TV and Radio Sales Careers - Broadcast Dialogue
TV and Radio Sales Careers - Broadcast Dialogue
TV and Radio Sales Careers - Broadcast Dialogue
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July 2, 2009 Volume 17, No. 8 Page One of Four<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong><br />
18 Turtle Path<br />
Lagoon City ON L0K 1B0<br />
(705) 484-0752<br />
E-Mail, click HERE<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> Website<br />
Canwest Television Limited Partnership has an agreement<br />
to sell CHCH-<strong>TV</strong> Hamilton <strong>and</strong> CJNT-<strong>TV</strong> Montreal to Channel Zero<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM:<br />
Inc. The purchase price wasn’t disclosed. Channel Zero will offer<br />
employment to everyone now on staff. The sale is conditional on<br />
securing a renewal of the CHCH’s collective bargaining agreement to provide one<br />
year of labour stability for the new owner. If these <strong>and</strong> other conditions of sale work<br />
out, Channel Zero plans programming that would lean heavily on regional news at<br />
CHCH, with movies evenings <strong>and</strong> overnights. At CJNT, there’d be foreign films,<br />
multicultural music videos <strong>and</strong> similarly themed shows. Channel Zero VP/GM Cal Millar, in defending his<br />
company’s decision to buy OTA stations, told <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> that the two stations are OTA but will be far<br />
from “conventional” if Channel Zero succeeds in acquiring them: “It depends what you're broadcasting – it depends<br />
to whom you're relevant. If you can strike a relevant positioning with an audience, they don't care how they receive<br />
you, just that they can get access to you”... Meanwhile, the CRTC dropped hints at the RTNDA Toronto conference<br />
about how the Commission will restructure a funding formula for OTA television. Regional Commissioner Rita<br />
Cugini, while not letting any cats out of the bag, said an announcement will be made July 6 that will not include<br />
fee for carriage. She did say of conventional television, however: “We can not simply allow it to whither away.” The<br />
report, she said, will include details on how the Local Programming Improvement Fund will be restructured so as<br />
to possibly have a profound impact on the several stations where licences are set to expire at the end of next<br />
month... C<strong>TV</strong> says Shaw Communications won’t proceed with the purchase of ‘A’ (CIWI-<strong>TV</strong>) Windsor, ‘A’<br />
(CKNX-<strong>TV</strong>) Wingham <strong>and</strong> CKX-<strong>TV</strong> Br<strong>and</strong>on for $1 each. It turns out that Jim Shaw’s fanciful idea of showing<br />
C<strong>TV</strong> that it’s easy to make money with OTA stations didn’t hold water. His company’s due diligence people didn’t<br />
like what they saw of the stations’ financial state... Canwest Media Inc. (“CMI”) says its debtors have agreed to<br />
another extension, this time to July 17. And the date by which CMI must enter into a definitive agreement in respect<br />
of a recapitalization transaction has been extended to July 31... Specialty channel Scream will morph to DUSK<br />
Sept. 9. The rebr<strong>and</strong>ing will see the service exp<strong>and</strong> movie titles <strong>and</strong> series that, says Corus, will appeal to a<br />
broader demographic... Citytv Toronto has cut 10 people for economic <strong>and</strong> advanced technology reasons. The<br />
positions lost include four camera operators, a news writer, a news producer, a web producer, a unit assistant, a<br />
<strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>Sales</strong> <strong>Careers</strong><br />
Stations we work with are taking advantage of retreating<br />
competitors to grow their sales <strong>and</strong> their sales forces. We<br />
have several openings from entry level to senior account<br />
executive <strong>and</strong> sales management positions across<br />
Canada.<br />
If you are looking for a progressive career move, or know<br />
anyone who is looking for upward mobility or entry level<br />
opportunities please forward your resume in complete<br />
confidence to angela@wensmedia.com.<br />
No phone calls please.
Thursday, July 2, 2009 Page 2<br />
CityNews promo writer/producer, <strong>and</strong> an EFP<br />
editor... Calgary will play host to the Gemini<br />
Awards in November. The Geminis will be<br />
produced by Calgary-based production<br />
company Joe Media Group <strong>and</strong> broadcast<br />
Nov. 14 on Global stations <strong>and</strong> on Showcase.<br />
RADIO: After a number of attempts to get<br />
a licence in the Lindsay-Peterborough<br />
area, Andy McNabb, on behalf of a<br />
company to be incorporated, has come<br />
up a winner. The CRTC has approved his<br />
application to acquire the assets of CKKK-FM<br />
Peterborough for $190,000 from King’s Kids<br />
Promotions Outreach Ministries. CKKK-FM<br />
was originally licensed as a specialty station<br />
offering Christian music. But it went off the air<br />
over a year ago because of a worsening<br />
financial situation. McNabb says he has the<br />
experience to improve CKKK-FM’s financial<br />
situation <strong>and</strong> ensure the station’s continued<br />
operation... Talk 1410 (CFUN) Vancouver has<br />
made some on-air changes, dropping Marke<br />
Driesschen, Jennifer Thomson, Val Cole <strong>and</strong><br />
Patrick Muliha. A revised line-up will likely see<br />
single hosts rather than the doubling which had<br />
been the norm at Talk 1410... CHNO-FM<br />
Sudbury has approval to change the contour<br />
by bumping power from 11,000 watts to<br />
100,000 through increasing the height of its<br />
antenna <strong>and</strong> by relocating the transmitter.<br />
Newcap <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing said the changes are<br />
needed to improve signal reception <strong>and</strong> to<br />
reduce interference due to mountainous<br />
terrain... Call letters have been swapped<br />
between Rogers stations in Calgary <strong>and</strong><br />
The July – August Edition<br />
You won’t want to miss the <strong>Radio</strong> Roundtable<br />
<strong>and</strong> the salute to Roger Ashby.<br />
Toronto. They had been Jack FM (CKIS-FM) Calgary <strong>and</strong> Kiss FM (CJAQ-FM) Toronto... The Bohn &<br />
Associates S2 2009 Ranking the Formats article is available by request. Click HERE <strong>and</strong> ask that it be sent to<br />
you. Compiled <strong>and</strong> prepared by Arnie Celsie, stations in the top 14 markets are analyzed based on numbers of<br />
stations programming each format, cume audiences, market share <strong>and</strong> share of hours tuned. Station formats are<br />
determined by the BBM description <strong>and</strong> Bohn’s analysis using <strong>Broadcast</strong> Data Systems (BDS) station monitors<br />
to confirm format designation... Pellpropco, the owner of CHSC St. Catharines, has been under the CRTC’s glare<br />
for non-compliance in Canadian content; third-language programming; the submission of logger tapes, music lists<br />
<strong>and</strong> program logs; the filing of annual returns <strong>and</strong> financial statements; local programming <strong>and</strong> station orientation;<br />
Canadian talent development; <strong>and</strong> other issues, including confirmation of who has effective control of Pellpropco<br />
<strong>and</strong> the name of the GM. Now, the Commission has issued m<strong>and</strong>atory orders requiring the licensee to comply at<br />
all times. The decision will be filed with the Federal Court <strong>and</strong> become orders of that court... KRAZE 101. 3 (CKIK-<br />
FM) Red Deer will launch July 24, already describing itself as “Red Deer’s Number One Hit Music Channel!” The<br />
new station is owned by L.A. <strong>Radio</strong> Group Inc... The Jewel 88.5/Z103.5 Toronto helped to raised $30,000 on<br />
the weekend for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation <strong>and</strong> Prostate Cancer Research Foundation. Boating<br />
for the Cure saw a number of crews wending their way through Muskoka lakes from the event’s base at<br />
Gravenhurst... KICX Orillia raised over $30,000 for the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre in its <strong>Radio</strong><br />
For <strong>Radio</strong>logy <strong>Radio</strong>thon.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Golden West <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing has promoted Richard Kroeker to GM of <strong>Sales</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Operations for the entire company <strong>and</strong> Deborah Gauger as General Manager - Saskatchewan <strong>and</strong> Alberta.
Thursday, July 2, 2009 Page 3<br />
Both are long-time Golden West managers... Ken Geiger, GM/PD at Rogers radio stations Mountain FM<br />
Squamish, Mountain FM Whistler, Star FM 98.3 Chilliwack <strong>and</strong> Country 107.1 Abbotsford is no longer with<br />
Rogers. For the time being, Melanie Green, <strong>Sales</strong> Manager at Country 107.1 (CKQC) Abbotsford is the go-to<br />
person... While Rob White gave up his Ops Mgr gig at 105.1 The River/CKEY Niagara Falls, he has once again<br />
become PD at The River. Former PD Mike Ryan vacated the position... David Larsen is the new PD at K 963<br />
(CKKO-FM) Kelowna. Larsen had been with Rogers Vancouver as PD at FM 104.9... David Jones has been<br />
promoted to Ops. Mgr at BOB FM (CHST) London. He will continue in his PD duties as well... Chief Engineer<br />
Hector Card is no longer with Bob FM London. Mark Schembri, Manager, Engineering & I.T. at ‘A’ London now<br />
also has responsibility for BOB FM... Jeff Collins <strong>and</strong> Cathy Little both retired from CBC Calgary on Friday after<br />
more than 30 years with the Corporation. Collins was host of The Homestretch <strong>and</strong> Little was the afternoon news<br />
announcer. Collins <strong>and</strong> Little chose to retire during the job reductions by CBC earlier this year... Julius<br />
Genachowski, a former U.S. telecommunications industry executive, has been sworn in as the new Chairman of<br />
the Federal Communications Commission... François Carignan has been appointed Executive Producer for<br />
<strong>TV</strong>A Productions, a subsidiary of Groupe <strong>TV</strong>A. He’s a veteran producer who produced the 2000 to 2008 Olympic<br />
Games for CBC <strong>and</strong> Hockey Night in Canada from 1970 to 1985.<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Gary Katz, 60, of a heart attack in Toronto, just weeks after being diagnosed with terminal colon<br />
cancer. Katz, of the <strong>Broadcast</strong> News Network, was senior web producer at BNN.ca. Before that, Katz had<br />
a long career at CBC, including producing Peter Gzowski on Morningside. This past weekend, his efforts<br />
at BNN culminated in the channel winning RTNDA’s Best in New Media Award – presented just four days after<br />
his death... Mel Christian, 62, at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. The former CJOR Vancouver, CFUN<br />
Vancouver <strong>and</strong> CKO-FM newsman also worked at CHUM Toronto <strong>and</strong> at CFGM Richmond Hill during the<br />
1970s. After his on-air career, Christian became the engineer at CJUP Langley. He retired from broadcasting in<br />
1999 <strong>and</strong> was living in Ashcroft... Terry Black, 62, of multiple sclerosis in Kelowna. Black was described as<br />
Canada’s first teen idol in the style of Bobby Vee. His hit, Unless You Care, propelled Black to such U.S. shows<br />
as American B<strong>and</strong>st<strong>and</strong>, Shindig <strong>and</strong> Hullabaloo. Black had been host of The Sixties at Six on <strong>Radio</strong> NL<br />
Kelowna for a number of years but, because of the MS, he’d been phoning in his show the past few months.<br />
LOOKING: Ens Media - <strong>TV</strong> & <strong>Radio</strong> ad sales people (See the ad on Page 1); Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Toronto<br />
– Manager, Information Systems; 91.7 The Bounce Edmonton - Music Director/Assistant PD/On-Air; BOB-<br />
FM (CKLY) Lindsay –- Morning Announcer; CP24 Toronto – Writer, News; CBC St. John‘s – Managing<br />
Director, Newfoundl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Labrador; CBC Ottawa – <strong>Broadcast</strong> Technologist; <strong>TV</strong>O Toronto - Manager,<br />
Corporate Public Relations; CIVI-<strong>TV</strong> Victoria – <strong>Broadcast</strong> Technician; <strong>and</strong> Astral iMedia Montreal - Internet<br />
<strong>Sales</strong>.<br />
GENERAL: The untimely demise of Michael Jackson, <strong>and</strong> the subsequent Michael-Jackson-all-the-time<br />
coverage, has riled some news people who say that there is more to news than giving the people what they<br />
want. “No reasonable editor or producer should ignore the kind of public interest we're seeing,” says LA<br />
Times reporter Tim Rutten, “but surrendering utterly to it ultimately undercuts what's genuinely valuable<br />
about serious news media.” Another wrote: “The death of a celebrity, no matter how popular, should never warrant<br />
this type of coverage”... Meantime, speaking on the occasion of Henry Champ’s winning of the RTNDA<br />
President’s Award last weekend in Toronto, his long-time CBC producer, Mark Bulgutch, had this to say about<br />
news: “We live in a time when more talking heads fill our newscasts <strong>and</strong> news channels with less <strong>and</strong> less of<br />
consequence, increasingly pushing aside genuine fact-based reporting. Entertainment values are becoming more<br />
<strong>and</strong> more important. It is received wisdom that politics is boring. We devote more time to Paris Hilton than Paris,<br />
France. More time to John <strong>and</strong> Kate plus 8 than to the G8. It’s as if we’re turning our backs on the journalism that<br />
Henry Champ represents. And if we do that, we are making a serious mistake. The future of our country depends<br />
on the wisdom of its people. And people nourished on drivel, will not underst<strong>and</strong> the consequences of serious<br />
events”... CBC President Hubert Lacroix says the Corporation is turning its sights on potential real estate sales<br />
that could draw in needed cash. CBC, he says, would consider selling the buildings that house its radio <strong>and</strong> <strong>TV</strong><br />
stations. That, he says, could generate $125 million. Lacroix would prefer receiving sped-up payments owed to<br />
CBC for past sales of l<strong>and</strong> surrounding the Toronto broadcast centre, money now being doled out in instalments.<br />
The past months have seen the public broadcaster slash jobs <strong>and</strong> programs in a bid to shave $171 million from<br />
its budget... Telus now blankets 90% of B.C, <strong>and</strong> Alberta homes with the option of more than 500 digital channels.<br />
Telus’ new Western Canada satellite <strong>TV</strong> service gives the #2 telecom player a means to fight powerhouse Shaw<br />
Cable, which has been winning home phone subs. Telus is re-selling Bell's satellite <strong>TV</strong> service under its own
Thursday, July 2, 2009 Page 4<br />
br<strong>and</strong> in return for an undisclosed distribution fee... Saskatchewan’s Access Communications Co-operative has<br />
undergone a major expansion by buying Persona’s cable <strong>TV</strong> operations. The acquisition adds 184 communities<br />
to Access... ‘A’ London ND Cal Johnstone was re-elected President of RTNDA in Toronto on the weekend during<br />
the Association’s annual general meeting... YouTube has created a separate page to highlight reports <strong>and</strong> to teach<br />
people how to become citizen journalists, offering top U.S. journalists <strong>and</strong> news organizations sharing instructional<br />
videos with tips <strong>and</strong> advice for better reporting. If you’re interested, click HERE... RTNDA Canada, at its Central<br />
Region awards banquet in Toronto on the weekend, honoured the best in electronic journalism.<br />
The TELEVISION winners are:<br />
Bert Cannings Award - Best Newscast: ‘A’ London (Medium Market)<br />
'A' Ottawa (Large Market)<br />
Charlie Edwards Award - Spot News: 'A' Barrie<br />
Dan McArthur Award - In-depth/Investigative: C<strong>TV</strong> Montreal<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Short Feature: ‘A’ Windsor (Medium Market)<br />
Global News Ontario (Large Market)<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Long Feature: 'A' Barrie (Medium Market)<br />
C<strong>TV</strong> Montreal - (Large Market)<br />
Gord Sinclair Award - Special Events: 'A' Ottawa<br />
Ron Laidlaw Award - Continuing Coverage: C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto<br />
Sam Ross Award - Editorial/Commentary: CBC Montreal<br />
Trina McQueen Award - News Information Program: C<strong>TV</strong> Kitchener<br />
Use of New Media Award: Citytv Toronto<br />
Best Videography Award: C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto<br />
Adrienne Clarkson Award - Diversity: Global Toronto<br />
The RADIO winners are:<br />
Byron MacGregor Award - Best Newscast:<br />
Mix 106 Owen Sound (Small Market)<br />
AM800 Windsor (Medium Market)<br />
CJAD Montreal (Large Market)<br />
Charlie Edwards Award - Spot News: CJAD Montreal<br />
Dan McArthur Award - In-depth/Investigative: CKTB St. Catharines<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Short Feature: CKNX Wingham (Small Market)<br />
CBC Thunder Bay (Medium Market)<br />
CBC Toronto (Large Market)<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Long Feature: CKAT North Bay (Small Market)<br />
CBC Thunder Bay (Medium Market)<br />
CBC Toronto (Large Market)<br />
Gord Sinclair - Live Special Events: CFRB Toronto<br />
Ron Laidlaw Award - Continuing Coverage: CFRB Toronto<br />
Sam Ross Award - Editorial/Commentary: CFRB Toronto<br />
Peter Gzowski Award - News Information Program: CBC <strong>Radio</strong> Sudbury<br />
Use of Sound Award: 680News Toronto<br />
Adrienne Clarkson Award - Diversity: CBC Toronto<br />
RTNDA’s National & Network award recipients, announced at the same time as the Central Canada awards, went<br />
to:<br />
NATIONAL RADIO<br />
Byron MacGregor Award - Best Newscast:<br />
Mix 106 Owen Sound (Small Market)<br />
CKLW Windsor (Medium Market)<br />
CBC Vancouver (Large Market)<br />
Charlie Edwards Award - Spot News: CJAD Montreal<br />
Dan McArthur Award - In-depth/Investigative: CBC <strong>Radio</strong> News<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Short Feature: CKNX Wingham (Small Market)<br />
CBC Thunder Bay (Medium Market)<br />
CKNW Vancouver (Large Market)<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Long Feature: CJLS Yarmouth (Small Market)<br />
<strong>Radio</strong>-Canada Acadie (Medium Market)<br />
CBC Toronto (Large Market)<br />
Gord Sinclair Award - Live Special Events: CBC Moncton<br />
Ron Laidlaw Award - Continuing Coverage: CFRB Toronto<br />
Sam Ross Award - Editorial/Commentary: CFRB Toronto<br />
Best Use of Sound Award: 680News Toronto<br />
Peter Gzowski Award - News Information Program: CBC Sudbury<br />
Adrienne Clarkson Award - Diversity: CBC Edmonton<br />
NATIONAL TELEVISION<br />
Bert Cannings Award - Best Newscast: CFJC Kamloops (Small Market)<br />
CBC Newfoundl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Labrador (Medium Market)<br />
C<strong>TV</strong> British Columbia (Large Market)<br />
Charlie Edwards Award - Spot News: 'A' Barrie<br />
Dan McArthur Award - In-depth/Investigative: CBC Vancouver<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Short Feature: CFJC Kamloops (Small Market)<br />
'A' Windsor (Medium Market)<br />
C<strong>TV</strong> British Columbia (Large Market)<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Long Feature: CFJC <strong>TV</strong> Kamloops (Small Market)<br />
C<strong>TV</strong> Regina for Horse Power - (Medium Market)<br />
Global News Calgary for Court of Hope - (Large Market)<br />
Gord Sinclair Award - Special Events: C<strong>TV</strong> Calgary<br />
Ron Laidlaw Award - Continuing Coverage: CBC Vancouver<br />
Sam Ross Award - Editorial/Commentary: CBC News<br />
Best Use of New Media Award: Citytv Toronto<br />
Best Videography Award: C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto<br />
Trina McQueen Award - News Information Program:<br />
C<strong>TV</strong> Southwestern Ontario<br />
Adrienne Clarkson Award - Diversity: C<strong>TV</strong> British Columbia<br />
NETWORK RADIO<br />
Byron MacGregor Award - Best Newscast: CBC News<br />
Charlie Edwards Award - Spot News: The Canadian Press<br />
Dan McArthur - In-depth/Investigative: CBC News<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Short Feature: CBC News<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Long Feature: CBC News<br />
Ron Laidlaw Award - Continuing Coverage: CBC News<br />
Best Use of Sound Award: The Canadian Press<br />
Peter Gzowski Award - News Information Program: CBC News<br />
Adrienne Clarkson Award - Diversity: CBC News<br />
NETWORK TELEVISION<br />
Bert Cannings Award - Best Newscast: CBC News<br />
Charlie Edwards Award - Spot News: Global National<br />
Dan McArthur Award - In-depth/Investigative: CBC News<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Short Feature: C<strong>TV</strong> News<br />
Dave Rogers Award - Long Feature: CBC News<br />
Gord Sinclair Award - Special Events: C<strong>TV</strong> News<br />
Ron Laidlaw Award - Continuing Coverage: C<strong>TV</strong> News<br />
Best Use of New Media Award: BNN - Business News Network<br />
Best Videography Award: C<strong>TV</strong> News<br />
Trina McQueen Award - News Information Program: C<strong>TV</strong>/W-Five<br />
Adrienne Clarkson Award - Diversity: CBC News
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
July 9, 2009 Volume 17, Number 9 Page One of Four<br />
The CRTC has hiked the fund for local <strong>TV</strong> stations to more than $100 million for the 2009-10<br />
broadcast year, a temporary measure. Cable <strong>and</strong> satellite companies will contribute 1.5% of their gross<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM:<br />
broadcasting revenues to the fund, an increase of<br />
0.5%. Stations in markets of under one million will<br />
be able to draw on the fund to support news <strong>and</strong> other local<br />
programming. The CRTC also awarded the broadcasters more<br />
flexibility to reduce local programming hours in small markets<br />
<strong>and</strong> increased their funding for that programming.<br />
C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia says the establishment of fair market value of<br />
broadcasters' signals is what the conventional television industry<br />
has been seeking. It means C<strong>TV</strong> will “review” its plans. Canwest<br />
Global Communications describes Monday's ruling as “a good<br />
first step.” CBC/<strong>Radio</strong>-Canada says conventional broadcasters<br />
are the cornerstone of Canadian broadcasting <strong>and</strong> that ensuring<br />
their viability is crucial to the future of the industry. Rogers<br />
Communications, Cogeco Cable <strong>and</strong> Bell criticized the<br />
Commission for the move. Rogers says it will cost consumers an<br />
additional $50 to $100 a year depending on their cable package.<br />
Meanwhile, the CRTC has asked the BDUs <strong>and</strong> the<br />
broadcasters to put aside their differences <strong>and</strong> figure out how to<br />
help fund local programming... Latest reports indicate that ‘A’<br />
Windsor is off the immediate firing line as it relates to possible<br />
closure but that CKX-<strong>TV</strong> Br<strong>and</strong>on may still be under the gun.<br />
The C<strong>TV</strong>-owned Windsor station will stay on-air until at least<br />
Aug. 31 of next year when its licence expires. The ‘A’ Wingham<br />
station may stay on the air as a re-broad of ‘A’ London, but that<br />
needs Commission approval. As for CKX-<strong>TV</strong>, C<strong>TV</strong> has subtly<br />
hinted that a buyer may be in the wings but that time is running<br />
out... The CRTC has denied a request from Rogers<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ing that its Citytv Toronto <strong>and</strong> Citytv Vancouver be<br />
relieved of carrying 100 hours of Canadian films in prime time.<br />
Ted East, President of the Canadian Association of Film<br />
Distributors <strong>and</strong> Exporters, welcomed the decision. He says<br />
any change to Citytv licences in Vancouver <strong>and</strong> Toronto would<br />
have snuffed the sale of English-Canadian feature movies to <strong>TV</strong><br />
stations... Meantime, the CRTC says a Sept. 29 public<br />
proceeding in Gatineau will be aimed at developing a new<br />
regulatory framework to give broadcasters greater flexibility to<br />
cope with the industry’s rapid evolution... Susan Millican has<br />
been selected by the S-Vox Board of Directors to serve as<br />
Acting Chair through Oct. 1. Board Chairman Dale Godsoe is<br />
taking a leave of absence. As well as serving on the S-Vox<br />
Board, Millican is CEO of the<br />
MARKET SALES MANAGER<br />
ROGERS BROADCASTING<br />
VANCOUVER<br />
Imagine working for an exciting entrepreneurial company<br />
where employees are committed to meeting big<br />
challenges <strong>and</strong> making a real difference. That’’s Rogers.<br />
A leading communications <strong>and</strong> media company where<br />
people come to do great work. Right now we are looking<br />
for talented individuals to join our winning team where you<br />
will have a chance to innovate, grow <strong>and</strong> to do what really<br />
matters.<br />
RESPONSIBILITIES<br />
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:<br />
* Achieve radio cluster budgets<br />
* Directly manage, recruit <strong>and</strong> motivate a sales team of 11<br />
at JACK FM <strong>and</strong> 104.9 Greatest Hits of All Time<br />
* In addition to directly managing the sales strategy <strong>and</strong><br />
tactics for JACK FM <strong>and</strong> 104.9 Greatest Hits of All Time,<br />
you will also oversee our station <strong>Sales</strong> Managers who are<br />
responsible for News 1130, Mountain FM <strong>and</strong> Star<br />
FM/Country 107 in the Fraser Valley<br />
* Mentor <strong>Sales</strong> Managers in our cluster<br />
* Build <strong>and</strong> execute an online sales strategy<br />
* Accurately forecast sales budgets for retail <strong>and</strong> national<br />
sales<br />
* Organize <strong>and</strong> implement all operation budgets related to<br />
sales<br />
* Coaching, training <strong>and</strong> development of sales people<br />
* Provide local sales leadership daily with the<br />
development of revenue opportunities.<br />
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:<br />
* Highly creative, innovative, enthusiastic <strong>and</strong> strategic<br />
* Proven ability to manage a team of high performers<br />
* Successful airtime <strong>and</strong> online sales track record<br />
* Strong communication <strong>and</strong> interpersonal skills<br />
* Entrepreneurial self-starter<br />
* Excellent prospecting <strong>and</strong> presentation skills<br />
* Effective communicator at senior client <strong>and</strong><br />
management levels<br />
* Minimum 5 years experience in broadcast sales.<br />
HOW TO APPLY:<br />
* The requisition number for this position is 13672<br />
* Please apply on-line at www.rogers.com/careers<br />
Rogers is an equal opportunity employer.
July 9, 2009 Page 2<br />
National Screen Institute in<br />
Winnipeg... Madeline Ziniak, National<br />
VP of OMNI Television, is among 60<br />
new appointments to the Order of<br />
Canada. She is cited for “her<br />
contributions as the major driving force<br />
behind the development <strong>and</strong> growth of<br />
multilingual <strong>and</strong> multicultural television<br />
in Canada.”<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: After 26 <strong>and</strong><br />
a-half years with Rogers<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ing, Exec VP S<strong>and</strong>y<br />
S<strong>and</strong>erson is about to pull the plug <strong>and</strong><br />
head into retirement. S<strong>and</strong>erson wraps<br />
it up Aug. 31. He’s been in the business<br />
for almost 40 years <strong>and</strong> says there<br />
hasn’t been a day when there wasn’t at<br />
least one laugh... Tom Bedore is no<br />
longer with Rogers <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing. He<br />
had been GM at SONIC FM<br />
(CHDI)/WORLD FM (CKER) Edmonton<br />
<strong>and</strong> cluster manager at Rogers stations<br />
in Edmonton, Gr<strong>and</strong>e Prairie <strong>and</strong> Fort<br />
McMurray... David Errington is the new<br />
President/CEO at the National<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> Reading Service - The<br />
Accessible Channel based in Toronto.<br />
His appointment was effective July 7.<br />
Most recently, Errington was VP/Co-<br />
COO at Score Media, also in Toronto.<br />
PROGRAM DIRECTOR<br />
JACK FM VANCOUVER<br />
Imagine working for an exciting entrepreneurial company where employees are committed<br />
to meeting big challenges <strong>and</strong> making a real difference. That’’s Rogers. A leading<br />
communications <strong>and</strong> media company where people come to do great work. Right now we<br />
are looking for talented individuals to join our winning team where you will have a chance to<br />
innovate, grow <strong>and</strong> to do what really matters.<br />
RESPONSIBILITIES<br />
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:<br />
* Ensure station achieves ratings objectives; you are directly responsible for all aspects of<br />
the on-air sound of the station<br />
* Coaching <strong>and</strong> development of on air talent; as well as oversight of the production,<br />
promotion <strong>and</strong> music departments<br />
* Work in conjunction with the Promotions Director <strong>and</strong> <strong>Sales</strong> Department with respect to<br />
promotions, contesting <strong>and</strong> marketing<br />
* Manage budgets for the programming department<br />
* Air-checking talent<br />
* Ensure station complies with CRTC regulations.<br />
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:<br />
* Highly creative, innovative <strong>and</strong> strategic, you don't settle for the status quo<br />
* Strong collaborator, <strong>and</strong> enthusiastic with a bottom up management style. Inclusive not<br />
exclusive<br />
* Experience in developing the digital side of the radio business (web 2.0, database,<br />
newsletters, audience integration)<br />
* You fully comprehend life in a PPM world <strong>and</strong> have a vision for how a station should<br />
function in that world<br />
* Minimum of 5 years experience in programming management<br />
* Highly proficient in using the Musicmaster scheduling system <strong>and</strong> familiarity with Scott<br />
Studios<br />
* Experience on-air would be an asset.<br />
HOW TO APPLY:<br />
The requisition number for this position is 13671.<br />
Please apply on-line at www.rogers.com/careers<br />
Rogers is an equal opportunity employer.<br />
He succeeds long-time President/CEO Bob Trimbee who left the job earlier this year... Kevin Bell took on added<br />
duties by becoming <strong>Sales</strong> Manager at C<strong>TV</strong>-owned ‘A’’ British Columbia in Victoria July 1. For the past nine<br />
years, he’s been SM at CHUM Victoria (CFAX/KOOL-FM). The appointment reflects consolidated management<br />
teams for C<strong>TV</strong>-owned radio <strong>and</strong> television... New Promotion Manager at Corus Quebec in Montreal is Linda<br />
Fraraccio, ex of Global Quebec (CKMI) Montreal. She begins July 13 at The Q Montreal... Kevin Lim, who won<br />
this year’s British Columbia Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers’ award for being the <strong>Broadcast</strong>er of Tomorrow, is<br />
moving home from his afternoon drive show at SUN FM Kelowna. Lim starts at sister Astral station Virgin FM<br />
(CKZZ) Vancouver in three weeks time... New Promotion Director at CHFI/KISS 92.5 Toronto is Karen Steele,<br />
ex of Warner Pictures Canada <strong>and</strong> a former radio PD, while Stephanie Shaughnessy has been promoted to<br />
Promotion Manager at sister Rogers stations 680News/The Fan 590 Toronto... Casey Kasem, 77, has ended<br />
his American Top 20 radio show after 39 years. Kasem also gave voice to countless commercials <strong>and</strong> cartoon<br />
characters, including Scooby-Do sidekick Shaggy. He was inducted into the U.S. <strong>Radio</strong> Hall of Fame in 1992...<br />
Rudi Lingohr P. Eng. <strong>and</strong> Director, <strong>Broadcast</strong> Engineering at CBC Toronto, will retire at the end of October. After<br />
35 years at CBC, Lingohr says “it's now time to see if the grass is greener on the other side of age 64.”<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Martin Streek, 45, in Toronto. The former Edge 102.1Toronto radio host <strong>and</strong> popular alt-rock<br />
DJ developed a strong following as the former host of the station's countdown show <strong>and</strong> for his live<br />
broadcasts from local clubs. He worked at the Edge for about 20 years, but was let go earlier this year...<br />
Robert (Bob) Large, 90, in Charlottetown of lymphoma. Large was likely the man who introduced television<br />
to P.E.I. in 1956, a time when <strong>TV</strong> sets didn't exist on the isl<strong>and</strong>. His career began in 1936 when he l<strong>and</strong>ed an<br />
Announcer/Operator job at CFCY Charlottetown where he eventually became GM/PD. Large was station manager<br />
when CFCY-<strong>TV</strong> went on air in 1956... Bill Kincaid, after a lengthy illness in Ottawa. In the 1960s, the broadcast<br />
pioneer launched the capital’s first talk show on CFRA Ottawa. He was also instrumental in launching the first<br />
televised fundraiser in Ottawa, Jerry Lewis’ telethon for muscular dystrophy.
