1 of 1- RadioActive
- Moderator
Offline 
Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
Recently I was complaining about the fact that Rogers didn't bother to carry anything but the final 10 minutes or so of Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Finals. And I wondered if they would somehow find a way to take the all important winner-take-all Game 7.
With the Jays playing the Red Sox, a contest the Fan was obligated to broadcast, I tuned around. Not on 680. Not on Kiss 92.5. And of course, nothing ever interrupts CHFI. I was beginning to think they'd done it again, and then I stumbled on CKGL-AM, aka CityNews 570 in Kitchener, whose signal comes into Toronto fairly well, but not great.
And there it was. Now the question: how many people in Toronto who might be in their cars and looking for the game on the radio even know CityNews 570 exists and that you can get it in the GTA? They could have at least announced that as part of their sports report on 680.
This is a game that will make hockey history either way. I can't believe there's been a "shutout" in Toronto.
- RadioAaron
- Member
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
During the Canucks' playoff run this season, Sportsnet radio was #1 in the market on many days - but it wasn't the games, but rather the drive shows that brought in the numbers.
Sports radio play-by-play's days are numbered when you can watch any game on your phone.
- betaylored
- Member
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
Here's another way to listen to game 7 on the radio.
The last minute of the first period, still lots of time.
So superstitious I'm not even going to type out the team I'm cheering for. 🇨🇦 🤞
Last edited by betaylored (June 24, 2024 9:01 pm)
- RadioActive
- Moderator
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
That's great, but how many Toronto drivers have even heard of CHED, let alone know where to find it? I think Rogers dropped the ball on this one. Very few are probably listening to music, but I'm betting at least some would like to follow the game. It really should have been on 680.
- •
Thread Starter- RadioAaron
- Member
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
It would have been a ratings drag on 680.
- RadioActive
- Moderator
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
RadioAaron wrote:
Sports radio play-by-play's days are numbered when you can watch any game on your phone.
Maybe, but I wouldn't suggest it while you're driving.
- •
Thread Starter- RadioAaron
- Member
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
Sports radio play-by-play's days are numbered when you can watch any game on your phone.
Maybe, but I wouldn't suggest it while you're driving.
Sure, but the number of people who *have to* listen to a game on the radio is a pretty small niche in most cases, and not worth interrupting a successful format for.
- RadioActive
- Moderator
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
I would say you're right in most cases, but on the brink of only the second biggest comeback in NHL history (and a Canadian team no less), I would argue there may be a lot of interest in this particular match. I'm sitting out on my back deck as I type this with a major Toronto street in my backyard and the game well into its second period.
If the traffic is any evidence, there are a ton of people out tonight and I'm betting at least some of them might like more than updates on 680 sports. At least in this one instance. But I guess we'll never really know.
- •
Thread Starter- RadioAaron
- Member
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
Fair enough.
In the end it will have no measurable effect on ratings either way, but it will cause a few people to consider the usefulness of the medium, and that can't be good.
- RadioActive
- Moderator
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
They announced after that horrific Jays game that they would do an abbreviated Jays Talk then join the Cup Final "already in progress." I suppose Jays Talk has sold commercial time, otherwise, why not just go straight to hockey? Either way, it will eventually be on The Fan. Just two periods too late.
- •
Thread Starter- turkeytop
- Member
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
That's great, but how many Toronto drivers have even heard of CHED, let alone know where to find it? I think Rogers dropped the ball on this one. Very few are probably listening to music, but I'm betting at least some would like to follow the game. It really should have been on 680.
For the erstwhile CKO network, its demise began when they started deviating from their All News format to live broadcast hockey matches.
After all is said and done, more is usually said than done.
- MJ Vancouver
- Member
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
I happened to be flying at the time of the game, and although it was a domestic flight, the Canadian streams were all geo blocked as the flight went mostly through US airspace. Not knowing which US stations might carry the game, I Googled around until I came across KFAN in Minneapolis which had it. And that’s what I streamed.
- betaylored
- Member
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
That's great, but how many Toronto drivers have even heard of CHED, let alone know where to find it? I think Rogers dropped the ball on this one. Very few are probably listening to music, but I'm betting at least some would like to follow the game. It really should have been on 680.
Sadly it probably came down to lack of initative on the part of whoever could have arranged for Toronto listeners to easily hear the game. I agree with you RA, Rogers pucked up.
- RadioActive
- Moderator
Offline
Re: Rogers Airs The Cup Final On Radio But You Really Had To Search For It
Whatever you think of Rogers' decision, at least they didn't do this.
Imagine for a moment if the Leafs won the Cup (dream on!) and the station that had the game and was covering the celebrations made a stunning decision. It happened Monday night on Miami television.
Miami ABC affiliate cuts Panthers’ Stanley Cup celebration for local news
- •
Thread Starter