The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Why Is One Of The World's Major Sporting Events Not On Toronto Radio?

**Posted by RadioActive** October 28, 2024 8:16 pm

I was going to take my dog out for a walk Monday night and wanted to listen to the World Series play-by-play on the radio. Unfortunately, if you live in the GTA, you're out! Out of luck, that is.

I searched high and low for the game in all the places you'd expect - The Fan (Leafs), TSN 1050 (The Raptors), WGR Buffalo (The Sabres) and just about everywhere else I could think of. Only two stations carrying it were coming in and not very well. One was WMVP AM 1000 in Chicago, difficult to get because of interference from CFRB.

The other was the Yankees flagship, 660 WFAN New York. Reception there was OK, but John Sterling was covering the contest locally and I've never been fond of the way he calls a game, although he came out of retirement for this one.

What does it say about Toronto that one of the major sporting events on the planet - The World Series - is nowhere to be found anywhere on Ontario radio? Of course, stations here are going to cover the local teams first, as they should. But I can't imagine the Super Bowl, the NBA championships or the Stanley Cup not being aired somewhere here. They're pretty big events even if the local audience may not exactly be huge.

It's kind of a shame we're shut out of what is turning out to be one of the highest rated baseball finales in the past seven years.

But not, apparently, in Toronto.

**Posted by paterson1** October 28, 2024 8:54 pm

For what it's worth, on Bell Fibe they are showing the top 5 shows being watched right now on their system- The Voice in first spot on CTV, Mets-LA on Sportsnet, Anderson Cooper on CNN, Murdoch Mysteries on CBC and 90 Day Fiance on TLC.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 28, 2024 9:01 pm

paterson1 wrote:
For what it's worth, on Bell Fibe they are showing the top 5 shows being watched right now on their system- The Voice in first spot on CTV, Mets-LA on Sportsnet, Anderson Cooper on CNN, Murdoch Mysteries on CBC and 90 Day Fiance on TLC.

I think you mean Yankees not Mets, but the problem is I can't take cable out for a walk with me! And unless you have SiriusXM, you can't listen in the car if you happen to be going somewhere, unless it's a good DX night and you know where to tune. Not everyone does.

I get it - the Leafs and Raptors are going to do far better in terms of listeners. I'd make the same decision, obviously. But it's unfortunate that one of the biggest sporting events of the year - and one of the oldest in history - involving likely the two biggest rivals in all of sports can't be heard here. It's understandable, but still sad.

**Posted by paterson1** October 28, 2024 9:11 pm

Yes, Yankees-LA. And the Voice is on CTV2. which is now in second spot after the ball game.

**Posted by RadioAaron** October 28, 2024 9:19 pm

MLB is notoriously difficult with its broadcast rights. Shifting stations and one-offs aren't allowed unless planned and approved well in advance.

For the stations....not much in it. Ratings don't show individual game ratings, and you probably couldn't sponsor it for more than you paid.

**Posted by RadioAaron** October 28, 2024 9:22 pm

paterson1 wrote:
For what it's worth, on Bell Fibe they are showing the top 5 shows being watched right now on their system- The Voice in first spot on CTV, Mets-LA on Sportsnet, Anderson Cooper on CNN, Murdoch Mysteries on CBC and 90 Day Fiance on TLC.

That feature alone makes me want to switch to Fibe. Really interesting.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 28, 2024 9:32 pm

I think the Fan 590 joins the ESPN broadcast in progress if the game is still going on and their own local sports commitments are done. But it's not quite the same.

**Posted by paterson1** October 28, 2024 9:49 pm

RadioAaron wrote:
paterson1 wrote:
For what it's worth, on Bell Fibe they are showing the top 5 shows being watched right now on their system- The Voice in first spot on CTV, Mets-LA on Sportsnet, Anderson Cooper on CNN, Murdoch Mysteries on CBC and 90 Day Fiance on TLC.
That feature alone makes me want to switch to Fibe. Really interesting.

Yes it is interesting but I don't know what geographical area they are drawing from. CP24 is often in the top 5, but right now they are showing Yankees/Mets on Sportsnet, The Voice on CTV2, NCIS on Global, The Source on CNN and NFL Football Giants game on CTV but at half time was replaced with the Raptor game on TSN. I think it is fairly honest since sometimes there are no Bell stations in the top five.

**Posted by Radiowiz** October 29, 2024 12:23 am

It ain't 1992 or 1993 anymore.
Makes you wonder though what sports would be covered and how if the Jays were to be in the World series today...

**Posted by mace** October 29, 2024 8:49 am

paterson1 wrote:
For what it's worth, on Bell Fibe they are showing the top 5 shows being watched right now on their system- The Voice in first spot on CTV, Mets-LA on Sportsnet, Anderson Cooper on CNN, Murdoch Mysteries on CBC and 90 Day Fiance on TLC.

So The Voice is in first spot on CTV. Does that include just those viewers actually watching CTV or does it also include the simsub viewers who would prefer to watch on the originating U.S. network but can't.

