The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Ex-CHCH News Dir. Worries About Local TV News' Future In North America

**Posted by RadioActive** November 18, 2024 7:48 am

It's not just the coming of Donald Trump and his vendetta against the "mainstream" media, broadcasters down south should be worried about. Canada's radio and TV stations have their own set of problems.

So says John Best, the former news director of CHCH, now a local Hamilton newspaper columnist. His warning about the threat of streaming, changing technologies and falling ratings means those in the industry can't take anything for granted. Especially when it comes to the rapid receding of local news at TV stations across the country.

Legacy broadcast media facing existential challenges on both sides of the border

**Posted by Radiowiz** November 18, 2024 11:21 am

Thankfully the CRTC dictates that news MUST air on CTV, Global and City TV.
I am very thankful for that because I LOVE watching CityNews.

**Posted by ED1** November 18, 2024 11:24 am

The cuts to local news, especially to small markets, that we have seen in Canada years ago is now happening in smaller US markets.

**Posted by haydenmatthews14** November 18, 2024 1:51 pm

The CRTC should have done something to prevent these big cuts to local news stations owned by Bell.

**Posted by Evuguy** November 18, 2024 9:34 pm

For local coverage, you have to give credit to Global News. It doesn't get more local than this. If only they knew how to spell their postal address properly.

Last edited by Evuguy (November 18, 2024 9:35 pm)

**Posted by RadioActive** November 18, 2024 10:04 pm

I've noticed that on my DVR TV Guide as well. Donn - with two "n's." Very odd.

Also check out "The West Block" description on Global Sunday mornings at 11 AM. My listing says something like "A review of the week's events at Queen's Park." Unfortunately, the show is entirely about the goings-on in Ottawa not Ontario.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** November 19, 2024 11:45 am

Radiowiz wrote:
Thankfully the CRTC dictates that news MUST air on CTV, Global and City TV.
I am very thankful for that because I LOVE watching CityNews.

I suspect you must work for CityNews or Rogers Radiowiz. Personally I think CityNews is fourth out of the four local newscasts in this market, have been since the Gord Martineau/ Mark Dailey eras ended. Hey, they fired Pam Seatle and realized they were short staffed and had to hire her back! Real pro operation all around.

**Posted by RadioAaron** November 19, 2024 11:49 am

ED1 wrote:
The cuts to local news, especially to small markets, that we have seen in Canada years ago is now happening in smaller US markets.

The US had quite a bit more cushion with fee-for-carriage, but now that's drying up too.