July 9, 2009 Page 3<br />
RADIO: Evanov Communications has applied to acquire control of CKPC/CKPC-FM Brantford from the<br />
estate of the late Richard Buchanan, who died in January of last year. Telephone City <strong>Broadcast</strong> Limited<br />
has been in business since 1933, previously owned by Buchanan’s mother. He took over in 1972... Astral<br />
Media <strong>Radio</strong> has imported another radio format – NRJ from France. Beginning Aug. 24, Astral’s 10 Ènergie<br />
stations will become the NRJ network. The NRJ Group, the largest radio group in France <strong>and</strong> in 12 other<br />
countries, will operate the new br<strong>and</strong> in Quebec. The change won’t be too dramatic, though. No job losses, no<br />
centralization but rather, says VP Programming Andre Lallier in conversation with <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong>, the use<br />
of European interviews <strong>and</strong> br<strong>and</strong>ing. From a vocal perspective, the ID will be the same, e.g. Ènergie sounds<br />
almost exactly like the letters N-R-J as they are pronounced in French. Last January, Astral changed Mix 96<br />
Montreal to Virgin <strong>Radio</strong> 96... The cash-strapped Vatican <strong>Radio</strong> – which broadcasts programs to 61 countries<br />
on air <strong>and</strong> on the Internet – is about to begin airing ads for the first time in its 80-year history. The Roman Catholic<br />
Church’s radio service has traditionally been funded out of general revenue. Vatican <strong>Radio</strong> operates on a budget<br />
of about $30 million U.S. a year but ended 2008 with a $21-million deficit. Vatican <strong>Radio</strong> was founded in 1931 by<br />
Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi with the mission of broadcasting the teachings of the Church <strong>and</strong> messages<br />
by the Pope... Having a find-the-thing contest <strong>and</strong> then moving the thing didn’t sit well with the Canadian<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> St<strong>and</strong>ards Council, despite a logical reason for the station having moved it. 99.1 Hits FM (CKIX-FM)<br />
St. John’s’ “Missing 9" contest started off in an odd way when the station naively hid the physical 9 in a locker<br />
within a private storage facility, but that didn’t work out too well. The CBSC concluded that the contest wasn’t fair<br />
under Clause 12 of the Canadian Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers’ Code of Ethics. The 9 was ultimately found in<br />
a pick-up truck that didn’t arrive at the final hiding spot until the day it was found. Details can be found by clicking<br />
www.cbsc.ca... Listen to KRUZ FM Peterborough <strong>and</strong> drink KRUZ Summer Brew; music <strong>and</strong> a cold one!<br />
Publican House Brewery <strong>and</strong> KRUZ teamed to offer the homegrown beer promotion. The suds were launched<br />
on Canada Day, <strong>and</strong> KRUZ Promotion Director Carey Walker says the first batch sold out at $13.50 for the 3.5-litre<br />
“growler” size. It’s shaped like a large jug with a h<strong>and</strong>le at the neck ($3.50 deposit)... “When pigs fly” is similar to<br />
“frosty day in hell” in that the chance of either happening is remote. And so, it is with a sense of awe that BD<br />
reports Rock 95 FM Barrie’s pig, Pinky is/was inflatable <strong>and</strong> broke free from a tether during a Canada Day event<br />
at Barrie’s waterfront. The station is offering a $1,000 reward for its capture. Chances, though, are slim. The oinker<br />
– about the size of a mini-van – was last seen headed toward Ottawa... The 2009 Canadian <strong>Radio</strong> Programming<br />
& Promotion winners at the New York Festivals are:<br />
Battery <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Gold World Medal<br />
“Hark!”<br />
Best Sound<br />
Canadian <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing Corporation<br />
Gold World Medal<br />
“The Current 'Mellissa Fung'”<br />
Talk Special: Interview<br />
Silver World Medal<br />
“Dispatches 'Nuclear Renaissance'”<br />
Social Issues/Current Events<br />
Silver World Medal<br />
“The Nerve: Music <strong>and</strong> the Human<br />
Experience,<br />
Episode 1”<br />
Best Editing<br />
Silver World Medal<br />
“Inside the Music 'The Nerve:Music <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Human Experience-Episodes 1,3,4'”<br />
Culture & The Arts<br />
Silver World Medal<br />
“Living on Oxford Time”<br />
Science & Technology<br />
Silver World Medal<br />
“Ontario Today 'Zoom Airlines Grounded'”<br />
Best Breaking News Story<br />
Silver World Medal<br />
“R<strong>and</strong>y Bachman's Vinyl Tap 'Guitarology'”<br />
Best Personality: Network/Syndicated<br />
Silver World Medal<br />
“The Sunday Edition 'Trucker Alex: North of<br />
Nowhere'”<br />
Profiles/Community Portraits<br />
Bronze World Medal<br />
“CBC News - Killing on a Greyhound Bus”<br />
Breaking News Story (Longform)<br />
Bronze World Medal<br />
“The Dark End of the Spectrum”<br />
Educational<br />
Bronze World Medal<br />
“The Irrelevant Show 'Episode 1'”<br />
Best Regularly Scheduled Comedy<br />
Program<br />
Pittaway Productions<br />
Gold World Medal<br />
“Back From The Brink”<br />
Health/Medical<br />
Rogers <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing / 92.5 JACK FM<br />
Gold World Medal<br />
“Boxing Day Blowout!!”<br />
Contest Promotion<br />
Gold World Medal<br />
“This One's For You”<br />
Station Promotion<br />
Bronze World Medal<br />
“Guys' Night In”<br />
Contest Promotion<br />
T<strong>and</strong>em Projects<br />
Silver World Medal<br />
“The Trail of Tears”<br />
History<br />
GENERAL: The foundation of the new Corus Entertainment headquarters <strong>and</strong> studios was completed this<br />
week, the first step in the construction of Corus Quay, a 500,000 square-foot, eight-storey, $150 million<br />
glass building on Toronto’s waterfront. It’s the first step in the city’s plan to revitalize the East Bayfront,<br />
expected to house 6,000 new residents, 8,000 knowledge-based jobs <strong>and</strong> more than 12 acres of parks. The<br />
Corus element is expected to be completed in December with occupation by Corus by about mid-2010. It will house<br />
1,200 employees in radio, <strong>TV</strong>, animation <strong>and</strong> executive offices... An interesting trend in the U.S.: Newsroom<br />
veterans are getting the nod to become GMs. While group managers tend toward sales types to head up stations,
July 9, 2009 Page 4<br />
some are now looking at people who were once NDs, or VPs of news, or even station pros who have run digital<br />
journalism <strong>and</strong> content. Some of the boys <strong>and</strong> girls upstairs cite the “diversity of experience”. GMs coming from<br />
news have long been a tiny minority, probably because the bottom line requires an ace sales pro in the top spot.<br />
But with an array of platforms serving up round-the-clock content, many more executives are favouring GMs with<br />
strong news backgrounds. Besides, said one Chicago-area broadcast President, “anybody who can look at the<br />
business through a different prism has an advantage.”<br />
SUPPLYLINES: Entertainment Tonight (ET) is now using<br />
a video switching centre – The Switch -- for Inter-City on<br />
Dem<strong>and</strong> (ICOD) transmission services to reach ET<br />
Canada at the Global studio in Toronto.<br />
LOOKING: Rogers <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing in Vancouver seeks a<br />
Market <strong>Sales</strong> Manager. See the details in the ad on Page<br />
1... Jack FM Vancouver is looking for a Program Director.<br />
Details on that are on Page 2... Rock 106 Lethbridge<br />
wants a combination Program Director/Music Director. The<br />
details are to the right... Other jobs we’ve heard about include<br />
C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto – Account Manager MuchM<strong>TV</strong> Group; CBC<br />
Toronto - Associate Producer, Kids Interactive Content <strong>and</strong> a<br />
Host, Newsworld; CBC Calgary – Account Manager <strong>and</strong> a<br />
Director, Operations - Rogers Television Toronto - Director,<br />
Operations; Virgin <strong>Radio</strong> Ottawa – Account Executive; <strong>and</strong><br />
92.3 FRED-FM Fredericton – Afternoon Drive.<br />
Program Director/Music Director<br />
Rogers <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing – Lethbridge<br />
Imagine working for an exciting entrepreneurial company<br />
where employees are committed to meeting big challenges<br />
<strong>and</strong> making a real difference. That’s Rogers. A leading<br />
communications <strong>and</strong> media company where people come<br />
to do great work. Right now we are looking for talented<br />
individuals to join our winning team where you will have a<br />
chance to innovate, grow <strong>and</strong> to do what really matters.<br />
RESPONSIBILITIES:<br />
* All aspects of the day-to-day management <strong>and</strong><br />
coordination of the Programming Department including:<br />
On-air talent, Music, Promotion <strong>and</strong> Production.<br />
* Editing <strong>and</strong> scheduling daily music programming logs<br />
* Air-checking talent, including morning show meetings<br />
* Day to day scheduling of on-air talent <strong>and</strong> managing<br />
vacation<br />
* Work in conjunction with Promotion <strong>and</strong> <strong>Sales</strong><br />
Department with respect to promotions, contests <strong>and</strong><br />
advertising<br />
* Talk to record company representatives <strong>and</strong> manage<br />
music library<br />
* Be a creative resource <strong>and</strong> create the station's<br />
programming plans <strong>and</strong> business strategies<br />
* On-air fill in may be required from time to time.<br />
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:<br />
* 2 years experience in programming management or<br />
comparable experience preferred<br />
* Experience with an A/C format preferred<br />
* High proficiency in the MusicMaster for Windows<br />
Scheduling system <strong>and</strong> familiarity with Scott Studios<br />
preferred<br />
* Knowledge of CRTC content regulations<br />
* Excellent writing, communication <strong>and</strong> interpersonal skills<br />
* Required computer skills include Outlook, Excel <strong>and</strong><br />
Word<br />
HOW TO APPLY:<br />
* The requisition number for this position is 13258<br />
* Please apply on-line at www.rogers.com/careers.<br />
Rogers is an equal opportunity employer.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
July 16, 2009 Volume 17, Number 10 Page One of Three<br />
RADIO: Newcap has a deal to sell its two Thunder Bay FM’ers – The Giant 105.3 (CKTG) <strong>and</strong> Magic 99.9<br />
(CJUK) – to Acadia <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing. Purchase price is $4.5 million plus working capital. The deal is expected<br />
to close by calendar year-end. Acadia owns three other originating stations in Northwestern Ontario –<br />
CFOB-FM Fort Frances, CJRL-FM Kenora <strong>and</strong> CKDR-FM Dryden – plus repeaters in smaller<br />
communities. Acadia also owns stations in Saint John, St. Andrews, N.B. <strong>and</strong> Bridgewater... EDITOR’S NOTE:<br />
The Rock 95 Barrie flying pig thing reminds some of me of some outrageous <strong>and</strong> fun promotions stations once<br />
did. Are we now stuck in safe <strong>and</strong> boring mode or are there still exciting <strong>and</strong> fun things being done out there? Is<br />
there a street presence? Imagination? Send me (howard@broadcastdialogue.com) the most outrageous <strong>and</strong><br />
successful promotions you’ve ever seen. Even better, send along pics of what went on. With luck, I can compile<br />
a series of them for a <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> magazine article.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Renato Zane, the VP News at OMNI Television Toronto, has been promoted within<br />
the Rogers <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing organization to become VP/GM at Citytv Vancouver/OMNI B.C. He’ll begin July<br />
20, succeeding Geoff Poulton who had been leading both Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>and</strong> television. Poulton is now<br />
responsible for Rogers <strong>Radio</strong>. Zane, a<br />
long-time broadcast journalist, ND <strong>and</strong>,<br />
latterly, VP News at OMNI Toronto has<br />
spent more than five years on the<br />
Board of Directors of the <strong>Radio</strong>-<br />
Television News Directors’<br />
Association of Canada <strong>and</strong> has<br />
served as its Treasurer, VP Television<br />
<strong>and</strong> as Chair of the RTNDA diversity<br />
committee... Danny Kingsbury, for<br />
years an Exec at Rogers <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Ottawa <strong>and</strong> who got caught up in a reshuffling<br />
last year, is back on board in<br />
a consulting capacity to Project<br />
Manage the launch of Rogers’ new<br />
FM’er in Halifax: Lite 92.9. The former<br />
KIXX (CFDR-AM) is now testing...<br />
Jason Todd, GM/GSM at The Lounge<br />
(CJCY) Medicine Hat has resigned.<br />
He’s heading to Newcap Calgary as a<br />
Senior Account Executive. See the ad<br />
for a successor on Page 2... Some<br />
moving around at CBC news<br />
operations will see anchor Evan<br />
Solomon <strong>and</strong> reporter Terry Milewski<br />
head to Ottawa where Solomon will be<br />
host of an exp<strong>and</strong>ed political show on<br />
Newsworld that begins this fall from 5-<br />
7 p.m. ET <strong>and</strong> Milewski become the<br />
GENERAL MANAGER/<br />
GENERAL SALES MANAGER<br />
ROGERS BROADCASTING KINGSTON<br />
Imagine working for an exciting entrepreneurial company where employees are committed to<br />
meeting big challenges <strong>and</strong> making a real difference. That’s Rogers. A leading<br />
communications <strong>and</strong> media company where people come to do great work. Right now we are<br />
looking for talented individuals to join our winning team where you will have a chance to<br />
innovate, grow <strong>and</strong> to do what really matters.<br />
RESPONSIBILITIES:<br />
��Manage, recruit <strong>and</strong> motivate team of broadcast professionals<br />
��Forecast <strong>and</strong> achieve fiscal sales budgets<br />
��Oversee <strong>and</strong> monitor implementation of all station operating budgets, including managing<br />
inventory, setting rates, developing sales packages <strong>and</strong> strategies<br />
��Recommend <strong>and</strong> monitor capital projects as required<br />
��Provide leadership with the development of both programming <strong>and</strong> revenue opportunities<br />
��Keep up to date with government regulatory policies to ensure conformance to regulations<br />
��Establish objectives <strong>and</strong> support company policies <strong>and</strong> programs<br />
��Represent the stations corporately as well as in the local community<br />
��Coaching, training <strong>and</strong> development of management team <strong>and</strong> sales department.<br />
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:<br />
��Minimum 10 years management experience within the broadcast industry, preferably in radio<br />
��Minimum 5 years sales management experience, preferably in broadcast<br />
��Post secondary education in business administration, finance or other related discipline<br />
��Excellent communication <strong>and</strong> interpersonal skills<br />
��Strong underst<strong>and</strong>ing of BBM ratings <strong>and</strong> ability to effectively utilize results to profile stations<br />
in the market<br />
��Knowledge of Microsoft <strong>and</strong> Oracle Financial, an asset.<br />
HOW TO APPLY:<br />
��The requisition number for this position is 13915<br />
��Please apply on-line at www.rogers.com/careers .<br />
Rogers is an equal opportunity employer.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 Page 2<br />
new senior correspondent. Keith Boag, who holds that job now, moves to Los Angeles where he’ll cover the<br />
California region <strong>and</strong> beyond. Susan Bonner goes to CBC's Washington bureau, joining Neil MacDonald, Paul<br />
Hunter <strong>and</strong> Michael Colton. Reporter David Common moves to New York City after a stint in Paris... Mike<br />
Tiemay, the GSM at EZ Rock 97.3 (CJEZ-FM) Toronto, has been appointed Director of Retail <strong>Sales</strong> at Astral<br />
Outdoor Division. Succeeding him, <strong>and</strong> adding to her duties as GSM at Virgin <strong>Radio</strong> Toronto, is Lorie Russell...<br />
Robert Linden, the Assistant ND at News1130 (CKWX) Vancouver, is about to take early retirement. With 35<br />
years in radio, Linden – who leaves tomorrow (Friday) – takes with him the satisfaction of several award-winning<br />
news stories <strong>and</strong> continuing coverage events being produced under his watch. He began at CJIB Vernon in 1973<br />
as a DJ <strong>and</strong>, in retirement, plans on exploring part-time teaching... Ken Pasolli, after 16 years with<br />
St<strong>and</strong>ard/Astral, is leaving his Director of Engineering job at Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Calgary. Pasolli is going back<br />
to school <strong>and</strong> will attend an intensive IT program at SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) in Calgary...<br />
Darren Robson has resigned his PD’s job at Rogers' Country 93.3/Rock 97.9 Fort McMurray. His last day is<br />
tomorrow (Friday). Robson is moving to Southern Alberta... Roz Weston, Senior Entertainment Reporter at<br />
Entertainment Tonight Canada, will join KiSS 92.5 Toronto as Morning Show Co-Host. KiSS 92.5 is auditioning<br />
for his morning co-host. Once confirmed, a start date for the new morning show will be announced.<br />
SIGN-OFF: Len Dobbin, 74, of a stroke at the Upstairs jazz bar – in the middle of a jazz festival. Host of the<br />
Dobbin’s Den at CKUT Montreal, his show had been on-air for about 14 years.<br />
Statistics Canada has released the numbers for the television industry through to Aug. 31,<br />
2008. They do not reflect the impact of the economic downturn that began shortly afterwards.<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM:<br />
Operating revenues totaled $6.5 billion (current dollars) in 2008, up 5.4% from 2007. The overall<br />
results for the industry, however, do not describe the difficult year for OTA television. The operating<br />
revenues for private conventional <strong>TV</strong> fell 1.8% to $2.1 billion in 2008, the second annual decline in revenues in<br />
three years. Private conventional <strong>TV</strong> captured 58.8% of the $3.4 billion ad market in 2008, compared with 68.1%<br />
five years earlier. Specialty television<br />
grew, with operating revenues up 6.5%<br />
to $2.3 billion in 2008. Subscription<br />
(+5.4%) <strong>and</strong> advertising revenues<br />
(+8.1%) contributed to the growth.<br />
Private <strong>TV</strong> broadcasters saw their profit<br />
before interests <strong>and</strong> taxes fall to<br />
$691.0 million in 2008 from $763.6<br />
million the year before. Specialty <strong>and</strong><br />
pay channels accounted for more than<br />
99.0% of these profits. The profit<br />
margin before interest <strong>and</strong> taxes were<br />
higher than 20.0% for the fourth<br />
consecutive year for specialty channels<br />
<strong>and</strong> for the seventh straight year for<br />
pay <strong>TV</strong> channels. Private conventional<br />
stations, however, generated a profit<br />
margin before interests <strong>and</strong> taxes of<br />
less than 1% in 2008, the lowest in 30<br />
years. Nearly half of all private<br />
conventional stations posted losses<br />
before interests <strong>and</strong> taxes in 2008...<br />
Corus Entertainment says it has a<br />
$40 million deal to buy specialty<br />
channels Drive-In Classics <strong>and</strong><br />
Sex<strong>TV</strong> from C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia. Corus<br />
already owns <strong>and</strong> operates Y<strong>TV</strong>,<br />
Treehouse, W Network, Cosmo<strong>TV</strong>,<br />
VIVA, Movie Central, HBO Canada<br />
Clear Sky <strong>Radio</strong> Inc. has an immediate<br />
opening for a<br />
GENERAL MANAGER/GENERAL SALES MANAGER<br />
at our Medicine Hat <strong>Radio</strong> Station.<br />
CJCY-FM 102.1 The Lounge is Medicine Hat’s adult-targeted radio station focusing on the<br />
affluent 35+ population. We are seeking a dynamic individual to lead our overall team, day-today<br />
station operations <strong>and</strong> sales <strong>and</strong> business development. Our ideal c<strong>and</strong>idate will have<br />
exceptional people skills, a positive leadership approach, an engaging <strong>and</strong> fun personality <strong>and</strong><br />
at least five years previous experience in sales management.<br />
Key responsibilities include:<br />
* Forecasting <strong>and</strong> achieving annual revenue <strong>and</strong> share goals<br />
* Managing monthly expense budgets meeting or exceeding bottom line goals<br />
* Managing, recruiting <strong>and</strong> motivating the sales team <strong>and</strong> overall staff with involvement of<br />
department heads<br />
* Developing, directing <strong>and</strong> growing local <strong>and</strong> regional sales efforts<br />
* Managing inventory, establishing rates <strong>and</strong> developing sales strategies to grow CJCY-FM’s<br />
share of local advertising spend<br />
* Representing CJCY-FM at community <strong>and</strong> business meetings<br />
* Working closely with the management of other Clear Sky radio stations seeking synergistic<br />
sales <strong>and</strong> operational opportunities.<br />
We offer a highly competitive compensation package that includes base pay, performance<br />
incentives, extended health benefits, fuel <strong>and</strong> phone allowance. This position reports to the<br />
President of Clear Sky <strong>Radio</strong>. Learn more about Clear Sky at www.clearskyradio.com.<br />
Please rush your resume, management philosophies <strong>and</strong> any other materials you feel would<br />
benefit your application by clicking jobs@clearskyradio.com, or send by fax to<br />
1-866-841-7971 or via courier to:<br />
PAUL LARSEN,PRESIDENT<br />
CLEAR SKY RADIO INC.<br />
#400, 220 THIRD AVENUE S<br />
LETHBRIDGE AB T1J 0G9<br />
Clear Sky <strong>Radio</strong> is an equal opportunity employer <strong>and</strong> we encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for
Thursday, July 16, 2009 Page 3<br />
<strong>and</strong> Nelvana. Corus CEO John Cassaday says the acquisitions are indicators of Corus’ underlying strength. ..<br />
The Jim Pattison <strong>Broadcast</strong> Group has signed a program supply agreement with Rogers <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing that<br />
will bring new syndicated programming to CFJC-<strong>TV</strong> Kamloops, CKPG-<strong>TV</strong> Prince George <strong>and</strong> CHAT-<strong>TV</strong><br />
Medicine Hat... The Canadian Television Fund will launch an industry consultation process this summer to<br />
receive stakeholder input on the creation of the new Canada Media Fund program. The initial focus will be on<br />
policy issues as they relate to the new funding agency. The C<strong>TV</strong>, at a virtual town hall Aug. 6., will present briefing<br />
papers detailing the key issues.<br />
GENERAL: Astral Media’s radio revenues declined by 4% in the third quarter, less , it says, than the 13%<br />
average drop by the industry in major markets. The company's <strong>TV</strong> business helped boost overall revenues<br />
<strong>and</strong> profits. Net earnings climbed 3% to $44.3 million or 79 cents a share. Astral booked profits of $43.2<br />
million or 76 cents a share during the same quarter the year before... Corus Entertainment lost $145<br />
million in the third quarter as the result of a $175-million impairment charge on goodwill <strong>and</strong> broadcast licences.<br />
The $1.81 per share loss reversed year-earlier profits of $37.7 million or 45 cents per share. Quarterly revenue<br />
fell 6% per cent to $195.4 million compared to $207.8 million the year before. The decline was most pronounced<br />
in the radio division... Score Media’s financial results for Q3 increased by $0.6 million to $10.8 million compared<br />
to $10.2 million in the same quarter last year. EBITDA for the quarter ended May 31, 2009 was $1.7 million<br />
compared to $2.2 million in this reporting period because of planned investment in HD programming <strong>and</strong> marketing<br />
initiatives... At the 31st annual Canadian Ethnic Media Association awards coming up this Sunday, the<br />
broadcast winners are: News or feature – Paolo Canciani, producer/host, CHIN Toronto – Editorial or opinion<br />
piece – Qais Ghanem, founder <strong>and</strong> co-host CHIN Ottawa – News or feature – Marcus Kolga, producer/director<br />
– Editorial or opinion piece – Lalita Krishna, producer/director, In Sync Video – <strong>and</strong> News or feature – Rajeshni<br />
Naidu, writer, cp24.com.<br />
LOOKING: General Manager/General <strong>Sales</strong> Manager at Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> Kingston. See the ad on Page 1...<br />
General Manager/General <strong>Sales</strong> Manager at Clear Sky <strong>Radio</strong>’s CJCY-FM Medicine Hat. See the ad on<br />
Page 2... Other jobs we’ve heard about include Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Calgary – Director of Engineering;<br />
Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Hamilton – Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Manager; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> St. Catharines – Retail <strong>Sales</strong><br />
Manager; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Winnipeg – Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Manager; Lite 92.9 Halifax – Program Director, a Creative<br />
Writer, a Morning Co-Host, a Producer <strong>and</strong> a Swing Announcer; 93.7 Wayne FM Wainwright - Mornings/Music<br />
Director; BNN Toronto – Anchor/Reporter; Canwest <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing Toronto - <strong>Broadcast</strong> Technician, a Project<br />
Manager, Digital Media <strong>and</strong> a Qualitative Research Analyst; CBC Calgary –– Reporter/Editor; CBC Toronto –<br />
Human Resources Director; CBC Ottawa – Supervising Technician; <strong>and</strong> CBC Regina – News Producer. There<br />
are other complete job ads in the CLASSIFIED section at www.broadcastdialogue.com.<br />
SUPPLYLINES: CJWF Windsor, the new Blackburn <strong>Radio</strong> station with a Country format, has ordered a<br />
WheatNet-IP AoIP networked audio system from Wheatstone Corporation. The sale went through Ron<br />
Paley <strong>Broadcast</strong>... Telesat Canada <strong>and</strong> APT Satellite Company have closed a deal in which Telesat has<br />
transferred its leasehold interests in Telstar 10 to APT. Total price was approximately US$69 million.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
July 23, 2009 Volume 17, Number 11 Page One of Three<br />
Canwest Global will close CHEK-<strong>TV</strong> Victoria <strong>and</strong> CHCA-<strong>TV</strong> Red Deer Aug. 31, affecting<br />
about 80 jobs. It has already sold CHCH-<strong>TV</strong> Hamilton <strong>and</strong> CJNT-<strong>TV</strong> Montreal <strong>and</strong>, says the<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM:<br />
company, it will keep CHBC-<strong>TV</strong> Kelowna as a Global Television affiliate. The five stations had been<br />
operating under the E! br<strong>and</strong>. Canwest<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ing President Peter Viner says: “From the outset, we<br />
said that closing stations would only be considered as a last<br />
resort. We recognize that the decision to close CHCA <strong>and</strong> CHEK<br />
will negatively impact the employees of those stations <strong>and</strong> the<br />
communities that those stations have served so well.” It was<br />
back in February that Canwest announced a strategic review of<br />
the E! stations <strong>and</strong>, while there were some expressions of<br />
interest in purchasing, nobody followed through... Channel<br />
Zero’s total purchase price for Canwest Global-owned CHCH-<br />
<strong>TV</strong> Hamilton <strong>and</strong> CJNT-<strong>TV</strong> Montreal is $12. CHCH-<strong>TV</strong> is,<br />
effectively, a provincial station because of its other transmitters<br />
in Ottawa, London, Muskoka, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, North<br />
Bay <strong>and</strong> Timmins. A CRTC hearing into both applications will be<br />
held in Gatineau Aug. 24. Once that hurdle is passed, the only<br />
thing left that could put a spike in the deal is if unionized staff<br />
reject cuts to pensions <strong>and</strong> benefits... And, C<strong>TV</strong> has sold CKX-<br />
<strong>TV</strong> Br<strong>and</strong>on – for $1 – to Bluepoint Investment Corp. in a deal<br />
expected to close by Dec. 31. CKX-<strong>TV</strong>, with 39 employees,<br />
became ripe for closure after CBC-<strong>TV</strong> decided not to renew its<br />
affiliation agreement. The CEO of Blueprint, Colin Berrie, was<br />
quoted as saying that his company is now in “... the first part of<br />
our strategic plan to become a significant media player in North<br />
America.” Bluepoint Investment is a Canadian investment<br />
company headed by Bruce Claassen. If the deal is approved by<br />
the CRTC, Bluepoint will qualify for a piece of the $100-million<br />
local programming improvement fund... C<strong>TV</strong>'s The Listener has<br />
been dropped from NBC’s summer line-up after half a dozen<br />
episodes. Poor ratings the reason. Re-runs of Law & Order<br />
begin July 30...<br />
RADIO: CFDR Dartmouth/Halifax – after 46 years of AM<br />
service – will sign off on Monday, July 27. The Newcap<br />
Classic Country station, as its final out, will air the old Roy<br />
Rogers/Dale Evans classic tune: Happy Trails. And with<br />
CFDR’s going dark, it brings to an end AM radio service in the<br />
large Nova Scotia market. Morning show co-Host Frank Lowe<br />
will leave while co-Host Stephanie Woodin will stay with<br />
Newcap in another capacity. CFDR was part of a trade-off with<br />
Rogers, which gave up CIGM Sudbury to Newcap... Two lines<br />
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE<br />
Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Regina, Big Dog 92-7 has an exciting<br />
opportunity for a SENIOR Account Executive. The successful<br />
c<strong>and</strong>idate will be responsible for building the client base of<br />
advertisers, maintaining current client relationships with some<br />
of our most important clients, <strong>and</strong> increasing sales revenue<br />
for Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> in Regina <strong>and</strong> surrounding areas.<br />
Regina is a robust <strong>and</strong> vigorous economy, enjoying economic<br />
growth during economic challenges throughout the rest of<br />
Canada. This is an excellent opportunity to earn a significant<br />
income <strong>and</strong> for professional growth.<br />
Because this is a new station for Regina, the opportunity to<br />
build your business is tremendous! The successful c<strong>and</strong>idate<br />
will receive a very competitive guarantee appropriate for the<br />
level of experience while learning the market place, training<br />
<strong>and</strong> developing client relationships.<br />
Responsibilities:<br />
! <strong>Sales</strong> <strong>and</strong> service of new <strong>and</strong> existing accounts<br />
! Ability to coordinate creative from initial sales meetings<br />
through to preparation of ads for client approval<br />
! Ongoing awareness of our customers’ day-to-day<br />
challenges.<br />
Skill requirements & Qualifications:<br />
! High level of initiative/self motivation<br />
! Strong written <strong>and</strong> verbal communication skills<br />
! Computer literate – working knowledge of all basic<br />
business software suites<br />
! Conceptual, creative thinker <strong>and</strong> problem solver<br />
! Must enjoy fast paced work environment that is based on<br />
team <strong>and</strong> individual effort<br />
! A valid driver’s licence <strong>and</strong> reliable automobile<br />
! Prior radio advertising sales experience preferred.<br />
Any c<strong>and</strong>idate who wants to apply for this opportunity should<br />
send their resume <strong>and</strong> cover letter to:<br />
Gary Wilson, General <strong>Sales</strong> Manager<br />
Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Regina<br />
4303 Albert Street, Suite 100 (Main Floor)<br />
Regina SK S4S 3R6<br />
gwilson@bigdog927.com
Thursday, July 23, 2009 Page 2<br />
from a radio guy in Kelowna: “The radio stations have been doing one helluva job keeping people abreast of the<br />
forest fires’ situation. Of course, we’ve got some serious experience from the destruction six years ago”... Google<br />
jumped the gun with the announcement to their customers of the sale of their Google <strong>Radio</strong> Automation, SS32,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Maestro to California-based WideOrbit. In their message, Google says it "believe(s) we are far enough along<br />
in the transaction to disclose our plans". But when <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> contacted WideOrbit in California, a<br />
spokesperson replied, "At this stage, all I can say from WideOrbit is 'no comment'”... KRAZE 101.3 Red Deer is<br />
set to launch tomorrow (Friday) at 1:01 p.m. The sell line for the as-yet un-launched station seems a bit<br />
presumptuous, though: “Red Deer’s Number One Hit Music Channel!” KRAZE 101.3 is locally-owned by Troy<br />
Stevens <strong>and</strong> Sonia Sawyer of L.A. <strong>Radio</strong> Group...<br />
GENERAL: The CRTC says broadcasters must make more <strong>TV</strong> programs accessible to the blind <strong>and</strong> improve<br />
the quality of closed captions for deaf Canadians. Further, said the Commission, cellphones <strong>and</strong> text<br />
messaging must also be more accessible... Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says his government<br />
plans on seizing 240 radio stations – 40% of them – for allegedly operating illegally. Then, he says, when<br />
“we retake control of the radio waves” his government could turn them over to countrymen who share his socialist<br />
vision. Government officials say the stations didn't update their registrations with the telecommunications<br />
commission... Shaw Communications has acquired Mountain Cable in Hamilton. Launched 50 years ago <strong>and</strong><br />
still owned by the Boris family, the company has approximately 41,000 cable customers, 28,000 Internet<br />
subscribers <strong>and</strong> 27,000 telephone customers. While financial details were not released, Shaw says the transaction<br />
will consist of cash <strong>and</strong> may involve the issue of some Shaw class B shares to the sellers... Canwest Global<br />
Communications has been given another extension from creditors – this one to July 31 – to reach a<br />
recapitalization agreement. Last Friday’s deadline was extended by two weeks... Marking a new direction for the<br />
public broadcaster, the BBC says it will now share its film, audio <strong>and</strong> document archives with other arts institutions<br />
in Britain. The BBC's creative director says the new initiative will provide archival access, historic materials <strong>and</strong><br />
technical assistance in collaboration with the Tate art gallery, the British Film Institute <strong>and</strong> the British Library...<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Walter Cronkite, 92, in New York City after a long illness. The CBS News Anchor from 1962<br />
to 1981, covering such historic events as the President John F. Kennedy assassination, the l<strong>and</strong>ing of men<br />
on the moon, Watergate (which led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation) <strong>and</strong> the Iranian hostage crisis.<br />
The announcement of his passing last Friday night <strong>and</strong> a short video on his achievements may be seen by clicking<br />
HERE. In the U.S. <strong>Radio</strong> Business Report & Television Business Report, this short editorial: “We can never<br />
go back to the days of three networks <strong>and</strong> an anchor who many referred to as "The Voice of God," nor should we.<br />
But we can look back to Cronkite, Huntley-Brinkley <strong>and</strong> Howard K. Smith for lessons in professionalism <strong>and</strong> a<br />
devotion to accuracy, rather than sensationalism. In this day of 24/7 cable news <strong>and</strong> ranting bloggers, those<br />
lessons often seem to have been forgotten.” Cronkite's voice will continue to be heard introducing the CBS Evening<br />
News with Katie Couric... Pat Trudell, 89, in Vancouver. The pioneer Vancouver performer <strong>and</strong> musician<br />
appeared on many CBC <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>and</strong> Television programs in the 1950s <strong>and</strong> '60s... Les Lye, 84, in Ottawa. The<br />
veteran Canadian actor <strong>and</strong> broadcaster began his career at CFRA Ottawa, where he worked with comedian Rich<br />
Little. In 1961, he joined CJOH-<strong>TV</strong> Ottawa as a freelance writer <strong>and</strong> performer, <strong>and</strong> starred on You Can't Do That<br />
On Television, which ran from 1979 to 1990.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Scott Bodnarchuk, the long-time GM at CHUM Halifax (C100/CJCH-FM) has<br />
resigned. No successor has yet been appointed... Art Pultz is the new GM at Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> Timmins –<br />
CKGB <strong>and</strong> CJQQ. Pultz has been with the stations since 1983, most recently as PD of both. He’ll retain<br />
those duties. Rogers has operated the Timmins stations without an on-location GM for the past few years. Scott<br />
Sexsmith, GM at Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> Sault Ste. Marie, had been h<strong>and</strong>ling the chores... Mario Filice is now Senior<br />
Manager, National <strong>Sales</strong> at CBC Toronto. Most recently, he was with C<strong>TV</strong> where, for the last seven years, he has<br />
worked with both Much M<strong>TV</strong> Specialty sales as well as conventional sales... Consultant, PD, DJ <strong>and</strong> probably a<br />
whole lot more, Dave Charles, who moved to Australia some years ago is moving back home to Canada. His next<br />
adventure, he says, will begin soon in Hamilton... Alain Bergeron adds Chief Marketing Officer to his duties at<br />
Astral Media. His new combined title is VP, Corporate Communications <strong>and</strong> Chief Marketing Officer... After 42<br />
years with CBC – including two audiences with Queen Elisabeth <strong>and</strong> five audiences with the late Pope John Paul<br />
– Dave Knapp’s contract was not renewed Knapp had been Director of Elections <strong>and</strong> Special Events. The Canada<br />
Day celebration from Ottawa was his last special for CBC. Knapp, who lives in the Toronto area, is setting up a<br />
business specializing in media event organization <strong>and</strong> management... George Gordon is no longer a morning<br />
voice nor is he employed at News1130 Vancouver. The veteran broadcast journalist helped take the station to
Thursday, July 23, 2009 Page 3<br />
a top-three position during his 10 years with the operation. Also at News1130, evening Sports Anchor Paul<br />
Weisser – after 13 years – is gone. The full time evening/weekend sports position has been eliminated... Dan<br />
Gallant moves within the company from Newcap’s Big Dog 103.5 Lac La Biche, where he was Station <strong>and</strong> <strong>Sales</strong><br />
Manager, to become GSM at FRED-FM Fredericton. He begins in late August... Mookie Wilson has become the<br />
fourth <strong>and</strong> final member of the QX104 (CFQX-FM) Winnipeg morning show. Wilson had been with Country 95.3<br />
Hamilton...After more than 40 years at C<strong>TV</strong>, W-Five Exec Producer Malcolm Fox will retire in September. His<br />
successor is Anton Koschany, a W-Five Senior Producer... Dustin Neilson becomes a Team 1260 Edmonton<br />
morning show co-Host Monday, joining Bryn Griffiths. Neilson had been the morning show Co-host <strong>and</strong> hockey<br />
play-by-play Announcer at Rock 97.9/Country 93.3 Fort McMurray... At KISS 92.5 Toronto, Mocha becomes<br />
a morning show Co-host along with Roz Weston. He’s also Ass’t MD to Mike Religa... Across the hall at sister<br />
station CHFI Toronto, five-year swing Announcer Darren Osborne is the new afternoon Host... ‘A’ Victoria<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> Technician Andrew Henry moves to the B.C. legislature at month’s end, joining Hansard Television.<br />
In his place at ‘A’ will be David Verkerk who returns as Senior <strong>Broadcast</strong> Technician. Verkerk had been part of<br />
‘A’ during the station’s start-up phase... New PD at Info 690 Montreal is Robert Ashby who, before that move,<br />
had been in charge of the PDs at 16 stations belonging to RNC Media <strong>and</strong> was Ops. Director for Planète Jazz<br />
Montréal <strong>and</strong> Planète Lov’ Lachute... New Anchors at CKX-<strong>TV</strong> Br<strong>and</strong>on are Kim Kaschor at 6 p.m. <strong>and</strong><br />
Kumutha Ramanathan at Noon. Kaschor brings to her new job experience at CBC Winnipeg while Ramanathan,<br />
promoted from Reporter at CKX, had stints with the likes of C<strong>TV</strong>, Global <strong>and</strong> Rogers <strong>TV</strong> in Ontario... CBC-<strong>TV</strong><br />
Halifax journalist Jennifer Stewart has become Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter's press secretary. Stewart<br />
begins the new job Aug. 4. She’d been a reporter at the Halifax Chronicle Herald for six years before recently<br />
joining CBC...<br />
LOOKING: Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong>’s station, Big Dog 92-7 Regina, seeks a Senior Account Executive. See the<br />
ad on Page 1... Other jobs we’ve heard about include: CTS Burlington -- Graphic Designer <strong>and</strong> a<br />
Promotions Co-ordinator; Wave 94.7 Hamilton/Burlington - announcer <strong>and</strong> newsreader; 103.9 KIXX<br />
Country Carbonear - Account Manager; Global Regina - Reporter/Anchor; Global Edmonton -<br />
Maintenance Technicians; CP 24 Toronto – Reporter/Anchor; CBC Winnipeg – Producer/Assignment; CBC<br />
Toronto – Senior Producer, cbcnews.ca; CPAC Ottawa – New Media Producer/Writer; CTS Television<br />
Burlington - Promotions Coordinator; CBC Winnipeg – Regional On-Line Reporter/Editor; Rogers <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Edmonton – General Manager; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Toronto – Ad Operations Coordinator, Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Interactive; <strong>and</strong> CHUM <strong>Radio</strong> Brockville - PM Drive Announcer/MD... Be sure to regularly check the CLASSIFIED<br />
section at www.broadcastdialogue.com for new job postings.<br />
SUPPLYLINES: The Toronto Stock Exchange is reviewing Azcar Technologies’ listing because of low<br />
trading volume <strong>and</strong> low trading value of Azcar’s over the past 30 days. Shares in the company last traded<br />
on the TSX July 17 at 15 cents.<br />
NEW SUBSCRIBERS THIS WEEK INCLUDE: Valerie Meyer, Astral Media Outdoor, Toronto. Welcome!<br />
EDITOR’S NOTE: I’m off on vacation for two weeks, back with you Aug. 13.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
August 13, 2009 Volume 17, Number 12 Page One of Five<br />
The CRTC has postponed hearings on local <strong>TV</strong> station regulations, including those on whether<br />
big broadcasters can charge BDUs to carry their signal, to Nov. 16 from Sept. 29. The delay, says<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM:<br />
the Commission, will allow interested parties an opportunity to comment <strong>and</strong> “... ensure a fair, open<br />
<strong>and</strong> transparent hearing <strong>and</strong> remove any uncertainty on its outcome.” Coincidentally, the move came<br />
after Bell Canada filed a lawsuit with the federal court to stop local <strong>TV</strong> stations from charging BDUs as fee for<br />
carriage. But, says Bell, because of the delay from Sept. to Nov., it will withdraw the court application. Bell owns<br />
Bell <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> a 15% stake in C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia... Meanwhile, Rogers Communications has sent a strongly worded<br />
letter to customers warning them to expect a new 1.5% charge on top of their recurring monthly cable bills. The<br />
fee, to begin in September, is directly related to the Local Programming Improvement Fund created by the CRTC<br />
<strong>and</strong> will be identified as such in Rogers’ invoices, e.g. CRTC LPIF fee. In response, C<strong>TV</strong> says that the Commission<br />
should again regulate BDU billing practices. “At a time when cable <strong>and</strong> satellite companies are experiencing record<br />
revenues <strong>and</strong> profits,” C<strong>TV</strong> is quoted as<br />
saying, “Canadians deserve better<br />
including open <strong>and</strong> transparent billing<br />
practices from <strong>TV</strong> service providers.”<br />
Further, says the network, both cable<br />
<strong>and</strong> satellite providers are misleading<br />
consumers about the fee hikes set for<br />
next month; that under the cloak of the<br />
LPIF, the BDUs are increasing<br />
customer bills to enhance profits...<br />
Canwest Global Communications<br />
says it will close CHEK-<strong>TV</strong> Victoria<br />
<strong>and</strong> CHCA-<strong>TV</strong> Red Deer by month’s<br />
end. The move would see about 80<br />
jobs disappear. But in Victoria, CHEK-<br />
<strong>TV</strong> staff want to take ownership <strong>and</strong><br />
talks are said to be underway with<br />
Canwest. Details are not expected<br />
anytime soon on the proposal to keep<br />
the station, now into its fifth decade of<br />
operation, alive. GM John Pollard says<br />
the notion of local ownership has<br />
sparked an interest in the community:<br />
“We've had four different groups come<br />
through <strong>and</strong> say: 'We want to be part of<br />
this.' We've had calls from lots of other<br />
people. We've had people calling,<br />
saying: 'I've got $25,000, how can I<br />
help you guys stay on the air"...<br />
Meanwhile, Canwest Global has<br />
signaled the CRTC that discussions are<br />
needed on a possible new ownership<br />
structure. Sources say that the issue is<br />
VICE-PRESIDENT, INDUSTRY RELATIONS<br />
An integral senior member of the management team<br />
at FACTOR, the Vice-President, Industry Relations<br />
acts in concert with the President <strong>and</strong> CEO as the<br />
voice <strong>and</strong> the face of FACTOR to its many stakeholder groups.<br />
RESPONSIBILITIES:<br />
- Reporting directly to the President <strong>and</strong> CEO you will help to fulfill FACTOR’s<br />
m<strong>and</strong>ate of supporting Canadian artists <strong>and</strong> the Canadian music industry<br />
- Build relationships with all stakeholder groups including the National Advisory<br />
Board, the industry associations, the record industry <strong>and</strong> the broadcasters<br />
- Represent FACTOR at <strong>Radio</strong> Industry <strong>and</strong> Canadian music events<br />
- Organize FACTOR sessions <strong>and</strong> panels for events across Canada<br />
- Exp<strong>and</strong> FACTOR outreach to appropriate groups including educational institutions<br />
- Develop new funding initiatives<br />
- Work closely with FACTOR’s Communications Department to make sure that the<br />
FACTOR story is widely disseminated on an on-going basis<br />
- Create <strong>and</strong> manage operating budget for your department<br />
- Assist the President <strong>and</strong> CEO in the creation <strong>and</strong> production of the annual report.<br />
QUALIFICATIONS:<br />
- Management experience within the record industry, broadcasting <strong>and</strong>/or the not<br />
for profit sector<br />
- Underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> appreciation of FACTOR’s role in supporting Canadian<br />
musical talent<br />
- Underst<strong>and</strong>ing of the issues surrounding the administration of public <strong>and</strong> private<br />
funds in support of Canadian music<br />
- Ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholder groups<br />
- A passion for Canadian music <strong>and</strong> artists<br />
- Excellent verbal <strong>and</strong> written communications skills<br />
- Experienced public speaker<br />
- Ability to encourage <strong>and</strong> motivate staff<br />
- Proven ability to work under pressure.<br />
Apply in confidence to factorjobs@gmail.com by September 7th.<br />
Only those contacted will interviewed. FACTOR is an equal opportunity employer.
August 13, 2009 Page 2<br />
whether or not the company's main<br />
creditors can stay within Canadian<br />
ownership rules if they convert the debt<br />
owed them into equity in a new<br />
restructured firm. The CRTC apparently<br />
doesn’t expect formal meetings to begin<br />
until at least next month... Beginning at<br />
the end of this month, CBC News will<br />
begin running 90-minute, early-evening<br />
<strong>TV</strong> newscasts in every region of Canada.<br />
The plan, part of CBC’s news renewal,<br />
includes refocusing on local news. They<br />
will lead with national <strong>and</strong> international<br />
stories, followed by local <strong>and</strong> regional<br />
coverage, <strong>and</strong> will start at 5 p.m.<br />
Coronation Street will follow at 6:30... If<br />
viewers in the U.S., UK <strong>and</strong> Canada had<br />
their choice, here – according to Angus<br />
Reid Strategies – is how they’d build<br />
their evening newscasts: Poll<br />
respondents as a whole agreed to devote<br />
at least 20% to Local News but that’s the<br />
only point where there was overall<br />
agreement, e.g. Sports coverage –<br />
Canada 10.1%, UK 8.6%, U.S. 8.5%;<br />
International – Canada 20.4%, UK<br />
18.7%, U.S. 14.5%; Business – Canada<br />
8.9%, UK 8.9%, U.S. 10.7%; Weather –<br />
Canada 6.7%, UK 6.5%, U.S. 9.5%; Arts<br />
– Canada 7.9%, U.S. 7.5%, UK 9.6%; <strong>and</strong> Celebrity – Canada 3.5%, U.S. 4.9%, UK 5.5%. Americans <strong>and</strong> Britons<br />
are virtually even on the amount of time that a nightly newscast should spend discussing Science <strong>and</strong> Technology<br />
(9.3% <strong>and</strong> 9.6%) <strong>and</strong> Health (11.7% <strong>and</strong> 11.2%), while Canadians are less enthused about both topics (7.6% for<br />
science <strong>and</strong> technology <strong>and</strong> 8.6% for health)... About 108 retirees from CHCH-<strong>TV</strong> Hamilton say they face a cut<br />
to their pension payments after Canwest Global announced it will be winding up their pension plan at the end of<br />
August. A group representing retirees says that the plan has an unfunded wind-up deficiency <strong>and</strong> that Canwest<br />
has no intention of funding the shortfall... The National Screen Institute – Canada has added Fred Fuchs <strong>and</strong><br />
Mary Powers to its Board of Directors. Fuchs is Executive Director, Arts & Entertainment Programming Television,<br />
CBC <strong>and</strong> Powers is President of M. Powers Communications. Both are in Toronto... C<strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> TELUS have<br />
formed an arrangement that gives the phone company’s customers access to some <strong>TV</strong> programs via mobile video<br />
streaming service. C<strong>TV</strong> is the first content provider for the new TELUS streaming video-on-dem<strong>and</strong> service.<br />
RADIO: The CRTC has confirmed its approval of applications by Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>and</strong> Torres Media<br />
Ottawa for 99.7 <strong>and</strong> 101.9 respectively. On Nov. 20, 2008, the governor-in-council referred this decision<br />
back to the Commission for reconsideration <strong>and</strong> a new hearing. Astral <strong>and</strong> Torres have agreed to help with<br />
the support <strong>and</strong> development of another new licensee, RCFO at 94.5 (<strong>Radio</strong> communautaire francophone<br />
d'Ottawa). The station plans to offer 126 hours of programming each week, most of which will be produced by<br />
Franco-Ontarian volunteers, including 94 hours of local programming... Rogers-owned LITE 92.9 FM (CFLT-FM)<br />
Halifax launched a Light Rock format last Friday <strong>and</strong> will remain commercial-free until Sept. 1. The former CFDR-<br />
AM Dartmouth, swapped by Newcap for a Rogers AM station in Sudbury, joins sister station News 95.7 Halifax.<br />
There are two other Atlantic Canada stations owned by Rogers, News 91.9 Moncton <strong>and</strong> News 88.9 Saint John...<br />
Magic 104 (CFQM-FM) Moncton has changed formats <strong>and</strong> ID, from AC to Classic Hits <strong>and</strong> to a new ID of 103.9<br />
MAX FM... Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Kitchener (91.5 Beat [CKBT-FM]/DAVE-FM [CJDV-FM] moved this past Monday. The<br />
new address is: 210-50 Sportsworld Crossing Road, Kitchener N2P 0A4. The new phone number is (519) 772-<br />
1212... Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>Sales</strong> has taken over national representation for The New AM 740 (CFZM) Toronto,<br />
adding it to already-represented sister station Classical 96.3 FM Toronto... Heritage Minister James Moore says<br />
the federal government is renewing the Canada Music Fund with an annual investment of
August 13, 2009 Page 3<br />
$27.6 million over five years. The Fund is administered by the Department of Canadian Heritage in partnership<br />
with MUSICACTION, FACTOR, the SOCAN Foundation <strong>and</strong> Library <strong>and</strong> Archives Canada... Beginning<br />
Monday, Corus <strong>Radio</strong> will be offering some of its syndicated content to Blackberry <strong>and</strong> Windows-based mobile<br />
users. Available for download at no charge is the ExploreMusic version of the smart phone application, Viigo. It<br />
will include a new show <strong>and</strong> web portal about musical discovery <strong>and</strong> exploration with radio veteran Alan Cross...<br />
Newcap <strong>Radio</strong> in Halifax has new digs. The stations are now located at 3770 Kempt Rd., Suite 200, Halifax B3K<br />
4X8... How hot was it? It was so hot that The Ocean (CIOC)/Jack-FM (CITT-FM) Victoria were reduced to<br />
broadcasting static because of technical problems. The stations, both owned by Rogers, were off the air for a few<br />
hours last Wednesday night <strong>and</strong> again on Thursday morning.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Dennis Dunlop, after 28 years with Saskatchewan television, will retire from his VP/GM<br />
position at C<strong>TV</strong> Saskatchewan Aug. 31. Succeeding Dunlop is Wade Moffatt, currently the Retail <strong>Sales</strong><br />
Manager for C<strong>TV</strong> Regina <strong>and</strong> C<strong>TV</strong> Yorkton... Eight on-air people <strong>and</strong> one off-air staff member at Astral<br />
Media-owned CJAD Montreal have lost their jobs. Management said the restructuring was a result of new<br />
information about "the behavior <strong>and</strong> habits of listeners." Gone are: 20-year overnight host Peter Anthony Holder,<br />
news anchor Kathy Coulombe, editorialist Rod Dewar, Saturday-night Solid Gold host Al Gravelle, Sunday host<br />
Jake Lawrence, Kevin Holden, husb<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> on-air co-host of<br />
Trudie Mason, <strong>and</strong> weekend co-hosts Olga Gazdovic <strong>and</strong><br />
Laurie MacDonald. The Olga <strong>and</strong> Laurie Show was just short<br />
of its 14th anniversary... At CJAD sister station CHOM-FM,.<br />
promotions director Skip Snair was let go... Succeeding VP/GM<br />
George Gallagher at CHUM Vancouver is James Stuart,<br />
currently the VP/GM of CHUM <strong>Radio</strong>’s Edmonton station, The<br />
Bounce (CHBN-FM) <strong>and</strong> Energy 101.5 (CKCE-FM) Calgary.<br />
He begins next week... Ruth Powell retires from Global BC at<br />
month’s end, after almost 20 years. Succeeding her is Brad<br />
Kubota, whose title will be VP, Global BC <strong>Sales</strong>. Kubota had<br />
been with Canwest before when he served as VP, Local <strong>Sales</strong>...<br />
The new morning host at CJOB Winnipeg, effective Sept. 7, is<br />
Hal Anderson. He moves upstairs from sister Corus station<br />
Power 97 Winnipeg where he’s been doing mornings since<br />
1995... Am<strong>and</strong>a Lang, ex of Business News Network’s<br />
SqueezePlay <strong>and</strong> The Commodities Report, will become Host of<br />
a new CBC Newsworld business program this fall. Her career<br />
also includes a stint at CNN in New York. CBC foreign<br />
correspondent Peter Armstrong is returning to Canada to host<br />
World Report on <strong>Radio</strong> One, succeeding long-time host Judy<br />
Maddren who retired earlier this year. Also at CBC, Mark<br />
Kelley, a correspondent at The National, is slated to host a new<br />
prime-time show on CBC Newsworld... Daniel Fagan becomes<br />
the new GSM at C103/XL96 Moncton Sept. 1. He arrives from<br />
a career in business development <strong>and</strong> sales outside of<br />
broadcasting... Jane Brown has been appointed morning news<br />
anchor at AM 740 Toronto <strong>and</strong> as Ass’t ND for both Classical<br />
96.3 FM <strong>and</strong> The New AM 740. The 25-year veteran has worked<br />
with 680 News Toronto, CBC Toronto, Q107 Toronto, EZ<br />
Rock Toronto <strong>and</strong> CFRB Toronto... Former late night <strong>TV</strong> host<br />
Mike Bullard begins a daily one-hour stint at TALK 820<br />
Hamilton Aug. 21. The 5-6 p.m. slot, says Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Hamilton, will deliver “a mix of witty editorial comment, comedy,<br />
unique guests <strong>and</strong> listener interaction”... Susan Arthur has been<br />
appointed VP, Marketing <strong>and</strong> Br<strong>and</strong> Strategy at Score Media.<br />
She had been with Insight Productions, responsible for<br />
Content Integration. Prior to that, she was in marketing at CHUM<br />
<strong>TV</strong> (Much)... Chrissi MacDougall, the RSM at CHUM’s The<br />
Beat Vancouver – <strong>and</strong> with the company for over nine years –<br />
BROADCASTING AND<br />
FILM TECHNOLOGIST<br />
School of Communications,<br />
Media <strong>and</strong> Design – Toronto<br />
With a three year diploma in<br />
audio-visual, multimedia,<br />
broadcasting <strong>and</strong> film or<br />
equivalent, you will supervise<br />
students, provide technical<br />
guidance in the proper operation<br />
<strong>and</strong> use of lab facilities. You will<br />
service, maintain <strong>and</strong> repair all<br />
radio, film, video <strong>and</strong> television<br />
equipment used by the program.<br />
You will also conduct ongoing<br />
preventative maintenance, review<br />
equipment needs <strong>and</strong> consult<br />
with Faculty, students <strong>and</strong><br />
external users.<br />
For more details, click<br />
www.centennialcollege.ca/careers<br />
Centennial College is an equal opportunity<br />
employer that embraces the principles of global<br />
citizenship <strong>and</strong> equity through our Signature<br />
Learning Experience.
