Jody Thornton wrote:

RadioAaron wrote:

Jody Thornton wrote:

I'm wondering if, since Bounce 102.9 is the only station left of the Hamilton cluster, might Bell just consolidate it with the St Catharines stations, and just run it from there as a "Hamilton station".  That way they could move out of the Upper Wentworth building..

Outside of physically moving it, they basically already have. 102.9/97.7/105.7/610 are managed as a cluster.

Well now move the traffic department, which I think runs Bell-wide from Hamilton, and the studios into the White House of Rock, and transfer the lease on Upper Wentworth to whomever buys the AM stations.

Bell seems reluctant to make that final step, I suspect because they'd run afoul of the CRTC. Stations I'm sure they'd love to completely automate in markets like Lindsay, Pembroke, and Brockville have retained a bare-minimum local presence.

(Not to mention that their popular morning guy needs to be in Hamilton for his other gig)

Last edited by RadioAaron (June 14, 2023 8:44 pm)

I  view this as not totally a bad thing, notwithstanding the 1300 layoffs.  To be honest I am surprised this hasn't happened sooner with the closing and selling of the AM stations. Many of the 1300 will get into other fields of employment and likely make more money.  I went through two downsizing layoffs in my career and the second one financially was the best thing that ever happened to me. 

You will see AM stations drop like flies now that this has happened.  Smaller AM stations like CJOY, CHYM CKNX, CFOS, CFCO and others will be planning to move to FM.  The applications are being written as we speak.

Even in larger western markets like Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary someone may apply for the closed AM frequency and then try to convert to the FM band if something is available in those markets. Some may even directly apply for an FM license.  Good opportunity for smaller and medium sized broadcast companies. These companies are not constrained by shareholders and more nimble.   

Radio needs a shake up in this country and this may be the start.  I am actually surprised that more stations haven't been closed in the last few years.  There likely will be more to come.

I don't really blame Bell that much for this.  Some of these stations could have been closed over ten years ago.
  

Brad wrote:

RadioAaron wrote:

Jody Thornton wrote:

Well now move the traffic department, which I think runs Bell-wide from Hamilton, and the studios into the White House of Rock, and transfer the lease on Upper Wentworth to whomever buys the AM stations.

Bell seems reluctant to make that final step, I suspect because they'd run afoul of the CRTC. Stations I'm sure they'd love to completely automate in markets like Lindsay, Pembroke, and Brockville have retained a bare-minimum local presence.

(Not to mention that their popular morning guy needs to be in Hamilton for his other gig)

Bounce's Morning guy Matt Hayes? He was part of the layoffs at CHCH in 2015. He doesn't have another gig.

Whoops! 

RadioAaron wrote:

Bell seems reluctant to make that final step, I suspect because they'd run afoul of the CRTC. Stations I'm sure they'd love to completely automate in markets like Lindsay, Pembroke, and Brockville have retained a bare-minimum local presence.

In Pembroke, the CHVR-FM (Pure Country 96.7) studios in the east end have a big sign out front promoting CHVR itself, iHeart, and CTV... wondering if TV's usual "Valley" reporter is based there and just sends his finished packages down the line to CJOH. Radio probably doesn't have much more local presence than maybe a morning show... everything else seems to be piped in from Ottawa. Engineering is out of Ottawa, with one guy, a buddy of mine, overseeing the four Ottawa stations (CFGO/CFRA/CJMJ/CKKL), plus Pembroke, and two each in Brockville (CFJR/CJPT) and Kingston (CFLY/CKLC).

For the technical folks here are two pics of the CJBK transmitter shack and 7 of the 8 towers. I took these from the street in 2016.

With 8 towers the transmitter site occupies a rather large parcel of land on White Oak Rd. a couple of miles south of London and the 401. Given CJBK went on the air in the 1960's they probably purchased the land for the site but I cannot confirm that.

London has grown significantly (especially to the south and west) since then. Given the site's proximity and easy access  to the 401 the value of the land is probably considerable.

According to a story in the London Free Press, Bell sold the CJBK studio building (built in the late 70's) in 2021 and consolidated operations at the CFPL TV building. The studio building was located on Wellington Road in London where the it would probably fetch a good buck.

Perhaps the real estate value exceeded the value of the station.

Paterson1 is right, I think we will see more of this. I hope it does not happen to CFOS and CKNX; they are the jewels on the AM band in my opinion.  

