The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Where To Hear The U.S. Presidential Debate On Radio In Canada

**Posted by RadioActive** September 10, 2024 3:43 pm

There's no shortage of TV stations showing this coming train wreck on Tuesday night. Even though ABC is hosting the debate, every single U.S. network (with the exception of the CW) is also airing it. And I'm sure NBC is happy about highlighting the other guy's high profile anchor David Muir. But that's the price of coverage.

CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Scripps News and more are all doing it on cable.

CTV Newschannel and CBC's all newser are also jumping on board for every breathless minute.

But what if you're in your car? As far I can find, Bell's iHeart network is carrying it in audio-only form across the country. That means CFRB here (and CKTB), which will use the audio from CTV Newschannel hosted by Vassy Kapelos and interrupt Shane Hewitt's The Night Shift for the evening.

You should also be able to hear it on CityNews Radio 680, which says on its website it will be taking it live. "CityNews will be carrying the debate and streaming it live here." Not sure what happens to all the traffic and weather together while this is going on.

I thought CBC Radio 1 might also air it, even though it's American-focused, if only because it's such a big news event. But so far, I haven't heard of any radio coverage there and their website does not list it.

AM640 will continue with regular programming. mostly consisting of Dani Stover's reroll show of the day's interviews over its various Corus talk stations. (The few that are left!)

And of course after sundown, if you're in your car, I suspect dozens of American stations will be simulcasting the big show with the help of their various radio network affiliates. So you can also catch it there.

**Posted by Forward Power** September 10, 2024 5:13 pm

It's a no for me, dawg.

**Posted by Dial Twister** September 10, 2024 5:22 pm

It's a yes for me. It's going to be epic. 😁

**Posted by newsguy1** September 10, 2024 6:42 pm

I can't imagine it will be a train wreck for Kamala.
If the Dems have not rehearsed for every possible contingency, and she can't pull it off then I give up in utter despair for the Democrats and the U-S in general.
How can Kamala not be prepared to face Trump and his ancient diatribes we've all heard before. Murderous immigrants, rants about revenge for having the election stolen etc etc.
It would be like going to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and saying, "oh I don't remember seeing this bit before."

**Posted by turkeytop** September 10, 2024 7:07 pm

If you have SXM, the audio from all the news channels like CNN and MSNBC are there.

Sept. 26, 1960: It literally was on every channel.

Sept. 26, 1960:

It literally was on every channel.

**Posted by tdotwriter** September 10, 2024 7:29 pm

RadioActive wrote:
Sept. 26, 1960:

It literally was on every channel.

These old TV listings and promos often interest me, but this really something special. Was this promo unique to the Golden Horseshoe/Lake Ontario basin? If so, I'd assume they're referring to VHF stations in Erie, PA, Hamilton, Buffalo, Toronto, Barrie, Kitchener, Peterborough and Rochester. I've seen old TV Guide listings for southern Ontario that were dubbed the "Lake Ontario Edition" on RadioDiscussions.

Last edited by tdotwriter (September 10, 2024 7:31 pm)

**Posted by BowmanvilleBob** September 10, 2024 7:41 pm

It was interesting to note that historians wrote that many people who listened to the Nixon/Kennedy debate on radio felt that Nixon had won, based on his responses and his ability to deflect Kennedy's verbal attacks. It was really the television coverage that gave Kennedy the edge. He was relaxed and looked confident, as opposed to Nixon's sweaty glances and his perpetual five-o'clock shadow.

**Posted by RadioActive** September 10, 2024 7:55 pm

The story is that Nixon refused make-up, so if gave him that Tricky Dicky look. Kennedy didn't.

So the latter won on TV, while the former was thought the victor on radio.

It was the early days of this kind of thing, and they would never take that for granted today.

**Posted by RadioActive** September 10, 2024 7:57 pm

tdotwriter wrote:
RadioActive wrote:
Sept. 26, 1960:

It literally was on every channel.

These old TV listings and promos often interest me, but this really something special. Was this promo unique to the Golden Horseshoe/Lake Ontario basin? If so, I'd assume they're referring to VHF stations in Erie, PA, Hamilton, Buffalo, Toronto, Barrie, Kitchener, Peterborough and Rochester. I've seen old TV Guide listings for southern Ontario that were dubbed the "Lake Ontario Edition" on RadioDiscussions.

Yes, it was the Lake Ontario Edition. Although this wasn't a promo so much as a special listing for special event airing that night. It appeared in editions across North America, with different channels being listed.

I have a very large collection of them, although certainly not every one. I find old TV Guides - especially the ones before they went to the modern day thin magazine format that ruined it - to be historic cultural documents of a moment frozen in time.

**Posted by cash** **Online!** September 10, 2024 8:02 pm

RadioActive wrote:
The story is that Nixon refused make-up, so if gave him that Tricky Dicky look. Kennedy didn't.

So the latter won on TV, while the former was thought the victor on radio.

It was the early days of this kind of thing, and they would never take that for granted today.

Nixon was also in pain. He hit his knee on limo door and it got infected. He was hospitalized for a number of days leading up to the debate.