August 13, 2009 Page 4<br />
is moving out of broadcasting. She’s purchased an<br />
ExpediaCruiseShipsCenter franchise located in the Kerrisdale<br />
section of the city... Bob Dearborn, after two years as morning<br />
host at CKWR-FM Kitchener-Waterloo, has been released.<br />
Economic conditions, say Board members, have rendered him “out<br />
of our league”. The station is now without a GM, GSM, PD, a news<br />
department, promotions department <strong>and</strong> a receptionist. The sales<br />
staff has been reduced to two... Zach Bedford has been promoted<br />
to MD/Middays at C100FM Halifax. He had been doing swing<br />
shifts... Rawlco Saskatoon PD Kristy Werner has been promoted<br />
to Station Manager for the two, C95 FM (CFMC-FM)/Rock 102 FM<br />
(CJDJ-FM). Moving to C95 as PD is Chris Myers, the PD from<br />
across the street at Harvard <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing’s WIRED 96.3FM<br />
(CFWD-FM). Also moved from Rawlco Saskatoon is Rock 102 PD<br />
Tim Harrison. He went south to become PD at sister station Jack<br />
FM (CKCK-FM) Regina. Harrison succeds Mark Hunter who<br />
moved to Edmonton as PD at the yet-to-be-launched Rawlco<br />
station there... New ND at Q99 (CIKT-FM) Gr<strong>and</strong>e Prairie is<br />
R<strong>and</strong>y Pike, most recently with Vista <strong>Radio</strong>’s FREE FM (CFRI-<br />
FM) Gr<strong>and</strong>e Prairie. Pike succeeds Echo Ross... Michael<br />
Goldsmith becomes Director, Original Programming at Family<br />
Channel <strong>and</strong> Playhouse Disney Canada Aug. 24. He had been<br />
Director, Original Programming at TELETOON <strong>and</strong>, before that,<br />
was the Director of <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Sales</strong> <strong>and</strong> Promotion for Corus<br />
Entertainment... Marty Krell adds APD to his Creative Director<br />
duties at The Bounce (CHBN-FM) Edmonton, <strong>and</strong> Ass’t MD Cory<br />
Balash moves up to MD... Karen Best has left the <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Marketing Bureau... Marc Paris, ex of CBC Toronto, remains<br />
active at his Paris Media Management <strong>and</strong> has also taken a<br />
position with leadership training <strong>and</strong> coaching consultancy<br />
Br<strong>and</strong>on Taylor Consulting... Garry Barker, ex PD/Promotion<br />
Director at K 963 Kelowna, has moved back home to Atlantic Canada as Manager of the MBS P.E.I. radio stations<br />
(CFCY/Magic 931Charlottetown <strong>and</strong> SPUD FM Summerside). The appointment was effective July 27... Anchor<br />
Connie Smith, ex of CHCH-<strong>TV</strong> Hamilton – <strong>and</strong> laid off after almost 30 years there – has l<strong>and</strong>ed at Crossroads<br />
Television System (CTS) in Burlington. Her new show, beginning this fall, is called Always Good News.<br />
SIGN-OFFS: C<strong>TV</strong> cameramen Hugh Haugl<strong>and</strong>, 44, along with helicopter pilot Roger Belanger, in his 60s,<br />
died in a crash at Mont-Laurier, Quebec while shooting wreckage of a tornado that struck the area. Haugl<strong>and</strong><br />
was the son of former C<strong>TV</strong> Montreal Anchor Bill Haugl<strong>and</strong>... Clayton Smailes, in a Kamloops hospice,<br />
of A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s disease). A cameraman at CFJC-<strong>TV</strong> Kamloops, Smailes, at the time of his diagnosis<br />
in 2003, was one of the youngest people in Canada to be afflicted by it... Clifford Solway, 83, in Toronto. Solway,<br />
a writer, <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> film producer, was one of the small crew that started CBC Television in Toronto in the ‘50s. He<br />
rose to become a public affairs producer/director with his shows, Fighting Words <strong>and</strong> Background.<br />
GENERAL: The second annual CRTC Communications Monitoring Report, based on 2008 data, shows that<br />
in that year, the Canadian communications industry saw revenue increase by 6%, climbing from $51.3<br />
billion in 2007 to $54 billion in 2008. <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing revenues were up $900 million, or 7.3%, <strong>and</strong> totaled $14<br />
billion for the twelve-month period that ended Aug. 31, 2008. In 2008, the broadcasting industry contributed<br />
more than $2.8 billion to the development of Canadian talent <strong>and</strong> to the creation <strong>and</strong> broadcast of Canadian<br />
programming. Cable <strong>and</strong> satellite delivery showed the highest growth with revenues going from $6.3 billion to $7<br />
billion in one year. Telecommunications revenues were $40.3 billion for the period ending Dec. 31, 2008, up $2.1<br />
billion or 5.5%. The gains are attributed to the wireless <strong>and</strong> Internet sectors... The CRTC says the price of cable,<br />
satellite <strong>and</strong> pay-<strong>TV</strong> services has risen 29% since 2002 while the consumer price index has risen only 14%. The<br />
increase resulted from higher rates for the average bill, not from adding HD<strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> premium pay-<strong>TV</strong> services...<br />
North American workers 55+ have been hard hit by job losses. A CareerBuilder survey shows that 28% of those<br />
over 55 who were laid off in the last year found new jobs. That compares to 71% of 25-to-34s. Employees over
August 13, 2009 Page 5<br />
55, by a margin of 63%, said they had applied for positions at levels below their previous jobs. Prospective<br />
employers told 44% of them that they’re overqualified... Meanwhile, North America’s 55- to 64-year-olds may be<br />
the drivers of an entrepreneurship boom. Kauffman Foundation research shows that that age group is the most<br />
likely to begin new businesses in the U.S. The average age of technology firm founders, it says, is 39, with twice<br />
as many over 50 as under 25... Rogers Communications says profits <strong>and</strong> revenues increased during the second<br />
quarter despite slower subscriber growth in its cable division <strong>and</strong> declines in advertising sales in its media sector.<br />
Rogers reported a net income of $374 million or 59 cents per share for the quarter ended June 30, up from yearearlier<br />
profits of $301 million or 47 cents per share. Excluding one-time items, the company says net income<br />
totalled $412 million or 65 cents per share... The growth of Twitter isn’t being fueled by youth. A NetRatings panel<br />
of 250,000 U.S. Internet users shows that while Twitter’s footprint has exp<strong>and</strong>ed impressively in the first half of<br />
2009, reaching 10.7% of all active Internet users in June, the growth has come despite a lack of adoption by<br />
children, teens <strong>and</strong> young adults. Just 16% of Twitter.com website users are under 25... After a 72-year broadcast<br />
run that precedes <strong>TV</strong>, the cast <strong>and</strong> crew of Guiding Light have finished shooting the final scenes. CBS cancelled<br />
the soap opera, which airs the last episode Sept. 18.<br />
LOOKING: FACTOR seeks a Vice<br />
President, Industry Relations in<br />
Toronto. Complete details in the ad<br />
on Page 1... Centennial College,<br />
Toronto is looking for a <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing <strong>and</strong><br />
Film Technologist. Details are in the ad on<br />
Page 3... Other jobs we’ve heard about<br />
include Global Maritimes - Weather<br />
Anchor/Producer; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Calgary - Account Executive; APTN<br />
Edmonton - Camera Person/Editor;<br />
APTN Yellowknife - Video Journalist;<br />
Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Regina - Senior<br />
Account Executive; The Beat Vancouver<br />
- Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Manager; Big Dog 103.5<br />
Lac La Biche - <strong>Sales</strong>/Station Manager;<br />
104.9 Edmonton’s EZ Rock – Morning<br />
Show Host; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Trail –<br />
Account Executive; CJKR-FM - POWER<br />
97 Winnipeg – Morning Show Co-Host;<br />
Zed 99 Red Deer – Account Manager;<br />
Newcap <strong>Radio</strong> Carbonear – Account<br />
Manager; K-Rock Cold Lake - Afternoon<br />
Drive/MD; FM 93 (CHAY FM) Barrie –<br />
Account Executive; énergie 99.1 et 102.7<br />
Abitibi - directeur(trice) du produit; Astral<br />
Television Networks Toronto –<br />
Production Executive FAMILY &<br />
Playhouse Disney; Canwest<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ing Toronto - Acquisitions<br />
Manager, Lifestyle Programming; CBC<br />
Ottawa - Senior Investment Analyst; W<br />
Network Toronto – Account Executive;<br />
<strong>and</strong> C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto - Manager, Contract<br />
Administration, Content Distribution.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
August 20, 2009 Volume 17, Number 13 Page One of Three<br />
RADIO: 94.1 The River (CKBA-FM)<br />
Athabaska, Newcap <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Alberta Northwest’s most recent<br />
flip from AM, signed on this past<br />
Monday. ID is “94.1 The<br />
River…Athabasca’s Greatest Hits!”,<br />
essentially remaining a Classic Hits/Hot<br />
AC format. The on-air line-up remains the<br />
same... While the two CHUM Toronto<br />
stations began broadcasting from new<br />
downtown digs yesterday (Wednesday),<br />
it will be Monday before the move is<br />
completed. The historic CHUM location at<br />
1331 Yonge Street is destined to be<br />
demolished in favour of a high-rise<br />
condominium building. CHUM Toronto’s<br />
new address is 250 Richmond St. W.<br />
(M5V 1W4)... OZ FM (CHOZ-FM) St.<br />
John's has returned to its roots, playing<br />
Rock. The move follows 10 years of a<br />
Hot AC/CHR/Classic Hits format. There<br />
were no personnel changes at the Rock<br />
of the Rock... CJNL Merrit becomes<br />
Q101 (CKMQ-FM) Aug. 31, signing on as<br />
Mainstream AC. There are no staff<br />
changes. After three months of simulcast,<br />
CJNL will become a repeater of CHNL<br />
Kamloops... CBC <strong>Radio</strong> One, <strong>Radio</strong> 2<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Radio</strong> 3 are now on iPhone <strong>and</strong> iPod<br />
Touch.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: This is Duff Roman’s last week with CHUM <strong>Radio</strong>. The VP, Industry Affairs says his<br />
experiences in the CHUM organization, “right through to the present day, have been overwhelmingly<br />
positive.” Roman, who leaves Aug. 31, says he’ll “rediscover” his entrepreneurial roots <strong>and</strong> pursue a number<br />
of projects. No successor has yet been named but it’s believed that his Industry Affairs position will be rolled<br />
into similar efforts by CHUM owner, C<strong>TV</strong>. (Editor’s Note: Duff Roman holds a special place in the corporate<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> heart. He was one of the very first people to subscribe to the <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong><br />
Electronic Briefing back when “electronic” meant fax [e-mail hadn’t been invented]. He was also on the<br />
cover of the very first <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> magazine as part of a feature story on Digital Audio<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ing [an entirely terrible photo, by the way] Our very best wishes, Duff!)... Trent McGrath has been<br />
promoted at CHUM Halifax (CIOO-FM/CJCH-FM) to General Manager. He also retains his GSM duties. McGrath<br />
succeeds Scott Bodnarchuk in the operation’s leadership role... David Corey has been promoted to VP,<br />
Programming for all of CHUM <strong>Radio</strong> while also retaining his role of PD at CHUM-FM Toronto. Corey began at
Thursday, August 20/09 Page 2<br />
CHUM Toronto in December, 2006 as Programming Coordinator, then became PD at CHUM-FM in August, 2007,<br />
then National Director of Music Programming in May 2008. He succeeds Rob Farina who begins at Astral Media<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> in Toronto at month’s end... Jesse Stirling, after 11 years with Newfoundl<strong>and</strong> <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing as VP, <strong>Sales</strong><br />
& Programming, has moved back to California to pursue film, <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> interactive projects. Also at Newfoundl<strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ing, Lorraine Pope, the Director of National & Agency <strong>Sales</strong> for OZ-FM <strong>and</strong> N<strong>TV</strong> has added the role of<br />
Program Manager for N<strong>TV</strong> to her responsibilities... New PD/MD at The River Lethbridge is Ross MacLeod.<br />
MacLeod, who’s had stops at stations in Barrie, Cornwall, Toronto <strong>and</strong> Calgary, begins at the Rogers <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Lethbridge on Monday (Aug. 24)... Helen Evans, a 20-year CBC veteran, is the new Program Manager for <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Current Affairs at CBC Montreal. Her immediate previous role was as the producer of Daybreak... “Fearless” Fred<br />
Kennedy is the new PM drive Host at 102.1 the Edge Toronto. Most recently, he was with The Bear Edmonton...<br />
Murray Fuhrer, a long-time Creative Director at Newcap Red Deer, is now Senior Writer at Newcap Edmonton.<br />
He begins on Monday... Brian Clemens is no longer in an engineering position at Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Kitchener. He’s<br />
now a Technologist, Television at the Conestoga College school of Media <strong>and</strong> Design, also in Kitchener. He<br />
remains President of the CKWR Waterloo Board of Directors... Scott Lunn, ex of Rogers Cable London <strong>and</strong><br />
most recently with CinequipWhite in Halifax has moved west (Delta, BC). He is now district manager for<br />
community programming for Delta <strong>TV</strong>, Coast <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> Persona <strong>TV</strong>, overseeing six stations... Some changes at<br />
C<strong>TV</strong> News: Scott Woodgate becomes the Acting Executive Producer at C<strong>TV</strong> News Channel, moving up from<br />
Senior Producer. He steps in during Jana Juginovic’s time at Harvard University as a Nieman Fellow; Dan<br />
Taylor, who becomes Managing Editor of C<strong>TV</strong> News Channel after an assignment as the Managing Editor of C<strong>TV</strong><br />
Toronto (CFTO); <strong>and</strong> Brett Mitchell who becomes a Senior Producer at W-FIVE, a promotion from his Producer<br />
position at the news magazine show... Chris Carr, ND at Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Fort St. John leaves Sept. 1 to join<br />
News Talk 650 (CKOM) Saskatoon.<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: CHEK-<strong>TV</strong> Victoria staff members have pledged more than $500,000 in their bid to create an<br />
employee-owned company. ND Rob Germain says under their plan, employees would own 25% <strong>and</strong><br />
the balance would be held by outside investors. The 53-year-old station went up for sale earlier this<br />
year, along with other E! stations in Canwest's secondary network, but no buyer could be found. And<br />
so, Canwest took the decision to close CHEK-<strong>TV</strong> on Aug. 31. Full-time workers were expected to buy one share<br />
at $15,000 while part-timer would buy half<br />
a share for $7,500... Meanwhile, Canwest<br />
Media has been granted another<br />
extension by lenders. It now has until<br />
Aug. 28 to meet certain milestones <strong>and</strong> to<br />
reach an agreement on a recapitalization<br />
transaction... CBC Television pulled in<br />
more advertising revenue than expected<br />
last quarter although numbers are not<br />
available. English Services Exec VP<br />
Richard Stursberg says audience<br />
numbers improved in the last couple of<br />
years in “pretty much every single time<br />
slot”... Nielsen, which controls U.S. <strong>TV</strong><br />
measurement, is about to have its grip on<br />
the broadcast measurement industry<br />
challenged by rebellious media<br />
companies <strong>and</strong> marketers frustrated by<br />
the snail’s pace in measuring viewers in<br />
the digital age. Participants seeking an<br />
alternative include NBC Universal, Time<br />
Warner, News Corp, Viacom, CBS,<br />
Discovery <strong>and</strong> Disney. They say they<br />
expect to have a consortium operational<br />
by next month. As for advertisers, the<br />
media companies have drawn in Procter<br />
& Gamble (the top U.S. advertiser) <strong>and</strong><br />
AT&T (third), along with Unilever. They,
Thursday, August 20/09 Page 3<br />
like other advertisers, say they urgently need better information to justify their returns on investments from ads that<br />
run across multiple media platforms... David Lewis, the founding President of Ciel Satellite Group – which broke<br />
a 25-year monopoly in the provision of satellite services to the Canadian market – is leading a new company called<br />
FreeHD Canada Inc., a Direct-to-Home satellite <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> wholesale programming distribution service. Based in<br />
Toronto, FreeHD wants to offer local channels at no cost. The proposal is expected to be before the CRTC in<br />
November. Similar proposals have been put forward by StarChoice <strong>and</strong> Bell <strong>TV</strong>... Sun <strong>TV</strong> (CKXT-<strong>TV</strong>) Toronto<br />
has had its licence renewed for a one-year term. The CRTC, however, increased the level of required local<br />
programming (by four hours a week to 14) while relaxing quotas on ethnic <strong>and</strong> Aboriginal programming, not exactly<br />
what Sun <strong>TV</strong> wanted. The station had petitioned for removal of some ethnic programming <strong>and</strong> a lowering of local<br />
programming requirements. Requirements for Aboriginal programming were set aside until the station’s licence<br />
renewal is revisited next year. Too, Sun <strong>TV</strong> was relieved of a commitment to provide Hamilton programming... TQS<br />
Montreal has been found responsible for breaches of contest st<strong>and</strong>ards on the show, Call <strong>TV</strong>. The Canadian<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> St<strong>and</strong>ards Council says viewers were encouraged to call a chargeable 1-900 number to win prizes.<br />
But people who tried to answer contest questions, e.g. give us 10 “familiar, simple, known <strong>and</strong> common” names<br />
that include the letter ‘a’. – didn’t have a chance. The CBSC says: “While the correct guesses Marc, David,<br />
Jacques <strong>and</strong> Laurent all fell easily into the familiar, known, common category, the remaining Pancho, Hakan,<br />
Gabor, Darko, Lamar <strong>and</strong> Nanno did not. They were obscure, remote <strong>and</strong> extremely uncommon to the audience.”<br />
The CBSC panel said further that the contest was “nothing short of misleading” <strong>and</strong> in violation of the CAB Code<br />
of Ethics. The complete decision may be found at www.cbsc.ca... In another <strong>TV</strong> decision, CBSC says a promo<br />
for the police drama, Flashpoint, on C<strong>TV</strong> did not contain graphic violence. It included a scene where a woman was<br />
confronted by another woman holding a knife, upset over a suspected affair the first woman has with her husb<strong>and</strong>.<br />
CBSC said no actual violence was telecast in the promo which was aired before the watershed hour. Again, details<br />
may be found at www.cbsc.ca.<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Robert Novak, 78, in Washington of complications resulting from a brain tumor. Novak, a<br />
Conservative columnist <strong>and</strong> CNN talk show (Crossfire) host, retired a year ago after being diagnosed with<br />
the cancer... Don Hewitt, 86, after a diagnosis earlier this year of a small, contained tumor. The veteran<br />
CBS news journalist created 60 Minutes, pioneering the <strong>TV</strong> newsmagazine format. He served as Exec Producer<br />
until his 2004 retirement.<br />
GENERAL: Peter Palframan, most recently the Sr. VP of Operations at CHUM Television, has been<br />
appointed to the ZoomerMedia Board of Directors... Phyllis Yaffe, a director nominee, will be among 12<br />
directors elected to the Lions Gate Entertainment Board of Directors at its upcoming Annual General<br />
Meeting. Yaffe was CEO of Alliance Atlantis Communications, since acquired by Canwest Global.<br />
LOOKING CJCY-FM Medicine Hat seeks a GM/GSM. See the ad on Page 2... Other jobs we’ve heard about<br />
include Durham <strong>Radio</strong>, Oshawa – Newsroom positions; Canwest Toronto – Business Manager, <strong>Broadcast</strong><br />
Engineering <strong>and</strong> Technical Services; C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto – Assignment Editor <strong>and</strong> Managing Editor, C<strong>TV</strong> News;<br />
Teletoon Interactive Toronto – Project Manager; Les Chaînes Télé Astral Montreal - Directeur(trice),<br />
productions originales VRAK.<strong>TV</strong>; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Toronto – Application Administrator; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Kelowna – Account Executive-Special Products Division; CBC Montreal – Director, Content Strategy <strong>and</strong><br />
Marketing, a Producer, English <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>and</strong> a Director, Production Marketing; CBC Edmonton – News Producer,<br />
English <strong>Radio</strong>; CBC Calgary – National Reporter; CBC Ottawa – Senior Writer; CBC Vancouver –<br />
Communications Officer; <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>and</strong> Recording Service Toronto – <strong>Broadcast</strong> Operator; CFAX Victoria –<br />
Reporter/Announcer; <strong>and</strong> Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong>, Fort St. John - News Director.<br />
SUPPLYLINES: The Academy of Television Arts <strong>and</strong> Sciences has awarded Fujinon Inc. an Engineering<br />
Emmy to be awarded during a ceremony this coming Saturday night. It says, "Fujinon's Precision Focus<br />
Assist enables camera operators the ability to ensure fast accurate focusing of high definition images under<br />
varying conditions".<br />
OOPS: Former CHUM Vancouver VP/GM is Neil Gallagher, <strong>and</strong> not as reported in last week’s edition.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
August 27, 2009 Volume 17, Number 14 Page One of Three<br />
GENERAL: C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia has<br />
sold its remaining stake in Maple<br />
Leaf Sports <strong>and</strong> Entertainment<br />
to the Ontario Teachers' Pension<br />
Plan (OTPP). With that 7.7% added to<br />
what it already owns, OTTP now holds<br />
66% of the company which owns <strong>and</strong><br />
operates the Toronto Maple Leafs, the<br />
Toronto Raptors <strong>and</strong> Toronto FC. It<br />
also owns the Air Canada Centre in<br />
Toronto, among several other several<br />
sports <strong>and</strong> concert venues.<br />
C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia CEO Ivan Fecan says<br />
proceeds from the sale will be used to<br />
pay down debt... The U.S. Second Circuit<br />
of Appeals has ruled that Yahoo! doesn't<br />
have to pay copyright fees on music<br />
played via its Launchcast online music<br />
service. The Court ruled that Yahoo! is<br />
more similar in nature to a radio station<br />
than to an interactive service. The<br />
decision upholds a jury verdict issued in<br />
2007 in a case brought by Sony Corp's<br />
BMG Music... There are those in<br />
Vancouver who are getting outrageously<br />
inexpensive cable <strong>and</strong> Internet<br />
connections as a direct result of the<br />
competition between Shaw<br />
Communications <strong>and</strong> Novus<br />
Entertainment. Novus says Shaw is going after its customers, offering the entire lineup – including high-def <strong>TV</strong><br />
programming, home phone <strong>and</strong> high-speed Internet -- for $9.95 a month each. Further, says Novus co-president<br />
Doug Holman, Shaw is predatory in that it doesn’t offer the same deals to customers outside his company's<br />
service area. Price-matching, he says, is out of the question; that it’s way below cost. Novus filed a complaint with<br />
the Competition Bureau <strong>and</strong> launched a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court. Shaw fired back by filing a defamation<br />
lawsuit against Novus in that same court. Shaw president Peter Bissonnette says the offer is broad-based,<br />
targeted at West Vancouver in general... The Ontario Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers awards luncheon is set for<br />
Toronto’s Boulevard Club on Oct. 28. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner is Jim Sward, a former<br />
President/CEO of Global Television.<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s 24th Annual Gemini Awards take place<br />
Saturday, Nov. 14 in Calgary <strong>and</strong> will be broadcast live on Global <strong>and</strong> Showcase. Flashpoint leads<br />
with 19 nominations, followed by The Tudors with 11. Being Erica, Diamonds, Less Than Kind, <strong>and</strong><br />
The Border each received nine nominations. The 2009 Industry Galas will take place Oct. 19 <strong>and</strong> 20
Thursday, August 27, 2009 Page 2<br />
in Toronto... Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto is coming out of mothballs for a reality series called Battle of the<br />
Blades on CBC-<strong>TV</strong>. The show, a seven-week competition between former world-class female figure skaters <strong>and</strong><br />
NHL players, debuts Oct. 4... CP24 Toronto says 1.2 million people tuned in for coverage of the big Southern<br />
Ontario storm <strong>and</strong> tornado last week, setting a record for it being the specialty channel’s most-watched night. The<br />
super-cell storm hit Central Ontario <strong>and</strong> the Greater Toronto Area with tornadoes, house fires <strong>and</strong> lightning<br />
strikes... Global has redesigned its news portal, News.Global<strong>TV</strong>.com to a collection of sites in a multimedia<br />
design... Global Montreal has moved. The new address is: 1010 St. Catharines St. W Suite 200, Montreal H3B<br />
5L1. The phone numbers remain the same.<br />
RADIO: In fiscal 2008, just before the recession took hold, Canada’s private radio broadcasters realized<br />
12.2% jump ($336.5 million) in revenues. Further, says Statistics Canada, the industry had a profit margin<br />
of 25.4% before interest <strong>and</strong> taxes in major markets, compared with 19.1% in medium markets <strong>and</strong> 15.6%<br />
in small markets. AM station numbers declined in the period, reducing total AM stations countrywide, but<br />
they still earned a profit of 8.1% before interest <strong>and</strong> taxes. StatsCan says that’s their best performance in the past<br />
20 years. Since 1997, though, FM’ers have generated annual profits above 20% (before interest <strong>and</strong> taxes).<br />
Combined AM <strong>and</strong> FM revenues in fiscal 2008 were $1.58 billion, with the 474 FM stations reaping the lion’s share:<br />
over $1.25 billion... Newcap <strong>Radio</strong> has launched the New HOT 93.5 FM (CIGM-FM) Sudbury. The station<br />
succeeds the old Rogers property, CIGM-AM, which was traded to Newcap by Rogers in exchange for CFDR-AM<br />
Dartmouth (now Lite 92.9 [CFLT-FM]). The New Hot 93.5 morning co-hosts – “Morning HOT Tub” – are Matt<br />
Sampaio <strong>and</strong> Sherri K. Rogers had been operating CIGM as a Country station since 1977... Some two <strong>and</strong> a-half<br />
years after CFRB Toronto morning host Ted Woloshyn left the position he’d held for 10 years, he now says the<br />
move wasn’t his choice. In a Toronto Sun column yesterday (Wednesday), Woloshyn wrote: “... when the entire<br />
station's ratings are down, that becomes extremely problematic for management. Clearly it can't be their fault, so<br />
they axe someone or several people in order to save their own behind.” Woloshyn’s departure occurred prior to<br />
CFRB being purchased by Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong>... CIBW-FM Drayton Valley has been granted a power increase<br />
by the CRTC – from 7,400- to 50,000-watts. The Jim Pattison <strong>Broadcast</strong> Group-owned station said that the<br />
change is necessary because of possible interference from a new station, X92.9 FM (CFEX-FM) Calgary... A<br />
discussion on CHOI-FM Quebec City about gay practices was not in breach of any codes, says the Canadian<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> St<strong>and</strong>ards Council. The CBSC Quebec Regional Panel affirmed the host’s right to express his views<br />
on controversial matters such as gay marriage <strong>and</strong> adoption. The full decision may be found by clicking<br />
www.cbsc.ca.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Ron Thompson, GM/GSM at Newcap’s Alberta <strong>Radio</strong> Group South (seven stations)<br />
based in Red Deer, has resigned, effective Sept. 30. He’s looking forward to a new career in sales,<br />
marketing <strong>and</strong> promotions within a new opportunity... Barry Berglund has been promoted to GSM at C<strong>TV</strong><br />
Saskatchewan. He moves up from <strong>Sales</strong> Manager at C<strong>TV</strong> Saskatoon <strong>and</strong> C<strong>TV</strong> Prince Albert. Also at C<strong>TV</strong><br />
Saskatchewan, Heather Tatham, most recently an Account Executive at C<strong>TV</strong> Regina, becomes <strong>Sales</strong> Manager<br />
there. Both appointments are effective Sept. 1... Ray Baynton, after many years in the ND’s chair at CKNX/The<br />
One/The Bull Wingham, moves to become head of Agri Media Services for Blackburn <strong>Radio</strong>. Succeeding him<br />
as news director is Scott Pettigrew, who will continue as PD of AM920 CKNX... The Q Montreal’s morning show.<br />
Aaron, Tasso <strong>and</strong> Suzanne, no longer includes Tasso Patsikakis <strong>and</strong> Suzanne Desautels. PD Brian Depoe<br />
says Aaron R<strong>and</strong> remains the Q morning anchor. Aaron <strong>and</strong> Tasso, two of the highest-profile media personalities<br />
in Montreal had been together on-air for 25 years... Zack Werner, music artist, producer, manager <strong>and</strong><br />
entertainment lawyer – <strong>and</strong> probably best known nationally as an outspoken judge on Canadian Idol – is making<br />
a move into radio. Werner begins doing weekend afternoons at Rock 107 Belleville on Saturday, Sept. 12... Andy<br />
Ross, most recently with JACK FM Vancouver, is the new PD at Harvard <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing's Wired 96.3<br />
Saskatoon... New ND at 1039 The Juice Kelowna is Karen Kay. She moves from Newcap Edmonton <strong>and</strong>, prior<br />
to that, was on-air as Jamie Hendrix at The Bear Edmonton’s morning show. And Natalee Taylor (aka Taylor<br />
Jukes), also from The Juice, moves Virgin Vancouver. She had been APD/host... At Fred-FM Fredericton,<br />
Richard Jones <strong>and</strong> Jennifer Graham will become co-hosts of the morning show, Wake Up Fredericton. Both have<br />
had long careers at CJ104 Woodstock. Sean (Craw Daddy) Crawford will be moving from Fred-FM’s morning<br />
show to PM drive at sister Newcap station, Classic Rock C103 Moncton... Scotty Horsman moves to mornings<br />
at XL96.9 Moncton, joined by co-host Tony Smith, ex of MAGIC 104 Moncton... Amy Smith, who works at the<br />
Nova Scotia legislature for The Chronicle Herald, joins CBC Maritimes in Halifax at mid-September where her<br />
duties will include being a newscast co-host (with Tom Murphy). The move is part of CBC's overhaul of supper<br />
hour news shows across the country... New ND at The Hawk (CIGO-FM) Port Hawkesbury is Greg Morrow who
Thursday, August 27, 2009 Page 3<br />
began his career at the station then moved on to such stops<br />
as Q104 Halifax, Kool FM Halifax <strong>and</strong> News 95.7 Halifax...<br />
Nancy Wood, the interim host on CBC <strong>Radio</strong> One Montreal,<br />
has been tabbed to be Mike Finnerty’s permanent successor<br />
on the Daybreak show. Finnerty left the program three<br />
months ago for a job at a UK newspaper, The Guardian...<br />
There are three new directors in Groupe <strong>TV</strong>A’s specialty<br />
services. Nathalie Fabien becomes Director of the specialty<br />
channel Prise 2, Marysol Charbonneau takes over as<br />
Director of the Franchise Jeunesse <strong>and</strong> Johanne D.<br />
Ménard becomes Director of the specialty station Les idées<br />
de ma maison. Fabien moved from Astral Média where she<br />
was Program & Marketing Director of Canal Indigo <strong>and</strong><br />
Director of Creative Services for Super Écran, Cinépop <strong>and</strong><br />
Canal Indigo. Charbonneau spent the past five years as<br />
Director of Original Productions for specialty channel<br />
VRAK.<strong>TV</strong>. And, Ménard moves from Content Producer of<br />
television <strong>and</strong> Internet projects at Trinôme. Before that, her<br />
experience included being a VP/PD at MusiquePlus... Bill<br />
Stovold moves to Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Calgary as its new<br />
Director of Engineering. He had been withWIRED 96.3FM<br />
Saskatoon.<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Chuck Azzarello, 60, in Wakefield, PQ, of<br />
colon cancer. He was the original PD at CHEZ106<br />
Ottawa, having moved from CHUM-FM Toronto after<br />
CHEZ owner Harvey Glatt enticed him to get involved<br />
in the building of the new station. Azzarello is given much of the credit for designing <strong>and</strong> putting the station on the<br />
air in March, 1977. Less than a year later, he had the double duty of GM/PD, later moving to become president<br />
of CHEZ FM Inc. He left the station after the Rogers purchase of it in 1999... Walt Liimatainen, 64, in Prince<br />
George of pulmonary complications associated to Muscular Dystrophy. He produced, wrote <strong>and</strong> reported for the<br />
news magazine program, 53 North, on CKPG <strong>TV</strong> Prince George in the late '80s <strong>and</strong> early '90s. Liimatainen began<br />
his broadcast career in 1972 at Nelson <strong>and</strong> worked in Whitehorse, Kamloops, Terrace <strong>and</strong> Regina before l<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
at CKPG... Roy Jacques, 93, in Delta, B.C. Early in his broadcast career, Jacques worked at CKMO Vancouver,<br />
CKDA Victoria <strong>and</strong> CKWX Vancouver. In 1960, he became News Director at the new CHAN <strong>TV</strong> Vancouver<br />
(which became BC<strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> is now Global BC). In 1962 he was back in radio at CFUN Vancouver, CHQR Calgary,<br />
CJJC Langley <strong>and</strong> was an editorialist/commentator at CKWX Vancouver – from which he retired in 1986.<br />
Jacques also played the role of Judge in the <strong>TV</strong> series Magistrates Court.<br />
LOOKING: CP24 Toronto - Assignment Editor; 1039 The Juice Kelowna – Program Director; CKPG <strong>TV</strong><br />
Prince George - ENG Camera Operator; The New Wired 96.3 Saskatoon - <strong>Broadcast</strong> Technician; Astral<br />
Media <strong>Radio</strong> Fredericton - <strong>Broadcast</strong> Engineer; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> St. Catharines – Account Executive;<br />
NRJ Mauricie 102.3/94.7 RockDetente – Directeur(trice) du produit; Teletoon Toronto – Account<br />
Executive, Promotions <strong>and</strong> a Programming Assistant; NHL Network Toronto – Senior Story Editor; C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto<br />
– Engineering Technician; CBC Regina – Producer-English News gathering; CBC Winnipeg – Promo<br />
Producer/Director <strong>and</strong> a National Reporter; CBC Toronto – Account Manager English Communications; <strong>and</strong> S-<br />
VOX Toronto – Manager <strong>Broadcast</strong> Research.<br />
SUPPLYLINES: Azcar Technologies of Markham has acquired a controlling interest in Burbank-based<br />
Matchframe Video LLC. The deal was for $300,000 U.S. <strong>and</strong> an option to acquire the remaining stake. The<br />
company serves motion picture, <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> multimedia clients.<br />
NEW SUBSCRIBERS THIS WEEK INCLUDE: Ted Hyl<strong>and</strong>, Newcap <strong>Radio</strong> Halifax. Welcome!
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
September 3, 2009 Volume 17, Number 15 Page One of Three<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: Lots of changes this week in the Canadian over-the-air television l<strong>and</strong>scape:<br />
– CHBC Kelowna, the former E! channel, is now Global Okanagan...<br />
– CHCA-<strong>TV</strong> Red Deer has gone dark, leaving Alberta's third-largest city – after 50 years –<br />
without local <strong>TV</strong> news. The station was closed by Canwest Global as a cost-cutting measure...<br />
– CHCH-<strong>TV</strong> Hamilton <strong>and</strong> its transmitters at Hamilton, London, Muskoka, North Bay, Ottawa, Sault Ste.<br />
Marie, Sudbury <strong>and</strong> Timmins are now owned by Channel Zero. The CRTC approved the purchase from<br />
Canwest Global <strong>and</strong> granted a licence to August, 2016...<br />
– CJNT-<strong>TV</strong> Montreal, also formerly owned by Canwest, is now in Channel Zero’s possession. It, too, has<br />
been licensed to August, 2016...<br />
– CHEK-<strong>TV</strong> Victoria is still alive, being maintained on a day-by-day basis as employees continue to<br />
negotiate to buy the station from Canwest Global. CHEK was to be on-air yesterday (Wednesday), with<br />
the usual newscasts. It had been set to close Monday but was saved by a last-minute extension. A decision<br />
is expected Friday.<br />
– CKMI-<strong>TV</strong> Montreal re-br<strong>and</strong>s from Global Quebec to Global Montreal...<br />
– CIII-<strong>TV</strong> Toronto is re-br<strong>and</strong>ed from Global Ontario to Global Toronto...<br />
– CKPG-<strong>TV</strong> Prince George, CHAT-<strong>TV</strong> Medicine Hat <strong>and</strong> CFJC-<strong>TV</strong> Kamloops – the independent stations<br />
owned by Jim Pattison <strong>Broadcast</strong> Group <strong>and</strong> which became E! affiliates last September after disaffiliating<br />
from CBC, are now supplied with programming from Rogers <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing...<br />
– C<strong>TV</strong>-owned A Wingham (CKNX-<strong>TV</strong>) shuts down local programming <strong>and</strong> becomes a re-transmitter of A<br />
London (CFPL-<strong>TV</strong>)...<br />
– A Windsor (CHWI-<strong>TV</strong>) was saved from shutdown after the CRTC approved the Local Programming<br />
Improvement Fund...<br />
– A Br<strong>and</strong>on (CKX-<strong>TV</strong>) has been sold to Bluepoint Investmestment Corp. which awaits CRTC approval<br />
for its $1 purchase of the station. If approved, the station will disaffiliate from CBC <strong>and</strong> instead target<br />
females during the day <strong>and</strong> males in prime time...<br />
– TQS officially rebr<strong>and</strong>ed as V...<br />
– CBC-<strong>TV</strong>'s supper hour newscasts exp<strong>and</strong>ed to 90-minutes Monday. The extended newscasts feature new<br />
hosts in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary <strong>and</strong> Toronto. They break down into<br />
three half-hour packages emphasizing local news but mixing-in national <strong>and</strong> international... A couple of<br />
things for viewers to look for this month; more commercials <strong>and</strong> higher cable bills thanks to new CRTC<br />
cable <strong>and</strong> broadcasting rules. As of Tuesday, OTA <strong>TV</strong> broadcasters were free to air as many spots as they<br />
wish. Before that, the limit was 15 minutes an hour. And with September’s BDU bills, increases of roughly<br />
a dollar a month. That cash will go into the Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF)...<br />
The OTA broadcasters serving markets of less than one-million people are now eligible for a share of<br />
approximately $100 million from the new LPIF. The Canadian Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers has been m<strong>and</strong>ated<br />
by the CRTC to assist with the development of the Fund <strong>and</strong> to build an effective governance structure, overseen<br />
by a five-person board. LPIF Board members are: Rick Arnish, President, The Jim Pattison <strong>Broadcast</strong> Group;<br />
Pierre Brosseau, Executive Chairman, RNC Media; Kevin Goldstein, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs,<br />
C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia; Bev Kirshenblatt, Senior Director Regulatory Affairs, CBC/<strong>Radio</strong>-Canada; <strong>and</strong> a<br />
Cable/Satellite nominee has yet to be announced... A joke about U.S. President Barack Obama being<br />
assassinated, along with other controversial humour, saw a <strong>Radio</strong>-Canada <strong>TV</strong> satirical show (“Bye Bye”) spanked<br />
by the CRTC. It says the French-language CBC network breached a number of licence conditions last year during<br />
its annual satirical New Year's Eve show... Specialty channel Showcase has launched a new on-air look, evolving
Thursday, September 3, 2009 Page 2<br />
its programming strategy to include more hit series – House, Numb3rs, NCIS <strong>and</strong> the like. The objective is to<br />
broaden the channel’s appeal... CTS (Crossroads Television System) has dropped Airtime Media <strong>Sales</strong> in favour<br />
of Jeremy Morton <strong>and</strong> his company, Group of Seven Media, as national reps.<br />
RADIO: Job cuts at Corus <strong>Radio</strong><br />
stations across the country, too,<br />
with most of them being in sales.<br />
At last (unofficial) count, 39 sales<br />
execs are out of work. The line is that<br />
the terminations come about because of<br />
the economic issues all of radio is<br />
facing. Corus has consolidated its<br />
national account business (outside of<br />
Quebec) with its subsidiary, Canadian<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Sales</strong>. The change, notes a<br />
Corus exec, will hopefully enhance<br />
sales potential with national accounts by<br />
combining the ratings for Corus in major<br />
markets with the ratings of other CBSrepped<br />
broadcasters, notably Rogers<br />
Media. With the bulk of agency<br />
business given to CBS, that left fewer<br />
local accounts, ergo the need for fewer<br />
sales people... Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
stunned the Toronto <strong>and</strong> Ottawa<br />
markets through prominent staff cuts.<br />
Gone from CFRB Toronto are Ops Mgr<br />
Steve Kowch, talk show Hosts Paul<br />
<strong>and</strong> Carol Mott, Michael Coren,<br />
morning show Newscaster Jacqui<br />
Delaney, Newscaster Kris McKusker,<br />
Producer Iain Grant <strong>and</strong> Director of<br />
Promotions Nancy Ceneviva. At Virgin<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> Ottawa, PD Pete Travers <strong>and</strong><br />
GENERAL MANAGER/GENERAL SALES MANAGER<br />
Newcap <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing has two immediate openings for General<br />
Manager/General <strong>Sales</strong> Manager positions in Alberta.<br />
One is based in Red Deer <strong>and</strong> oversees our two FM stations there<br />
<strong>and</strong> also our seven stations in the Alberta <strong>Radio</strong> Group South.<br />
The other is based in Lloydminster <strong>and</strong> oversees our two television<br />
stations, CKSA-FM Lloydminster <strong>and</strong> seven stations in the Alberta<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> Group East.<br />
Both positions are responsible for eight figure revenue budgets <strong>and</strong><br />
are significant Newcap profit centres.<br />
Newcap values diversity in its work force <strong>and</strong> is committed to<br />
Employment Equity.<br />
Please send your resume to R<strong>and</strong>y Lemay, Director of<br />
Alberta Operations by clicking rlemay@newcap.ca.<br />
Promo Director Darren Stevens lost their jobs. Steve Kowch, however, remains with the company. He <strong>and</strong><br />
Montreal PD Mike Bendixen are exchanging jobs. Both, however, are in their new positions on six-month interim<br />
appointments. Bendixen is on the job now in Toronto while Kowch begins Tuesday in Montreal... CSI, a group that<br />
represents Canadian songwriters <strong>and</strong> music publishers, is taking Canadian Satellite <strong>Radio</strong> the owner of XM<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> in Canada, to court, alleging it defaulted on royalty obligations. CSI is a joint venture of the Canadian<br />
Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) <strong>and</strong> the Society for Reproduction Rights of Authors,<br />
Composers <strong>and</strong> Publishers in Canada (SODRAC). CSI alleges it is owed royalties dating back to 2005, when<br />
XM <strong>Radio</strong> first went on the air in Canada. XM Canada says it's committed to meeting its royalty payments.<br />
GENERAL: The diary system is dead. BBM Canada launched PPM this past Monday – the world's largest<br />
combined radio/<strong>TV</strong> panel – allowing BBM to follow <strong>TV</strong> viewers no matter where they watch <strong>and</strong> to record<br />
radio listening to one-minute accuracy almost anywhere the listener may be. BBM President/CEO Jim<br />
MacLeod says that with five years experience, “... we know PPM is reliable, that BBM panellists like to use<br />
the device <strong>and</strong> that portable measurement is much more in tune with today’s mobile lifestyles.” Roughly 9,000<br />
people carry PPM devices across the country... At the Missouri School of Journalism’s Psychological Research<br />
on Information <strong>and</strong> Media Effects (PRIME) lab, confirmation about what most of us already knew – negativity in<br />
local news reporting sells. People give more time to news that’s deviant or threatening... The Jack Webster<br />
Foundation has named <strong>TV</strong> Anchor/radio talk show Host Bill Good the recipient of the 2009 Bruce Hutchison<br />
Lifetime Achievement Award. It will be presented Oct. 20 at the 23rd Annual Jack Webster Awards in Vancouver...<br />
The <strong>Broadcast</strong> Executives Society has moved to 2 Bloor Street West, Suite 100-170, Toronto ON M4W 3E2.<br />
The new phone number is 416-899-0370. E-mail is admin@bes.ca.