Broodcaster wrote:

If someone like Zoomer Radio purchased CHAM they would get a super strong signal that reaches north and west and could set up a southern Ontario-wide network aimed at folks who still listen to radio.

Just a thought.
 

It's a great idea.

I don't listen to Zoomer Radio, but from the commercials I've seen on TV in the past, (they have a magazine too, if I'm not mistaken) don't you find it peculiar that a small company like Zoomer Media can successfully run a radio station (they're still on AM740?) While a large company like Bell is laying off employees...again and shutting down radio stations and selling off others?  I'm sure nobody thought about cutting what those white collars at the top are "earning".  Instead, cut, sell and close down.  So sad. 

I've said it before and it still rings true (no pun intended):  Crappy phone companies should not own or operate TV & Radio stations!

Dave The OTA guy wrote:

Broodcaster wrote:

If someone like Zoomer Radio purchased CHAM they would get a super strong signal that reaches north and west and could set up a southern Ontario-wide network aimed at folks who still listen to radio.

Just a thought.
 

It's a great idea.

I don't listen to Zoomer Radio, but from the commercials I've seen on TV in the past, (they have a magazine too, if I'm not mistaken) don't you find it peculiar that a small company like Zoomer Media can successfully run a radio station (they're still on AM740?) While a large company like Bell is laying off employees...again and shutting down radio stations and selling off others? I'm sure nobody thought about cutting what those white collars at the top are "earning". Instead, cut, sell and close down. So sad.

I've said it before and it still rings true (no pun intended): Crappy phone companies should not own or operate TV & Radio stations!

Despite it still being on the air, there is no evidence that Zoomer radio is a successful radio station. They have zero ratings in *any* demographic. The whole company makes payroll based on cable fees.

Jody Thornton wrote:

I think the talk outlets that remain on 1010, 610 and 800 will eventually reemerge on FM someday.  That possibility has been discussed here before.

Indeed, it has. But then there's the question - where would 1010 go on FM in Toronto? Which Bell station would give up its current format to take on the newcomer - er, oldcomer? CHUM-FM seems like an untouchable. Maybe Virgin 99.9?

Therein lies the problem. Would they want to abandon a format that rates far higher than CFRB currently does to give it a shot on the other band? Where would you put it in the GTA? There's just no room. 

On a separate subject, I believe this thread has set a one-day record for views and replies on SOWNY. Since it went up at 11:19 AM Wednesday, it has more than 4,200 page views and 76 replies. In a single day! I can't recall another story ever achieving that milestone here. Too bad it had to be for such bad news! 

Yes, that was the second story, I believe, on CTV National News. I honestly didn't think they'd flail themselves on air, but 1,300 jobs lost in any industry is a huge story that even they can't ignore.

Plus, they get to blame the government for not passing Bill C-18 and the CRTC and not their own incompetence for driving their stations into the ground, so it's a win-win for them. 

I'm quite sure those thrown out of work through no fault of their own will. 

cash wrote:

I don't listen to any of these stations. Most people won't miss them. 

I'm sure this statement wasn't meant to read as ridiculously as it does.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the CRTC have to approve the shutdown of any radio or TV station? This seems like a case of begging forgiveness instead of asking permission. Although given the way the CRTC handled the Q107 Calgary situation, I'm guessing that's what Bell is banking on.



PJ

re: "Bell Cuts 1,300, Closes 6 Stns., Including CJBK, Selling CKOC & CHAM"

yet Jerry Agar is still on the air this morning .. are we being punked? .. 

Among the jobs cut, a number of on-air people at CTV Vancouver Island, and a morning host at CTV Edmonton.

Paul Jeffries wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the CRTC have to approve the shutdown of any radio or TV station? This seems like a case of begging forgiveness instead of asking permission. Although given the way the CRTC handled the Q107 Calgary situation, I'm guessing that's what Bell is banking on.



PJ

The CRTC ruled on this in 2012, in decision 2012-384: "10.  The Commission also notes that licences, such as those held by the CBC, are authorizations to broadcast, not an obligation to do so. In other words, while the Commission has the discretion to refuse to revoke broadcasting licences, even on application from a licensee, it cannot direct the CBC or any other broadcaster to continue to operate its stations and transmitters."

Thus, Bell Media is free to shut down unprofitable/depricated stations. All appear to be in communities where they can make the money back selling off the transmission sites. I was surprised 820 CHAM wasn't on the list, being on the edge of Binbrook. I wouldn't be surprised though if CJYE/CJMR take over those sites/frequencies, as their Oakville facility is right in prime development territory.