**Posted by paterson1** October 29, 2024 10:36 am

The Voice was on first spot on CTV2 and that includes anyone watching on NBC Detroit which has CTV2's signal. When something isn't simsubed like Tracker, the CBS Detroit station might show up in the top 5 on Sunday when they run the program. CTV has football on when CBS runs Tracker and have been running it at a different time and day. Again this is what is showing for viewers watching on Bell Fibe.

This is timely, I just checked what is trending now in the top 5. Fibe is showing CP24 Dayside in first spot, followed by CNN Newsroom, CTV with The Good Stuff, Judy Justice on City TV, and Let's Make A Deal on CBS Detroit. Nobody is simsubing Let's Make A Deal.

Last edited by paterson1 (October 29, 2024 10:55 am)

**Posted by mace** October 29, 2024 11:28 am

paterson1 wrote:
The Voice was on first spot on CTV2 and that includes anyone watching on NBC Detroit which has CTV2's signal. When something isn't simsubed like Tracker, the CBS Detroit station might show up in the top 5 on Sunday when they run the program. CTV has football on when CBS runs Tracker and have been running it at a different time and day. Again this is what is showing for viewers watching on Bell Fibe.

This is timely, I just checked what is trending now in the top 5. Fibe is showing CP24 Dayside in first spot, followed by CNN Newsroom, CTV with The Good Stuff, Judy Justice on City TV, and Let's Make A Deal on CBS Detroit. Nobody is simsubing Let's Make A Deal.

This sounds like a very cool feature. How long has it been available?

**Posted by paterson1** October 29, 2024 11:55 am

I first got Fibe maybe ten years ago and as far as I know it was available then. Didn't really know about it but sort of discovered it one day on my remote. Check and see if Rogers has the same thing.

**Posted by The Weed** October 29, 2024 1:18 pm

I just checked Rogers Ignite TV. Press "Guide" twice and scroll to "Trending".

Not sure if what's shown is ranked left to right or not.

**Posted by paterson1** October 29, 2024 3:51 pm

The Weed wrote:
I just checked Rogers Ignite TV. Press "Guide" twice and scroll to "Trending".

Not sure if what's shown is ranked left to right or not.

If it is like Fibe, it will be left to right. Also will be obvious for some events like football or hockey. It is interesting since the shows can change or move up or down during 30 or 60 minutes. When I hit it on Bell Fibe the order stays up for about 15 seconds. It doesn't stay on. With Fibe all you do is hit the arrow above select once and the trending shows graphic will come up on the screen.

At 3:46 Tuesday afternoon the programs shown are- CNN News Central, CP24 Dayside, CTV The Connors, W Network Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen, and HGTV My Lottery Dream Home. If you go back in a couple of minutes there could be a change often with the 4th and 5th show, or something can move up.

**Posted by zed** October 29, 2024 4:33 pm

"Your equipment has been updated to the Rogers Xfinity platform and you will soon notice changes to your product names—no action is needed."

I just got the above notice from Rogers... I know they've been using the Comcast platform, I wonder if it's a licensing requirement all of a sudden? Xfinity of course is what it's called in the US.

**Posted by torontostan** October 29, 2024 7:12 pm

paterson1 wrote:
Yes it is interesting but I don't know what geographical area they are drawing from. CP24 is often in the top 5, but right now they are showing Yankees/Mets on Sportsnet, The Voice on CTV2, NCIS on Global, The Source on CNN and NFL Football Giants game on CTV but at half time was replaced with the Raptor game on TSN. I think it is fairly honest since sometimes there are no Bell stations in the top five.

Fibe's not available in most of Canada (only Ontario & Quebec I think) so it would make sense that CP24 cracks the top 5 sometimes.

**Posted by RadioAaron** October 29, 2024 7:18 pm

torontostan wrote:
paterson1 wrote:
Yes it is interesting but I don't know what geographical area they are drawing from. CP24 is often in the top 5, but right now they are showing Yankees/Mets on Sportsnet, The Voice on CTV2, NCIS on Global, The Source on CNN and NFL Football Giants game on CTV but at half time was replaced with the Raptor game on TSN. I think it is fairly honest since sometimes there are no Bell stations in the top five.
Fibe's not available in most of Canada (only Ontario & Quebec I think) so it would make sense that CP24 cracks the top 5 sometimes.

The sheer number of businesses in the GTA alone....

**Posted by Leslieville Bill** October 29, 2024 7:43 pm

I'm late to the topic here. I too was looking for the World Series on the radio during a drive home and surprised not to find it. On reflection, I thought with cell phone data so plentiful -- I have 160 GB per month -- I guess they're expecting more people will simply listen to audio feed on their phone TV apps.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 29, 2024 8:28 pm

Monday was one of those rare days when every major sport was active at once - the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB. So it makes sense local teams would take priority. The Fan 590 has the complete World Series Game 4 on Tuesday night.

A four game sweep is Fox's worst nightmare. They'll lose millions in potential advertising unless there's an extended series.

**Posted by haydenmatthews14** October 29, 2024 10:12 pm

RadioActive wrote:
Monday was one of those rare days when every major sport was active at once - the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB. So it makes sense local teams would take priority. The Fan 590 has the complete World Series Game 4 on Tuesday night.