Thursday, September 3, 2009 Page 3<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Stan Schmidt, GM/GSM at Touch Canada <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing in Edmonton, will leave the<br />
operation at month’s end. His successor as GSM is Darcy Shindelko... Ted Farr is the new GM at Vista<br />
<strong>Radio</strong>’s The Juice Kelowna. Farr’s extensive radio experience spans major markets between Winnipeg<br />
<strong>and</strong> Vancouver <strong>and</strong> includes such companies as Rawlco, Corus, WIC, Rogers <strong>and</strong> Moffat. Farr begins next<br />
Tuesday. Former GM Jason Mann remains in the programming, promotion <strong>and</strong> marketing areas at The Juice <strong>and</strong><br />
will re-focus on the VP Programming group duties... Craig Letawsky, the former GM/GSM at Rogers <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Winnipeg, has accepted the Market <strong>Sales</strong> Manager position at Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver. The move is<br />
immediate... Charlie Gibson is stepping down as anchor of ABC's flagship news broadcast, World News, at the<br />
end of this year. Diane Sawyer is his successor. Gibson, in a note to fellow journalists at ABC, said he wants to<br />
retire from full-time employment... Astral Media Vancouver Technical Director Barry Johnston will retire Nov.<br />
1 after 30 years in engineering. He worked the last 19 with St<strong>and</strong>ard <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing/Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Vancouver, did contract work for Vancouver-based SW Davis, <strong>and</strong> – before that – was with Okanagan <strong>Radio</strong>...<br />
Jennifer Graham, ex of Corus Entertainment where she was Associate Director, Programming for Movie<br />
Central, Encore Avenue <strong>and</strong> SCREAM <strong>TV</strong>, has joined Peace Arch Television as VP, <strong>Sales</strong> & Acquisitions... Bob<br />
Steele is leaving Country 95.3 Hamilton, after six years in the afternoon drive spot, to return to radio in Calgary.<br />
Steele, who had been doing afternoon drive at CJAY 92 Calgary before going east, is moving to Newcap’s XL<br />
103 Calgary. He’s expected to be in place by month’s end... At 99.9 BOB FM Winnipeg, Beau, Tom <strong>and</strong> Frazier<br />
were reunited on their new morning show Monday when Frazier made her return to the Manitoba capital. She’d<br />
been in Alberta for nine years but, between 1995-2000, she, Beau <strong>and</strong> Tom enjoyed great successes at BOB FM.<br />
CHUM Winnipeg is hoping the magic for listeners will be rekindled... Kevin O’Leary of the Business News<br />
Network will join his former co-host, Am<strong>and</strong>a Lang, on a new show due to begin airing this fall on CBC<br />
Newsworld... Sara Buchan, most recently with 680News/The Fan Toronto, moves to Alberta to become ND at<br />
FREE FM (CFRI-FM) Gr<strong>and</strong>e Prairie... New morning show Host at DAVE FM Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge<br />
is Brian West. He moved up Highway 8 from sister Corus station Y108 (CJXY-FM) Hamilton. Across the hall,<br />
at 91.5 The BEAT (CKBT-FM), Craig Fee becomes a morning show Co-Host. He succeeds Mocha, who moved<br />
to KISS92.5 FM Toronto. Fee had been PD at 96.3 Capital FM Edmonton... New PD at Classic Country AM<br />
1060 (CKMX) Calgary is Dustin Collins. Collins was promoted from MD/Afternoon Drive <strong>and</strong> still carries the air<br />
shift... Pam Mollica, Sr. Manager, Marketing Strategy for HG<strong>TV</strong>, Fine Living <strong>and</strong> Discovery Health Channel has<br />
left Canwest <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing to join the Olympic <strong>Broadcast</strong> Media Consortium as Senior Communications<br />
Manager... Vancouver sportscaster Rick Dhaliwal has left Corus Entertainment after four years with CKNW<br />
Vancouver. He is pursuing family business ventures.<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Dianne Trottier, 33, after a hit-<strong>and</strong>-fun accident in Fredericton. The CBC Newsworld line-up<br />
producer was traveling in her motorized wheelchair when she was struck. Trottier, from Ontario, was on loan<br />
to CBC New Brunswick to assist with the launch of the new suppertime news program... Lois Fawcett, 79,<br />
who took over as President of Northwestern Ontario’s Fawcett <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing (Fort Frances, Dryden, Kenora<br />
<strong>and</strong> five repeaters spread throughout the area west of Thunder Bay) when her husb<strong>and</strong>, Don passed away in<br />
1993. Mrs. Fawcett stepped back from day-to-day operations a few years back, h<strong>and</strong>ing the reins to her son,<br />
Howard. Fawcett <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing has since been sold to New Brunswick-based Acadia <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing... Art (Arthur<br />
G. T.) Andrews, 70, at St. John’s, NL of lymphoma. His work in <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> radio made him a household name during<br />
three decades of broadcasting service to Newfoundl<strong>and</strong>ers – on CJON-<strong>TV</strong>, CBC-<strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> CBC <strong>Radio</strong>’s morning<br />
show.<br />
SUPPLYLINES: Toronto-based MIJO has consolidated its various divisions – Mijo Comprehensive, Rocket,<br />
Slingspot, Undercover, The Clearing House, BVS Canada, Stancon, BDN, BCA, Artistat, <strong>and</strong> Mijo Print<br />
-- under the single br<strong>and</strong> of MIJO.<br />
LOOKING: Newcap seeks two combined General Managers/General <strong>Sales</strong> Managers for Alberta <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Group stations located at Lloydminster <strong>and</strong> Red Deer. See the ad on Page 2... Other jobs we’ve heard about<br />
include The Juice Kelowna – Program Director; Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> Winnipeg – General Manager; CHTZ-FM<br />
St. Catharines – Program Director; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver - Director of Engineering; Astral Media<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> Dawson Creek – Morning Show Host; Virgin <strong>Radio</strong> 96 Montreal – Overnight Host; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Woodstock, NB – Morning Show Host <strong>and</strong> a Promotions Supervisor; Country 95.3 (CING-FM) Hamilton – PM<br />
Drive Host; CBC Edmonton – News Producer; CBC Toronto – Director, IT, Infrastructure, Operations <strong>and</strong> a<br />
Senior Communications Officer; CBC Montreal – Engineer, <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Radio</strong> Production; CBC St. John’s – Manager<br />
Production Resources; <strong>and</strong> Global Regina – Reporter/Anchor <strong>and</strong> an ENG Photographer/Editor.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
September 10, 2009 Volume 17, Number 16 Page One of Three<br />
GENERAL: Astral Media, BCE, Bragg Communications, CBC, Canwest Media, Cogeco, Corus<br />
Entertainment, C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia, Newcap, Quebecor Media, Remstar <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing, Rogers<br />
Communications, Shaw Communications <strong>and</strong> their successors will be required to file confidential <strong>and</strong><br />
public aggregated annual return forms with the CRTC by Nov. 30 each year. That data will be posted on<br />
the Commission’s website. The filing requirement this year – beginning with the 2007-2008 broadcast year – must<br />
be filed on or before next Monday, Sept. 14. The CRTC says that increased consolidation has resulted in fewer<br />
but larger ownership groups controlling an increasing number of services; that advantages have accrued to them<br />
because of increased vertical <strong>and</strong> horizontal integration; <strong>and</strong> that the disclosure of this financial information will<br />
allow for better submissions from the public <strong>and</strong>, ultimately, more informed decisions... Mount Royal College in<br />
Calgary s now Mount Royal University. The post-secondary educational facility has been serving Albertans for<br />
98 years (founded in 1911). More importantly for the Canadian broadcast community, it has turned out<br />
disproportionately high numbers of award-winning students <strong>and</strong> graduates. Marc Chikinda has been appointed<br />
Dean of the Faculty of Communication Studies at the new Mount Royal University.<br />
RADIO: CKPC/CKPC-FM<br />
Brantford is now owned by<br />
Evanov Communications. The<br />
CRTC approved the sale of<br />
Telephone City <strong>Broadcast</strong> Limited from<br />
the estate of Richard Buchanan in a<br />
ruling not published in the Commission’s<br />
‘Decisions’ section... CKJN-FM<br />
Haldim<strong>and</strong> County’s application to<br />
reduce its minimum percentage in<br />
category 2 that has to be devoted to<br />
Cancon – from 60% to 35% – has been<br />
denied. The CRTC says the station,<br />
which beat out CHCD Simcoe to add a<br />
transmitter of its station there, won on its<br />
promise of performance. The Haliburton<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ing Group, which has<br />
purchased the station from the original<br />
applicant, Bel-Roc Communications,<br />
said the 60% commitment isn’t viable;<br />
that the station hasn’t been able to attract<br />
adequate ad revenues. The Commission,<br />
however, reminded Haliburton that it<br />
knew the conditions going in... The <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Marketing Bureau says acceptance of<br />
entries for the RMB Crystal Awards is<br />
now open. It asks that the best radio<br />
spots from the past year be entered. The<br />
deadline is Nov. 2. For details, click
Thursday, September 10, 2009 Page 2<br />
www.rmb.ca... CKGM Montreal<br />
celebrates its 50th anniversary Nov 21. If<br />
you’re a former staffer, click<br />
http://www.team990.com:<br />
80/section/view/ckgm_alumni_reunio<br />
n/160/ for details.<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: Canwest Global sold<br />
CHEK-<strong>TV</strong> Victoria, a former<br />
E! affiliate, to an employee<br />
group for $2. The parent<br />
company had been reluctant to sell to the<br />
employees because it feared being on the<br />
hook for operating losses up to the point<br />
the CRTC gave formal approval (now<br />
expected within 30 days). Meantime,<br />
Canwest retains the Victoria real estate.<br />
CHEK-<strong>TV</strong> employs 45 people. The<br />
employee group <strong>and</strong> local investors<br />
pooled $2.5-million to cover operating<br />
losses in the early going... Meanwhile, at<br />
Global Okanagan (CHBC-<strong>TV</strong> Kelowna),<br />
Canwest Media fired 11 people <strong>and</strong> made<br />
the station a Global repeater, although it<br />
still produces local newscasts... <strong>TV</strong> on the<br />
Internet is a niche market in Canada that<br />
needs b<strong>and</strong>width capacity <strong>and</strong> ondem<strong>and</strong>,<br />
interactive services to compete<br />
with digital <strong>and</strong> satellite <strong>TV</strong>. Further, says IDC Canada analyst Tony Olvet, that’s been the biggest roadblock.<br />
Telus, MTS Allstream <strong>and</strong> SaskTel provide some Internet Protocol <strong>TV</strong> services but, in total, IP<strong>TV</strong> subs numbered<br />
about 198,000 at the end of 2008 (under 2% of analogue <strong>and</strong> digital cable <strong>and</strong> satellite <strong>TV</strong> subscriptions)...<br />
Meanwhile, Nielsen says American viewers are increasingly turning on the Web, tuning into <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> not missing<br />
anything on either. Further, it says, 57% of U.S. <strong>TV</strong> viewers who have Internet use both at the same time at least<br />
once a month. The report also found that American <strong>TV</strong> consumption continues to increase, with the average viewer<br />
watching 141 hours per month, a 1.5% rise from a year ago. While Internet <strong>and</strong> mobile phones have shown<br />
increases, the bottom line is that viewers will go to the better screen to watch – the <strong>TV</strong> set... The Fox Business<br />
News Network (FBN) has agreed to simulcast the radio show of Don Imus. FBN says it has signed a multi-year<br />
deal to show the Imus program weekday morning starting Oct. 5... VideoFACT has changed its name to<br />
MuchFACT, as C<strong>TV</strong>’s MuchMusic <strong>and</strong> MuchMore take on exclusive funding. MuchFACT chairman Bernie<br />
Finkelstein says the change comes as Astral Media’s MusiquePlus begins flowing music video production<br />
expenditure independently through MaxFACT, administered by Les Fonds Harold Greenberg in Montreal...<br />
Toronto-based Solutions Research Group says that nearly seven-in-10 Canadian <strong>TV</strong> viewers say being able to
Thursday, September 10, 2009 Page 3<br />
access cable channels on the web or mobile is an excellent (26%) or good (41%) idea. Nearly eight-in-ten 18-49s<br />
say the idea is “excellent” or “good”, compared to only six-in-ten of those 50+. These findings come from SRG’s<br />
independent Digital Life Canada syndicated study (formerly Fast Forward).Click www.srgnet.com for details...<br />
TD Canada Trust has scored product integration on CBC’s Little Mosque on the Prairie. The fictional<br />
Saskatchewan town of Mercy (pop. 14,000) will see its newest corporate resident debut Oct. 5. But that’s expected<br />
to be a one-time wonder. The bank will also make cameo appearances in two other CBC shows, Being Erica <strong>and</strong><br />
Heartl<strong>and</strong>. TD’s deal with CBC, not unusual in the U.S., is groundbreaking for Canada... On Sept. 8, 1952 – 57<br />
years ago this week – CBC Television made its debut from a studio in Toronto where a nervous <strong>and</strong> excited team<br />
of journalists <strong>and</strong> entertainers offered the first evening's entertainment. Check this retrospective clip:<br />
http://archives.cbc.ca:80/on_this_day/09/08/. Two days earlier, CBC <strong>TV</strong> debuted at CBFT Montreal with a<br />
showing of the movie Aladdin <strong>and</strong> his Lamp.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Anne-Marie Mediwake, Global Toronto’s Monday-Friday co-Anchor (with Leslie<br />
Roberts), will leave Global at week’s end. She has cited personal <strong>and</strong> family reasons for the departure...<br />
Bruce Gilbert, the Ops Mgr at Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> St. Catharines <strong>and</strong> PD at the city’s 97.7 HTZ FM, has<br />
moved to sister station Virgin <strong>Radio</strong> 1069 (CKQB-FM) Ottawa as PD. He succeeds Pete Travers... Rick Flumian<br />
has become the new <strong>Sales</strong>/Station Manager at Big Dog FM Lac La Biche. Flumian, a local resident, succeeds<br />
Dan Gallant who moved to Fred FM Fredericton as GSM... At Lite 92.9 (CFLT-FM) Halifax, the new Rogers<br />
station, the morning show hosts are Jamie Paterson <strong>and</strong> Lisa Blackburn. The married couple both have<br />
extensive Halifax market backgrounds though have never worked together. Paterson is on the air now. Blackburn<br />
begins Nov. 16... Stuntman Stu (Stu Schwartz) of TEAM 1200 (CFGO) Ottawa is moving across the hall to 93.9<br />
BOB FM (CKKL-FM) where he'll join S<strong>and</strong>y in morning drive to create the Stuntman <strong>and</strong> Shark show.<br />
LOOKING: Global Toronto - Co-Anchor; Astral Television Networks Toronto - Project Manager, Astral<br />
Media Integrated Solutions; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Dawson Creek – Television Anchor/Reporter; Rogers <strong>TV</strong><br />
Ottawa - Manager of Creative Services; CBC Montreal – Assignment Editor, National, <strong>and</strong> Maintenance<br />
Technicians; CBC Toronto – Host, Newsworld <strong>and</strong> an Account Manager; CHAT/CFCN Medicine Hat –<br />
Master Control Operator; XM Satellite <strong>Radio</strong> Toronto – Direct Marketing Manager; <strong>and</strong> Q104 Halifax – Morning<br />
Show Co-Host.<br />
NEW SUBSCRIBERS THIS WEEK INCLUDE: D.J. Williams, The Jetset Media Workshop, London.<br />
Welcome!<br />
* * * * *
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
September 17, 2009 Volume 17, Number 17 Page One of Three<br />
CBC, C<strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> Global Television, in a rare show of unity, say BDUs are making significant<br />
profits on the backs of OTA broadcasters; that they are not being compensated; <strong>and</strong> that cable <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM:<br />
satellite companies have been on a free ride for too long. This week’s accord between the three<br />
networks – the campaign is called ‘Local Matters’ – is at odds with Rogers <strong>and</strong> Shaw whose position<br />
is that the nets have no right to seek 50-cents-per-subscriber fees. Rogers says such a levy could bump<br />
Torontonians’ cable bills by up to $10, a figure the networks say is being used to scare consumers. Both sides are<br />
lobbying for public support leading up to the CRTC hearings skedded for mid-November. In its argument against<br />
fee-for-carriage, Rogers calls it “an unnecessary bailout for over-the-air broadcasters <strong>and</strong> an unfair tax on cable<br />
<strong>and</strong> satellite television subscribers.” Chairman Phil Lind, in a submission to the CRTC, said that claims about the<br />
OTA ad-supported business model are wrong. Ad revenues, he argues, will rebound at the end of the recession...<br />
The CRTC denied Star Choice Television’s request to drop carriage of CBC-<strong>TV</strong> Regina from its Shaw Direct<br />
satellite service. The Commission also denied a request that Star Choice no longer has to carry a minimum of five<br />
CBC English-language OTA <strong>TV</strong> stations... The Score has launched an updated version of ScoreMobile for<br />
Blackberry Smartphones that adds customizable content, game reminder features <strong>and</strong> optimized navigation <strong>and</strong><br />
display functions... Astral Media’s Family Channel is launching its channel page on the iTunes Store in Canada<br />
Sept. 21 with hit series for younger viewers.<br />
GENERAL: Advertising in Canada is coming back, but the focus is still on cost control. At the 10th annual<br />
Media & Telecom Conference in Toronto on Tuesday, the tone was more optimistic than just six months<br />
ago. About 120 investors also heard that Corus Entertainment President/CEO John Cassaday has an<br />
interest – should they become available – in buying Canwest's Food Network <strong>and</strong> HG<strong>TV</strong>, in which Corus has a<br />
stake, so as to enhance Corus' offerings targeted at women... Marci Ryvicker, the Wells Fargo Securities<br />
analyst, says “a muted ad recovery is underway.” She sees the greatest sequential improvement for radio, followed<br />
by <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> outdoor... The Television Bureau of Advertising in the U.S. says total spot <strong>TV</strong> revenues in 2010 will<br />
rise between 3.6% <strong>and</strong> 6.1% in comparison with this year's revenues. Local spot revenue will rise between 1.0%<br />
to 3.0% <strong>and</strong> U.S. national spot revenue will increase by 6% to 12%... The Canadian Association of<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ers has called on the federal government – in a submission <strong>and</strong> plan entitled Create a Digital Copyright<br />
Competitive Advantage – to introduce copyright legislation that supports growth in Canadian media services.<br />
Specifically, the CAB wants to make sure that businesses aren’t loaded down with regulations that may not apply<br />
in the fast-moving digital media environment. The two core recommendations are that broadcasters not be forced<br />
to pay multiple copyright fees for incidental acts such as backing up digital servers <strong>and</strong> making copies of the music<br />
files stored on those servers, <strong>and</strong> that along with new legislation, the federal government should overhaul the way<br />
that copyright is administered in order to strike the right balance between seamless access to content <strong>and</strong> fair<br />
payment to the owners of that content... There’s a combined RTNDA-Ryerson University event next week (Sept.<br />
22) in Toronto looking at the issues facing local <strong>TV</strong> news. The session takes place at 6:30 Tuesday evening at the<br />
downtown university: 80 Gould St., Room RCC 204. Panel members include: Sophia Hadzipetros – Managing<br />
Editor, CBC Toronto; Mike Katrycz – News Director, CHCH Hamilton; Adrian Bateman - Managing Editor, ‘A’<br />
Windsor; <strong>and</strong> Farah Nasser – Anchor/Reporter, Citytv Toronto. The moderator for the evening will be Omar<br />
Sachedina – Anchor/Reporter at CP24... Almost two-thirds of Americans surveyed believe that news stories are<br />
often inaccurate. The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press found that 74% of respondents believe<br />
stories tend to favour one side of an issue over another, up from 66% two years ago. The U.S. survey found that<br />
the slippage in attitudes comes, for the most part, from Democrats. Republicans have long been critical of the news<br />
media... Rogers Cable is suing Shaw Communications in a bid to block Shaw’s attempt to move into Hamilton
Thursday, September 17, 2009 Page 2<br />
which Rogers deems home turf. Rogers has asked a judge to put a stop to Shaw's purchase of Mountain<br />
Cablevision. For most of the last decade, Rogers <strong>and</strong> Shaw have effectively agreed to divide the country in half,<br />
with Rogers being the dominant cable provider from Ontario east, <strong>and</strong> Shaw the largest seller west of Ontario.<br />
RADIO: The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) broadcast award winners in Vancouver on the<br />
weekend were: <strong>Radio</strong> Station of the Year (Major Market): CISN Country (CISN-FM) Edmonton; <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Station of the Year (Secondary Market): KICX 106 (CICX-FM) Orillia; <strong>Broadcast</strong>er Hall of Honour<br />
Inductee: John Murphy; Hank Smith Award of Excellence: Heather Ostertag, FACTOR Toronto; Music<br />
Director of the Year (Major Market): Mark Patric, JRfm (CJJR-FM); Music Director of the Year (Secondary<br />
Market): Peter Walker KX96 (CJKX-FM) Oshawa; On-Air Personality of the Year (Major Market): Odd Squad<br />
With Doug, Robyn, & Dan, Country 105 (CKRY-FM) Calgary; <strong>and</strong> On-Air Personality of the Year (Secondary<br />
Market): KG Mornings with Greg & Tera Lee, KG 95.5 (CKGY-FM) Red Deer... Alex J. Walling, who once owned<br />
<strong>and</strong> operated CKWK-FM Corner Brook, has won approval for a low-power, not-for-profit FM community station<br />
at Liverpool, NS. The new station will operate at 99.3 with power of 50 watts... FM radio appears to have a<br />
champion in the form of Apple’s new iPod Nano. In an online survey of Canadians, the <strong>Radio</strong> Research division<br />
of Angus Reid Strategies/Vision Critical Communications found that the built-in FM tuner generates strong<br />
appeal, particularly among younger demos. More than a third (36%) of 19+ Canadians say they are “very<br />
interested” in the ability to pause <strong>and</strong> rewind songs they hear on the radio. This rises to 55% among 18-34 yearolds...<br />
CFWE-FM - The Native Perspective - Edmonton has launched at 98.5. It’s part of a network that includes<br />
41 FM’ers serving 55 Alberta communities in eight languages... C-FAX Victoria turned 50 on September 5. The<br />
man who founded the station in 1949 – Roy Parrett – died last month (Aug. 21) at 91. We’re not sure if this is true,<br />
but C-FAX may have had an aviation connection. Parrett, 16 at the time, was the youngest pilot in Canada in 1934.<br />
He enjoyed flying through his 88th birthday. Canadian aircraft registrations all begin with “C-“. His radio partners<br />
included inventor/author/<strong>and</strong> fishing expert Charlie White <strong>and</strong> former Vancouver Mayor Art Phillips... D.J.<br />
Williams, who served as Director of Client Services for Clear Channel <strong>Radio</strong>’s internal ad agency in Atlanta <strong>and</strong><br />
who is now back in London, ON, as president of Jetset Media Workshop, will launch a $1 million contest at the<br />
NAB <strong>Radio</strong> Show in Philadelphia next week. The event is in support of his soundBAIT: Creative Weapons of<br />
MASS Distraction, his new book... Allan<br />
G. Lie of Golden West <strong>Radio</strong> in<br />
Manitoba, in a playful moment, applied<br />
his writing skills to something he calls,<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> Babies. Here’s how it goes:<br />
CLIENT: Wants a baby.<br />
SALES: Thinks a baby can be delivered<br />
in five months if requested ASAP.<br />
CREATIVE: Thinks a baby should be<br />
delivered in 18 months.<br />
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Believes that if<br />
one woman can deliver a baby in nine<br />
months, nine women can deliver a baby<br />
in one month by brainstorming.<br />
PRODUCTION: Gets baby request on the<br />
due date. Checks to see if there's baby<br />
“ready to go” in the orphanage –– if not<br />
builds baby with whatever parts are<br />
available.<br />
TRAFFIC: Runs the nursery. Has to fit six<br />
babies into one crib, or fill six cribs with<br />
one baby.<br />
ON-AIR: “Enough with the babies<br />
already, let's talk about me.”<br />
CO-OP DEPARTMENT: Sues father for<br />
child support.<br />
STATION MANAGER: Believes one<br />
woman can deliver nine babies in one
Thursday, September 17, 2009 Page 3<br />
month with the right focus.<br />
ENGINEERING: Not sure where babies come from, but keeps the maternity ward running.<br />
ACCOUNTING: Can prove on paper that a man <strong>and</strong> woman are not really necessary to produce a baby <strong>and</strong><br />
should be dropped from the budget.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Corus <strong>Radio</strong>’s Chris Sisam, GM of the Toronto cluster, has been promoted to VP,<br />
<strong>Sales</strong> & Regional VP. Chris P<strong>and</strong>off, the VP, Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Ontario, adds GM duties for the Toronto<br />
cluster... Gisele Sowa has been appointed GM of CHUM’s 91.7 The Bounce (CHBN-FM) Edmonton. She<br />
was promoted from GSM/AGM. CHUM <strong>Radio</strong> will announce a new GM for CKCE-FM Calgary in the near future<br />
as well as a new GSM for Edmonton. The moves are a result of the promotion of CHUM Alberta GM James Stuart,<br />
who oversaw both operations, to CHUM Vancouver’s three stations... Mike Finucan, ex GSM at Q107 Toronto,<br />
is now GSM at Evanov Communications’ Z103 (CIDC-FM) Toronto/Orangeville <strong>and</strong> The Jewel 88.5 (CKDX-<br />
FM) Toronto/Newmarket... Edward S. Rogers has been appointed Deputy Chairman of Rogers<br />
Communications. Alan D. Horn was the former sole Chairman of the Board. Rogers will also oversee mergers<br />
<strong>and</strong> acquisitions as Exec VP of the new Emerging Business <strong>and</strong> Corporate Development group... At the Rogers<br />
Toronto cluster of radio stations, the departed S<strong>and</strong>y S<strong>and</strong>erson’s duties have been divided between Chuck<br />
McCoy <strong>and</strong> Derek Berghuis. Berghuis is the Toronto AM Market Manager (680News/The Fan 590) <strong>and</strong> McCoy<br />
oversees the FM properties (98.1 CHFI/KiSS 92.5) as the Toronto FM Market Manager. Julie Adam, meanwhile,<br />
has assumed the role of PD at KiSS 92.5 along with her responsibilities to 98.1 CHFI as VP/GM/PD. In addition,<br />
she's Ass’t National PD for Rogers radio stations... New GSM at NCI-FM Winnipeg is Mike Fabian. He moves<br />
from CHUM Winnipeg where he was the Agency Liaison/Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Manager the past two years. Before that,<br />
Fabian spent 10 years at Rogers Winnipeg as <strong>Sales</strong> Manager... Vic Grant, with CJOB Winnipeg the past 20<br />
years, has retired. For the past 11 years, Grant had been PD/ND at the Corus Winnipeg AM powerhouse...<br />
Walter Labucki, after 34 years as CHUM Halifax Director of Engineering, has retired. His successor is Shaun<br />
Basha, ex of Newcap <strong>Radio</strong> St. John's... Joytv 10 Vancouver GM Terry Mahoney <strong>and</strong> GSM Gary Milne are<br />
no longer with the S-VOX operation. Their jobs were cut in a “financial sustainability” move. Joytv managers will<br />
now report to senior staff in Toronto. Emily Morgan, VP Content at Food Network <strong>and</strong> Fine Living, has added<br />
HG<strong>TV</strong> Canada to her duties. She succeeds Anna Gecan who joined Scripps Networks Interactive as VP<br />
Original Programming for HG<strong>TV</strong> US... Crosby McWilliam becomes the Promotions Director at CISL/CKZZ-FM<br />
Vancouver next Monday. In his 15-year tenure at Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver, he was a copywriter, APD at MOJO<br />
radio <strong>and</strong> then moved to his last position, that of Promotions Director at Rock 101 Vancouver... Julie James,<br />
the PD at 92.5 JOE FM Edmonton, is no longer in that position... Also at JOE FM, Devin Gray, the <strong>Sales</strong> Manager<br />
at CISN Country Edmonton, adds JOE to his responsibilities.<br />
SIGN-OFF: Jim McKillican, 53, in Regina of cancer. The CBC Saskatchewan radio broadcaster began his<br />
career with the CBC in 1983 as a technician <strong>and</strong> became a familiar voice to Morning Edition listeners. For<br />
two decades, McKillican read the weather, selected music, provided reports on the Saskatchewan<br />
Roughriders <strong>and</strong> bantered with Morning Edition host Sheila Coles.<br />
LOOKING: CHUM-FM Toronto – Afternoon Drive Host; Classic Rock 101 Vancouver – Promotions Director;<br />
Big Country 93.1 FM Gr<strong>and</strong>e Prairie – Afternoon Drive/Production;CBC Moncton – Journalist/Anchor;<br />
C<strong>TV</strong> News Channel Toronto – Line-Up Editor; CBC Toronto – Executive Director, <strong>Sales</strong> & Marketing <strong>and</strong><br />
a Director, Production <strong>and</strong> Operations; C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto – Production Manager, C<strong>TV</strong> Creative Agency Design<br />
Department <strong>and</strong> a Group Director, National <strong>Sales</strong>;C<strong>TV</strong> Vancouver – Human Resources Manager; Astral<br />
Television Networks Toronto – Master Control Operator; CBC Halifax – Promo Producer/Director; CBC<br />
Vancouver – Manager, French Services BC <strong>and</strong> Yukon; CBC Montreal - Senior Industrial Relations Consultant;<br />
<strong>and</strong> CFOM/CFEL Quebec City – Program Director.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
September 24, 2009 Volume 17, Number 18 Page One of Three<br />
The CRTC, at the request of the federal government, will consult the public on the request by<br />
the <strong>TV</strong> nets to charge BDUs for using their local signals. A public hearing is set for December <strong>and</strong> will<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM:<br />
examine two key concerns: The impact of a<br />
compensation regime on consumers; <strong>and</strong> how that<br />
would affect the various components of the communications<br />
industry. James Moore, the minister of Canadian Heritage, says<br />
the Commission is also being asked to consider what such a<br />
system would mean for access to local programming <strong>and</strong><br />
information. <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers, as well as Rogers Communications,<br />
welcomed the hearings. The BDUs say customers don't want to<br />
pay for signals that can be pulled in free over the air. The<br />
networks, however, say people will pay because they appreciate<br />
local <strong>TV</strong>... Meanwhile, C<strong>TV</strong>, blaming deteriorating finances in a<br />
battered ad market <strong>and</strong> splintering viewership, says it’s been<br />
forced to seek new terms with its lenders, the banks... Adbusters<br />
has a green light by the Supreme Court of Canada to take Global<br />
Television <strong>and</strong> CBC to court for rejecting its anti-consumerism<br />
ads. The group, best known for its Buy Nothing Day, took legal<br />
action in 2004 after it said that the networks refused to carry ads<br />
against consumerism <strong>and</strong> obesity. One of the spots featured a<br />
burping pig superimposed on a map of North America... A<br />
complaint to the CRTC by Allarco Entertainment that Rogers<br />
Cable Communications subjected Allarco to an undue<br />
disadvantage in regard to the marketing of Super Channel has<br />
been found to be valid. But the Commission further found that<br />
there was insufficient evidence to establish that Rogers gave<br />
undue preference to Astral Media’s The Movie Network, HBO<br />
Canada <strong>and</strong> MoviePix in regard to its marketing of Super<br />
Channel. The Commission directed Rogers to file written<br />
documentation setting out what it will do to ensure Super Channel<br />
is not unduly disadvantaged in marketing efforts.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Upwards of 10 positions have been<br />
eliminated at CKPC/CKPC-FM Brantford, including Rick<br />
Buchanan, the late owner’s son, since Evanov<br />
Communications took ownership earlier this month. Dick<br />
Buchanan, who died last summer, had carried on the 80-year<br />
family ownership of Telephone City <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing. His estate was<br />
in charge of selling the stations... After 14 years as Co-host of the<br />
MIX 97 Belleville morning show, Ingrid Moore left the station for<br />
a job across the road at Classic Hits 95.5 Belleville. Succeeding<br />
Moore at MIX 97 is Orlena Cain of the Shopping Channel,<br />
Sugarcain.com <strong>and</strong> E! Canada... Paul Graham has joined TSN
Thursday, September 24, 2009 Page 2<br />
as Executive Producer, Live Productions.<br />
It’s a return to TSN for Graham who had<br />
worked the last 10 years as an<br />
independent producer... New GSM at BOB<br />
FM London is Ann LaRocque, a<br />
promotion from local <strong>Sales</strong> Manager...<br />
Boyd Leader (aka Rhubarb Jones) is<br />
now PD <strong>and</strong> afternoon drive Host at JOE<br />
FM Edmonton. He succeeds the recently<br />
departed Julie James... Free FM Gr<strong>and</strong>e<br />
Prairie interim PD Kiel Kelly has won the<br />
job full-time. He succeeds Pete Montana<br />
who remains with the company... Jay<br />
Campbell, after 28 years as A (CFPL-<strong>TV</strong>)<br />
London’s meteorologist, has announced<br />
his retirement. Succeeding him is 11:00<br />
p.m. weather Anchor Julie Atchison...<br />
The National Association of<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ers has chosen former U.S.<br />
Senator Gordon Smith, a Republican<br />
from Oregon, to be its new CEO... New<br />
U.S. Television Bureau of Advertising<br />
(<strong>TV</strong>B) president, effective Jan. 1, is Steve<br />
Lanzano. He succeeds Chris Rohrs<br />
who’d held the job for 10 years. Lanzano<br />
is COO of ad agency MPG US... Tristan<br />
Brake becomes the new Senior Engineer<br />
at Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Kitchener Oct. 5. He’s<br />
moving from Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> Sudbury.<br />
RADIO: When the phone rang last week at 102.1 The Edge Toronto, staffers were taken aback when a U2<br />
rep said that the b<strong>and</strong> – which played to a sold-out house the night before – wanted to have a chat on the<br />
station. The only catch was that there could be no hype on U2's appearance until five minutes before they<br />
got there. Host Dave Bookman heard Bono praise the city, the Toronto International Film Festival, the<br />
Rogers Centre <strong>and</strong> the CN Tower. By the time they left the station a half-hour later, fans were pressed against<br />
fencing set up outside. Bookman called the spontaneous appearance “...everything that's right about rock <strong>and</strong><br />
roll”... CJLS Yarmouth has just celebrated its 75th anniversary. Congratulations to owners Ray Zinck <strong>and</strong> Chris<br />
Perry... The NAB <strong>Radio</strong> Show opened yesterday (Wednesday) in Philadelphia <strong>and</strong> runs through tomorrow<br />
(Friday). Owners are seeing indications that things are getting better, perhaps making a turnaround. Still, problems<br />
persist for at least two major groups, Citadel <strong>and</strong> Clear Channel. The former has a January payment deadline<br />
that it likely cannot meet while Clear Channel <strong>and</strong> its lenders continue doing a to-<strong>and</strong>-fro... Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong>’s<br />
$659,752 shortfall for its 2008 Canadian content development obligation was, says Astral, due to “a<br />
misunderst<strong>and</strong>ing of its transitional CCD conditions of licence”. The company has offered to donate $750,000 to<br />
make up for the shortfall from its 65 stations, $450,000 to MUSICACTION <strong>and</strong> $300,000 to the Community <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Fund of Canada. The money would be paid out over seven years... XM Canada’s parent, Canadian Satellite<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> Holdings, has bought back US$9 million of its outst<strong>and</strong>ing high yield debt for US$3.2 million. The move<br />
will save the Toronto company about US$1.1 million a year in interest costs... Some on-air shift changes at CFRB<br />
Toronto. John Moore moves from afternoon drive to mornings, Bill Carroll moves from mornings to 9-1 (the move<br />
sets up Astral’s syndication arm to sell Carroll’s show across the country), Jim Richards goes to 1-3 <strong>and</strong> John<br />
Tory, the former Ontario PC leader, takes over the 4-7 pm slot. There’s also an ID change: Instead of TALK 1010,<br />
CFRB will become NEWSTALK 1010. The personnel <strong>and</strong> the ID change will happen Oct. 5... The Woodstock Fire<br />
Department raced to CJ 104 (CJCJ-FM) Woodstock last Friday night because of smoke throughout the building.<br />
Lucky for the Astral station, though, that this time where there was smoke, there was no fire. The cause was a<br />
heat pump that had shorted out, pumping smoke through the ventilation system... LIFE 100.3 Barrie, the Christian<br />
listener-supported rocker owned by Trust Communications, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. President Scott<br />
Jackson, starting with an 1,800- watt transmitter (now 40,000), has since added repeaters at Owen Sound,
Thursday, September 24, 2009 Page 3<br />
NATIONAL<br />
MARKETING MANAGER<br />
Toronto<br />
RESPONSIBILITIES:<br />
* Work as a resource with local promotions <strong>and</strong> marketing teams to ensure each station’s marketing strategy<br />
is consistent with the business <strong>and</strong> programming objectives.<br />
* Manage vendor relationships, innovating marketing platforms <strong>and</strong> media planning <strong>and</strong> buying.<br />
* Marketing <strong>and</strong> promotional planning for national promotion initiatives, new station launches <strong>and</strong> national<br />
programming initiatives.<br />
* Find <strong>and</strong> exploit synergies with potential partners <strong>and</strong> work with local teams in deploying the campaigns.<br />
* Collaborate with the Director Media Creativity & National Promotions to spearhead <strong>and</strong> foster<br />
communication <strong>and</strong> idea sharing among Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong>’s Promotion Managers.<br />
* Give guidance <strong>and</strong> be a key resource in providing skill development to Astral’s Promotion Managers.<br />
* Have thorough knowledge of new <strong>and</strong> traditional marketing platforms as well as creating performance<br />
indicators to assess effectiveness of campaigns.<br />
* Work collaboratively with the Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>Sales</strong> team to devise platforms that extend br<strong>and</strong>s through<br />
client engagement.<br />
* Plan, coordinate <strong>and</strong> execute Astral’s national charitable campaigns.<br />
* Communications for Astral’s English language radio properties <strong>and</strong> interactive platforms.<br />
SKILL REQUIREMENTS:<br />
* Five to seven years of marketing experience.<br />
* Experience managing large-scale promotions <strong>and</strong> marketing projects.<br />
* Excellent underst<strong>and</strong>ing of the entertainment business.<br />
* Proven track record of developing creative ideas to measurable results.<br />
* Excellent negotiation skills.<br />
* Excellent verbal <strong>and</strong> written communication skills.<br />
Any c<strong>and</strong>idate who wants to apply for this opportunity should visit the<br />
Astral Media website by clicking www.astralmedia.com.<br />
Please note that while we appreciate all expressions of interest, we can only respond to those c<strong>and</strong>idates<br />
who will be interviewed.<br />
Astral Media is always on the lookout for dynamic, innovative <strong>and</strong> passionate professionals who embrace change <strong>and</strong> new<br />
technologies <strong>and</strong> who are looking to continually challenge themselves within a growing organization.<br />
Peterborough <strong>and</strong> Huntsville.<br />
GENERAL: More than 300,000<br />
people in Canada’s remote <strong>and</strong><br />
rural areas could be cut off from<br />
CBC-<strong>TV</strong> in two years because<br />
CBC doesn't have the money to convert<br />
its signals to digital. So far, only eight of<br />
its 600 transmission towers have been<br />
switched over. Those eight, however,<br />
cover about half the potential audience.<br />
August 2011 is the deadline for the<br />
switch. Corporation President/CEO<br />
Hubert Lacroix told the company's<br />
annual general meeting yesterday<br />
(Wednesday) that all broadcasters have<br />
been complaining about the staggering<br />
costs of switching to digital. CBC has<br />
chopped 800 jobs <strong>and</strong> is in the midst of<br />
selling off assets. One such sale – its<br />
Galaxie operations – brought in $20.1<br />
million this week. Lacroix said that there<br />
is no more money to spare after<br />
struggling to make up for a $171-million<br />
budget shortfall this year... Canwest<br />
Global is said to about to jettison<br />
Australia’s Ten Network. The<br />
Australian Financial Review reported<br />
that a number of stockbrokers were<br />
invited to a meeting this week to<br />
discuss a transaction for Canwest to sell down its $680 million stake... It appears that Rogers <strong>and</strong> Shaw are<br />
moving into battle positions now that an Ontario Court has ruled against Rogers’ petition to stop Shaw from buying<br />
Mountain Cable in Hamilton. Rogers claimed a nine-year-old non-compete agreement with Shaw to split English<br />
Canada between them should prevent Shaw from buying Mountain. But the judge in the case said Rogers had not<br />
proven irreparable harm.... Telesat has launched its Nimiq 5 satellite from Kazakhstan. Utilizing 32 Ku-b<strong>and</strong><br />
transponders, it will deliver a range of high-def <strong>and</strong> direct-to-home <strong>TV</strong> services across Canada <strong>and</strong> the U.S... New<br />
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski says the U.S. regulatory body must take concrete action to preserve a free<br />
<strong>and</strong> open Internet. Four principles already embraced affirm that consumers must be able to access lawful content,<br />
applications <strong>and</strong> services of their choice, <strong>and</strong> attach non-harmful devices to the network. Those four guide the<br />
FCC’s existing case-by-case enforcement of communications law. He has proposed two more principles: The first<br />
would prevent Internet access providers from discriminating against particular Internet content or applications while<br />
allowing for reasonable network management. The second principle would ensure that Internet access providers<br />
are transparent about the network management practices they implement... A new chip adds HD<strong>TV</strong> to laptop PC<br />
functions. California-based CrestaTech's innovation, it says, will allow reception of global HD<strong>TV</strong> on a universal<br />
programmable broadb<strong>and</strong> technology chip. It will also support analog st<strong>and</strong>ards worldwide, radio <strong>and</strong> GPS signals<br />
in any city.<br />
LOOKING: Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> in Toronto seeks a National Marketing Manager. See details in the ad above...<br />
Other jobs we’ve heard about include: Heart FM Woodstock - Account Executive; Ward Beck Systems,<br />
Toronto - broadcast equipment <strong>Sales</strong> Professional; Loyalist College, Belleville - <strong>Broadcast</strong> Technologist;<br />
APTN Edmonton - Reporter/Correspondent; APTN Whitehorse - Reporter/Correspondent; APTN Winnipeg<br />
- National Assignment Editor; CP24 Toronto – Producer; C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto – Production Supervisor; Canwest<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ing Toronto – Manager, Technology; CBC Toronto – Director, Archives <strong>and</strong> Libraries English Services<br />
<strong>and</strong> a Host for Newsworld; CBC St. John’s – Manager, Production Resources; CBC Ottawa – Associate Director;<br />
CKRY-FM/CFGQ-FM/CHQR Calgary – Promotions Director; 97.3 EZ Rock (CJEZ-FM) Toronto - Program<br />
Director; <strong>and</strong> Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Montreal - Chef de produit technique - Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Interactif.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
October 1, 2009 Volume 17, Number 19 Page One of Three<br />
RADIO: Canadian <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Sales</strong> says a “challenging Q4 was a major factor in national radio sales<br />
experiencing a shortfall of 12.7% for the 2009 broadcast year.” The fourth quarter was down 25.2% year<br />
over year with weakness in financial services (-61%),<br />
alcohol beverages (-47.8 %) <strong>and</strong> automotive (-40.5%).<br />
CBS President Patrick Grierson, however, says he sees signs<br />
of improvement in 2010's first quarter. September bookings, he<br />
said, will close at 95% of last year’s performance <strong>and</strong> October<br />
is following a similar pattern. The CBS report, says Eric<br />
Bernofsky, a Desjardins Securities analyst, may be an<br />
ominous sign for Astral Media <strong>and</strong> Corus Entertainment.<br />
Bernofsky believes the spending trends in the CBS report act<br />
as a proxy for the overall market. “We cannot ignore this<br />
declining trend,” he said. “As a result we maintain a very<br />
cautious outlook for radio in the near term.” But while Bernofsky<br />
appears down on radio, he continues to rate Astral <strong>and</strong> Corus<br />
stocks as HOLDs. He says investors should wait until clearer<br />
evidence of an advertising rebound surfaces. On Tuesday,<br />
Corus said it expects a rebound in advertising next year thanks<br />
in large part to PPMs that provide more accurate ratings...<br />
“Long in the tooth”, “we are fast becoming an industry of old<br />
men”, “we have to raise the quality of programming”, “it’s time<br />
for radio to make stations we are proud of”, “we have stopped<br />
investing in ourselves, so why do we expect anybody else to<br />
invest in radio, to use radio?”, “stop nostalgically looking back<br />
at the good old days”, “it’s personalities that people care about”<br />
<strong>and</strong> “stop lying to yourselves” . The commonality of all those<br />
phrases is that they were expressed during the NAB <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Show’s Group Heads Super Session. The leaders themselves<br />
appeared to agree that all of them are well beyond the demos<br />
required to lead today’s radio industry. Joint Communications<br />
CEO John Parikhal said innovation has to come from the<br />
lower ranks... Rogers Vancouver has dismissed all on-air staff<br />
at its JACK FM except for the morning show of Larry <strong>and</strong><br />
Willy. VP/GM Geoff Poulton says the changes are not a<br />
precursor to a br<strong>and</strong>/format switch, e.g. JACK to KISS in<br />
Toronto. Instead, says Poulton, most JACKS in North America<br />
are announcer-less. “We felt it was time to return JACK to its<br />
roots: a station carried by its fantastic playlist supported by the<br />
best image writing in radio – Howard Cogan is back as our<br />
imaging voice – <strong>and</strong> anchored by the best morning team in<br />
Vancouver”... Edmonton radio has a peculiarity on its h<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
Oilers Lunch is on the air at Team 1260, not on CHED, the<br />
Oilers host broadcaster. Bob Stauffer, employed by the Oilers<br />
<strong>and</strong> who usually appears on CHED’s game broadcasts, is the<br />
PROGRAM DIRECTOR<br />
RESPONSIBILITIES &REQUIREMENTS:<br />
– Work with station management to develop & execute<br />
annual programming, promotions <strong>and</strong> advertising plans<br />
– Direct <strong>and</strong> manage station programming<br />
– Direct <strong>and</strong> manage station promotions <strong>and</strong> advertising<br />
– Direct <strong>and</strong> manage online <strong>and</strong> social network activities<br />
– Develop <strong>and</strong> manage qualified <strong>and</strong> motivated work teams,<br />
focusing on reaching objectives<br />
– Manage press relations<br />
– Contribute to the development of the station with Astral<br />
Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
– Participation in all conference calls, meetings <strong>and</strong> events<br />
planned by the corporate programming management for<br />
Program Directors<br />
– Other travel relating to programming as appropriate.<br />
SKILL REQUIREMENTS:<br />
– Post-secondary education in broadcasting or related exp.<br />
– Min. 5 years exp. in a similar role in a medium/large<br />
market<br />
– Experience elaborating prgmmng <strong>and</strong> prmtns strategies<br />
– Knowledge of AC music<br />
– Excellent organizational <strong>and</strong> multi-tasking skills<br />
– Dynamic, creative <strong>and</strong> innovative<br />
– Well- developed leadership skills <strong>and</strong> business acumen<br />
– Ability to manage <strong>and</strong> motivate a team<br />
– Good verbal <strong>and</strong> written communication skills<br />
– Ability to work under pressure <strong>and</strong> with tight deadlines<br />
– Detail-oriented team player.<br />
Any c<strong>and</strong>idate who wants to apply for this<br />
opportunity should visit the Astral Media website at<br />
www.astralmedia.com <strong>and</strong> apply online under<br />
Career Opportunities.<br />
Deadline: October 14, 2009<br />
As an equal opportunity employer, Astral Media is committed to accommodating<br />
the needs of people living with disabilities. If you have any health or physical<br />
limitations which may adversely affect your performance during any phase of the<br />
appointment process, please identify the accommodation needed. Moreover,<br />
Astral Media is committed to providing equal opportunities to c<strong>and</strong>idates <strong>and</strong><br />
employees, regardless of age, gender, disability, visible minority status, Native<br />
status, marital status, cultural or national background, religion, or sexual<br />
orientation. All c<strong>and</strong>idates are encouraged to apply with confidence.<br />
Please note that while we appreciate all expressions of interest, we can only<br />
respond to those c<strong>and</strong>idates who will be interviewed.
