on the holiday.
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Thread Starter- RadioActive
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Re: Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
And now there's been a Cabinet Shuffle, making the live move on 640 look even better. CFRB? Not so much.
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Thread Starter- RadioAaron
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Re: Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
Kind of like if Today Radio beat Energy 95.3 to an unexpected new release.
- RadioActive
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Re: Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
Yes, it's not going to make a huge difference in the end, but if I'm a listener, I may remember who had the info and who didn't when news was breaking, especially on a holiday. And I might tune back there in the future. I appreciate the live programming on one the slowest days of the year, limited though it may be.
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Thread Starter- RadioAaron
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Yes, it's not going to make a huge difference in the end.
You spelled "any" wrong.
- RadioActive
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Re: Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
Leave me my illusions. They're all I have left!
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Thread Starter- Shorty Wave
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Re: Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
AM740 was all over this announcement yesterday, especially on Fight Back with Libby Znaimer, which was live, on a holiday no less!!
- paterson1
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Re: Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
I think today is more appropriate for the discussions and analysis on talk radio. On holiday Monday the minister resigning was a news story on both radio and TV. Today, and especially after the premier's press conference is when the discussions should happen. Yesterday, on a holiday Monday not enough information other than the announcement. And as Aaron has pointed out, almost no audience to hear any analysis yesterday.
- RadioActive
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Re: Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
Yes, there are good reasons to give staff the day off. They work hard and they deserve it. And it's not often a big story breaks on a holiday weekend.
But talk and all-news may be the only two radio formats that almost by definition demand live programming. Unfortunately, the former wasn't there this weekend. Small audiences or not, it was always hammered into me for eons that consistency is paramount in radio.
If you tune into a country music station, they better damn well be playing country music. Just like you wouldn't dial into 104.5 and expect to hear non-stop jazz. They made a commitment to a format. They need to serve it 24/7, although even I'm not naive enough to expect today's economics to allow for that these days. But it should be the goal as often as possible.
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Thread Starter- paterson1
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Re: Why Airing Holiday Rerolls Failed Miserably On Labour Day
Yes, there are good reasons to give staff the day off. They work hard and they deserve it. And it's not often a big story breaks on a holiday weekend.
But talk and all-news may be the only two radio formats that almost by definition demand live programming. Unfortunately, the former wasn't there this weekend. Small audiences or not, it was always hammered into me for eons that consistency is paramount in radio.
If you tune into a country music station, they better damn well be playing country music. Just like you wouldn't dial into 104.5 and expect to hear non-stop jazz. They made a commitment to a format. They need to serve it 24/7, although even I'm not naive enough to expect today's economics to allow for that these days. But it should be the goal as often as possible.
The resignation was on the news all day on TV and radio. On a holiday Monday that is sufficient, in depth analysis is more appropriate the day after when there is more information.
The rules are not as black and white as 40 years ago. We have many more stations today and there will be more shades of grey. Country music? Our local country station was hyping and giving away tickets to Guns N Roses. Some country fans feel much of the current music isn't country at all. More rock and too guitar oriented.
Look at TV entertainment shows. You have eTalk a CTV program regularly promoting shows that are broadcast on other networks. ET Canada on Global does the same thing all the time. Shows that are on the competition with interviews and promotion. I remember after ET Canada did a long feature on CBC's Son of A Critch a few years back, one of the hosts said it was one of her favourite shows on TV.