A four game sweep is Fox's worst nightmare. They'll lose millions in potential advertising unless there's an extended series.

I know for a fact that 107.1 CJCS in Stratford aired the World Series tonight.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 30, 2024 7:00 am

86-year-old Yankee announcer John Sterling strikes again. And it's not the first time.

This is one of the reasons I didn't want to listen to the game on WFAN, which on the night this post was put up, was the only radio station doing the World Series that I could get.

John Sterling got ‘fooled’ with brutal World Series home run call

**Posted by mace** October 30, 2024 8:40 am

I just checked the Rogers Ignite trending site. Top Five not surprising. 1. CP24 Breakfast. 2. Breakfast Television. 3. Weather Channel AM. 4. CBC Morning Live. 5. Sportsnet Central. I don't know if the U.S. nets are normally this high in the morning. I suspect it is probably interest in the U.S. election next week. CNN News Central [6] Today [7] GMA [9] CBS Morning [14] Morning Joe [15] Interesting that "Paid Programming" ranked 21st.

**Posted by paterson1** October 30, 2024 11:18 am

mace wrote:
I just checked the Rogers Ignite trending site. Top Five not surprising. 1. CP24 Breakfast. 2. Breakfast Television. 3. Weather Channel AM. 4. CBC Morning Live. 5. Sportsnet Central. I don't know if the U.S. nets are normally this high in the morning. I suspect it is probably interest in the U.S. election next week. CNN News Central [6] Today [7] GMA [9] CBS Morning [14] Morning Joe [15] Interesting that "Paid Programming" ranked 21st.

Glad you found the feature on Rogers Ignite. Sounds better than what I get with Bell Fibe. As far as I know I only get the top 5. It is surprising sometimes what people are tuning in. If I check, it is usually 5 or 10 minutes into the hour or half hour which is likely more accurate than top of the hour or half hour. You sometimes get some spillover from the previous programming if checking just after a show starts. CP24 and CNN are almost always in the top five on Bell Fibe.

**Posted by Fjiri** October 30, 2024 11:50 am

mace wrote:
paterson1 wrote:
The Voice was on first spot on CTV2 and that includes anyone watching on NBC Detroit which has CTV2's signal. When something isn't simsubed like Tracker, the CBS Detroit station might show up in the top 5 on Sunday when they run the program. CTV has football on when CBS runs Tracker and have been running it at a different time and day. Again this is what is showing for viewers watching on Bell Fibe.

This is timely, I just checked what is trending now in the top 5. Fibe is showing CP24 Dayside in first spot, followed by CNN Newsroom, CTV with The Good Stuff, Judy Justice on City TV, and Let's Make A Deal on CBS Detroit. Nobody is simsubing Let's Make A Deal.
This sounds like a very cool feature. How long has it been available?

What guarantee is there that this feature is legitimate, and not something Fibe (and other streamers) manipulate or revise to drive traffic to particular programs?

**Posted by RadioAaron** October 30, 2024 12:32 pm

Fjiri wrote:
mace wrote:
paterson1 wrote:
The Voice was on first spot on CTV2 and that includes anyone watching on NBC Detroit which has CTV2's signal. When something isn't simsubed like Tracker, the CBS Detroit station might show up in the top 5 on Sunday when they run the program. CTV has football on when CBS runs Tracker and have been running it at a different time and day. Again this is what is showing for viewers watching on Bell Fibe.

This is timely, I just checked what is trending now in the top 5. Fibe is showing CP24 Dayside in first spot, followed by CNN Newsroom, CTV with The Good Stuff, Judy Justice on City TV, and Let's Make A Deal on CBS Detroit. Nobody is simsubing Let's Make A Deal.
This sounds like a very cool feature. How long has it been available?
What guarantee is there that this feature is legitimate, and not something Fibe (and other streamers) manipulate or revise to drive traffic to particular programs?

Based on the examples here, if that's what they're doing, they're not doing a very good job of it.

**Posted by mace** October 30, 2024 1:06 pm

paterson1 wrote:
mace wrote:
I just checked the Rogers Ignite trending site. Top Five not surprising. 1. CP24 Breakfast. 2. Breakfast Television. 3. Weather Channel AM. 4. CBC Morning Live. 5. Sportsnet Central. I don't know if the U.S. nets are normally this high in the morning. I suspect it is probably interest in the U.S. election next week. CNN News Central [6] Today [7] GMA [9] CBS Morning [14] Morning Joe [15] Interesting that "Paid Programming" ranked 21st.
Glad you found the feature on Rogers Ignite. Sounds better than what I get with Bell Fibe. As far as I know I only get the top 5. It is surprising sometimes what people are tuning in. If I check, it is usually 5 or 10 minutes into the hour or half hour which is likely more accurate than top of the hour or half hour. You sometimes get some spillover from the previous programming if checking just after a show starts. CP24 and CNN are almost always in the top five on Bell Fibe.

I don't know how many Ignite trending channels there are. I stopped counting at 100. A few observations. At Noon, more people were watching CFTO News on CP24 [#2] than on CFTO [#3] Price Is Right was consistently in the top 10 in the 11am, Noon and 1pm time slots reflecting the timeshifting factor.