Thursday, October 1, 2009 Page 2<br />
host of the show. Team 1240 paid the<br />
Oilers for the right to host Stauffer’s<br />
lunchtime program after CHED took a<br />
pass. This may be the first time that a<br />
rights holder has been dealt this kind of<br />
card. Further, it’s also probably the first<br />
time that a pro sports team has been<br />
willing to fragment its broadcast rights...<br />
S<strong>and</strong>ra Bussin, a Toronto city councillor,<br />
has apologized for calling a CFRB<br />
Toronto talk show last week – without<br />
identifying herself – to defend Mayor<br />
David Miller’s record. She did not fully<br />
identify herself. Bussin, a Miller loyalist on<br />
council, defended the mayor's h<strong>and</strong>ling of<br />
the summertime municipal workers'<br />
strike. But she didn’t just defend Miller,<br />
she called co-Host John Tory a "threetime<br />
loser," referring to his election losses<br />
which finally led to his resigning from the<br />
leadership of the Ontario Progressive<br />
Conservative party. “I should have<br />
indicated I was a city councillor,”' she told<br />
reporters, adding that she had written a<br />
letter of apology to Tory... Corus<br />
Entertainment has partnered with FMQB<br />
Productions to syndicate Alan Cross’<br />
The Ongoing History of New Music <strong>and</strong><br />
the ExploreMusic radio program as well<br />
as Jeff Woods’ Legends of Classic Rock to U.S. stations. The first stations signed up were WEDG Buffalo <strong>and</strong><br />
WRZX Indianapolis... K-Rock (CIJK-FM) Kentville, owned by Newcap, through its commitment to Canadian<br />
content has earmarked $250,000 for local schools (in the Annapolis Valley) to buy new instruments. The money<br />
is divided among 43 schools... Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> in Kitchener <strong>and</strong> Toronto has donated an initial $33,000 to the<br />
Conestoga College Institute of Technology <strong>and</strong> Advanced Learning in Kitchener to assist deserving students<br />
prepare for careers in radio journalism. Beneficiaries will be second-year students in Conestoga’s Journalism –<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> program.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Danny Kingsbury is the new GM-Atlantic Canada for Rogers <strong>Radio</strong>. He takes over<br />
responsibilities for the four Atlantic stations, two in Halifax (Lite 92.9/News 95.7), News 88.9 Saint John<br />
<strong>and</strong> News 91.9 Moncton. Kingsbury had been with Rogers Ottawa... Some changes are coming up soon<br />
at English-language Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> stations in Montreal, Hamilton <strong>and</strong> St. Catharines. At<br />
CJAD/CHOM-FM/Virgin Montreal, Martin Spalding becomes VP/GM effective Nov. 2. He succeeds Luc<br />
Tremblay who will move back to full-time attention to AMRQ as the French arm’s VP, Operations. Spalding is<br />
currently the Ass’t VP, <strong>Sales</strong> <strong>and</strong> Marketing for Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Quebec. At K-Lite/Talk 820/Oldies 1150<br />
Hamilton, the new VP/GM effective in January will be Bob Harris, now the VP, Programming/Operations Manager<br />
at CJAD/ Virgin//CHOM. He will succeed Tom Cooke who’s been h<strong>and</strong>ling management responsibilities for the<br />
Astral stations in London, Hamilton <strong>and</strong> St. Catharines. Cooke, whose home town is London, has opted for the<br />
station responsibilities there... Kim Hesketh, VP/GM at Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> Victoria (The Ocean/Jack FM), is retiring<br />
effective Dec. 31. Hesketh, 56, says he’s pulling the plug so that he can join his recently retired wife on the golf<br />
course. (Ed’s Note: Hesketh <strong>and</strong> I worked together at CHYM Kitchener back when $135 a week – even then –<br />
was regarded as a pittance.)... Dave Charles has joined ByrnesMedia as its New Media <strong>and</strong> Business Consultant.<br />
Charles became well-known across Canada as a program consultant, business owner <strong>and</strong> music consultant for<br />
Joint Communications in Canada <strong>and</strong> the U.S. Later, he was head hunted by an Australian concern <strong>and</strong> spent<br />
several years down under where he developed two radio networks... John Shannon, the former NHL Executive<br />
VP of programming <strong>and</strong> production, is joining the Hockeycentral panel at Rogers Sportsnet. Shannon, prior to<br />
his NHL head office experience, worked for CBC <strong>and</strong> Maple Leafs Sports <strong>and</strong> Entertainment... Scott Clements
Thursday, October 1, 2009 Page 3<br />
is new PD at Country 94/97.3 The Wave Saint John. Clements is the former MBS Director of Programming.<br />
Former PD Bruce Weaver does mid-days on Country 94 <strong>and</strong> takes on a programming consulting role at head<br />
office... Former Senior <strong>Sales</strong> Rep Shannon Neighbour has been promoted to GSM at CHUM Edmonton’s The<br />
Bounce... Longtime 104.9 EZ Rock Edmonton afternoon drive Host Ron Clark has joined Seanna Collins on<br />
the morning show... Teresa Roncon is the new Corporate PR Manager at <strong>TV</strong>O in Toronto. Roncon’s career<br />
includes being a Reporter at Citytv Toronto, a VJ at MuchMusic, a Reporter at CFTO Toronto <strong>and</strong>, most<br />
recently, as Senior Manager of Public Relations for Ontario Lottery <strong>and</strong> Gaming... Jerhett Schafer is the new<br />
MD/PM Driver Announcer at Rock 106 Lethbridge. Most recently, Schafer was with Fuel 90.3 Calgary... Sarah<br />
Haasz became Production Executive, Original Programming, Family Channel <strong>and</strong> Playhouse Disney Canada<br />
this week. Most recently, she was Executive in Charge of Production for CBC Children’s <strong>and</strong> Youth... CHOM-FM<br />
Montreal morning co-Host Kim Rossi will move to HTZ FM St. Catharines in January to co-host the morning<br />
show with Iron Mike... Former NHL goalie Kevin Weekes will work as a colour analyst on Hockey Night in<br />
Canada this season. Weekes, 34, capped his on-ice career by playing 16 games with the New Jersey Devils last<br />
season. Weekes, a Toronto native, also played for the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, New York<br />
Isl<strong>and</strong>ers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes <strong>and</strong> the New York Rangers over 11 NHL seasons.<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Howard Cooney, 88, of blood cancer in Cobourg.<br />
Cooney had a 35-year radio career, mostly in Toronto. In the late<br />
1950s <strong>and</strong> early ‘60s, he worked at CKEY Toronto as the<br />
morning newscaster. Commercially, he was the voice of the<br />
Toronto Real Estate Board <strong>and</strong> Yorkdale Shopping Centre...<br />
Stuart Robertson, 65, at Montreal's St. Mary's Hospital of<br />
complications from pneumonia related to lymphoma. Robertson,<br />
who was hired by the CBC in 1990, worked as a researcher,<br />
writer-broadcaster <strong>and</strong> traffic reporter, but was perhaps best<br />
known for his gardening expertise.<br />
GENERAL: During an investor presentation on Tuesday,<br />
Corus Entertainment forecast a slightly higher profit for<br />
fiscal 2010 compared with its outlook for 2009. It cited an<br />
upbeat outlook for the company – it’s building a new<br />
broadcast facility in downtown Toronto – <strong>and</strong> for the broader<br />
economy. In 2010, Corus will boost capital expenditures to $90<br />
million (from $22 million in 2009). Corus held its financial ground,<br />
it said, because of cost-saving measures that reduced expenses<br />
by $41 million from budgeted levels. This saving came about<br />
through a pension contribution hiatus, unpaid days off, a wage<br />
<strong>and</strong> hiring freeze, leading on-air talent taking voluntary wage rollbacks,<br />
one union taking unpaid days off <strong>and</strong> two unions<br />
decertifying. Management, too, saw rollbacks. Wages were<br />
reduced by 5% <strong>and</strong> bonuses were relinquished. Corus became<br />
a publicly traded company 10 years ago... Canada's information<br />
commissioner issued a subpoena to CBC last week ordering it<br />
to turn over hundreds of pages of sensitive records. The move<br />
is the first test of a new provision of the Access to Information<br />
Act. CBC, however, went to Federal Court. The Corporation<br />
asked a judge to rule whether or not the commissioner has any<br />
right to inspect the records, <strong>and</strong> to review the decision to<br />
withhold them. At issue are 16 of the hundreds of information<br />
requests CBC has received since Sept. 1, 2007.<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: Canwest Global has sold its 50% stake in<br />
Australia’s Ten Network to a range of investors. The<br />
$624 million sale will help the company pay down<br />
debt. In making the sale, Canwest also kissed off<br />
$580-million of debt that was on Ten’s balance sheet. But even<br />
GENERAL MANAGER – VICTORIA, BC<br />
Imagine working for an exciting entrepreneurial company<br />
where employees are committed to meeting big challenges<br />
<strong>and</strong> making a real difference. That’’s Rogers. A leading<br />
communications <strong>and</strong> media company where people come to<br />
do great work. Right now we are looking for talented<br />
individuals to join our winning team where you will have a<br />
chance to innovate, grow <strong>and</strong> to do what really matters.<br />
RESPONSIBILITIES:<br />
* Manage, recruit <strong>and</strong> motivate team of broadcast<br />
professionals<br />
* Oversee <strong>and</strong> monitor implementation of all station operating<br />
budgets<br />
* Recommend <strong>and</strong> monitor capital projects as required<br />
* Build <strong>and</strong> maintain a strong working relationship with<br />
department managers<br />
* Provide leadership with the development of both<br />
programming <strong>and</strong> revenue opportunities<br />
* Keep up to date with government regulatory policies to<br />
ensure conformance to regulations<br />
* Establish objectives <strong>and</strong> support company policies <strong>and</strong><br />
programs<br />
* Coaching, training <strong>and</strong> development of the management<br />
team <strong>and</strong> either the sales or programming departments<br />
* Co-ordinate the work of regions, divisions <strong>and</strong> departments<br />
* Represent the stations corporately as well as in the local<br />
community.<br />
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:<br />
* Minimum 5 years management experience in a similar<br />
capacity with a focus on either sales or programming within<br />
the broadcast industry, preferably in radio<br />
* Post secondary education in business administration,<br />
finance, programming or other related discipline<br />
* Excellent communication <strong>and</strong> interpersonal skills<br />
* Strong underst<strong>and</strong>ing of BBM ratings <strong>and</strong> ability to<br />
effectively utilize results to profile stations in the market<br />
* Knowledge of BURLI, Microsoft <strong>and</strong> Oracle Financial an<br />
asset<br />
* Competitive mindset with strong analytical <strong>and</strong><br />
organizational skills.<br />
HOW TO APPLY:<br />
Please apply on-line by clicking<br />
http://www.rogers.com/web/<strong>Careers</strong>.portal<br />
The requisition number for this position<br />
is 15034.<br />
Rogers is an equal opportunity employer.
Thursday, October 1, 2009 Page 4<br />
with the cash infusion, it’s estimated Canwest will still owe creditors $2.5 billion... Last week’s RTNDA panel on<br />
Local <strong>TV</strong> News Under Siege at Toronto’s Ryerson University has been posted. The webcast may be seen by<br />
clicking: http://w.on24.com/r.htm?e=165298&s=1&k=5DE879607550356970A7B53984CFC241... Corus<br />
Entertainment plans to add Nickelodeon to its stable of kid-focused services. Corus <strong>and</strong> M<strong>TV</strong> Networks<br />
International will launch the 24-hour Nickelodeon channel Nov. 2... Dan Rather’s $70 million breach of contract<br />
suit against CBS has been tossed by a New York state appeals court. His attorney says the decision will be<br />
appealed. CBS said the court backed its position that none of the former CBS news anchor’s causes of action<br />
stated a valid claim.<br />
LOOKING: Rogers <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing is looking for a General Manager for its two radio stations in Victoria. For<br />
details on the job, see the ad on Page 3... Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> seeks a Program Director for EZ Rock<br />
Toronto. Details can be found in the ad on Page 1... Other jobs we’ve heard about include Canwest Media<br />
Toronto - <strong>Broadcast</strong> Technician; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> London – Business Manager; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Hamilton – Business Manager; Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Toronto – Business Manager; Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Calgary – National<br />
Account Manager; JAZZ.FM91 CJRT-FM Toronto – Promotions Manager; KG Country, 95-5FM Red Deer -<br />
Midday Announcer; Global News Toronto – Anchor; CBC Toronto – National Account Manager; Astral<br />
Television Networks –– Interstitial Programmer, FAMILY; CBC Ottawa – Associate Director; CBC Winnipeg –<br />
Producer, English News gathering; <strong>and</strong> CBC St. John’s – Manager, Production Resources.<br />
THE<br />
OCTOBER<br />
BROADCAST<br />
DIALOGUE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
IS IN THE MAIL.<br />
WATCH FOR IT!<br />
WATCH FOR IT!
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
October 8, 2009 Volume 17, Number 20 Page One of Four<br />
GENERAL: The Canadian Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers says it <strong>and</strong> the federal government have come<br />
to terms on the Part II Licence Fee issue. As a result, an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the<br />
validity of the fees has been discontinued. The settlement agreement includes waiving uncollected Part II<br />
Licence Fees for 2006, 2007 <strong>and</strong> 2008. The government recommended to the CRTC that it begin a process<br />
to revise the fee <strong>and</strong> introduce a capped regime going forward. The bottom line for Canada’s broadcasters <strong>and</strong><br />
cable industry is that the feds are forgiving $450 million in return for a new funding structure that would see them<br />
pay up to $100 million a year... CBC head Hubert Lacroix has declared an end to a round of job cuts that saw<br />
800 people cut from CBC’s English- <strong>and</strong> French-language services earlier this year. He says CRTC <strong>and</strong> federal<br />
government initiatives such as the Canadian Media Fund should help. Lacroix also supports private-sector<br />
networks in their quest to be paid for their broadcast signals... U.S. Internet advertising revenue dipped 5.3% to<br />
$10.9 billion in the first half of this year, according to new figures from the Interactive Advertising Bureau <strong>and</strong><br />
PricewaterhouseCoopers... The <strong>Radio</strong>-Television News Directors Association in the U.S. says research it<br />
commissioned shows that roughly four in<br />
10 <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> radio station websites are<br />
profitable or breaking even. Seventeen<br />
percent are losing money. As for the<br />
balance of stations, a measure of website<br />
revenue generation was said by station<br />
managers to be unknown.<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: Canwest Global<br />
Communications has taken<br />
cover under Canada's<br />
creditor-protection laws,<br />
granted court protection. Canwest has<br />
been struggling with a $4-billion debt<br />
load, much of it incurred when Canwest<br />
bought out the National Post <strong>and</strong> related<br />
newspapers. The filing affects just over<br />
20% of the company's businesses –<br />
1,700 of its more than 7,000 employees –<br />
but excludes most of its big-city<br />
newspapers, specialty channels <strong>and</strong><br />
other properties. The approval starts the<br />
process, under the federal bankruptcy<br />
protection law, for several major Canwest<br />
divisions – the Canwest Television<br />
Limited Partnership, which holds<br />
Global Television, MovieTime,<br />
DejaView <strong>and</strong> Fox Sports World, <strong>and</strong><br />
The National Post Company. Company
Thursday, October 8, 2009 Page 2<br />
President/CEO Leonard Asper used a memo to tell employees that executives were working to minimize the<br />
impact on daily operations. He also put out a video addressing the situation which can be seen by clicking:<br />
http://www.canwest.com/about/restructuring.asp. Asper promises to minimize the impact on ongoing daily<br />
operations but says he's most concerned about the impact on some employees. That impact, says Peter Murdock,<br />
VP of the Communications, Energy <strong>and</strong> Paperworkers Union of Canada, will involve that union opposing any<br />
changes to pensions or severances. CEP represents 1,000 workers at Global Television <strong>and</strong> 1,500 at various<br />
newspapers. But even as former employees are said to be facing an uncertain future, 20 executives are expected<br />
to receive $10 million in bonuses to keep them from stepping down. The creditor protection cuts off severance pay.<br />
While CRTC officials have yet to comment, analysts say a restructuring most likely will involve an ownership <strong>and</strong><br />
management change that could trigger foreign ownership issues, e.g. Canadians must own at least two thirds of<br />
such companies. From CBC-<strong>TV</strong>’s archives, here’s how the story looked on the day that CanWest purchased<br />
Southam News: http://archives.cbc.ca/economy_business/business/clips/4839/... CKX-<strong>TV</strong> Br<strong>and</strong>on aired<br />
its final newscast Friday night. The 54-year-old station, owned by C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia, went off the air at 7 p.m. after<br />
failing to secure a buyer, even at the price of $1. The shutdown was a blow to the city's audience whose closest<br />
“local” television now comes from Winnipeg. CKX’s fate was sealed when Bluepoint Investments backed out of<br />
a deal to buy the station, citing concerns that satellite companies would not guarantee distribution. Bluepoint<br />
Chairman Bruce Claassen estimated that 54% of households in the Br<strong>and</strong>on area already use satellite signals,<br />
a number that’s growing. CKX GM Alan Cruise says that while satellite carriage was important, even moreso<br />
would have been the cutting off of CBC programming in three years’ time. That was the straw that broke the<br />
camel’s back, he says. Cruise <strong>and</strong> four other managers will remain in the building for a month as various systems<br />
are shut down. Because there had been so much uncertainty this year, of 40 full-timers back in February, just 21<br />
were left. The other 19 people – hired since then – were on contract. C<strong>TV</strong> President/CEO Ivan Fecan says he <strong>and</strong><br />
Cruise agreed that it was in the best interests of everyone, including employees, to get on with life, close<br />
immediately <strong>and</strong> pay out severances... The latest official battle between OTA broadcasters <strong>and</strong> the BDUs over fee<br />
for carriage legislation is set for Dec. 7. The most recent unofficial PR battle for hearts <strong>and</strong> minds began on<br />
Monday. Although the CRTC has twice<br />
rejected fee-for-carriage plans,<br />
Parliament ordered it to revisit the<br />
issue. Commission Chairman Konrad<br />
von Finckenstein says: “We are<br />
examining various facets of the<br />
Canadian broadcasting system as it<br />
adapts to an environment that is rapidly<br />
changing.” On the agenda is the<br />
examination of the affordability of cable<br />
<strong>and</strong> satellite services, the availability of<br />
local <strong>TV</strong> services, the implications of<br />
digital communications on the industry<br />
<strong>and</strong> how financially well-equipped local<br />
stations are to make the switch from<br />
analog to digital signals... Meanwhile,<br />
back to the PR war, the broadcasters –<br />
united under a Local <strong>TV</strong> Matters<br />
banner <strong>and</strong> responding to a BDU<br />
campaign of what they call “misleading<br />
information,” is encouraging Canadians<br />
to st<strong>and</strong> up against providers' threats to<br />
again hike basic cable fees <strong>and</strong> pass<br />
costs along to consumers. "It is<br />
unfortunate the cable <strong>and</strong> satellite<br />
providers have resorted to scare tactics<br />
<strong>and</strong> misleading information," said Paul<br />
Sparkes, the Exec VP, Corporate<br />
Affairs at C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia.<br />
ACCOUNT MANAGER POSITION<br />
GRAND FALLS WINDSOR N.L.<br />
Steele Communications, a division of Newcap <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>and</strong> a leader in radio broadcasting,<br />
seeks to attract multi-talented, diverse individuals to our sales team for 620 VOCM <strong>and</strong><br />
101.3/102.3 K-Rock in Gr<strong>and</strong> Falls Windsor N. L. We provide a sales training program <strong>and</strong><br />
mentor new employees.<br />
The Account Manager will manage current accounts <strong>and</strong> attract new clients. The position<br />
requires a person with some previous sales experience who:<br />
– Underst<strong>and</strong>s the basic principles of marketing <strong>and</strong> enjoys the challenges of selling<br />
– Is confident about their ability to attract new clients<br />
– Has strong interpersonal skills <strong>and</strong> is an effective problem solver<br />
– Can underst<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> interpret client needs<br />
– Demonstrates creativity in making sales presentations <strong>and</strong> is versatile in computer skills.<br />
Steele Communications is a progressive employer with an attractive compensation <strong>and</strong><br />
benefits package. Our work culture respects differences, <strong>and</strong> supports balancing work <strong>and</strong><br />
home life. Come work for a company that believes that our biggest resource is our people.<br />
Reply in confidence by October 18, 2009 to:<br />
General Manager, Steele Communications,<br />
P.O. Box 620<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong> falls-Windsor NL A2A 2K2<br />
or click dhillier@vocm.com<br />
Steele Communications values diversity in its workforce <strong>and</strong> is committed to Employee<br />
Equity. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however, only those who are<br />
considered for an interview will be contacted.
Thursday, October 8, 2009 Page 3<br />
"Consumers already pay for local <strong>TV</strong>," said Steve Guiton, CBC's Chief Regulatory Officer. "Cable <strong>and</strong> satellite<br />
companies have chosen to intimidate consumers with increases on basic cable rates <strong>and</strong> threats of more fee<br />
hikes.” John Pollard, CEO at CHEK Media Group in Victoria says "Cable <strong>and</strong> satellite providers take our signals<br />
for free <strong>and</strong> charge Canadians for them, making billions in profits.” <strong>and</strong> Charlotte Bell, Global's Sr VP of<br />
Regulatory <strong>and</strong> Government Affairs, says “the current campaign of misinformation only confirms the need to protect<br />
consumers from cable <strong>and</strong> satellite companies by regulating the cost of basic services.” Local <strong>TV</strong> Matters also<br />
asserts that the BDUs are paying over $300 million a year to U.S. cable channels. Executives from A Channel,<br />
CBC, C<strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> Global Television will hold an extraordinary news conference this morning in Toronto. On h<strong>and</strong><br />
will be Paul Sparkes (C<strong>TV</strong>), Peggy Hebden (A Barrie), Charlotte Bell (Global) <strong>and</strong> Bill Chambers (CBC)...<br />
Absent from Local <strong>TV</strong> Matters is Rogers Communications, owner of the Citytv <strong>and</strong> OMNI stations, <strong>and</strong><br />
Quebecor, owner of the <strong>TV</strong>A television network in Quebec <strong>and</strong> Sun <strong>TV</strong> Toronto. Quebecor also owns Videotron<br />
Cable... CBS has ordered another 13 episodes of C<strong>TV</strong>'s cop SWAT drama, Flashpoint. The show debuted on both<br />
networks in 2008... While Jay Leno’s new show on NBC is stuck in last place, David Letterman’s CBS late night<br />
offering has never had better ratings. His affairs with employees <strong>and</strong> the alleged extortion plot have proven to be<br />
an even bigger draw. This week’s Monday night Nielsen’s show Letterman was up 36% over last Monday, <strong>and</strong><br />
up 19% over his season-to-date average.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Terry Williams has been hired as PD of LITE 92.9 Halifax. Most recently, Williams was<br />
PD at the local CHUM stations, CJCH <strong>and</strong> C-100. Williams is already on the job at the newest Rogers radio<br />
station... Rogers Vancouver has named Murray Brookshaw PD of its JACK-FM (CKLG) <strong>and</strong> FM 104.9<br />
(CKCL). Brookshaw was with CHUM Windsor for 20 years before joining Newcap Calgary... Michelle Pereira,<br />
the <strong>Sales</strong> Manager at HANK-FM (CHNK)/CKJS Winnipeg has moved to CHUM <strong>Radio</strong> Winnipeg as Agency<br />
Liaison... Kath Thompson has been appointed PD/MD at MIX 97.7 Calgary. It’s a promotion from her position<br />
as APD. Thompson’s background includes CBC, CHEZ 106 Ottawa, The Bear Ottawa (now Virgin) <strong>and</strong> Sound<br />
Source Networks... Stephen Tapp, a former President/COO of XM Satellite <strong>Radio</strong> Canada <strong>and</strong> an Exec with<br />
CHUM Television, has been appointed CEO at Cineflix Rights... Julie James, who moved back east from her<br />
PD position at JOE-FM Edmonton for reasons not related to professional, is doing weekend <strong>and</strong> swing shifts at<br />
CHFI Toronto as well as assisting in the programming <strong>and</strong> music departments.<br />
SIGN-OFF: Lorie McNaughton of lymphoma in Calgary. The former CBC-<strong>TV</strong> Host was diagnosed with<br />
cancer more than a year ago. McNaughton worked at CKSA Lloydminster, CBC-<strong>TV</strong> Regina, CBC-<strong>TV</strong><br />
Winnipeg <strong>and</strong> anchored Canada Now in Calgary from 1999 to 2003.
Thursday, October 8, 2009 Page 4<br />
RADIO: John Yerxa's HOT 107 (CJNW-FM) Edmonton launched Tuesday. Located at the West Edmonton<br />
Mall (with the Newcap <strong>Radio</strong> Edmonton), HOT 107's format is Current Pop <strong>and</strong> Dance, targeting females<br />
15-34. Right now, ahead of an announce staff, 10,000 songs in a row are on the air. The PD is Russell<br />
James, GSM is Bill Shepansky <strong>and</strong> Promotions & Marketing Director is Faaiza Ramji... Rawlco <strong>Radio</strong> will<br />
become the 22nd member of the Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame Oct. 24 in Saskatoon. The Business Hall<br />
of Fame recognizes those businesses which have demonstrated excellence over an extended period of time <strong>and</strong><br />
which have contributed significantly to the economic well being of Saskatchewan <strong>and</strong> its residents. Rawlco owns<br />
<strong>and</strong> operates 12 radio stations in the province... The CRTC has approved The Jewel (CJWL-FM) Ottawa’s<br />
application to increase the average effective radiated power from 485 watts to 1,100 watts <strong>and</strong> to decrease the<br />
effective height of the antenna above average terrain from 117.5 metres to 100.5 metres... Newcap-owned Magic<br />
99.9 (CJUK-FM) Thunder Bay will be moving to a Class A1 designation after the CRTC approved a power<br />
increase. The station goes from 37- to 250- watts... Union Gap, Washington Mayor Jim Lemon spoke with Gary<br />
Puckett on <strong>Radio</strong> NL 610 AM Kamloops earlier this week. Although Puckett now lives in Canada, he’s originally<br />
from Yakima, not far from Union Gap. And because his group is named after the small Washington town, the<br />
station thought it’d be fun to put the mayor <strong>and</strong> Puckett together. Gary Puckett <strong>and</strong> the Union Gap, you may<br />
recall, have such Gold hits as Young Girl, Woman, Lady Willpower <strong>and</strong> Young Girl. Mayor Lemon declared last<br />
Monday to be Gary Puckett Day in Union Gap.<br />
LOOKING: CHUM-FM Toronto – Afternoon Drive Host; CHOM 97,7 Montreal – Morning Co-Host/News<br />
Announcer; CTS Edmonton - Camera operator/editor; CBC Toronto – Managing Director; Teletoon<br />
Toronto – Director of Marketing; Global Toronto – Executive Producer News; CBC Br<strong>and</strong>on –<br />
Reporter/Editor English <strong>Radio</strong>; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Toronto – Director, Local Interactive <strong>Sales</strong>; Astral<br />
Media <strong>Radio</strong> Hamilton – Creative Writer; C<strong>TV</strong> London – Finance Manager; CHLW St. Paul - News<br />
Anchor/Morning Show Co-host; Newcap Television, Lloydminster - Videographer; <strong>and</strong> CKOI 104,5 FM Sherbrooke<br />
– Directeur de programmation.<br />
NEW SUBSCRIBERS THIS WEEK INCLUDE: Curtis Pippin, Integrated Tower Solutions, Saskatoon.<br />
Welcome!<br />
EDITOR’S NOTE: Duff Roman’s article – <strong>Radio</strong> at the crossroads – again – in the October <strong>Broadcast</strong><br />
<strong>Dialogue</strong> magazine did not give his contact e-mail address. It is duffromanmedia@bell.net.<br />
Jeff Rose-Martl<strong>and</strong>, who has written volumes in the <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> magazine,<br />
has a new book out. Game Misconduct (ISBN: 978-0-557-09236-9) is available through<br />
amazon.ca or, alternatively, it can be ordered from BetterWorld books by clicking:<br />
http://www.betterworldbooks.com/detail.aspx?ItemId=0557092361.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
October 15, 2009 Volume 17, Number 21 Page One of Three<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: The PR battle for hearts, minds <strong>and</strong> cheque books continues between Canada’s <strong>TV</strong> broadcasters<br />
<strong>and</strong> the BDUs. The latest was a new campaign launched at week’s end by Local <strong>TV</strong> Matters – comprised<br />
of C<strong>TV</strong>, Global, CBC, A Channel <strong>and</strong> CHEK Victoria – calling proposed new fees “critical” for the survival<br />
of OTA television. The cable <strong>and</strong> satellite providers say that could cost their customers up to $10 a month.<br />
Upwards of 30 local <strong>TV</strong> stations, say the broadcasters, are at “immediate risk” if they can't convince BDUs to begin<br />
paying for local programming. Conventional <strong>TV</strong> providers saw their profits plummet by almost 93% in 2008. C<strong>TV</strong><br />
VP, Corporate Affair Paul Sparkes says the BDUs are taking private <strong>TV</strong>’s content, selling it to subscribers <strong>and</strong><br />
that there’s nary a thought given to the content providers who do the heavy lifting. Global’s Charlotte Bell, the Sr.<br />
VP of Regulatory <strong>and</strong> Government Affairs, says it’s the price of doing business, that suppliers of product need to<br />
be paid. The BDUs (Bell, Bell Aliant, Cogeco, EastLink, Rogers <strong>and</strong> Telus), on the other h<strong>and</strong>, have a<br />
campaign called Stop the <strong>TV</strong> Tax. Their collective position is that the broadcasters already get enough money<br />
from the LPIF (Local Programming Improvement Fund). This, they claim, is just asking for more h<strong>and</strong>outs. The<br />
CRTC has two hearings coming up on<br />
fee-for-carriage; Nov. 16 to work on<br />
determining the value of broadcasters'<br />
signals, <strong>and</strong> on Dec. 7, to allow for public<br />
comments on whether a fee should be<br />
implemented. The Department of<br />
Canadian Heritage issued an order-incouncil<br />
asking the CRTC to take<br />
consumer feedback on the financial<br />
implication into consideration, then report<br />
back. Heritage Minister James Moore<br />
was quoted as saying that the<br />
Commission will not impose fee-forcarriage<br />
without the government’s<br />
consent... .. Meanwhile, the PPM has<br />
energized the Canadian <strong>TV</strong> industry. For<br />
example, the numbers for House: 4.4<br />
million on Global Sept. 21, by far the<br />
highest ratings in the show’s history.<br />
While ratings seemed to be trending<br />
down the last few seasons, they are now<br />
higher than ever. The second episode of<br />
House drew 3.5 million. Survivor returned<br />
to 3.1 million <strong>and</strong> Grey's Anatomy was<br />
back with over three million. Canadian<br />
specialty networks are up, too. BBM<br />
Canada President/CEO Jim MacLeod<br />
was quoted as saying that the new PPM<br />
data is finding viewers “we were blind to
Thursday, October 15, 2009 Page 2<br />
before.” The pager-size PPM receptor follows people wherever they’re watching <strong>TV</strong> thus adding upwards of 12%<br />
more viewers – from homes of friends, at bars, etc. – to the total audience picture. Overall <strong>TV</strong> ratings are up at<br />
least 20% so far, attributed to a bigger survey panel (4,350 homes, up about a thous<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> including around<br />
9,000 individuals), more strategic neighbourhood placement <strong>and</strong>, the receptor’s ease of use. One glitch, however,<br />
has been discovered in rating late night <strong>TV</strong>. Numbers are down. One possible reason is that the device is not being<br />
carried <strong>and</strong> is, instead, in a docking-station mode. When that happens, it’s not recording a person’s viewing habits,<br />
particularly when he or she is in bed... Canwest Global Communications wants its restructuring to be dealt with<br />
quickly but is facing stern resistance from U.S. investment firm Goldman Sachs. It’s afraid that a multibillion-dollar<br />
agreement with Canwest could be jeopardized by too speedy a process. Yesterday (Wednesday), Canwest made<br />
its first appearance in a Toronto court since filing for creditor protection last week. Lawyers for the company set<br />
out a timetable that could see it exit the restructuring process by the end of January. A lawyer for the courtappointed<br />
monitor of Canwest's restructuring said that neither the company nor Goldman should use time as a<br />
weapon to pursue their own interests. Judge Sarah Pepall approved the proposed time frame for Canwest's<br />
restructuring, but told Goldman's lawyer that he will be allowed to address any future concerns over the length of<br />
the process... The Crystal Award winners of the 21st annual Women in Film & Televison-Toronto, to be<br />
presented Nov. 30, are: Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Achievement – Christine Shipton, Sr VP, Drama/Factual Content, Canwest;<br />
Creative Excellence – Tassie Cameron, Screenwriter & Producer; Mentorship – Lisa Meeches, Exec Producer,<br />
President, Eagle Vision, Meeches Video Production; <strong>and</strong> Special Jury Award of Distinction – Christa Singer,<br />
Independent Producer & Director (retired)... Astral Media has launched The Movie Network OnLine. It allows<br />
subscribers who receive their home service through Bell <strong>TV</strong> to watch the channel’s content on their computers<br />
at no added cost. Authentication <strong>and</strong> access are linked to the subscriber, rather than to the home Internet<br />
connection, enabling users to stream content to their laptops, or any other computer on a high-speed connection<br />
in Canada.<br />
RADIO: The CRTC has approved a second radio station for the Evanov <strong>Radio</strong> Group’s HFX <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing<br />
in Halifax. The new FM’er will join CKHZ-FM Halifax <strong>and</strong> will program Adult Album Alternative at 105.1 with<br />
power of 32,000 watts. Other applicants in Halifax – all denied – were Acadia <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing, Frank Torres<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Parrsboro <strong>Radio</strong> Society, which sought a power bump for its CICR-FM Parrsboro, a low-power<br />
community station. The Commission said HFX’s application will provide Evanov with the synergies needed to<br />
compete with CHUM <strong>Radio</strong> Halifax, MBS Halifax, Newcap Halifax/Dartmouth <strong>and</strong> Rogers Halifax... 660News<br />
Calgary, the Rogers-owned station, donated a new scholarship to the <strong>Radio</strong>-Television News Directors<br />
Foundation (of Canada) to be known as the 660 News Diversity Scholarship. It will be awarded to a student<br />
enrolled in any year of a qualified <strong>Broadcast</strong> Journalism program who submits a story, feature or series, which best<br />
explores the issue of diversity... Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>Sales</strong> is the national rep for John Yerxa’s new station, Hot<br />
107 Edmonton... Up on the stage at the KISS concert in Oshawa – twice – was 94.9 The Rock Oshawa, which<br />
won a rate “Presents” designation for the event.
