1 of 1- RadioActive
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Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
A fascinating CRTC release Tuesday morning, involving a number of Bell Media stations - although maybe not for long.
The first order of business involves the potential sale of three stations - CKLY Lindsay, CKPT and CKQM Peterborough, all FMs, to Durham Radio. Potential purchase price for the trio: just over $2 million.
More here.
Next to Brockville and Kingston, where MyFM wants to take over four Bell properties - CJPT-FM and CFJR-FM Brockville, and CFLY-FM and CKLC-FM Kingston. As they used to say on Let's Make A Deal, with tax and licence it sells for around $1.1 million.
See details here.
But the real shocker may come for those out west, where Vista plans to acquire no less than 21 Bell stations in smaller markets. Total for the package: somewhere in the $5 million range. But the Commission notes that with Vista already owning so many stations out west, some of the deals could be quashed because that may give the company too many signals in similar smaller markets.
Those details, inluding the stations affected, are here.
Hearings on all these proposed transactions will be held on Sept. 5th as it appears Bell continually wants out of its radio commitments.
- RadioAaron
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
These aren't new; they're some of the ones already announced.
- RadioActive
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
Have to say I don't remember those specific ones being highlighted, (as if the CKOC, CHAM and CKWW deals weren't enough) but the fact remains it's coming closer to reality,
With the hearings just two months away, it looks like Bell is concentrating only on major markets. How long before they decide to sell those, too? (A part of me wishes they would, considering how they've destroyed so many of the heritage stations they took over.) Could CFRB one day be up for grabs?
(If only Corus had the money...
)
Last edited by RadioActive (July 2, 2024 11:27 am)
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Thread Starter- RadioAaron
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
It all will be over time, I suppose.
This round, it was stations in all the markets where Bell doesn't also have local TV
- Forward Power
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
The CRTC were sure to mention the fact that My Broadcasting Corp. already owns a station in Gananoque, CJGM-FM 99.9, which shares tower space with CJPT-FM 103.7 near Lansdowne. Which station will MBC give up in order to stay within ownership limits? CFLY-FM 98.3 and CJPT have massive signals, while CKLC-FM 98.9 and CFJR-FM 104.9 are smaller, originating from their respective ex-AM sites. CJGM is also a smaller signal.
Also worth noting is that the incorrect address is given for MBC - earlier this year the company HQ moved to new studio and office space at the expanded recreation complex in Renfrew, the "myFM Centre". The address given is in the process of becoming a restaurant.
Last edited by Forward Power (July 2, 2024 11:47 am)
- Radiowiz
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
RadioAaron wrote:
These aren't new; they're some of the ones already announced.
Have to say I don't remember those specific ones being highlighted,
YUP.
Post # 10, written by RA himself on February 8, 2024 8:46 am
"The list of stations in Ontario is pretty extensive, and yes, CKTB is on it. The names in brackets are the new owners. There is little doubt this will completely rearrange the radio industry in Canada for decades to come."
CKLH, Hamilton, Ont. (Whiteoaks)
CHRE, St. Catharines, Ont. (Whiteoaks)
CHTZ, St. Catharines, Ont. (Whiteoaks)
CKTB, St. Catharines, Ont. (Whiteoaks)
CKLY, Lindsay, Ont. (Durham Radio)
CKPT, Peterborough, Ont. (Durham Radio)
CKQM, Peterborough, Ont. (Durham Radio)
CFJR, Brockville, Ont. (My Broadcasting Corporation)
CJPT, Brockville, Ont. (My Broadcasting Corporation)
CFLY, Kingston, Ont. (My Broadcasting Corporation)
CKLC, Kingston, Ont. (My Broadcasting Corporation)
CJOS, Owen Sound, Ont. (ZoomerMedia)
Last edited by Radiowiz (July 2, 2024 12:31 pm)
RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person.
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.
- Saul
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
I see Blackburn is applying to move CFCO 630 Chatham to 91.3 ...
- RadioActive
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
These aren't new; they're some of the ones already announced.
Have to say I don't remember those specific ones being highlighted,
YUP.
Post # 10, written by RA himself on February 8, 2024 8:46 am
The memory fades as the years go by, and I put up dozens and dozens of posts per week, so it's no surprise I don't recall them all. But the fact remains these deals will soon be done. Then what happens to these stations? I can only hope things will get better, not worse, for listeners, since Bell seems not to care a whit about their radio properties and has, in fact, done almost everything they can to destroy them.
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Thread Starter- DX
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
I don't see how it will necessarily be "better" for these stations just because Bell Media is selling them off.
The economics of local radio remain the same, other than shedding the top heavy-ness of Bell Media operation.
My Broadcasting has a good reputation for providing local news services in their markets but if the deal is approved they would own two Kingston FM stations, two in Brockville, one in Gananoque plus their American station across the river. So they only need to just share their existing local news resources between all the stations while continuing with their tendency to rely on regional programs, voice tracking and syndicated programs.
If their deal is approved, Durham Radio could just use regional programs out of Oshawa with parallel formats for some or all of the air time on the Peterborough and Lindsay stations.