Thursday, October 15, 2009 Page 3<br />
GENERAL: Leaders of the Associated Press <strong>and</strong> News Corporation say it’s time for search engines <strong>and</strong><br />
bloggers to pay for content. At a meeting of 300 media leaders in Beijing, the AP’s Tom Curley <strong>and</strong> Rupert<br />
Murdoch of News Corp., told delegates that they are among news companies which have not been fairly<br />
compensated for their articles, photos <strong>and</strong> video. The content creators, said Curley, have been too slow to “react<br />
to the free exploitation of news by third parties without input or permission.” He said they’ve got to “quickly <strong>and</strong><br />
decisively” take back control from the likes of Wikipedia, Youtube <strong>and</strong> Facebook. The AP plans to roll out a<br />
system that will track its content online <strong>and</strong> detect unlicensed uses... Angus Reid Strategies has been re-br<strong>and</strong>ed<br />
as Vision Critical <strong>and</strong> Jeff Vidler’s title is now Sr. VP & Managing Director, <strong>Radio</strong> Research. He may be reached<br />
at jeff.vidler@visioncritical.com ... The Edmonton chapter of Canadian Women in Communications invites<br />
those in the area to attend Adaptation, Success or Extinction? Underst<strong>and</strong>ing the Impact of the Evolving<br />
Communications Trends <strong>and</strong> Industry on Your Career Nov. 17 at Grant MacEwan University. For details, click<br />
cwcafc@cwc-afc.com ...<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Score Media management promotions include: Asha Daniere to Sr VP <strong>and</strong> General<br />
Counsel; Don Moen to Sr VP, <strong>Sales</strong>; Sam Nasrawi to VP, Creative Services; <strong>and</strong> Greg Sansone to VP,<br />
Television... New Station/<strong>Sales</strong> Manager at The Eagle 100.9 (CKUV)/AM 1140 (CHRB) High River is Tara<br />
DeWitt... Al Ford has been appointed Ops Mgr for the Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> Edmonton properties. He remains PD at<br />
SONiC 1029 Edmonton... Greg Murphy, Chair, School of Contemporary Media at Fanshawe College in London<br />
has moved to Durham College in Oshawa as Dean, School of Media, Art & Design... Ian Caldwell returned to<br />
C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto as Managing Editor. He’d held that position for several years before leaving two years ago... Andrew<br />
Hopkins, ex of NL <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing Kamloops, moves to the Peace Region as News Director at Astral Media<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> Fort St. John... Former CJME Regina Anchor/Reporter Geoff Smith moved to sister Rawlco stations<br />
CJNB/Q98/93.3 The Rock North Battleford as ND... Rob McBride moved to WIRED 96.3FM (CFWD-FM)<br />
Saskatoon as Station Engineer. He hade been with sister Harvard stations The Fox/GX94 Yorkton... New<br />
morning show Co-host at 103.9 MAX FM Moncton is JC Coutts, ex pm drive Host at The 101.7 ONE Wingham...<br />
LOOKING: CHUM Brockville – News Coordinator/morning Co-host; C<strong>TV</strong> News Toronto – Manager,<br />
Communications; BNN Toronto – Studio Technician; C<strong>TV</strong> Edmonton – Graphic Artist; CHUM Kingston<br />
– Account Executive; Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Calgary – Promotions Coordinator; Ocean 100/K-Rock 105.5<br />
Charlottetown – On-Air Talent; Steele Communications St. John’s – Web Designer; CBC Yellowknife<br />
– Producer; CBC Montreal – a Manager, Studios Operations, a Director, National <strong>and</strong> Multiplatform <strong>Sales</strong> <strong>and</strong> an<br />
Intermediate Audio Technician; CBC Toronto – Director, <strong>Broadcast</strong> Engineering; National Account Manager; <strong>and</strong><br />
CBC Winnipeg – Producer, English Newsgathering<br />
NEW SUBSCRIBERS THIS WEEK INCLUDE: Geoff Thrasher, CHCH-<strong>TV</strong> Hamilton. Welcome!
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
October 22, 2009 Volume 17, Number 22 Page One of Three<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Elizabeth Roscoe, the Exec VP Strategic Policy & Public Affairs Planning at the<br />
Canadian Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers, leaves that post in two weeks time. She’s headed to Hill &<br />
Knowlton in Ottawa Nov. 2 as Sr. VP, Client Services... C<strong>TV</strong> National Deputy Bureau Chief Rosemary<br />
Thompson has resigned that position <strong>and</strong> will move to Ottawa’s National Arts Centre as Director of<br />
Communications <strong>and</strong> Public Affairs. She starts her new job Nov. 2... Vince Cownden, the PD at Lite 96 (CHFM-<br />
FM) Calgary – after 45 years in the business – has announced his early retirement, effective Dec. 31. Cownden<br />
began his career at C-FAX Victoria when he was 18, continuing his career’s journey with stops at radio stations<br />
in Vancouver, Winnipeg <strong>and</strong> Calgary... Natasha Rapchuk, ND at Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Calgary, has resigned after 10<br />
years with the company. She’s moving to Toronto for family reasons. Her last day at QR77 will be Dec. 11... New<br />
Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Manager at CKPC-AM/FM Brantford is Simon Constam, ex of The Wave Hamilton. He begins Nov.<br />
2. Peter Jackman remains VP <strong>Sales</strong>/GM of the stations... SHORE 104 Vancouver has lost a member of its<br />
morning show. Hugh (Moose) Evans <strong>and</strong> his family have decided to return to Engl<strong>and</strong>. Beginning Nov. 3, veteran<br />
Steve Dunbar moves from middays to mornings <strong>and</strong> Gord Rutherford moves from weekend/swing to middays.<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: N<strong>TV</strong> (CJON-<strong>TV</strong>) St. John’s <strong>and</strong> V Quebec are the newest members in the Local <strong>TV</strong> Matters<br />
campaign. They join C<strong>TV</strong>, 'A', CBC, Global <strong>and</strong> CHEK NEWS. Meanwhile, Global, C<strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> CBC say<br />
zero is an appropriate fee for consumers to pay to support local programming, not the $5 to $10<br />
monthly that cable providers say it would cost subscribers if the CRTC moves to have BDUs pay for<br />
over-the-air signals. Rogers Communications Vice-Chairman Phil Lind says his company doesn’t have “the flex”<br />
to afford fee for carriage. He says Rogers’ margins on cable are slim while satellite providers like BCE struggle<br />
to turn a profit. The broadcasters will ask the Commission to let them have the right to negotiate with BDUs on fees<br />
for OTA signals at a hearing beginning Nov. 16. A decision is expect ahead of next spring's licence renewals (see<br />
the radio angle in RADIO). The <strong>TV</strong> Alliance – an ad hoc non-partisan coalition of consumers – has called on
Thursday, October 22, 2009 Page 2<br />
Heritage Minister James Moore to provide fair treatment <strong>and</strong> a<br />
level playing field for meaningful consumer participation in the<br />
upcoming public hearing on billing practices for <strong>TV</strong> services. The<br />
group contends that consumers are being denied fair treatment<br />
in the process. Nine out of 10 Canadian households subscribe<br />
to either cable or satellite. The feds ordered the Commission to<br />
hold public hearings Dec. 7 so that consumers may table their<br />
opinions... Canwest Global has been ordered to file a report<br />
detailing how much money is in the pension plan for retired staff<br />
of CHCH-<strong>TV</strong> Hamilton. The 100 affected retirees have been<br />
dem<strong>and</strong>ing the information since Canwest sold the station <strong>and</strong><br />
said it would walk away from the underfunded pension plan. The<br />
order from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial<br />
Institutions requires Canwest to detail how much money will be<br />
needed to meet the plan's obligations... Canwest has launched<br />
specialty service DIY Network Canada, geared toward home<br />
improvement projects... The National Film Board of Canada<br />
has launched an iPhone application that will allow the viewing<br />
of documentaries, animations <strong>and</strong> alternative dramas as well as<br />
trailers, upcoming online releases <strong>and</strong> playlists. Personal use is<br />
free-of-charge... For a complete listing of Gemini Award winners<br />
from this past weekend, click<br />
http://www.geminiawards.ca/gemini24/main.cfm.<br />
RADIO: Local <strong>TV</strong> Matters issued a talk radio challenge this<br />
past week, encouraging special reports on the debate<br />
(see <strong>TV</strong>/FILM). Members believe that consumers will fall<br />
on their side of the fence once they talk <strong>and</strong> learn about<br />
the issues. <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> posed this question to<br />
Canada’s call-in-based radio stations: Will (or has) your Talk<br />
station done a phone-in program on the <strong>TV</strong>/BDU debate? Of<br />
stations responding, 38% said they had not done such a show<br />
<strong>and</strong>, further, that they had no plans of doing so. Six per-cent of<br />
stations said they will attempt to do one in the near future,<br />
bringing both sides together in a “face-off”. And, 56% of stations<br />
said that they had already dealt with the debate but may revisit<br />
the issue... 99.1 CKXS-FM Wallaceburg hit the air on Tuesday,<br />
beginning with upwards of 3,000 Adult Rock tunes played<br />
commercial-free. Co-GM Greg Hetherington says a gr<strong>and</strong><br />
opening, including station tours, will take place Nov. 7. Gary<br />
Patterson shares GM responsibilities... Joe Easingwood of C-<br />
COMING SOON!<br />
The November Edition of<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong><br />
magazine has all kinds<br />
of surprises.<br />
Watch for it to<br />
arrive soon... or...<br />
Pick up an edition at<br />
the Western Association of<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> Engineers<br />
Annual Convention in Calgary<br />
November 7 - 10.<br />
FAX Victoria, has had his own “Day” as proclaimed by Dean Fortin, the city’s mayor. Easingwood, now<br />
celebrating 55 years as an on-air Host, was feted for his service to the community <strong>and</strong> for his being “one of our<br />
most prominent <strong>and</strong> recognizable citizens”... The Impact of New Technology on <strong>Radio</strong> Revenue, an Ontario<br />
Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers panel discussion, will follow the OAB Awards Luncheon in Toronto Oct. 28 (see<br />
the ad on Page 1). The session may be attended separate from the luncheon. For details, click on the e-mail<br />
address within the ad.<br />
GENERAL: There are some visual <strong>and</strong> aural changes coming up at CBC next Monday. The public network<br />
will launch a 10-minute late-night local newscast <strong>and</strong> a 10-minute online version of The National, available<br />
online from 6 p.m.. Further, The National itself will have a new look <strong>and</strong> a new format. CBC Newsworld<br />
will be renamed CBC News Network (CBC NN). The rationale behind the changes is to prepare for<br />
consumers’ dem<strong>and</strong>s for news from a variety of sources while also providing news 24/7. More than 1,000 people<br />
within the CBC News organization have been reassigned to accommodate the changes to <strong>TV</strong>, radio <strong>and</strong> online
Thursday, October 22, 2009 Page 3<br />
news. At CBC <strong>Radio</strong>, an extra edition of World Report, the national morning radio newscast... <strong>Radio</strong>-Canada<br />
employees in Quebec <strong>and</strong> Moncton, without a contract since March 29, have ratified a new deal. It calls for a 1.5%<br />
pay increase over a three-year term <strong>and</strong> some concessions for contract <strong>and</strong> temporary employees... With<br />
Canadian broadcasters being major users of the Internet to distribute <strong>and</strong> stream programming, the CRTC decision<br />
regarding throttling traffic becomes an imperative. The Commission introduced a framework to guide ISPs in their<br />
use of Internet traffic management practices while also setting forth requirements that they inform consumers of<br />
their practices. CRTC Chair Konrad von Finckenstein said: “Our framework will foster an environment where<br />
ISPs, application providers <strong>and</strong> users have the utmost freedom to innovate.” ISPs are now required to inform retail<br />
customers at least 30 days, <strong>and</strong> wholesale customers at least 60 days, before an Internet traffic management<br />
practice takes effect, <strong>and</strong> how that practice will affect them... Internet advertising appears to be regaining<br />
momentum even as broadcast <strong>and</strong> print remains in a slump. Lauren Rich Fine, a Kent State professor <strong>and</strong> longtime<br />
media analyst, says the reality is that much of the advertising in long-established media will never rebound<br />
to pre-recession levels. But even when advertisers do use mainline media vehicles, they’ll also use the web<br />
because, experts say, a straight line can be drawn from the time people hear or see an ad to when they do an<br />
online search for that company. PricewaterhouseCoopers <strong>and</strong> Wilkofsky Gruen Associates say that these<br />
trends will see <strong>TV</strong> remain on top through 2013, with $168 billion, or 36% of the global ad market, down from 35%<br />
in 2004. Newspapers would still be No. 2, but their $92 billion in ad revenues is projected to account for 20% of<br />
the global ad market, down from 28% in 2004. Internet advertising is projected to be 19%, or nearly $87 billion,<br />
of the 2013 worldwide ad market, up from 4%, or about $18 billion, in 2004... <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers honoured in B.C.<br />
during the 23rd Jack Webster Awards were: Bruce Hutchison Lifetime Achievement Award – Bill Good; Best<br />
Reporting of the Year - <strong>Radio</strong> – Steve Lus, Paisley Woodward, <strong>and</strong> Jennifer Leask, CBC <strong>Radio</strong>; Best Reporting<br />
of the Year - Television – Kathy Tomlinson, Enza Uda, Eric Rankin <strong>and</strong> Paisley Woodward, CBC News at Six;<br />
Best Reporting Chinese Language – Winnie Hwo <strong>and</strong> Claudia Lau, Fairchild <strong>TV</strong> News; Best Feature - <strong>Radio</strong><br />
– Curt Petrovich, CBC <strong>Radio</strong>; Best Feature - Television – Frédéric Zalac <strong>and</strong> Alex Shprintsen, CBC/<strong>Radio</strong>-<br />
Canada; Jack Webster Business, Industry & Economics Award – Shannon Paterson, C<strong>TV</strong> British Columbia;<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Jack Webster Award for Excellence in Online Journalism:– The CBC News Team, CBC News. The Jack<br />
Webster Foundation was established in 1986 to recognize excellence in journalism in British Columbia... RTDNA<br />
doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily as RTNDA but, in the States, the <strong>Radio</strong>-Television News Directors<br />
Association is now the <strong>Radio</strong> Television Digital News Association. Association Chairman Stacey Woelfel says<br />
there may have been a thought by those who aren’t NDs that the association isn’t meant for them. The new name<br />
reflects that RTDNA is for all electronic journalists.<br />
SUPPLYLINES: Tim Thorsteinson is stepping down as President of Harris. The company says he’s going<br />
to "pursue other interests". A search is in progress for a successor... Rohde & Schwarz Canada is<br />
collaborating with Moseley <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Communications Research Centre (CRC) to create one<br />
of North America's first single-frequency network (SFN) test beds for both ATSC fixed <strong>and</strong> mobile digital<br />
television (ATSC Mobile D<strong>TV</strong>). The research <strong>and</strong> development agreement is being conducted under the auspices<br />
of the CRC.<br />
LOOKING: Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Calgary – News Director; Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Kingston – Account Executive; Energy<br />
101.5 Calgary – Morning Show Co-Host/Announcer; C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto - Mobile Engineering Technician; C<strong>TV</strong><br />
Edmonton – Reporter/Producer; C<strong>TV</strong> Canada AM – Overnight Writer; <strong>TV</strong>O Toronto – Manager, Digital<br />
Media Services; CBC Toronto – Associate Producer (Interactive) <strong>and</strong> an Executive Producer Newsworld;<br />
CBC Iqaluit – Reporter/Editor; CBC Yellowknife – Producer; <strong>and</strong>, CBC Ottawa – Senior Director, Shared<br />
Services.<br />
NEW SUBSCRIBERS THIS WEEK INCLUDE: Curtis Pippin, Integrated Tower Systems, Saskatoon,<br />
Scott Hammond, Hammond Manufacturing, Guelph <strong>and</strong> Andrew Alex<strong>and</strong>er, For-A Corporation of<br />
Canada, Toronto. Welcome!
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
October 29, 2009 Volume 17, Number 23 Page One of Three<br />
RADIO: SHORE FM Vancouver, on the air for just five months, has won the award for Cause Related Benefit<br />
at the B.C. Events Awards Group for the Vancouver Adapted Music Society’s VAMS Music Saves Video<br />
project. It was developed to create awareness of VAMS <strong>and</strong> the work it does to help create a level playing<br />
field for the disabled. See the video by clicking shore104.com. It opens with SHORE FM Saturday night<br />
Host Jim Byrnes, himself a legendary blues singer, who lost both legs in a car accident some years ago... Rawlco<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> in Saskatoon has raised more than $340,000 in its 10th Annual C95 <strong>Radio</strong> Marathon for Breast Cancer<br />
research – a record. All proceeds go to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency... Lloyd FM Lloydminster morning<br />
Host Kurt Price has won the City Ambassador Award at the local Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala. The<br />
award is presented annually to the person who best promotes <strong>and</strong> represents Lloydminster in a positive manor....<br />
FM 95.9 (CJWF-FM) Windsor will, says management, launch by mid-November. PD Rod Martens says local<br />
news will be a programming staple as evidenced by the sell line, Windsor’s interactive Local News connection...<br />
The CRTC has approved CBC <strong>Radio</strong>’s application to flip CFWH Whitehorse to FM at 94.5 with power of 3,300<br />
watts. The new FM’er will continue to rebroadcast on the Whitehorse signal on transmitters at: Watson Lake, Mayo,<br />
Elsa, Teslin, Beaver Creek, Swift River,<br />
Carmacks, Ross River, Atlin, Faro,<br />
Destruction Bay, Haines Junction <strong>and</strong><br />
Dawson City... CD 98.9 Simcoe’s <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Norfolk General Hospital’s Lend A H<strong>and</strong><br />
radiothon raised $117,096.29. CD 98.9<br />
broadcast the radiothon Oct. 21 over a 12hour<br />
period from the Simcoe Town<br />
Centre... At the British Columbia Country<br />
Music Association Awards this past<br />
weekend, broadcast winners were: On-Air<br />
Personality of the Year (604) Area Code:<br />
Curtis Pope, Country 107.1 Abbotsford;<br />
On-Air Personality of the Year (250) Area<br />
Code: Kelly Moore, Country 103.1<br />
Kamloops; <strong>and</strong> <strong>Radio</strong> Station of the Year:<br />
93.7 JR FM Vancouver.<br />
GENERAL: The Ontario<br />
Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers<br />
Community Service Awards<br />
Luncheon yesterday (Wednesday)<br />
in Toronto saw presentations made to: the<br />
winner in Small Market <strong>Radio</strong> – 104.1FM<br />
The Dock Midl<strong>and</strong>; the winners in Large<br />
Market <strong>Radio</strong> – K-Rock Kingston <strong>and</strong><br />
Durham <strong>Radio</strong> Oshawa (tie); <strong>and</strong> the<br />
winner in Large Market Television –<br />
Global Toronto... Astral Media lost
Thursday, October 29, 2009 Page 2<br />
Coming Up in<br />
The November<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong><br />
$273.6 million in the fourth quarter because of a large<br />
impairment charge on its radio licences which wiped out<br />
operating profits. The $4.87 per share net loss for the<br />
quarter ended Aug. 31 compared to a 68% profit a year<br />
earlier when Astral earned nearly $39 million. Earnings<br />
before the net non-cash charge of $317.5 million<br />
increased 7% to $43.9 million, or 78 cents a share, from<br />
$40.8 million or 72 cents a year earlier. While revenues<br />
decreased 5% to $219.4 million from $229.9 million, the<br />
results beat expectations. Analysts had been expecting<br />
68 cents of adjusted earnings on $221 million of<br />
revenues... Rogers Communications reports a strong<br />
third-quarter thanks to the Apple iPhone. While there<br />
were declines in Rogers’ media sector, overall revenue at<br />
the cable, Internet, wireless <strong>and</strong> media company edged<br />
up 2% to $3.03-billion, compared with $2.98-million last<br />
year. Rogers reported that profit far exceeded<br />
expectations: $485-million or 79 cents a share for the<br />
quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to year-earlier<br />
earnings of $495-million or 78 cents a share. After<br />
adjustments, the company's profit totalled $505-million or<br />
82 cents a share, up from 73 cents a year earlier... Shaw<br />
Communications’ net income was $124 million or 29<br />
cents a share for the three months ended Aug. 31, down<br />
6.3% from $132.3 million or 31 cents a share in the yearago<br />
period... Still with Shaw, the CRTC approved its<br />
application to buy Hamilton’s Mountain Cablevision,<br />
thus giving the westerner a foothold in a part of the<br />
country dominated by Rogers Communications <strong>and</strong><br />
Cogeco Cable... Shaw-owned Corus Entertainment<br />
delivered a slightly higher profit in the fiscal fourth quarter<br />
despite the radio side’s faltering due to the ad squeeze<br />
caused by the recession. Corus posted $18.7 million in profit or 23 cents a share for the period ended Aug. 31,<br />
up from earnings of $17.4 million or 21 cents a share last year. But that was off from analysts expectations of 32<br />
a share for the quarter. Revenue for radio fell to $60 million from $68.5 million last year. But, overall, Corus<br />
revenue for the quarter increased to $195.2 million from $185.8 million as higher sales in <strong>TV</strong> operations more than<br />
offset the radio decline... The Songwriters Association of Canada <strong>and</strong> Astral Media have launched a Web portal<br />
for songwriters <strong>and</strong> composers. It will enable them to share compositions, get advice from the pros <strong>and</strong> offer their<br />
work for sale to media music buyers... Rogers Communications has made a multimillion dollar investment to<br />
become a minority stakeholder in a web video studio being spun off by former Disney Chairman Michael Eisner.<br />
The Vuguru studio had been entirely held within Eisner's private media investment company, Tornante...<br />
Recommendations for improving Ontario’s AMBER Alert Program are now in place. Click<br />
http://files.newswire.ca/380/AMBERAlertReview.pdf to see the entire Review report. Doug Kirk, the President<br />
of the Ontario Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers, says “the OAB is honoured to partner with police on this very<br />
worthwhile initiative <strong>and</strong> believe that the changes to the AMBER Alert will provide police with an enhanced tool to<br />
help keep our children safe". The program was established in 2003 as a cooperative plan between radio <strong>and</strong> <strong>TV</strong><br />
stations, the Ministry of Transportation <strong>and</strong> provincial law enforcement agencies.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Jessica Rankin joins the Q Halifax/Dartmouth morning show Nov. 16, succeeding<br />
Lisa Blackburn, a 15-year Q veteran. Blackburn begins co-hosting Lite 92.9 Halifax mornings in a few<br />
weeks with her husb<strong>and</strong>, Jamie Paterson. Rankin has been in the broadcast business for seven-years,<br />
most recently at Moose FM North Bay... Jamie Petrie, Account Exec for the past five years at Astral Media<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> Hamilton, has been promoted to Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Manager while Michelle Armstrong has been promoted to<br />
Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Manager at Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Niagara... New PD/morning Host at Mountain FM (CKQR-FM)<br />
Castlegar is Justin “Drex” Wilcomes, having moved to Canada from Australia where he also worked in radio.<br />
He succeeds Rudi Parachoniak who went to The River Kamloops last month.
Thursday, October 29, 2009 Page 3<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: Canada’s BDUs continue promoting their message that to rescue local Canadian OTA <strong>TV</strong><br />
broadcasters would be nothing more than an unnecessary <strong>and</strong> costly federal bailout. At the same time, the<br />
Local <strong>TV</strong> Matters association pushes being paid by the BDUs for their signals. Senior Execs from Rogers,<br />
BCE <strong>and</strong> Shaw told a National Post editorial meeting that it’s high time regulators reconsidered the existing<br />
broadcast structure as a whole. The broadcasters’ side sounds good, said BCE Sr. VP Mirko Bibic. “Who doesn’t<br />
want to save local <strong>TV</strong>?” he asked. If the CRTC uses a method put forth in previous hearings that allows<br />
broadcasters to charge 50-cents per local station signal, he said, that would kick some $450-million back between<br />
C<strong>TV</strong>, Global <strong>and</strong> the CBC. “But for what?” Bibic argues. Both sides in the debate have aired aggressive ad<br />
campaigns in the lead-up to the Commission hearing... Meanwhile, in an address to the Ontario Association of<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ers yesterday (Wednesday) in Toronto, CRTC Commissioner Rita Cugini said the Commission will not<br />
reconsider its negative stance on fee-for-carriage. Instead, the matter before the regulator will be whether or not<br />
to allow OTA broadcasters to negotiate fees from the BDUs. The CRTC has two hearings scheduled to deal with<br />
the proposed charges. The first one Nov. 16, is aimed at determining the value of broadcasters' signals, while<br />
another Dec. 7 gives the public a chance to comment on the proposed fees... RTNDA Canada has made its voice<br />
heard in the debate over whether or not over-the-air <strong>TV</strong> should win fee for carriage. It is urging all stakeholders<br />
to “recognize the importance of local television” <strong>and</strong> calls on the CRTC <strong>and</strong> the federal government “to find ways<br />
to ensure that this critical voice for Canadians remains strong <strong>and</strong> clear”... Global Television has CRTC approval<br />
to exp<strong>and</strong> its descriptive video programming commitments to include variety <strong>and</strong> general entertainment/human<br />
interest. They have been added to a list that includes long-form documentaries, dramatic series, sitcoms, theatrical<br />
films among others. Earlier, the Commission opened the door for traditional <strong>TV</strong> broadcasters to exp<strong>and</strong> their<br />
licensing requirements to “take into account requests from persons with disabilities for a wider choice of described<br />
video programming''... The Canadian Paediatric Society says it will not recommend <strong>TV</strong> for children under two<br />
years of age, a reversal of its long-st<strong>and</strong>ing position. The recommendation will change, says Gatineau pediatrician<br />
Danielle Grenier, because all of those things that make up normal development are better “when you have a live<br />
person smiling at the child <strong>and</strong> interacting with the child.” A review of 78 published international studies this year<br />
suggested infant <strong>TV</strong>-viewing can be associated with delayed language, a shortened attention span <strong>and</strong> delayed<br />
cognitive development.<br />
LOOKING: Q99 Gr<strong>and</strong>e Prairie - Producer/Writer; C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia Toronto - VP, Programming, <strong>Radio</strong>; CBC<br />
Edmonton – Managing Director; CBC Montreal – <strong>Sales</strong> <strong>and</strong> Marketing Officer; Teletoon Toronto –<br />
Manager, Traffic; C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia Toronto - Production Manager, Entertainment Group <strong>and</strong> a National<br />
Promotions Associate Manager; BNN Toronto – Chase Producer; C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto – Technical Team Lead<br />
tsn.ca <strong>and</strong> a National Promotions Associate Manager; Canwest <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing Toronto – Manager, Product <strong>and</strong><br />
Content Integration <strong>and</strong> a Web Designer; C<strong>TV</strong> Winnipeg – News Promotion Writer/Producer; CBC Toronto –<br />
Associate Producer (Interactive); Lite 92,9 Halifax - Promotions Director; CJAD Montreal – Producer; Corus<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> Edmonton – Interactive Account Manager; CHUM <strong>Radio</strong> Winnipeg – Creative Writer; <strong>and</strong> CHUM <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Brockville - Morning News Co-Host.<br />
NEW SUBSCRIBERS THIS WEEK INCLUDE: Dale Smith, CBC Mobile Toronto <strong>and</strong> Bruce Dalgamo,<br />
Canon Canada in Toronto <strong>and</strong> Bob Valinski, Omneon, Sunnyvale, Ca. Welcome!<br />
The <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> website <strong>and</strong> all e-mail destined for<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> staffers’ took a nasty hit Monday evening<br />
that lasted through to mid-day Wednesday.<br />
E-mail – sent during that period – did not reach<br />
any of us. If you did send mail to either<br />
Howard, Ingrid, Barry, Jane or Su @ broadcastdialogue.com,<br />
please re-send it. And kindly bear with us as we attempt to<br />
bring the website back up-to-date.<br />
Thank You.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
November 5, 2009 Volume 17, Number 24 Page One of Two<br />
RADIO: Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> has inked a multi-year agreement with Aeroplan to reward their direct radio <strong>and</strong><br />
web clients with Aeroplan Miles when they purchase airtime <strong>and</strong> web space on its 83 radio stations...<br />
Vancouver-based Bohn & Associates Media says it will merge with SparkNet Communications Jan. 1.<br />
Bohn is the 25-year-old Canadian broadcast consultancy <strong>and</strong> SparkNet controls the Jack FM <strong>and</strong> Playing<br />
What We Want radio br<strong>and</strong>s in the U.S. <strong>and</strong> Europe. As SparkNet Communications, under the direction of Pat<br />
Bohn <strong>and</strong> Garry Wall, the company says it will continue to serve <strong>and</strong> advocate for the interests of Canadian<br />
broadcasters <strong>and</strong> the music industry... A jury in Sacramento County has awarded the family of 28-year-old<br />
Jennifer Strange $16.5-million for her death after participating in a KDND-FM Sacramento water-drinking contest.<br />
Strange, a mother of three, died of acute water intoxication after the challenge to see which contestant could drink<br />
the most water without going to the bathroom. The prize was a Nintendo Wii video game for winning the “Hold Your<br />
Wee for a Wii” contest. Ten KDND employees were fired after the death... The Owen Sound Chamber of<br />
Commerce has named Bayshore <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing as its Business of the Year. Cited were Bayshore initiatives over<br />
the past year that included Bayshore's Healthy Tomorrows, a fundraising partnership with seven hospitals; the<br />
launch of an annual environmental forum <strong>and</strong> environmental award; the company's proactive leadership through<br />
the recession; <strong>and</strong> winning an FM licence for Orillia at its first competitive hearing.<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: The DVR is no longer the “death of television”. Instead, more people seem content to sit through<br />
the commercials than networks once thought. Against almost every expectation, nearly half of all people<br />
watching delayed shows are still watching commercial messages. According to Nielsen, 46% of American<br />
18-49s are watching the ads during playback... Nanos Research says a study of more than 1,000<br />
Canadians shows support for local <strong>TV</strong> stations being compensated from cable <strong>and</strong> satellite companies. Nanos<br />
says 70% of respondents agreed with the statement: “Local <strong>TV</strong> stations should receive a portion of the amount<br />
that customers pay on their monthly bill for cable or satellite <strong>TV</strong>”. And C<strong>TV</strong> Exec VP Paul Sparkes says more than<br />
130,000 Canadians submitted comments confirming local <strong>TV</strong> matters as part of the CRTC public consultation<br />
process... CBC/<strong>Radio</strong>-Canada has called for BDUs to offer basic packages of essential <strong>TV</strong> channels at a<br />
regulated price. CBC suggests the introduction of a pared-down package of all-Canadian channels, with the CRTC<br />
determining the minimum content <strong>and</strong> maximum price... Toronto specialty news channel CP24 is taking to the rails<br />
with a new monthly one-hour talk show in a moving streetcar. ON THE ROCKET, with host Adam Giambrone<br />
– also the Toronto Transit Commission Chair – will talk transit via phone with callers-in <strong>and</strong> with viewers being<br />
invited to hop on <strong>and</strong> off the streetcar.<br />
GENERAL: The Canadian Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers will hold an induction ceremony in Ottawa Nov.<br />
30 for eight new members of the CAB Hall of Fame. They are: Rob Braide; Michel Chamberl<strong>and</strong>; Terry<br />
Coles; (the late) Charles Dalfen; Lyndon Friesen; Tony Parsons; Sidney Margles; <strong>and</strong> S<strong>and</strong>y<br />
S<strong>and</strong>erson... An Ontario judge allowed Canwest Global Communications to move the money-losing National<br />
Post into the division that runs its other papers. Canwest said the move is the best hope of saving the newspaper.<br />
A number of Canwest divisions are restructuring under court protection from creditors, that has been extended to<br />
Jan. 22... A little-known numbered company inside Canwest Global is at the heart of a legal battle between<br />
Goldman Sachs <strong>and</strong> the bondholders controlling Canwest. Goldman is asking the courts to rebuild barriers that<br />
separate Canwest's profitable specialty <strong>TV</strong> from its parent. The Wall Street investment bank wants to undo what<br />
it calls a “fraudulent” <strong>and</strong> “abusive” move to rework the internal operation of Canwest in the days before it filed for<br />
creditor protection. Canwest creditors dissolved the numbered company as part of a larger drive to gain control
Thursday, November 5, 2009 Page Two<br />
of the specialty <strong>TV</strong> unit (CW Media Holdings), widely viewed as the most prized asset. CW Media turned in a<br />
$129-million profit over the last nine months <strong>and</strong> is not part of the court-supervised restructuring. Goldman Sachs<br />
owns 36% of the votes in CW Media, <strong>and</strong> 65% of the equity. The CRTC was surprised by the move since it wasn’t<br />
told of the numbered company being dissolved... Meanwhile, Angelo Gordon & Co., one of the biggest U.S.<br />
hedge funds, is building a stake in the bonds of Canwest Global Communications. And that’s fuelling speculation<br />
that the fight with Goldman Sachs over the future of Canwest's specialty channels is about to get even hotter.<br />
Angelo Gordon has been buying Canwest debt since it filed for creditor protection in October. In hedge fund circles,<br />
there's a sense that Canwest's bonds could eventually be worth far more than they currently comm<strong>and</strong>... Defence<br />
Minister Peter MacKay has become engaged to Jana Juginovic, a C<strong>TV</strong> News exec based in Toronto <strong>and</strong> who<br />
is now on a one-year Niemen fellowship at Harvard University in Boston... RTNDA<br />
Canada says its annual award for news videography will now be known as the Hugh<br />
Haugl<strong>and</strong> Award in memory of the veteran C<strong>TV</strong> Montreal cameraman who died in a<br />
helicopter crash this past August. Haugl<strong>and</strong> spent 24 years at C<strong>TV</strong> Montreal <strong>and</strong> was the<br />
son of Bill Haugl<strong>and</strong>, the long-time CFCF-<strong>TV</strong> Montreal Anchor, now retired... “What goes<br />
around comes around” also applies to broadcasting history. As an example, take Charles<br />
Coughlin, a Canadian-born Roman Catholic priest – the <strong>Radio</strong> Priest – who fulminated<br />
against U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt. In his Nov. 2 Globe & Mail column, Jeffrey<br />
Simpson says Coughlin thundered against Roosevelt’s protection of “plutocrats” <strong>and</strong><br />
“Communists” <strong>and</strong> for allowing the U.S. to fall under the sway of international bankers who<br />
were behind the Great Depression. On the first anniversary of President Barack Obama’s<br />
election victory, Simpson says he “has been assaulted by the fiercely ideological,<br />
somewhat paranoid, well-financed <strong>and</strong> media-savvy battalions of the U.S. right. They have<br />
their audiences <strong>and</strong> their causes <strong>and</strong> the closed loops of their supporters.” And he pointed<br />
specifically towards radio <strong>and</strong> <strong>TV</strong> hosts who wonder aloud whether Obama is working to<br />
put the U.S. under a fascist regime <strong>and</strong> others who question whether he’s even an American citizen. Still others<br />
attack him as a Muslim who intends to make the U.S. a “socialist” country.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Ross Hawse, GSM at Newcap <strong>Radio</strong> Edmonton, joins Rawlco <strong>Radio</strong> Edmonton<br />
Nov. 30... Sarah Cummings has been appointed PD at Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong>’s new FM station in Ottawa.<br />
Cummings, of Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Niagara, will divide her time over the next month between the two<br />
locations as she winds up her PD gig at 105.7 EZ Rock/Newstalk 610 CKTB. Succeeding Cummings at the two<br />
St. Catharines stations is Gina Lorentz, the current PD at CKNX-FM Wingham. Also at Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Niagara, Mike Tyler becomes PD at HTZ-FM. His background includes stops at Jack FM Toronto, Y108<br />
Hamilton, The Hawk London <strong>and</strong> CFNY Toronto. Both Lorentz <strong>and</strong> Tyler begin their new jobs Nov. 23...<br />
Teletoon Director of Communications, Pascale Guillotte, departs broadcasting today (Thursday) to join Kids Help<br />
Phone in Toronto as Manager, Communications.<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Helene Tahk, 59, in Pickering, Ont., of cancer. She had been with BBM in Toronto for roughly<br />
15 years as an Account Exec before leaving in 1998 to begin a new business with her husb<strong>and</strong>... Barry<br />
Burgess, 63, in Regina of a degenerative neurological disorder. He spent 35 years with CBC, 25 of them<br />
in Saskatchewan, before retiring in 2002... Alex Moir, 84, in Edmonton. Moir was the supper-hour newscast<br />
Anchor on CBC-<strong>TV</strong> Edmonton for 25 years.<br />
LOOKING: SUN <strong>TV</strong> Toronto - Account Executive; Teletoon Toronto – Director, Communications; Astral<br />
Television Networks Toronto – Account Executive; C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto – Web Developer; CBC Regina -<br />
Associate Producer English <strong>Radio</strong>; CBC Toronto - Manager, Br<strong>and</strong> Development; CBC Moncton –<br />
Supervising Technician; CBC Vancouver - Manager, Production, French Services; <strong>and</strong> MusiquePlus<br />
Montreal - Directeur(trice) technique.<br />
SUPPLYLINES: Mir<strong>and</strong>a Technologies’ third-quarter profit plunged 86%. The company cited lower revenue<br />
as the main reason for the decline.<br />
NEW SUBSCRIBERS THIS WEEK INCLUDE: Dave Russell, Image Video Toronto. Welcome!
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
November 12, 2009 Volume 17, Number 25 Page One of Three<br />
The CRTC has approved the $2 sale of CHEK-<strong>TV</strong> Victoria by Canwest Global to a group of<br />
private investors (the CHEK Media Group) comprised of local investors, 39 station employees <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM:<br />
the Communications Energy <strong>and</strong> Paperworkers Union. Further, the Commission renewed CHEK’s<br />
licence until Aug. 31, 2016. The station now airs seven hours of Canadian programming a day,<br />
including news. The CRTC reviewed the application <strong>and</strong> approved in less than a month’s time, probably a record.<br />
Established in 1956, CHEK-<strong>TV</strong> is Western Canada’s oldest private <strong>TV</strong> station... Americans spent four hours <strong>and</strong><br />
49 minutes a day on average in front of the <strong>TV</strong> during the 2008-2009 <strong>TV</strong> season. That’s up four minutes from the<br />
year before <strong>and</strong> up 20% from 10 years ago. The average U.S. household watched eight hours <strong>and</strong> 21 minutes a<br />
day – an all-time high. Further, says Nielsen, while daytime viewing was flat compared to a year ago, it was still<br />
at its highest peak since 1991... MuchMusic.com now allows users to create an individual viewing experience<br />
similar to actually being at an event shown. Software works to allow each viewer to independently control their own<br />
“eyeballs” so that they can look sideways, up or down or all around, zooming in or out of the action. The impression<br />
Much hopes it creates is that viewers will feel themselves at the centre of the action... Rogers Communications<br />
has marked the 40th anniversary of its<br />
local Rogers <strong>TV</strong> channels by reaffirming<br />
VICE PRESIDENT,MARKETING &PROGRAMMING<br />
The National <strong>Broadcast</strong> Reading Service Inc. (NBRS), a federal not-for-profit company <strong>and</strong><br />
charity, was established in 1989 to reduce media barriers faced by five-million vision <strong>and</strong>/or<br />
print-restricted Canadians. Its mission is to partner with others to provide services <strong>and</strong> products<br />
that help Canadians living with disabilities <strong>and</strong> others to reduce or overcome barriers to visual,<br />
electronic <strong>and</strong> print media.<br />
Controlled by NBRS, The Accessible Channel (TAC) is a m<strong>and</strong>atory<br />
English-language digital television channel licensed to broadcast in open<br />
video description format to simplify access to a wide breadth of news,<br />
information, drama, entertainment <strong>and</strong> other television fare for its<br />
viewers.<br />
The Vice President Marketing & Programming will be responsible for accomplishing the<br />
marketing objectives of NBRS <strong>and</strong> The Accessible Channel by developing <strong>and</strong> implementing<br />
comprehensive marketing strategies <strong>and</strong> programs, including the development of a new<br />
corporate br<strong>and</strong>; the development of strategic programming initiatives; <strong>and</strong> overseeing the<br />
public/government <strong>and</strong> affiliate relations programs.<br />
Experience & Qualifications:<br />
– Graduate/post graduate degree in Marketing or related areas<br />
– 8-10-years experience in the multi-disciplinary functions of marketing with a particular<br />
emphasis on creating br<strong>and</strong> awareness. Minimum 5 years in a senior management position.<br />
Experience in the broadcast <strong>and</strong> media industries preferred<br />
– Demonstrated experience in planning <strong>and</strong> managing at the strategic <strong>and</strong> operational levels<br />
– Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues <strong>and</strong> staff to create a results-driven, teamoriented<br />
environment<br />
– Exceptional track record of developing <strong>and</strong> implanting marketing strategies that have<br />
consistently met or exceed planned objectives, providing personal leadership through example.<br />
Deadline for submissions is November 18, 2009.<br />
Applicants should e-mail their resume <strong>and</strong> covering letter including salary<br />
expectations to: jobs@nbrscanada.com.<br />
The Accessible Channel <strong>and</strong> NBRS is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants for their<br />
interest. However, only those applicants we plan to invite to a follow-up interview will be contacted.<br />
its support of community programming.<br />
Phil Lind, speaking at company HQ in<br />
Toronto, said: “Local <strong>TV</strong> matters...<br />
we've said it a lot longer, although not<br />
as loudly as the broadcasters.” The<br />
company Vice-Chairman says Rogers<br />
Cable spends $33 million a year on<br />
programming, producing 17,000 hours<br />
locally. Rogers <strong>TV</strong> (Cable 10 Toronto)<br />
was launched in October of 1969 <strong>and</strong><br />
now includes 34 stations in Ontario,<br />
New Brunswick <strong>and</strong> Newfoundl<strong>and</strong>...<br />
Actress Shirley Douglas will receive an<br />
international achievement award from<br />
Women in Film <strong>and</strong> Television-<br />
Toronto at WIFT-T’s gala luncheon<br />
Nov. 30. Her career spans <strong>TV</strong>, screen,<br />
stage <strong>and</strong> includes work with directors<br />
such as Stanley Kubrick <strong>and</strong> David<br />
Cronenberg. Douglas’ father was<br />
former NDP leader Tommy Douglas<br />
<strong>and</strong> her son is actor Kiefer<br />
Sutherl<strong>and</strong>... The Jay Leno Show saw<br />
ratings hit a low Monday night,<br />
registering 1.15 in Adults 18-49. NBC is<br />
said to be shaking up the show’s<br />
format.
Thursday, November 12, 2009 Page 2<br />
RADIO: TALK 1410 (CFUN) Vancouver has been succeeded by another CHUM <strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver sports<br />
format, TEAM 1410. It will twin with TEAM 1040 (CKST) Vancouver. VP/GM James Stuart said CFUN’s<br />
Talk format failed to grow an audience. There were 19 lay-offs, he said, <strong>and</strong> four other employees were<br />
affected by the change. Among those let go are PD Stu Ferguson, morning show Host Simi Sara, Hosts<br />
Nikki Renshaw <strong>and</strong> Dave Brindle, Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Manager John Nicholson, plus show producers, sales <strong>and</strong><br />
administrative staff. PD Robert Gray of The Team 1040 adds Team 1410 to his duties... Online revenues from<br />
U.S. radio station-owned websites are expected to be up by year-end, even as traditional over the air ad revenue<br />
goes down. Researcher SNL Kagan projects online revenues topping US$441 million by the end of next month,<br />
up 12% from the end of 2008.... On Monday, Blackburn <strong>Radio</strong> officially launches its new Country station, FM 95.9<br />
(CJWF-FM) Windsor. 95.9 signed on back in late September with test broadcasts... Virgin <strong>Radio</strong> Montreal<br />
raised $456,000 for the Québec Breast Cancer Foundation through challenging listeners. For each person who<br />
found a way to raise at least $2,000.00, a personality from Virgin <strong>Radio</strong>, accompanied by a stylist, visited them to<br />
shave a head. Over 100 people gave up their locks for the cause... And, at Virgin <strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver, “Bras<br />
Across the Bridge” generated 2,360 bras <strong>and</strong> $4,720 for Breast Cancer research. Enough bras were collected to<br />
span the Capilano suspension bridge seven times. Virgin <strong>Radio</strong> spent two weeks collecting bras before linking<br />
them together on the bridge as a massive show of “support”.<br />
GENERAL: Peter Mansbridge <strong>and</strong> Gail Asper were among 35 Canadians who were invested with the Order<br />
of Canada last week... Meanwhile, Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B., confirms that Peter<br />
Mansbridge will be installed as its next chancellor at a ceremony next May. During his term – through to<br />
Dec., 2013 – the CBC National Anchor will act as the ceremonial head of Mount Allison, presiding over<br />
convocations, conferring all degrees<br />
<strong>and</strong> acting as an ambassador for the<br />
university... Cossette Inc., one of<br />
Canada’s largest advertising <strong>and</strong><br />
communications firms, has agreed to be<br />
acquired <strong>and</strong> taken private by<br />
Connecticut-based private investment<br />
firm Mill Road Capital LP. Mill Road to<br />
pay $7.87 a share for all issued <strong>and</strong><br />
outst<strong>and</strong>ing subordinate voting shares<br />
of Cossette... Linden MacIntyre, best<br />
known for his journalism on CBC-<strong>TV</strong>’s<br />
the fifth estate, has won the Scotiabank<br />
Giller Prize. The prize, Canada's<br />
richest, at $50,000, was for MacIntyre’s<br />
second novel, The Bishop's Man.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Nanos<br />
Research is no longer affiliated<br />
with the Cable Public Affairs<br />
Channel. Nik Nanos, CPAC’s<br />
pollster for the last five years – <strong>and</strong> this<br />
year the host of The Nanos Report –<br />
says a conflict of interest broke their<br />
ties... Cody Mackay, ex of CHUM<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver, moves to Astral<br />
Media <strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver on Monday as<br />
Director of Engineering. He succeeds<br />
Barry Johnston who retired... CBC<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> 2 host Tom Allen has left his<br />
morning timeslot. Succeeding him is<br />
Bob Mackowycz. Allen moved to<br />
VICE PRESIDENT,OPERATIONS<br />
The Vice President, Operations will be<br />
responsible for accomplishing the production <strong>and</strong><br />
operational objectives of the National <strong>Broadcast</strong><br />
Reading Service Inc (NBRS) <strong>and</strong> The<br />
Accessible Channel (TAC) by providing<br />
leadership <strong>and</strong> direction to staff in the<br />
development <strong>and</strong> implementation of work flow<br />
process in digital content management.<br />
Experience & Qualifications:<br />
– Graduate/post graduate degree in a Media/<strong>Broadcast</strong>-related field<br />
– 8-10-years experience in television production with strong knowledge of<br />
the pre- <strong>and</strong> post- production requirements, engineering <strong>and</strong> digital<br />
distribution. Minimum three years in a senior management position<br />
– Strong technical knowledge <strong>and</strong> expertise with non-linear edit systems,<br />
new media formats including mpeg2, mpeg 4; 2D design software such as<br />
Adobe After Effects CS2, Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2 as well as Linear<br />
edit systems <strong>and</strong> High Definition Productions<br />
– Ability to lead by example <strong>and</strong> to work collaboratively with colleagues <strong>and</strong><br />
staff to create a results driven, team oriented environment.<br />
Deadline for submissions is November 18, 2009.<br />
Applicants should e-mail their resume <strong>and</strong> covering letter including salary<br />
expectations to: jobs@nbrscanada.com.<br />
The Accessible Channel <strong>and</strong> NBRS is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants for their<br />
interest. However, only those applicants we plan to invite to a follow-up interview will be contacted.<br />
afternoons... Ruth Winker is the new Promotions Manager at JAZZ.FM91 (CJRT-FM) Toronto. She had been<br />
with Fan 590/Jack FM Toronto.
Thursday, November 12, 2009 Page 3<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Peter Hall, 62, in Gr<strong>and</strong>e Prairie. Hall had been on-air at Big Country Gr<strong>and</strong>e Prairie for over<br />
15 years. Before that, he was with CFGP (now Rock 97.7 FM) Gr<strong>and</strong>e Prairie... Norris McLean, 76, in<br />
Edmonton of a brain tumour. The former CFRN-<strong>TV</strong> Edmonton announcer <strong>and</strong> weatherman joined the<br />
AM/<strong>TV</strong> combo in 1963 <strong>and</strong> stayed until the early ‘80s, then moved across the road to I<strong>TV</strong> Edmonton <strong>and</strong> stayed<br />
through to his retirement in 1993.<br />
The New Media Mix<br />
Yellow Pages have historically captured more local advertising dollars in your<br />
market than all of the radio <strong>and</strong> <strong>TV</strong> stations combined! But those days are<br />
coming to an end. The only question is, “Where will those dollars go in the new<br />
media environment?”<br />
If you don’t take action now, those ad dollars will simply be transferred to<br />
CanPages, Canada 411, YellowPages.ca or a host of other on-line directories<br />
or web malls.<br />
Humber College <strong>and</strong> ENS Media Inc. are hosting a special sales workshop to<br />
halt the migration of those dollars to new media <strong>and</strong> to increase your sales in<br />
2010.<br />
Selling Against Directories In The New Media Economy<br />
You <strong>and</strong> your team will learn;<br />
• The strategic differences between on-line directories <strong>and</strong><br />
traditional yellow directories;<br />
• How to get an appointment with professionals in the yellow pages<br />
who claim they “don’’t advertise”;<br />
• How traditional broadcast media can prosper in the new media<br />
environment;<br />
• How to leverage convergence for more 52 week broadcast orders;<br />
• New prospecting tools to attract new business categories.<br />
Friday, Jan 8, 2010<br />
9:00 am to 12:30 pm<br />
$125 per person<br />
Please confirm your reservations by clicking<br />
angela@wensmedia.com<br />
before we sell out. Limited seats available.<br />
LOOKING: The National<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> Reading Service is<br />
looking for a VP, Marketing <strong>and</strong><br />
Programming for The Access<br />
Channel. See the ad on Page 1... The<br />
National <strong>Broadcast</strong> Reading Service<br />
also seeks a VP, Operations for both<br />
NBRS <strong>and</strong> The Access Channel. See<br />
the ad on Page 2... Other jobs we’re<br />
heard about include C<strong>TV</strong> Winnipeg -<br />
Technical Director/Director -<br />
Operations; Rogers <strong>TV</strong> Toronto -<br />
Station Manager; C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto –<br />
Assistant Controller; Global Television<br />
Edmonton – Producer/Director; Astral<br />
Television Networks Toronto –<br />
Business Affairs Specialist (The Harold<br />
Greenberg Fund); CBC Toronto –<br />
Promo Producer/Director, A Mobile<br />
Application Programmer, a Web<br />
Developer (cbcsports.ca) <strong>and</strong> a Senior<br />
Writer (The National); CBC Ottawa –<br />
Senior Business Analyst; CBC Goose<br />
Bay – Reporter/Editor; 917 The<br />
Bounce Edmonton – Program<br />
Director; 104.9 Vancouver - Assistant<br />
Program Director; Mountain FM<br />
Squamish – Assistant PD; Y108<br />
(CJXY-FM) Hamilton/Toronto –<br />
Midday Show Host; Astral Media<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> Smithers - Account Executive; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Kelowna – Account Executive; <strong>and</strong> CKGY/CIZZ Red<br />
Deer - Traffic Manager.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
November 19, 2009 Volume 17, Number 26 Page One of Four<br />
RADIO: New Country 95.3 (CING-FM) Burlington/Hamilton surprised the southern Ontario radio community<br />
last week (Friday the 13th) by dropping its seven-year-old format in favour of Greatest Hits. For the moment,<br />
the ID is The New 95.3. A new name is expected to become final in January. While no new talent has been<br />
announced, Country 95.3 morning show hosts Paul McGuire <strong>and</strong> Lea Cater, <strong>and</strong> mid-day Host Laura<br />
Dunseith, are no longer with the station although McGuire remains with Corus-owned specialty channel CMT in<br />
Toronto. Ironically, the Country Music Association just chose Hamilton for its awards show. KX-96FM (CJKX)<br />
Oshawa was quick off the mark, promoting itself as being the Greater Toronto Area’s only Country formatted<br />
station... CHUM-FM Toronto morning<br />
Host Roger Ashby will be inducted into<br />
the Canadian Music <strong>and</strong> <strong>Broadcast</strong><br />
Industry Hall of Fame on March 11<br />
during Canadian Music Week in Toronto.<br />
Ashby has been with CHUM <strong>Radio</strong> for 40<br />
years – his first 16 years at CHR<br />
powerhouse CHUM-AM... FM 104.9<br />
(CKCL) Vancouver has a new ID after its<br />
Name That <strong>Radio</strong> Station contest saw<br />
finalist entries proposing such IDs as: The<br />
Groove, The Rocket, Fun FM, Blast FM,<br />
Big 104.9, Coast FM, Splash FM, Sky FM,<br />
Hits 104.9 <strong>and</strong> WOW FM. The winner?<br />
FUN FM... Evanov Communications,<br />
formerly the Evanov <strong>Radio</strong> Group, is<br />
celebrating 25 years of service this year.<br />
Founded by Bill Evanov in 1984 with the<br />
launch of multicultural station CIAO<br />
Brampton, Evanov Communications now<br />
owns nine stations, has licence approvals<br />
for two more, one each in Halifax <strong>and</strong><br />
Winnipeg, <strong>and</strong> has applications before the<br />
CRTC for two more; an English <strong>and</strong> a<br />
French station in Quebec City... The<br />
University of Waterloo radio station –<br />
SoundFM – will likely go dark Dec. 4<br />
because of funding. Students voted this
Thursday, November 19, 2009 Page 2<br />
fall against paying $2.50 per term to support it... This<br />
coming Saturday night, CKGM Montreal will<br />
celebrate its 50th anniversary at an alumni reunion<br />
bash in a downtown club. Talent expected to be onh<strong>and</strong><br />
include: Marc “Mais Oui” Denis; Jim Bay;<br />
Buster Bodean; Rob Christie; Al Gravelle; Eden<br />
Polansky; Bob McDevitt; Tom “Bones” Malone;<br />
Don Burns; Robert Vairo; Senator Jim Munson;<br />
Roger Abbott; <strong>and</strong> the newly reunited Q92 FM<br />
Montreal morning team of Aaron R<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Murray<br />
Sherriffs. Ralph Lockwood was going to attend but<br />
health reasons will keep him at home in<br />
Pennsylvania... Rawlco <strong>Radio</strong> has received the<br />
Outst<strong>and</strong>ing Corporate Philanthropist award from the<br />
Hospitals of Regina Foundation. The award<br />
recognizes the Z99 (CIZL-FM) Regina radiothons<br />
which have raised $4.5 million dollars over the last 22<br />
years. The award, accepted by Z99 VP/GM Tom<br />
Newton, also recognized Gordon Rawlinson <strong>and</strong><br />
Rawlco’s $1.5 million dollar donation to establish the<br />
Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care at Regina<br />
General Hospital... The National Association of<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ers bought full page ads in two Capitol Hill<br />
publications to thank supporters of the Local <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Freedom Act. Nearly 300 U.S. lawmakers have<br />
shown their opposition to the Performance Rights<br />
Act. The ad lists all 252 representatives <strong>and</strong> 27<br />
senators. A majority in the House is 218<br />
representatives, so to all appearances broadcasters<br />
have more than enough firepower to defeat PRA<br />
should it make it to the House floor for a full vote. The support for local radio is completely bipartisan... Some say<br />
there are no limits to what an American talk show host can say, but recent incidents contradict that wisdom. In New<br />
Hampshire, conservative talk Host Doug Lambert called the chairman of the state Democratic Party a faggot.<br />
WEMJ-AM Laconia dropped him <strong>and</strong> the Laconia Daily Sun dropped his column. At WTAQ-FM Green Bay <strong>and</strong><br />
WHBL Sheboygan, Jerry Bader got a two-week suspension for saying in his blog that Wisconsin’s lieutenant<br />
governor had dropped her campaign for the top spot due to marital problems.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Eric Stafford, who was caught on “Black Monday” (Jan. 19/09) as one of those let go<br />
by Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong>, has l<strong>and</strong>ed as GM at CHUM’s Energy 105.5 Calgary. Stafford had been GM at<br />
The Bear Ottawa for 13 years... Lyne Nault has been appointed <strong>Sales</strong> Director at Astral Media <strong>TV</strong>Plus<br />
in Toronto. She succeeds Paul Sedik who is no longer with the company. Astral Media <strong>TV</strong>Plus represents Astral<br />
Media’s 10 French specialty channels. Nault was promoted from her National Account Executive position... New<br />
GM/GSM at Newcap Lloydminster (two <strong>TV</strong> stations <strong>and</strong> seven radio stations in that cluster) is Tim Weinberger,<br />
ex of Global Edmonton. Former GM Wayne Frolick, who had been away on sick leave, has fully recovered <strong>and</strong><br />
decided to move his vocation in another direction. As well, Brian Labrie’s Regional Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Manager position<br />
was eliminated... Murray Oliver is the new National Assignment Editor at APTN in Winnipeg, succeeding Mark<br />
Halsal. Oliver’s background includes Bureau Chief for C<strong>TV</strong> in Africa <strong>and</strong> Iraq <strong>and</strong> as an investigative journalist at<br />
CBC... Brian Hetherman has become VP, Industry Affairs at FACTOR in Toronto. Before being offered the job,<br />
Hetherman resigned from the FACTOR Board of Directors. Because he has to divest himself of current<br />
management <strong>and</strong> label commitments, Hetherman will begin with FACTOR on a part-time basis Dec. 1 <strong>and</strong> be in<br />
his new job full-time on April 1. He is President of the Music Managers Forum (MMF) in Canada <strong>and</strong> Vice Chair<br />
on the IMMF Board... The afternoon Host at WIOQ-FM Philadelphia – Joey Brooks – will move north to become<br />
the new CHUM-FM Toronto afternoon drive Host. Brooks steps into the new gig early in the new year. Meanwhile,<br />
Richie Favalaro who’s been covering PM drive, will move to Swing, hosting the CHUM Chart program <strong>and</strong> doing<br />
interviews... CBC-<strong>TV</strong>, with an eye toward U.S. <strong>and</strong> international audiences, is shuffling its management team to<br />
strengthen co-productions <strong>and</strong> financing. Fred Fuchs, the arts <strong>and</strong> entertainment head, has become GM of
Thursday, November 19, 2009 Page 3<br />
production enterprises while creative drama head<br />
Sally Catto takes over Fuchs' old job... Buzz<br />
Bishop, most recently of Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Vancouver, takes the reins of the 90.3 AMP <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Calgary morning show next month... Alexis<br />
LaForest has been promoted at Corus Winnipeg to<br />
Promotions Manager, succeeding Lisa-Marie<br />
Buccini who left the industry... New Weather<br />
Specialist on CJAD Montreal’s morning show is<br />
C<strong>TV</strong>’s Lise McAuley... Kathy Corcoran is now<br />
Manager, <strong>Broadcast</strong> Research at S-VOX in Toronto.<br />
Before joining the company, Corcoran held research<br />
positions at Sun <strong>TV</strong>, C<strong>TV</strong>, WIC <strong>and</strong> the Canada<br />
Media Fund... Lou Dobbs, who worked at CNN for<br />
all but two years of its existence, has resigned. He<br />
made the announcement on Lou Dobbs Tonight,<br />
finished the newscast <strong>and</strong> walked out of the<br />
building... Sirius XM <strong>Radio</strong> Inc. says XM Satellite<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> founder Gary Parsons has resigned as<br />
Chairman. The Board appointed independent director Eddy Hartenstein as non-executive Chairman. Here in<br />
Canada, Canadian Satellite <strong>Radio</strong> Holdings, the parent of XM Canada, appointed Dara Altman to the<br />
company's Board of Directors. She is an executive with Sirius XM <strong>and</strong> succeeds Parsons.<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: Canwest Global President Leonard Asper says cable companies have gained so much power<br />
they’ve become a threat to Canadian broadcasting. And, says Asper, the CRTC is mostly to blame<br />
because it set ground rules that impoverished broadcasters <strong>and</strong> put cable firms “in the penthouse”.<br />
Over the past 40 years, he said, “... regulatory policies <strong>and</strong> decisions have favoured one sector to the<br />
detriment of another, resulting in a massive wealth transfer.” Canwest is the last of the major broadcasters to at<br />
the Gatineau CRTC hearing asking that conditions be set that would compel the BDUs to pay for over-the-air <strong>TV</strong><br />
signals.<br />
In point form, other highlights over the Monday to Wednesday period included:<br />
* – Canwest Regulatory Affairs Executive Charlotte Bell, told CRTC Chair Konrad von Finckenstein that he<br />
should show some spine: “You have to pull your weight to keep this under control.”<br />
*– von Finckenstein stressed that he is interested in a solution that won't involve a rate increase for subscribers.<br />
*– The Conservative government told the Commission that it won’t tolerate charging consumers more.<br />
* – Quebecor President Pierre Karl Peladeau, whose firm is both Quebec's dominant broadcaster <strong>and</strong> cable<br />
operator, said the solution is to divvy it up differently. He wants the stakeholders given three years to rebalance<br />
the system by allowing both specialty channels that get a fee-for-carriage <strong>and</strong> OTA stations that don't to duke it<br />
out. And, to make sure there is real negotiation, the Commission should remove the must-carry label from<br />
everything except English <strong>and</strong> French-language CBC. That way, he said, Canadians get to pay for only the stations<br />
they want to watch <strong>and</strong> the market determines the value of specialty <strong>and</strong> conventional signals.<br />
* – Peladeau also noted that while OTA revenues keep dropping, the CRTC continues to impose on them the<br />
onerous costs of producing domestic programming.<br />
*– A proposal on Tuesday by the CBC that cable firms offer viewers an inexpensive ''skinny basic`` package that<br />
would include mostly the Canadian channels was met by interest from some Commissioners. Exp<strong>and</strong>ed packages<br />
could be up-sold, said CBC, but the existence of a low-cost option would dissuade gouging.<br />
*– Cable industry executives steadfastly refuse to negotiate with the broadcasters. Backroom chatter is that the<br />
BDUs know they don't have to bend because the argument is likely to be pushed upstairs to Heritage Canada if<br />
they lose.<br />
*– CBC President/CEO Hubert LaCroix reminded the Commission that in 2000, Rogers had no difficulty in saying<br />
that iCrave<strong>TV</strong>, which had been showing <strong>TV</strong> programs on the Internet, was trading on the value of broadcasters’<br />
signals without doing anything to develop or licence content. Rogers asked for $30 million-plus in damages.<br />
*– LaCroix also said that prior to the recession, Rogers’ OTA properties showed a -18% revenue stream <strong>and</strong> that<br />
it asked the CRTC to be relieved of any requirement to do drama or any other programming of national interest.<br />
*– Ivan Fecan, the C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia President/CEO, said if the company doesn’t win fees for carriage, it will walk<br />
away from its OTA <strong>TV</strong> business.
Thursday, November 19, 2009 Page 4<br />
*– C<strong>TV</strong> wants the ability to decide, on a per-station basis, if it wants m<strong>and</strong>atory carriage or cash. It also wants the<br />
right to pull signals if negotiations fail.<br />
*– C<strong>TV</strong> says 65% of its coverage area will be digital by the August 31, 2011 transition date. But the balance of<br />
stations will likely have to wait until December, 2013. That didn’t set well with Commissioners who reminded the<br />
network that the m<strong>and</strong>atory 2011 date has been set in stone for years.<br />
*– Rogers accused the networks of being locked in an “irrational” bidding war for U.S. programming, telling the<br />
CRTC that the broadcasters should not be allowed to collect the fees...<br />
Alberta's film industry will be getting a new film studio in Calgary after a tentative deal was reached with WinSport<br />
Canada, the owners of the Canada Olympic Park site where l<strong>and</strong> will be purchased for it. Estimated to cost $26<br />
million, not including the purchase of the l<strong>and</strong>, the studio will be built – beginning next spring – on four hectares<br />
of Olympic Park property, that is, provided negotiations reach a satisfactory conclusion... Meanwhile, the Alberta<br />
government, to further support the province’s evolving film, <strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> digital media industry, has modified its film<br />
development program so that the requirement to have a broadcast licence in order to pursue funding has been<br />
removed... There was a time – in prime time – when there would be no way one would hear someone described<br />
as a “douche”, especially before 9 p.m. But it’s happening on all the U.S. networks <strong>and</strong>, of course, spilling into<br />
Canada. The American Parents <strong>TV</strong> Council says the word has been used 76 times this fall on 26 shows. Douche<br />
isn’t obscene or profane but does seem to be, says PTC, the latest in <strong>TV</strong>’s efforts to exp<strong>and</strong> the boundaries of<br />
taste. And that, says the Council, is probably an attempt to stop audiences from defecting to the largely<br />
unregulated specialty channels. Even though the language is getting rougher, Timothy Jay, a psychology<br />
professor at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, says “douche” has evolved to the point where it’s lost<br />
much of its offensiveness. Most kids, he says, have no idea what it means.<br />
GENERAL: Corus Entertainment is among the 2009 top 10 "most admired" corporate cultures in Canada.<br />
The new survey, compiled by Waterstone Human Capital, ranked Canadian companies with strong<br />
corporate cultures despite the economic downturn... Canadian Women in Communications-Edmonton<br />
is holding a networking event Dec. 1. For details, contact Jo-Anne Fischer Cassidy at jafc@shaw.ca.<br />
LOOKING:: Global Television's 16:9 The Bigger Picture Toronto - Freelance Reporters; Astral Media<br />
Toronto - Research Manager; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Toronto – Account Executive; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Penticton - Creative Writer; EZ Rock 104.9/The Team 1260 Edmonton - Senior Account Executive; MBS<br />
Charlottetown - Engineering Director; CBC Montreal - <strong>Sales</strong> & Marketing Officer; Global Edmonton - News<br />
Anchor; <strong>and</strong> Global Regina - Anchor/Reporter; Assignment Editor.<br />
NEW SUBSCRIBERS THIS WEEK INCLUDE: Jeff Simpson, AVID Toronto. Welcome!
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
November 26, 2009 Volume 17, Number 27 Page One of Four<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: Corus Entertainment President/CEO John Cassaday, appearing before the CRTC BDU-<strong>TV</strong><br />
hearing, was asked by Commission Chair Konrad von Finckenstein how his two conventional stations, in<br />
Peterborough <strong>and</strong> Kingston, were doing. Cassaday said both are operating with margins in the 20% range.<br />
von Finckenstein referred to the C<strong>TV</strong> <strong>and</strong> Canwest arguments that the conventional industry is on its last<br />
legs before asking why the stations are<br />
doing so well. Cassaday replied that “...<br />
one of the keys to our success in<br />
Kingston <strong>and</strong> Peterborough, the<br />
markets are big enough to sustain some<br />
Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> is seeking a qualfied, innovative profession to fill the<br />
role of General Manager/General <strong>Sales</strong> Manager for our group of radio<br />
stations in the beautiful British Columbia Kootenay Region.<br />
Ideally, you should have a keen sense of business, vision, leadership <strong>and</strong><br />
a duplicated pattern of success. You should have five or more years of<br />
industry experience managing in a <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Sales</strong> <strong>and</strong>/or a General<br />
Management role. You will be responsible for managing the daily<br />
operations of two radio stations, developing <strong>and</strong> maintaining strong<br />
community ties in this region, setting realistic goals <strong>and</strong> objectives <strong>and</strong> to<br />
build, coach <strong>and</strong> motivate your team to achieve revenue <strong>and</strong><br />
programming objectives.<br />
If you would like to join our diverse team, please contact, in confidence:<br />
Jane Krindle<br />
HR Coordinator – BC Interior<br />
Fax 250 860 5754<br />
or click jkrindle@radio.astral.com<br />
Astral Media brings together people with a passion to perform, as one team, with integrity <strong>and</strong><br />
imagination. Astral Media is always on the lookout for dynamic, innovative <strong>and</strong> passionate professionals<br />
who embrace change <strong>and</strong> new technologies, <strong>and</strong> who are looking to continually challenge themselves<br />
within a growing organization. Applications will be held in the strictest confidence. Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> is<br />
an equal opportunity employer. Please note that while we appreciate all expressions of interest, we can<br />
only respond to those c<strong>and</strong>idates who will be interviewed.<br />
national advertising, but the main focus<br />
is on local . . . And [I think] because the<br />
majority of our revenues come from the<br />
local market that's totally where our<br />
attention is.” He stressed, however, that<br />
both markets enjoy a <strong>TV</strong> monopoly<br />
situation <strong>and</strong> that both have access to<br />
affordable programming... Jim Shaw (of<br />
Shaw Communications) said<br />
broadcasters are already fully<br />
compensated: “We pay for distribution.<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ers get the advertising<br />
dollars.” He said broadcasters have<br />
potentially new sources of revenue,<br />
including VOD advertising, local avails<br />
<strong>and</strong> online <strong>and</strong> wireless distribution...<br />
Telus told the hearing of its idea to<br />
open up about $70 million for OTA<br />
broadcasters without charging<br />
consumers a cent. Exec VP Michael<br />
Hennessy, once a <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong><br />
columnist, suggested that air-time now<br />
used on U.S. channels carried by<br />
Canadian BDUs allotted for their own<br />
promotion be opened up to advertising.<br />
Regulations now for the likes of A&E
Thursday, November 26, 2009 Page 2<br />
<strong>and</strong> CNN dictate that two minutes of every hour be used to promote a cable company’s services <strong>and</strong> Canadian<br />
broadcasting in general... Former CAB President/CEO Glenn O’Farrell wants to do what the CRTC wouldn’t allow<br />
either Kevin Shea or Drew Craig to do: Sell ad time on American cable channels. O’Farrell’s new company,<br />
Mediadenovo, would sell two minutes per hour of local availability ad time to national advertisers. CRTC<br />
regulations now prohibits that sale. O’Farrell said he would send 70% of gross revenues from national ad sales<br />
within the avail time to wherever it is needed. The idea was directly supported by Telus... The Canadian<br />
Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers brought three points to the hearing: The Commission should direct DTH service<br />
providers to distribute local stations into their local markets so that private broadcasters have access to the<br />
audiences in the market they’ve been licensed to serve; the Commission should formally recognize the integrity<br />
of exclusive programming rates purchased by private broadcasters; <strong>and</strong>, the Commission should have regard to<br />
the changing regulatory in market l<strong>and</strong>scape <strong>and</strong> the impact these changes will have on pay <strong>and</strong> specialty<br />
services. <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers, says the CAB, want control of their signals <strong>and</strong> they want control of the content they<br />
produce or acquire. Above all, they want to reach the audiences that the CRTC licensed them to serve. Right now,<br />
it said, 38 local originating stations are not being carried on Shaw Direct <strong>and</strong> 35 local stations are not being carried<br />
on Bell-<strong>TV</strong>... Astral Media’s presentation focused on questions related to the establishment of a framework for<br />
a group approach to <strong>TV</strong> licence renewals, including appropriate spending on Canadian programming. Astral says<br />
it supports the concept of renewal of licence by ownership group but doesn’t believe that one-size-fits-all can be<br />
used equitably for the entire industry. Astral cautioned that any measure adopted or undertaken by the Commission<br />
should not be at the expense of the pay <strong>and</strong> specialty sector... Small market <strong>TV</strong> groups Jim Pattison <strong>Broadcast</strong><br />
Group (Kamloops); Newcap (Lloydminster); Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> (Dawson Creek <strong>and</strong> Terrace); <strong>and</strong> Thunder Bay<br />
Electronics collectively operate 20 stations in four provinces, with 14 being carried on DTH. In almost all of these<br />
markets, they told the Commission, <strong>TV</strong> stations are the sole source of local programming. The group proposed<br />
that the CRTC keep things as they are, specifically that the CRTC maintain the status quo respecting carriage of<br />
<strong>TV</strong> stations by the DTH providers <strong>and</strong> the Small Market Local Programming Fund. They want a higher degree of<br />
flexibility be given as to how the funds are invested, i.e. one-third to new local programming initiatives, one-third<br />
to maintain current local programming levels <strong>and</strong> one-third to offset some of the capital costs in the digital<br />
transition... The CRTC has approved MTT Networks’ application for a broadcasting licence to operate a Class 1<br />
terrestrial broadcasting distribution<br />
GENERAL SALES MANAGER<br />
102.9 K-LITE FM, Oldies 1150 & TALK 820 Hamilton<br />
Responsibilities:<br />
* Lead <strong>and</strong> support the sales team to achieve <strong>and</strong> exceed revenue targets including establishing<br />
comprehensive sales strategies to achieve those goals<br />
* Help develop the strategic sales plan<br />
* Execute the annual sales business plan<br />
* Help create the station’s visibility <strong>and</strong> positioning in the community through various activities<br />
* Hire, develop <strong>and</strong> direct the sales team by fostering a cooperative approach <strong>and</strong> a motivating, positive <strong>and</strong><br />
productive environment<br />
* Set annual sales objectives <strong>and</strong> do a monthly <strong>and</strong> quarterly follow-up<br />
* Participate in the negotiation of annual agreements <strong>and</strong> client presentations<br />
* Ensure the development of new clients<br />
* Analyze market trends through active involvement<br />
* Develop larger affiliate <strong>and</strong> customer base, along with an improved business model<br />
* Operate within the guidelines of ethical <strong>and</strong> moral business practice; within the station’s Promise of<br />
Performance as indicated in our CRTC broadcast licence.<br />
Qualifications & skill requirements:<br />
* 5 to 10 years experience in a similar or related position<br />
* University degree in marketing or the equivalent<br />
* Proven track record of budget achievement<br />
* Ability to manage <strong>and</strong> motivate a sales team<br />
* Dynamic, creative <strong>and</strong> innovative<br />
* Ability to create sales strategies<br />
* Diligence, honesty <strong>and</strong> professional integrity<br />
* Driven, passionate <strong>and</strong> goal oriented<br />
* A strong negotiator<br />
* Good verbal <strong>and</strong> written communication skills<br />
* Analytical <strong>and</strong> problem solving skills.<br />
Any c<strong>and</strong>idate who wants to apply for this opportunity should visit the Astral Media website<br />
at www.astralmedia.com <strong>and</strong> apply online under Career Opportunities.<br />
Deadline is December 9, 2009.<br />
Astral Media brings together people with a passion to perform, as one team, with integrity <strong>and</strong><br />
imagination. Astral Media is always on the lookout for dynamic, innovative <strong>and</strong> passionate professionals<br />
who embrace change <strong>and</strong> new technologies <strong>and</strong> who are looking to continually challenge themselves<br />
within a growing organization.<br />
Please note that while we appreciate all expressions of interest, we can only respond to those c<strong>and</strong>idates<br />
undertaking to serve Toronto <strong>and</strong><br />
surrounding areas... The Commission<br />
also approved the $40-million purchase<br />
by Corus Entertainment of Drive-In<br />
Classics <strong>and</strong> Sex<strong>TV</strong> from<br />
C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia. Both are Category 2<br />
specialty channels... C<strong>TV</strong> British<br />
Columbia on Monday became the first<br />
in B.C. (<strong>and</strong> in Western Canada, it says)<br />
to broadcast local news in full high<br />
definition... Google <strong>TV</strong> Ads in the U.S.<br />
has teamed with TiVo in a bid to make<br />
<strong>TV</strong> advertising more accountable <strong>and</strong> to<br />
sell more of it through its online auction<br />
service. TiVo will provide Google <strong>TV</strong><br />
Ads with second-by-second viewing<br />
patterns of time-shifted programs...<br />
Rogers Communications will launched<br />
an ad-supported online video service<br />
accessible only to its 2.3 million cable<br />
subs on Nov. 30. People will be able to<br />
watch the content on any computer after<br />
they’ve been verified as a Rogers<br />
customer. Subscribers to Rogers On<br />
Dem<strong>and</strong> Online will get access to<br />
content from 15 channels the company<br />
owns, either in whole or in part. Dave<br />
Purdy, VP of video product
Thursday, November 26, 2009 Page 3<br />
management, says none of the services will be available as a st<strong>and</strong>-alone subscription <strong>and</strong> that Rogers is choosing<br />
to keep On Dem<strong>and</strong> Online fully ad-supported.<br />
GENERAL: It appears, based on information from the Prime Minister’s Office, that Canada may be about to<br />
relax foreign ownership regulations in the media. It said: "The federal government is reviewing the<br />
recommendations of the Competition Policy Review Panel <strong>and</strong> continues to consider its options. We<br />
recognize the importance of strong competition, <strong>and</strong> its wider impact on investment <strong>and</strong> economic growth.”<br />
It’s likely that the position is a reflection of current events in media <strong>and</strong> telecom... Gary Slaight, President/CEO<br />
of Slaight Communications, will receive the Humanitarian Spirit Award during the Canadian Music <strong>and</strong> <strong>Broadcast</strong><br />
Industry Awards in Toronto March 11. Slaight sits on a variety of charitable boards <strong>and</strong> oversees the Slaight<br />
Family Foundation, which recently donated over $30 million to hospitals, the arts <strong>and</strong> youth-driven initiatives <strong>and</strong><br />
overseas aid... Michael J. Fox will receive the National Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers Distinguished Service<br />
Award during the 2010 NAB Show in Las Vegas for the impact his career has had on the television industry as well<br />
as his commitment to raising awareness for Parkinson's disease.<br />
RADIO: Newcap’s class A subordinate voting shares <strong>and</strong> class B common shares began trading on a threefor-one<br />
split basis yesterday (Wednesday)... Canadian Traffic Network, featured in the November<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> magazine, has signed broadcast agreements with CFRB, EZ Rock <strong>and</strong> Virgin –<br />
Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong>’s three Toronto stations – to provide traffic reports, beginning Dec. 12... Paul Larche<br />
has been honoured as Business Leader of the Year by the Orillia Business Association. Larche’s company owns<br />
KICX 106 (CICX) Orillia <strong>and</strong> nearby 104.1 (CICZ) The Dock Midl<strong>and</strong>. The award is given to an individual whose<br />
proven contributions to growth <strong>and</strong> prosperity have had a positive impact on the community.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Al Smith, PD of 939 BOB FM (CKKL-FM) <strong>and</strong> Majic 100 (CJMJ-FM) Ottawa has been<br />
appointed Operations Manager for the CHUM <strong>Radio</strong> Ottawa cluster. Dave Mitchell, PD at CFRA <strong>and</strong> Team<br />
1200, plus Majic 100 announcer Drew Corley, an engineer <strong>and</strong> two copy writers have been let go. Five<br />
other employees will have their hours reduced. The move, said VP/GM Richard Gray, is intended to strengthen<br />
the on-air product to face new competition posed by recently-licensed FM’ers owned by Astral Media <strong>and</strong> by<br />
Torres <strong>Radio</strong>. Mitchell had been with the company for 30 years... Duff Roman, the recently-retired Exec VP at<br />
CHUM <strong>Radio</strong>, has a deal with Evanov Communications in Toronto to work in the areas of New Media <strong>and</strong><br />
Corporate Development. He’ll continue pursuing independent projects... Lesley Soldat, who has been the defacto<br />
GM at Orbyt Media in Toronto, now has the official position. Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> announced her appointment this<br />
week. Orbyt Media is the (relatively) new name for Sound Source Networks. Soldat joined Sound Source in 1988<br />
<strong>and</strong> worked her way up to become VP of Operations <strong>and</strong> Affiliate marketing... George Lee has been promoted<br />
to President of Fairchild <strong>Radio</strong> from his VP/GM job at Fairchild Vancouver. Lee now has the larger responsibility<br />
of overseeing the stations in Toronto <strong>and</strong> Calgary as well... R<strong>and</strong>y Redden, GSM at Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Hamilton, is no longer with the station cluster... APD Dave Newman has been promoted to PD at 101.7 The ONE<br />
(CKNX-FM) Wingham. He retains his morning show duties. Also at The ONE, Chris Love – ex of CHUM-FM<br />
Toronto <strong>and</strong> The Beat Vancouver – is the new afternoon drive Host... Phil Evans is the new Promotion Director<br />
at Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver (96.9 Jack FM/News 1130/104.9 FunFM). Also at Rogers Vancouver, ND Jacquie<br />
Donaldson is no longer with the stations... Carissa Donaldson has resigned as GM/GSM at Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
(CJAT-FM) Trail. She’s expected to leave sometime in February. Donaldson, who moved to then-St<strong>and</strong>ard owned<br />
station in Sept./07, had been Ops Mgr at CJYM/CFYM Rosetown... Matt Wreggitt, who serves as MD <strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
drive-home Host, adds APD duties at Z103.5 (CIDC) Toronto. He <strong>and</strong> PD Paul Evanov will now be programming<br />
the station... ND Brian McLain, after 21 years with MBS/Maclean Hunter Saint John, is about to move across<br />
the street. McLain joins Acadia <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing’s Country 94 (CHSJ-FM)/97.3 The Wave (CHWV-FM) as Assistant<br />
ND on Monday... NPR Morning Edition newscaster Carl Kasell is calling it a day, after 30 years on the NPR<br />
flagship morning program. Kasell, 75, will do his last newscast Dec. 30 but he will retain his judge <strong>and</strong> scorekeeper<br />
position on a weekly news quiz show.