It's nice that Bell isn't just closing the stations after corporately admitting that local radio is not viable for them, at least in the smaller markets, and has found buyers.
It's quite telling that Peterborough's most-listened-to among all ages station (with its country format), plus a Peterborough pop station and Lindsay's only station, are only valued at $2 million.
Last edited by DX (July 2, 2024 1:36 pm)
- RadioActive
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
I don't see how it will necessarily be "better" for these stations just because Bell Media is selling them off.
You make some good points, but my hope is that the new owners will try and actually improve programming instead of cutting to the bone everywhere, paring news staffs and just generally not caring about anything except how can we squeeze every last nickel out of the place while spending nothing to make it better.
I don't think many would disagree that Bell has been a terrible owner and never really belonged in radio in the first place. Say what you want about Rogers (and I often do), but at least its radio roots go back a long way and for the most part, they know how to run a station successfully. It's become apparent over the years that Bell doesn't - or at least doesn't care.
And by selling all these places off, it makes me think they're fully aware of it.
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Thread Starter- RadioAaron
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
"Rogers is better than Bell" is a very Toronto-centric sentiment. Their FM staffs in Vancouver would disagree. Bell is simply bigger, and in the process have way more challenges with small markets and AM stations than Rogers.
Stingray, for example, is right up there with Bell in terms of having many small market stations, and they're just as thinly staffed as Bell stations, if not more.
The new owners are under the same challenges as Bell, except Bell was able to float running them at losses for a while. You're not going to see staffing increases, just different priorities. Some will like the changes, some won't -- but none of them are going to be as "good" as we may remember them in the past.
- JON POLE
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
The CRTC were sure to mention the fact that My Broadcasting Corp. already owns a station in Gananoque, CJGM-FM 99.9, which shares tower space with CJPT-FM 103.7 near Lansdowne. Which station will MBC give up in order to stay within ownership limits? CFLY-FM 98.3 and CJPT have massive signals, while CKLC-FM 98.9 and CFJR-FM 104.9 are smaller, originating from their respective ex-AM sites. CJGM is also a smaller signal.
Also worth noting is that the incorrect address is given for MBC - earlier this year the company HQ moved to new studio and office space at the expanded recreation complex in Renfrew, the "myFM Centre". The address given is in the process of becoming a restaurant.
Fun fact:
It's the right address as Canada Post hasn't identified a proper address for our new office. I know that sounds crazy.
- rk12
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
Such poor management spending billions getting all those radio stations and not knowing radio was on the decline.Still radio has many motorist listeners perhaps there are now to many stations in small markets.
- RadioAaron
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
The money was spent to get things like Astral's HBO deal and a second full-power FM in Toronto. The small stations came as part of the bundle, something the telcos are quite familiar with being on the other end of.
And yes, there are too many stations in small markets. (Also, large markets)
- markow202
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
Surprised CICZ FM Bounce (Midland Ont) formerly the Dock hasnt also been put on the list
- Forward Power
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
Surprised CICZ FM Bounce (Midland Ont) formerly the Dock hasnt also been put on the list
Bounce Midland and Pure Country Orillia were likely kept because of CKVR/CTV Barrie.
- RadioAaron
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
Surprised CICZ FM Bounce (Midland Ont) formerly the Dock hasnt also been put on the list
Bounce Midland and Pure Country Orillia were likely kept because of CKVR/CTV Barrie.
correct
- markow202
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
Surprised CICZ FM Bounce (Midland Ont) formerly the Dock hasnt also been put on the list
Bounce Midland and Pure Country Orillia were likely kept because of CKVR/CTV Barrie.
Think they will unload the CTV2 networks such as CKVR?
- RadioAaron
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
Surprised CICZ FM Bounce (Midland Ont) formerly the Dock hasnt also been put on the list
Bounce Midland and Pure Country Orillia were likely kept because of CKVR/CTV Barrie.
Think they will unload the CTV2 networks such as CKVR?
I would doubt it. That would create a new competitor. (and likely there's nobody who'd want to buy them anyway)
- Radiowiz
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
Bounce Midland and Pure Country Orillia were likely kept because of CKVR/CTV Barrie.Think they will unload the CTV2 networks such as CKVR?
I would doubt it. That would create a new competitor. (and likely there's nobody who'd want to buy them anyway)
Bell is after content these days, more so than TV channels.
Holding onto the TV stations secures that there is a guaranteed home for the content.
RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person.
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.
- andysradio
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
Think they will unload the CTV2 networks such as CKVR?
They should roll CTV2 into CTV and close the duplicates in applicable markets
- Radiowiz
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
They should roll CTV2 into CTV and close the duplicates in applicable markets
This again depends on the future of Bell content.
CTV 2 is also locked in place so that a sim sub of a program that would normally air on CTV can happen on CTV 2 when football (or any sport) airs on CTV.
Therefore, the "duplicate" is still needed to secure a home for sim subbing when necessary.
RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person.
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.
- RadioAaron
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Re: Bell's Radio Shedding Spree Continues, Unloading 28 Stations
Yep, their primary use is as a CTV overflow network. They wouldn't work as stand-alones.