Thursday, November 26, 2009 Page 4<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Ronald Adam Krochuk, in Burlington at 73. Krochuk held sales <strong>and</strong> marketing positions at such<br />
stations as CJOB Winnipeg, CJAD Montreal, CFRB Toronto <strong>and</strong> at the now-Corus <strong>Radio</strong> Hamilton<br />
stations... Jesse "Big Sexy" Deer, 25, at Montreal General Hospital of complications related to H1N1. Deer<br />
was most recently heard on K103 (CKRK) Kahnawake doing afternoon drive... Bernie Sadilek, 39, at St. Mary’s<br />
Hospital in Kitchener. Sadilek was the morning show producer at CKWR Waterloo plus had his own radio show<br />
at the Conestoga College station... Alfred Henry Collins, 97, a former owner of CKLB Oshawa. At the time,<br />
Collins meant for the LB to st<strong>and</strong> for Lakel<strong>and</strong> <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing. Before buying CKLB, Collins was a <strong>Sales</strong> Exec at<br />
CHUM Toronto. CKLB is now CKDO <strong>and</strong> owned by Durham <strong>Radio</strong> Inc.<br />
LOOKING: Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Trail seeks a General Manager/GSM. Details <strong>and</strong> contact information are<br />
in the ad on Page 1... Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Hamilton is looking for a GSM. See the ad on Page 2... Other<br />
jobs we’ve heard about this week include: Global Toronto (16:9) - Senior Producer; Newcap <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Edmonton – Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Manager; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Montreal – Overnight Host Virgin <strong>Radio</strong> 96; Astral<br />
Media <strong>Radio</strong> Kelowna – Evening/Weekend Host SUN FM; 101.5 Energy FM Calgary - Manager, Marketing &<br />
Promotions; MBS <strong>Radio</strong> Saint John – News Director; CHUM <strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver – <strong>Broadcast</strong> Technician; CP24<br />
Toronto - Part- time Director; C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto - Production Manager (C<strong>TV</strong> News) <strong>and</strong> a Production Manager<br />
(SPACE & Comedy); C<strong>TV</strong> Edmonton – Production Assistant; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Rouyn-Nor<strong>and</strong>a –<br />
Directeur(trice) du produit NRJ 99.1 et 102.7; <strong>and</strong>, MusiquePlus Montreal - Conseiller(ère), médias sociaux;<br />
Directeur(trice), relations publiques.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
December 3, 2009 Volume 17, Number 28 Page One of Three<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: The CRTC has approved<br />
Qatar-based Al-Jazeera’s<br />
application for an English-language<br />
specialty news network, a decision<br />
it says is in keeping with a policy of<br />
promoting a diversity of editorial points of<br />
view. Al Jazeera English is broadcast on<br />
<strong>TV</strong> in 100 countries <strong>and</strong> delivered on-line<br />
<strong>and</strong> employs roughly 1,200 journalists.<br />
The Managing Director is Tony Burman,<br />
a former Editor-in-Chief at CBC News...<br />
CBC will allow political ads outside of<br />
election periods, a decision that follows a<br />
Supreme Court of Canada ruling which described the previous policy as unconstitutional. The issue arose this<br />
past summer after the Corporation refused to air Conservative party ads opposing Liberal Leader Michael<br />
Ignatieff... The CRTC is asking consumers about the so-called <strong>TV</strong> tax <strong>and</strong> the affordability of BDU services. The<br />
Commission also wants Canadians’ views on the availability of local news <strong>and</strong> public affairs programming. Further,<br />
it says, it’s looking at the various options, including negotiations between local stations <strong>and</strong> BDUs to determine<br />
the value of the signals. But at least one observer says asking people if they want to pay more is hardly an<br />
unbiased question. Of course they’re going to say no. And law professor Michael Geist of the University of<br />
Ottawa was quoted as saying: “Here we are sitting <strong>and</strong> debating proposals that are as if we are back in the 1960s<br />
<strong>and</strong> '70s <strong>and</strong> consumers have no choice but to watch a program when the broadcasters tells us it will be available.''<br />
The local programming that broadcasters say needs to be saved is “a bit of local news” <strong>and</strong> there are other ways<br />
to find the equivalent information, he added... Speaking of “unbiased questions”, U.S., cable company Time-<br />
Warner has a message on its website asking subscribers if it should either “roll over” or “get tough” with<br />
broadcasters: “No one likes paying more. You don’t. We don’’t. Yet, every time our contracts with <strong>TV</strong> program<br />
providers come up for renewal, that’s what we face. Price increases. Big ones. Up to 300% more. Sometimes we<br />
can avoid passing them on to you. Sometimes we can’t. Sometimes, a network will threaten to take your shows<br />
away if we don’t roll over. Whenever that’s happened in the past, we’d make the best deal we could <strong>and</strong> hope that<br />
would be the end of it. But it never was. So no more. The networks shouldn’t be in the driver’s seat on what you<br />
watch <strong>and</strong> how much you pay. You’re our customers, so help us decide what to do. Let us know if you want us to<br />
Roll Over, or Get Tough. We’re just one company, but there are millions of you. Together, we just might be able<br />
to make a difference in what America pays for its favourite entertainment”... This next item isn’t news. Rather, it’s<br />
a slice of historical perspective about the <strong>TV</strong>-BDU war, <strong>and</strong> it played out in a single e-mail exchange this past<br />
week. This correspondence underscores yet again the maxim that “History is a great teacher”.<br />
E-Mail #1 – “In the beginning, station owners dem<strong>and</strong>ed that signal carriage be a condition of licence for cable<br />
operators. The only thing that concerned them was being low on the numerical scale of channels. Once carried
Thursday, December 3, 2009 Page 2<br />
they proceeded to tell media buyers that ‘you don't have to put as much (or any) campaign dollars in markets like<br />
Kitchener on the local station because you can get metro Kitchener rating points simply by purchasing our Toronto<br />
station.’ With convergence, major market licensees acquired smaller market stations <strong>and</strong> became victims of their<br />
own corporate marketing. So the universe has unfolded - secondary market <strong>TV</strong> stations will have to survive<br />
primarily on local ad dollars <strong>and</strong> be reorganized with structure <strong>and</strong> services that can be supported by market<br />
revenue potential. On the surface, fee for carriage is not a totally unreasonable premise, however it means that<br />
the broadcasters now wish to re-write the rules of the game without dealing with the realities of a significantly<br />
altered <strong>and</strong> fragmented marketplace.”<br />
E-Mail #2 – “You can go back even further. Colour <strong>TV</strong> set sales were slow because viewers needed a new<br />
antenna, so cable was a salvation as it delivered a ‘perfect’ clean colour signal <strong>and</strong> we could all take our antennas<br />
down; <strong>and</strong> cable was only $6 per month! Smaller market stations got carriage both ways, e.g. CFTO Toronto now<br />
covered Kitchener, CHCH Hamilton covered London <strong>and</strong> CKVR Barrie covered Toronto. Everyone loved the added<br />
audience <strong>and</strong> viewers loved the added choice. Then came the debate about simulcast substitution; CFTO could<br />
cover CKCO Kitchener in Toronto, CKCO could cover CFTO in Kitchener? Then the shemozzle over DTH. The<br />
CRTC needed a competitor to cable because small markets <strong>and</strong> rural viewers were signing up to U.S. DTH<br />
services. And so, we allowed DTH (Bell <strong>and</strong> Shaw) to carry out-of-market signals <strong>and</strong> not carry local signals (not<br />
enough capacity although they could still deliver a pay movie exactly to my set). This resulted in the largest<br />
competitor for Global Halifax being Global-balanceofcanada, etc. C<strong>TV</strong> Timmins lost audience to CFTO, etc., unmonetized<br />
because no seller was ready to st<strong>and</strong> up to the buyers who refused to pay (fragmentation had allowed<br />
every buyer to “buy-around” any seller – <strong>and</strong> clients didn’t know how their buys were being executed anyway).”<br />
RADIO: The $5,326,911 sale by Newcap of its two Thunder Bay stations – The Giant (CKTG-FM) <strong>and</strong> Magic<br />
(CJUK-FM) – to Northwoods <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing, itself owned by Saint John-based Acadia <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing, has<br />
been approved by the CRTC. The new owner has stations in Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Red Lake <strong>and</strong><br />
Sioux Lookout... The historic CFUN Vancouver call letters, in place since early 1955 <strong>and</strong> owned by CHUM<br />
<strong>Radio</strong> for decades, now belong to Rogers Vancouver. CFUN-FM succeeds CKCL-FM at 104.9 Vancouver while<br />
the former CFUN-AM has become CFTE (Team 1410)... As you know, the format at The New Country 95.3<br />
(CING-FM) Burlington was recently dropped in favour of a Greatest Hits format. While on-air talent won’t begin<br />
until the new year, the station’s imaging voice is using the new Vinyl 95.3 ID... Al Hebert has been honoured in<br />
Bathurst for his more than 50 years on the air. Although he retired from full-time work in 1997, Hebert’s been doing<br />
a weekly Sunday evening show on MAX 104.9, the successor to CKBC-AM Bathurst which he joined while still<br />
a teenager in 1959. He began in Copy, moved up to on-air, became PD <strong>and</strong> then went on up to be GM. A private<br />
reception was held for Hebert at the station <strong>and</strong> included some old workmates, including Gary Aube who later<br />
worked at some of the biggest stations in the country. Aube is now living in Bathurst after retiring two years ago...<br />
CBC Moncton's ninth annual Tree of Hope radiothon raised a record $245,000 for cancer research <strong>and</strong> treatment.<br />
The goal of the four-hour event, held at New Brunswick Community College in Dieppe, had been $200,000...<br />
SparkNet Communications has reached an agreement under which Passion <strong>Radio</strong> Oxford (PRO) will work to<br />
exp<strong>and</strong> JACK FM throughout the UK. PRO is already a licensing partner of SparkNet <strong>and</strong> operates the JACK<br />
format in Oxfordshire... At Q104 Sault Ste. Marie, the Stuff a Bus program result – toys for the Christmas Cheer<br />
depot – is being described as “phenomenal” by 100.5 EZ Rock APD James Warner-Smith. Christmas Cheer<br />
provides gifts <strong>and</strong> a baskets of food to as many as 1,800 families. While Stuff a Bus is Q104's baby, Warner-Smith<br />
<strong>and</strong> the staff from sister Rogers station EZ Rock get fully involved, too... Larry Resnitzky’s second book is out<br />
– On the Brink, the untold story – covering the business side of running Polar Productions, the Charlottetownbased<br />
radio syndication company that gave rise to SportsRap <strong>and</strong> C<strong>TV</strong> <strong>Radio</strong> News with Lloyd Robertson. The<br />
book is also a memoir that provides insights into the characters of several sports celebrities with whom Resnitzky<br />
<strong>and</strong> his sportscaster partner, Postie Connolly, rubbed shoulders with between 1983 <strong>and</strong> 1992. It’s available at<br />
Indigo, Chapters <strong>and</strong> Coles or online at www.retromedia.ca.
Thursday, December 3, 2009 Page 3<br />
GENERAL: The road outside Rogers Communications HQ in downtown Toronto was renamed Ted Rogers<br />
Way yesterday (Wednesday) on the first anniversary of his passing. It is the section of Jarvis Street running<br />
south from Bloor to Charles... In another Toronto event yesterday, Rogers Media Television cut the ribbon<br />
<strong>and</strong> dedicated its new Citytv Toronto/OMNI Television broadcast centre in honour of RCI founder Ted<br />
Rogers. Rogers Media Television CEO Leslie Sole said, “Housing two iconic Canadian television br<strong>and</strong>s, OMNI<br />
Television <strong>and</strong> Citytv, in one l<strong>and</strong>mark broadcast facility fulfills a commitment Ted Rogers made when he acquired<br />
Citytv. He had always envisioned a vibrant, high profile location that would become a part of the city of Toronto<br />
<strong>and</strong> the GTA (greater Toronto area).” <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> magazine’s February cover story will be the new<br />
Citytv/OMNI building in downtown Toronto’s Dundas Square... Canwest Global Communications lost $111<br />
million in the three months ended in August. Revenue was down by 13% to $624 million. The fourth-quarter loss<br />
was an improvement over the same period a year ago when it lost $1.02 billion. On an operational basis – before<br />
subtracting special charges – Canwest posted a profit of $25 million in the fourth quarter, off from $60 million a year<br />
earlier. For fiscal 2009, Canwest posted operating earnings of $310 million, down from $551 million one year<br />
earlier... Rogers Communications will own nearly one third of the equity of Cogeco <strong>and</strong> about one-fifth of<br />
Cogeco Cable after announcing late last week that it would spend $163 million to increase its stake in the familycontrolled<br />
Quebec cable company. Cogeco is Canada’s fourth-largest cable company <strong>and</strong> the second-largest in<br />
Ontario... Melanie Berry, President, Canadian Academy of Recording Arts <strong>and</strong> Sciences (CARAS); Lisa de<br />
Wilde, CEO, <strong>TV</strong>O; Denise Donlon, Exec Director of CBC English <strong>Radio</strong>; Céline Galipeau, Journalisteprésentatrice<br />
at <strong>Radio</strong>-Canada; <strong>and</strong> Audrey Ho, Sr VP/General Counsel/Corporate Secretary at TELUS are<br />
among Canada's Most Powerful Women. This past week, the Women's Executive Network announced the<br />
recipients of the 2009 Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards, representing each region of the<br />
country... General Electric has an agreement to buy the 20% stake in NBC Universal held by Vivendi. That $5.8<br />
billion deal is necessary before GE can sell control of NBC to Comcast, the largest U.S. cable <strong>TV</strong>. If it goes<br />
through, the sale price to Comcast is estimated at about $30 billion.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Stu Ferguson, ex of CHUM Vancouver, has been appointed Director Talk<br />
Programming at AM 650 (CISL) Vancouver. He’ll be creating a hybrid programming model featuring<br />
lifestyle content 6 p. through 6 a. Music programming will fill the other 12 hours of the day... Sportscaster<br />
Rick Hodge is no longer with Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Toronto. His job at EZ Rock was eliminated as was<br />
fellow morning show staffer Kim Stockwood’s position. Hodge had also been doing commentary on sister station<br />
CFRB Toronto... Rob Chambers has succeeded Vladimir Rybarczyk as Director of Engineering at C<strong>TV</strong><br />
Vancouver. It’s a promotion for Chambers. Rybarczyk will leave in June... Darilyn Magnusson has been<br />
promoted to Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Supervisor at Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong>'s CKMM-FM/CFQX-FM Winnipeg. The former<br />
Account Manager has been with the stations for six years... Dan Blakely, a CHUM Toronto news veteran of 28<br />
years who then went to XM Canada <strong>and</strong> then part-time to 680News Toronto, takes on the ND position at 107.5<br />
Kool FM Barrie. He begins Dec. 7... Stacey Walyuchow is the new National Account Manager at Corus <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Calgary. Her previous experience is outside of broadcasting... New Promotions Director at Classic Rock 101<br />
Vancouver effective Dec. 21 is Aaron Buckley, ext of Virgin 953. He succeeds Crosby McWilliams... Bryan<br />
Bodnar, Director, Programming is no longer with The Weather Network... Charles Gibson will retire from ABC<br />
News Friday, Dec. 18. His successor as Anchor of the network’s evening news is Diane Sawyer.<br />
SIGN-OFF: George Atkins, 92, of kidney failure at Wiarton, ON. The former CBC farm commentator was<br />
CBC's farm <strong>and</strong> gardening host in the 1950s <strong>and</strong> 60s. He was also the founder of Farm <strong>Radio</strong><br />
International.<br />
LOOKING: The Weather Network Oakville - Manager, <strong>Broadcast</strong> Technical Services; MusiquePlus<br />
Montreal - Chef de service, relations publiques; C<strong>TV</strong> Ottawa - Electronic Graphic Artist; CBC Toronto –<br />
Promotions Manager; CBC Vancouver – Senior <strong>Broadcast</strong> Technologist; Newcap Newfoundl<strong>and</strong> &<br />
Labrador – Chief Engineer; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Fredericton – News Reporter/Announcer; FM96 CFPL FM<br />
London – Morning Show News Announcer; VINYL 95.3 (CING-FM) Hamilton – Midday Show Host, Evening Show<br />
Host, Weekend Show Host.<br />
SUPPLYLINES: The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters have presented Kitchener-based Christie<br />
Digital Systems Canada with the 2009 Innovation Award for New Technology. CME cites “... innovation<br />
in the area of advanced projection technologies <strong>and</strong> digital media...”
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
December 10, 2009 Volume 17, Number 29 Page One of Four<br />
GENERAL: After last Tuesday’s Canadian Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers board meeting in Ottawa, it<br />
became almost a certainty that the CAB would no longer represent the interests of <strong>TV</strong> broadcasters <strong>and</strong><br />
instead would move back to its roots of serving the radio sector. To that end, new CAB Chair Elmer<br />
Hildebr<strong>and</strong> (<strong>and</strong> CEO of Golden West <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing) was h<strong>and</strong>ed the responsibility of determining a new<br />
association strategy. It’s expected that Hildebr<strong>and</strong> will report on the feasibility of the association’s future by the end<br />
of next month. The demise of the <strong>TV</strong> side becomes easily understood since we’ve seen Canwest <strong>and</strong> C<strong>TV</strong> too<br />
often circumvent the CAB lobby group, instead representing themselves with the federal government. Further, any<br />
commonalities that once existed with Citytv/OMNI stations <strong>and</strong> the Corus channels has been lost based on the<br />
Rogers <strong>and</strong> Shaw control of those properties... The British Columbia Association of <strong>Broadcast</strong>ers (BCAB)<br />
says it is going to present its annual convention – May 5-7 at Victoria – as a national event, <strong>and</strong> is inviting members<br />
of the broadcast industry from all across the country to attend. For more information on contact <strong>and</strong> website<br />
information, see the BCAB ad in this edition... After years of claiming Canadian consumers disrespect copyright,<br />
there is an irony to having the recording industry face a massive lawsuit brought by artists for that very<br />
infringement. The defendants are Warner Music Canada, Sony BMG Music Canada, EMI Music Canada <strong>and</strong><br />
Universal Music Canada, the primary<br />
members of the Canadian Recording<br />
Industry Association (CRIA). They were<br />
served with the lawsuit just over a year<br />
ago after artists decided, they said, to<br />
turn to the courts. The action, they said,<br />
came after decades of frustration with the<br />
“rampant” infringement. The claims arise<br />
from a longst<strong>and</strong>ing practice of the<br />
recording industry in Canada involving<br />
the use of works often included in<br />
compilation CDs or live recordings. The<br />
record labels create, press, distribute <strong>and</strong><br />
sell the CDs, but do not obtain the<br />
necessary copyright licences. The artists<br />
argue that "the conduct of the defendant<br />
record companies is aggravated by their<br />
strict <strong>and</strong> unremitting approach to the<br />
enforcement of their copyright interests<br />
against consumers"... Canwest lawyer<br />
Lyndon Barnes told a judge in Toronto<br />
that the fight with Goldman Sachs over<br />
Canwest’s specialty <strong>TV</strong> assets could<br />
hinder the restructuring of the entire<br />
company. The judge, presiding over<br />
Canwest’s court-supervised restructuring,<br />
was told that a disagreement between the<br />
two over ownership of a division that<br />
holds specialty <strong>TV</strong> assets is a move by
Thursday, December 10, 2009 Page 2<br />
the investment bank to gain an unfair advantage. Goldman Sachs claims that after filing with the courts, Canwest<br />
shut down a numbered company (shared between the two) that housed the specialty <strong>TV</strong> assets. The channels,<br />
which include HG<strong>TV</strong>, Showcase <strong>and</strong> Diva, were acquired by Canwest <strong>and</strong> Goldman Sachs in 2007 as part of a<br />
joint agreement. Goldman Sachs says Canwest broke the terms of that agreement when it started tinkering with<br />
the division, shifting its assets into another piece of the company. Canwest says the specialty assets need to be<br />
tightly controlled by the company, or they risk being sold by Goldman. The New York-based investment company<br />
wants the change overturned... Phyllis Yaffe has been added to the Astral Media Inc. Board of Directors. The<br />
announcement was made yesterday during Astral’s Fiscal 2009 Annual <strong>and</strong> Special Meeting of Shareholders in<br />
Toronto.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Max Keeping, the long-time Anchor at C<strong>TV</strong> Ottawa, has announced his retirement.<br />
After 51 years in journalism – <strong>and</strong> nearly 40 years at CJOH-<strong>TV</strong> – Keeping says his last day on the air will<br />
be March 31. Succeeding him will be C<strong>TV</strong> Reporter Graham Richardson, who will work alongside<br />
Keeping's long-time co-Anchor, Carol Anne Meehan... Newcap New Brunswick GM Hilary Montbourquette,<br />
who runs FRED-FM Fredericton <strong>and</strong> CJMO-FM/CJXL-FM/CFRK-FM Moncton, will move to become GM/GSM<br />
at Newcap’s Alberta <strong>Radio</strong> South Group of stations (CKGY-FM <strong>and</strong> CIZZ-FM Red Deer, CIBQ <strong>and</strong> CIXF-FM<br />
Brooks, CJPR-FM Blairmore, CKDQ Drumheller <strong>and</strong> CKSQ Stettler), based at Z99/KG Country Red Deer. He<br />
succeeds Ron Thompson who retired Sept. 30. As a result of Montbourquette’s move, expected to be complete<br />
by mid-January, Dan Fagan has been promoted to GM/GSM of the Moncton stations <strong>and</strong> Dan Gallant has been<br />
promoted to GM/GSM of the Fredericton station. Brad Muir has been promoted to Operations Manager of Moncton<br />
<strong>and</strong> will continue to program FRED-FM Fredericton... Nelson Millman, the VP/GM of The FAN Toronto, has<br />
moved to another Rogers property, Sportsnet, to lead its news division. His official title is Executive Producer of<br />
Studio Productions which means he’ll be overseeing everything Sportsnet produces in-house. Millman succeeds<br />
ND Mike English at Sportsnet. There has not been an announcement regarding his successor at The FAN.<br />
Millman will continue to run the C<strong>TV</strong>-Rogers Olympic Consortium's radio operations... Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Montreal has seen some changes, including Chris Bury becoming PD/Interim ND at CJAD. Bury, formerly of 940<br />
News Montreal who then worked on contract at CBC Montreal, begins at Astral Jan. 4. He succeeds Steve<br />
Kowch who was in Montreal on a sixmonth<br />
contract after leaving CFRB<br />
Toronto. Kowch remains with CJAD<br />
until Dec. 18 <strong>and</strong> will then move back to<br />
his home in Toronto. He may be<br />
reached by clicking<br />
opsmanager1010@hotmail.com...<br />
Also at Astral Montreal, Mark Bergman<br />
becomes Interim PD at Virgin <strong>Radio</strong>,<br />
adding that responsibility to hs<br />
MD/afternoon drive duties. As well,<br />
Mathew Wood has been appointed<br />
CHOM-FM Promotion Director, Melissa<br />
Mancuso is the new Virgin <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Promotion Director, Bianca Bayer is the<br />
Virgin <strong>Radio</strong> Promotion Co-ordinator<br />
<strong>and</strong> Lisa Fuoco becomes Promotion<br />
Director at CJAD... Casey Wilson is the<br />
new GM for Clear Sky <strong>Radio</strong>’s two<br />
stations – CJOC-FM Lethbridge <strong>and</strong><br />
CJCY-FM Medicine Hat. He had been<br />
GM/GSM of CJOC after a series of<br />
promotions that began after he started<br />
as CJOC’s Local <strong>Sales</strong> Manager...<br />
News Anchor S<strong>and</strong>ra Blaikie has left A<br />
Channel Ottawa to pursue other<br />
interests. The station’s newscast was<br />
cancelled last March... Further to the<br />
changes at CHUM Ottawa as reported
Thursday, December 10, 2009 Page 3<br />
a couple of weeks back, Al Smith is Operations Manager of the Ottawa cluster (TEAM 1200, 580 CFRA, Majic<br />
100 <strong>and</strong> 93.9 BOB FM); John Rodenburg adds Sports Director for the cluster <strong>and</strong> Program Coordinator for TEAM<br />
1200 to his duties as that station’s morning show co-Host; Ian March is APD/MD at both Majic 100 <strong>and</strong> BOB FM;<br />
<strong>and</strong> Steve Winogron, along with his ND responsibilities, will also focus on day-to-day programming at CFRA...<br />
Bryan Bodnar, who had been Director, Programming at The Weather Network, has moved to C<strong>TV</strong> Creative<br />
Agency Toronto as Manager, Design Production. He’d been with The Weather Network for 11 years.<br />
RADIO: The Fall 2009 BBM diary numbers will be released this morning (Thursday) at 11 a.m. EST. After<br />
that time, click bbm.ca/en/radio_top_line.html for the results covering the period Sept. 7 through Nov. 1...<br />
On Friday, Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> invites agencies, advertisers <strong>and</strong> media to discover the first 13-week PPM<br />
radio data in English Canada on the web in real-time. Beginning at 3 p.m. EST tomorrow (Friday), a 30-minute<br />
presentation <strong>and</strong> analysis of the first PPM results in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary <strong>and</strong> Edmonton will take place.<br />
If you want to watch, click http://survey.astralmediaradio.ca... The CRTC has approved a new frequency for the<br />
proposed Touch Canada <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing Limited Partnership station in Red Deer. The Gospel AC station moves<br />
from the 101.7 in the original application to 90.5 at 15,000 watts... Operation Keep the Change in Fredericton –<br />
which began Nov. 16 <strong>and</strong> runs through Dec. 20 – is collecting change in support of the Fredericton Food Bank,<br />
the Salvation Army <strong>and</strong> the Fredericton Community Kitchen. The annual fundraiser began in 2006 as a<br />
partnership between 106.9 Capital FM/105.3 FM The Fox/Today's Country KHJ Fredericton <strong>and</strong> the local<br />
newspaper, the Daily Gleaner. Last year’s change amounted to $26,400 <strong>and</strong> Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Fredericton<br />
Promotion Director Jennifer Cox says 2009 is shaping up as being another good year.<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: Statistic Canada says cable <strong>and</strong> satellite company revenues were up 14.4% in 2008, the third<br />
consecutive year of double-digit increases. Operating revenue at the BDUs totaled $10.3 billion for the year.<br />
The cable firms had a profit margin before interest <strong>and</strong> taxes of 25.9% – <strong>and</strong> have had a profit margin of<br />
more than 20% since 2004. The satellite industry's profit margin before interest <strong>and</strong> taxes was 4.1% in 2008,<br />
<strong>and</strong> it continues to build its market share... CRTC Chair Konrad Von Finckenstein, addressing a row of BDU<br />
execs Tuesday in Gatineau, said: “Why are we frightening consumers, why are we putting out big figures rather<br />
than trying to figure out how to solve this problem? The problem is we want to keep a viable Canadian <strong>TV</strong> system.<br />
Instead, we seem to have a debate that nobody underst<strong>and</strong>s, we have a huge publicity campaign that nobody<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> we have figures <strong>and</strong> concepts swirling around that don't make sense.” A little later, the Chairman<br />
discussed what the hearing was all about: “What does it mean for the consumer in terms of affordability <strong>and</strong> what<br />
does it mean for the industry in terms of digital transition?” In advance of the hearing, the Commission received<br />
189,700 comments from the public, plus an additional 4,000 that arrived too late. The overwhelming majority –<br />
173,000 – came from the campaigns set up by both sides (Local <strong>TV</strong> Matters <strong>and</strong> Stop the <strong>TV</strong> Tax). One appearing<br />
consumer – Gord Bontje of Red Deer – said he wanted his local television (Canwest’s CHCA-<strong>TV</strong> Red Deer is<br />
no longer on the air). The Chair said the station is closed but is still on the web with ads, daily news <strong>and</strong> so on.<br />
Bontje replied that he had no idea, “I never looked for it after I saw [in] the paper that it was gone.” <strong>Broadcast</strong><br />
<strong>Dialogue</strong> made contact with Global Television <strong>and</strong> was told that the website was an old one that kept kicking-in<br />
current dates but that it was not being updated. It was overlooked, we were told, <strong>and</strong> has now been taken down.<br />
Other participant observations this week include:<br />
Phil Lind, Rogers – “Now, BDUs can hardly be accused of stealing local signals if broadcasters are required by<br />
law to provide them over-the-air for free, <strong>and</strong> BDUs are required by law to distribute them, but that didn't stop C<strong>TV</strong>,<br />
CBC/SRC <strong>and</strong> Global.”<br />
Alan Cruise, former GM of CKX-<strong>TV</strong> Br<strong>and</strong>on (now off the air): “Satellite providers should be required to carry local<br />
stations. Two weeks prior to CKX signing off forever, Shaw added an HD American college sports channel that<br />
took up as much space on their system as five local CKX-<strong>TV</strong> type stations. How is this helping our Canadian<br />
broadcast system?”...<br />
Appearing together yesterday (Wednesday), the CEOs of C<strong>TV</strong>, Global <strong>and</strong> CBC presented what they described<br />
as a “consumer-first” solution. CBC’s Hubert Lacroix said an affordable bundle of basic <strong>TV</strong> channels would be<br />
a start. "With a regulated capped rate,” he said, Canadians would be protected from fee hikes with a skinny basic<br />
bundle of channels, including the local <strong>TV</strong> channels. C<strong>TV</strong>’s Ivan Fecan said moving forward with implementation<br />
of a negotiation-for-value regime would lay the groundwork for a sustainable future for local <strong>TV</strong>. And Canwest’s<br />
Leonard Asper said local <strong>TV</strong> viewers deserve access to the local stations they are already paying for... A Rogers<br />
exec warned that dropping a number of services to a “skinny” basic doesn't automatically result in halving the price.<br />
The fixed costs won’t go away <strong>and</strong> that means any reduction in consumer cost would be minimal... The Vancouver<br />
Winter Games will be beamed live in HD at 64 Cineplex theatres across central <strong>and</strong> western Canada. It would
Thursday, December 10, 2009 Page 4<br />
cost fans $9.95 for individual, one-day tickets, or $29.95 for unlimited access to broadcasts throughout the 17 days<br />
of the Olympics... Official Washington is leery of Comcast’s NBC Universal purchase. The FCC was hardly<br />
jubilant in its terse reaction: “The FCC will carefully examine the proposed merger <strong>and</strong> will be thorough, fair, <strong>and</strong><br />
fact-based in its review.” And on Capitol Hill, the House Commerce Chairman (Henry Waxman) said, “This<br />
proposal raises questions regarding diversity, competition, <strong>and</strong> the future of the production <strong>and</strong> distribution of video<br />
content across broadcasting, cable, online, <strong>and</strong> mobile platforms. It is imperative that the FCC, the Justice<br />
Department, <strong>and</strong> the FTC rigorously assess whether this transaction is in the public interest”... Specialty channel<br />
Drive-in Classics is being replaced. Effective March 1, Robert Redford’s film <strong>and</strong> lifestyle Sundance Channel<br />
– owned here by Corus Entertainment – will be carried in Canada... As the World Turns, the 54-year-old soap<br />
opera on CBS, won’t be back next year. It’s not being renewed, <strong>and</strong> that leaves just two soaps on CBS: The Young<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Restless <strong>and</strong> Bold <strong>and</strong> Beautiful.<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Ian Trevor Kent, 46, of a heart attack at his home near Halifax (Martin’s Brook). Kent was the<br />
GSM at CHNS-FM/CHFX-FM Halifax... David Hankinson, 64, in a traffic accident on the Alaska Highway,<br />
west of Fort Nelson. Before leaving broadcasting in 1989, he’d worked for a number of Western Canada<br />
stations including CBC Winnipeg; ND at CHQR Calgary; Ass’t ND at CJOR Vancouver; ND at<br />
CIOF/CKXY Vancouver; <strong>and</strong> ND at CKRD Red Deer.<br />
LOOKING: Global Halifax - ENG Camera Operator; Teletoon Toronto – Director, Communications; Canwest<br />
<strong>Broadcast</strong>ing Toronto – Manager, <strong>Broadcast</strong> Engineering, File Based Technologies; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong><br />
– Content Manager Interactive; CKWX News1130 Vancouver - Program Director; APTN Winnipeg -<br />
Communications Coordinator; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver – Promotions Coordinator Programming; 91.7<br />
The Bounce Edmonton – Evening Personality; BIG 105/1067 the DRIVE Red Deer – On Air Swing; CBC Regina<br />
– Associate Producer English <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>and</strong> Producer-Current Affairs English <strong>Radio</strong>; CBC Calgary – Reporter/Editor;<br />
CBC Montreal – Director Regional Communications; <strong>and</strong> CBC Toronto – Senior Technical Analyst.<br />
SUPPLYLINES: Evertz Technologies saw its fiscal second-quarter profits cut nearly in half as weakness<br />
in North America drove revenue down 20%.The company’s net income for the three months ended Oct. 31<br />
totalled $17.5 million or 23 cents a share compared with $34.1 million or 46 cents a share in the same period<br />
last year. A 30% decrease in sales in Canada <strong>and</strong> the U.S. reduced Evertz's overall revenues to $73 million<br />
in the quarter compared with $91.3 million last year... WideOrbit <strong>and</strong> Axia Audio have partnered to deliver radio<br />
automation <strong>and</strong> IP-Audio routing.<br />
* * * * *
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
December 17, 2009 Volume 17, Number 30 Page One of Three<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: Two people aboard a Groupe <strong>TV</strong>A helicopter were injured early yesterday (Wednesday) after it<br />
crashed during the morning rush hour. The chopper was attempting an emergency l<strong>and</strong>ing at a heliport on<br />
the outskirts of south-end Montreal. Reporter Réjean Léveillée was trapped inside the wreckage for nearly<br />
an hour before firefighters were able to get him out. Pilot Antoine Léger <strong>and</strong> Léveillée are conscious <strong>and</strong><br />
out of danger but doctors say they’re both suffering multiple orthopedic injuries... Dennis Watson appeared as<br />
a private citizen at the CRTC Gatineau hearing into a report to be made by the Commission to the Heritage<br />
Minister on affordability <strong>and</strong> digital transition. Watson, the VP/GM of C<strong>TV</strong> (CKCO-<strong>TV</strong>) Kitchener, stressing that<br />
he was speaking for himself <strong>and</strong> not for the company, said that among tangible benefits his station <strong>and</strong> its staff<br />
has brought to the community during the previous year is the support of over 700 community organizations. He<br />
also said the business model for OTA is outdated <strong>and</strong> broken. The BDUs, he said, “have destroyed the old<br />
business model which allowed <strong>TV</strong> stations to achieve profitability on advertising revenue alone. Many stations have<br />
no carriage on DTH <strong>and</strong> local consumers must forgo Amber alerts, weather warnings <strong>and</strong> local news while the DTH<br />
companies overstep the program rights of the OTA stations in favour of distant signals <strong>and</strong> masses of U.S. football<br />
packages <strong>and</strong> pornography.” Further, he said, cable companies now sell consumers distant signals in order to<br />
compete with DTH services thus making<br />
local stations available all across Canada.<br />
And in the end, he said, “the BDUs<br />
increase revenue while the local stations<br />
are pushed out of business.” As an<br />
example of what he calls the imbalance in<br />
the system, Watson pointed to Hamilton,<br />
where CHCH-<strong>TV</strong> with its Ontario<br />
rebroadcasters was sold for $12 <strong>and</strong><br />
shortly thereafter Mountainview Cable,<br />
which covers only a portion of Hamilton,<br />
roughly 40,000 subscribers, was sold for<br />
$300 million... Executive Committee<br />
members of the new Board of Directors at<br />
the Television Bureau of Canada are:<br />
Rita Fabian (Chair), Exec VP,<br />
C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia Toronto.; Errol Da-Ré<br />
(Vice Chair). Exec VP, Canwest<br />
Toronto; Chris McGinley (Treasurer),<br />
Sr. VP, Canwest Calgary; Mitch Dent<br />
(Secretary), Exec VP, Rogers Media<br />
Television <strong>Sales</strong> Toronto; <strong>and</strong> <strong>TV</strong>B<br />
President Theresa Treutler. Completing<br />
the Board are: Sally Basmajian,<br />
C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia/Discovery Networks<br />
Toronto; Bill Hanson, C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia<br />
Winnipeg; Richard Hiron, Rogers<br />
Television Edmonton; Lori Legault,
Thursday, December 17, 2009 Page 2<br />
Canwest Toronto; Cal Millar, Channel Zero Toronto; Scott Moore, CBC Television Toronto; Jim Nelles, SUN<br />
<strong>TV</strong> Toronto; <strong>and</strong> Don Shafer, Astral <strong>TV</strong> Terrace/Dawson Creek... Marcia Martin, the former VP with CHUM<br />
Television <strong>and</strong> Sr. VP with C<strong>TV</strong>, is the newest member of the National Screen Institute Board of Directors.<br />
Martin is an advisor for the Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Yesterday (Wednesday) was Global BC News Anchor Tony Parsons’ last night on<br />
the job, after anchoring that evening news program for 34 years. Parsons was initially expected to remain<br />
on the air as a part-time anchor through the end of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. There has<br />
been talk – unconfirmed at press time – that he may turn up anchoring at CHEK-<strong>TV</strong> Victoria beginning in<br />
March. He had reduced his workload this year to two newscasts a week... Gary Perrin is the new GSM at 101.9<br />
DAWG FM Ottawa, the new All-Blues station owned by Torres Media <strong>and</strong> which is aimed at being on the air by<br />
June. Perrin, who has experience in the capital city as GSM at CHEZ-FM, joins new GM Todd Bernard, who’s<br />
also VP/GM of Skywords’ Ottawa <strong>and</strong> Eastern Operations... At CHIN/CHIN-FM Toronto, Theresa Lombardi is<br />
now VP/GM, Dario Amaral, is GSM, Adriano Cremonese is RSM <strong>and</strong> Walter Pastorious is Director, National<br />
Accounts. Amaral had been VP Programming/Operations & Production... At CHIN (CJLL) Ottawa-Gatineau, the<br />
new GM/GSM is Francesco Di C<strong>and</strong>ia while Gary Michaels is now PD. Interesting to note that when Michaels<br />
was GM at CHIN Ottawa he hired Di C<strong>and</strong>ia from his long-time <strong>Sales</strong> Rep duties at CHIN Toronto to become GSM<br />
there... Chris Shine is the new morning Host at 101.5 ENERGY FM (CKCE) Calgary, Shine, who moves north<br />
from mornings at MOVIN’ 107.5 Dallas, teams up with Meg Tucker beginning Jan. 4... Susanne Reber, the<br />
investigative Editor/Producer of CBC <strong>Radio</strong>’s investigative unit, has been hired by NPR News in the States to lead<br />
its new investigative program as Deputy Managing Editor. She begins Jan. 4.<br />
RADIO: Portable People Meters in the U.S. may, in some broadcasters’ eyes, be disseminating a bit too<br />
much information in that what people say they<br />
do <strong>and</strong> what they actually do is different.<br />
Research Director, a U.S. ratings consultancy,<br />
says more men (40.1%) are listening to Soft AC than<br />
was said in diaries (34.7%) <strong>and</strong> that fewer people are<br />
listening to Classical music stations than the diaries<br />
would have us believe. And Talk radio, says Research<br />
Director, shows a 2.6% decline in the study of areas<br />
where the meters were used. But other shifts to the<br />
positive include mainstream formats such as Oldies,<br />
News <strong>and</strong> Country. Jaye Albright of Albright &<br />
O’Malley was quoted as saying about diary entries:<br />
“People tended to look at it almost like an election —<br />
they would vote for the things they liked”... STREETZ<br />
104.7 (CIUR-FM) Winnipeg is on the air, having<br />
launched this past Monday. Owned by NCI (Native<br />
Communications Inc.) <strong>and</strong> playing Aboriginal hip-hop<br />
<strong>and</strong> indigenous music from around the world, the 3,000<br />
watt’er targets Aboriginal youth, the fastest growing<br />
demo in the Manitoba capital... SparkNet<br />
Communications, led by Pat Bohn, has formed a new<br />
syndication company that will focus its business on the<br />
Canadian radio industry. SparkNetworks will represent<br />
an array of global companies that specialize in<br />
syndication, marketing <strong>and</strong> services for radio. The new<br />
company, to launch in January, will be based in<br />
Toronto... Members of the new Board of Directors at<br />
the <strong>Radio</strong> Marketing Bureau are: Gary Belgrave,<br />
President, <strong>Radio</strong> Marketing Bureau; Derek Berghuis,<br />
Second Vice Chair, Rogers Media <strong>Radio</strong>; Glenn<br />
Chalmers, Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong>; Lesley Conway-<br />
Kelley, Chair, Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>Sales</strong>; Chris<br />
Gordon, CHUM <strong>Radio</strong>/C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia; Patrick<br />
Help us keep a New Year’s<br />
resolution.<br />
Here’s how.<br />
Go to<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com<br />
<strong>and</strong> click on the Directory,<br />
then find your listing.<br />
Determine that the<br />
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<strong>and</strong> your company is correct.<br />
If we’re wrong, or if<br />
we’ve left somebody out,<br />
let us know by<br />
clicking HERE.
Thursday, December 17, 2009 Page 3<br />
Grierson, Past Chair, Canadian <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Sales</strong>; Elmer Hildebr<strong>and</strong>, Treasurer, Golden West <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing;<br />
Breydon MacDonald CHUM <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>Sales</strong>/C<strong>TV</strong>globemedia; Jacques Parisien, Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong>; S<strong>and</strong>ee<br />
Reed, First Vice Chair, Rawlco <strong>Radio</strong>; Gerry Siemens, Jim Pattison <strong>Broadcast</strong> Group; Stephen Sienko,<br />
Target <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Sales</strong>; <strong>and</strong> Paul Ski, Rogers Media <strong>Radio</strong>... Corus <strong>Radio</strong>’s 52 stations have helped raise<br />
the equivalent of more than $21 million (through air time support, gift-in-kind services, local fundraising assistance<br />
<strong>and</strong> cash donations) so far this year for hundreds of charities. Corus Entertainment President/CEO John<br />
Cassaday said that “despite a tough economy this year, we increased our support <strong>and</strong> contributions by $2 million<br />
over last year.”<br />
GENERAL: Thirty-four percent of Americans cite <strong>TV</strong> as their favourite medium, up from 27% last year.<br />
Second through fourth in Deloitte's fourth annual State of the Media Democracy Report were the<br />
Internet, music <strong>and</strong> books. The average consumer says, according to Deloitte, that all four choices are<br />
perceived by them as being less expensive than going out to the movies. Americans increased their <strong>TV</strong><br />
viewing by two hours this year over last to 17.8 hours a week. Asked to rate the effectiveness of ads across media,<br />
consumers said <strong>TV</strong> was first at 83%, followed by magazines at 50%. The rest were, in order: online, newspapers,<br />
radio, billboards, in-theatre, DVDs, mobile phones <strong>and</strong> video games... Meanwhile, in Toronto, the intelligence<br />
company – Synovate – says its global study on media <strong>and</strong> advertising shows that 80% of people in Canada cannot<br />
live without the Internet or would miss it a great deal if it were not there, thus edging out <strong>TV</strong> – at 70% – as the<br />
favourite medium. About 67% still want newspapers <strong>and</strong> magazines but say they don’t feel that they need them.<br />
And 16% of Canadians said they couldn’t live without radio <strong>and</strong> that 37% would miss it a great deal... The Ontario<br />
court overseeing the restructuring of Canwest Global Communications ruled Tuesday in favour of the company<br />
<strong>and</strong> changes it made to the ownership structure of its prized specialty <strong>TV</strong> assets. U.S. investment bank Goldman<br />
Sachs had wanted the court to overturn a move by Canwest to shut down the numbered company that housed<br />
the specialty <strong>TV</strong> assets in which both companies hold a stake... The combined efforts of /A\ MORNING Ottawa<br />
<strong>and</strong> BOB FM Ottawa’s Food Drive has raised 60,500 lbs. of food for the local food bank, along with more than<br />
$27, 000.<br />
SIGN-OFFS: Ken Hutcheson, 85, at Port Alberni. Before he moved north in 1946 <strong>and</strong> became an owner of<br />
CJAV Port Alberni, he was an Announcer at CKNW New Westminster... John Daly, age unknown, in<br />
Ottawa. Daly was the Sports Director <strong>and</strong> then GM of the former CKOY/CKBY Ottawa between 1951 <strong>and</strong><br />
1979.<br />
SUPPLYLINES: The Bear (CKQB) Ottawa bought some new Wheatstone equipment (two E6 <strong>and</strong> four E4<br />
control surfaces along with 12 IP-88a Analog Blades, Glass E, Navigator <strong>and</strong> a PC-XY Site Licence) through<br />
Canadian dealer Marketing Marc Vallee. Installation at The Bear <strong>and</strong> at Astral Media’s newly licenced<br />
Ottawa station will begin in Feb... LARCAN has partnered with Sumavision Technologies to provide the<br />
low power <strong>TV</strong> broadcast market with an MPEG encoding platform of integrated encoder-multiplexers.<br />
LOOKING: Global Winnipeg - News Anchor/Reporter; Teletoon Toronto – Br<strong>and</strong> Manager; Teletoon Retro<br />
Toronto – Br<strong>and</strong> Manager; C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto – Supervising Writer/Producer; C<strong>TV</strong> Edmonton – Writer/Producer;<br />
CBC Charlottetown – Reporter/Editor; <strong>TV</strong>O Toronto – Senior Research Officer; C<strong>TV</strong> Winnipeg – Managing<br />
Editor; Rogers <strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver - Retail <strong>Sales</strong> Manager; Orbyt/Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> <strong>Sales</strong> Toronto –<br />
Traffic Manager; Newstalk 1010 Toronto – Reporter/Anchor; <strong>and</strong> Newcap <strong>Radio</strong> Halifax – Account Manager.<br />
EDITOR’S NOTE: The <strong>Broadcast</strong> <strong>Dialogue</strong> Electronic Briefing will be published next week, delivered<br />
Wednesday evening for consumption the morning of Thursday, Dec. 24. After that, we’ll be taking two weeks<br />
off – Dec. 30 <strong>and</strong> Jan. 7 – <strong>and</strong> will return with weekly delivery on Jan. 14.
Christensen Communications Ltd. * 18 Turtle Path * Lagoon City ON * L0K 1B0<br />
www.broadcastdialogue.com * howard@broadcastdialogue.com<br />
December 24, 2009 Volume 17, Number 31 Page One of Two<br />
GENERAL: The Supreme Court of Canada has upheld a new libel defence for journalism that strikes down<br />
a $1.5-million libel award against The Toronto Star. This new defence allows for factual errors as long as<br />
journalists (print, broadcast or others) acted responsibly in the public interest while pursuing a story.<br />
RTNDA Canada President Cal Johnstone says the ruling “is an important victory for freedom of the press”.<br />
Before this ruling, Canadian media had often been muzzled by the threat of libel action <strong>and</strong>, said Johnstone: "The<br />
chill created by substantial libel awards based on little more than technicalities often undermined journalists' efforts<br />
to report stories in the public interest”... The CBC will get $133 million through the 2003 sale of l<strong>and</strong> around the<br />
Toronto <strong>Broadcast</strong> Centre, which was originally to have been paid in annual instalments until 2027. CBC CEO<br />
Hubert Lacroix, in a notice to employees on Monday, said the sale was an important part of the CBC's strategy<br />
to balance its budget by March 31, 2010... CBC St. John’s (Newfoundl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Labrador) has collected more than<br />
4,700 turkeys for a local food bank... There are an awful lot of <strong>Radio</strong>-Canada employees in Montreal who are<br />
enormously annoyed about Mary being laid off. The employees, who have enjoyed 36 years of Mary McGuire’s<br />
smiling face as she served coffee, have begun rallying around her with the battle cry, “Sauvons Mary! (Save<br />
Mary!)”. McGuire, a cafeteria worker employed by Laliberte, a company that <strong>Radio</strong>-Canada sub-contracts, did not<br />
have her contract renewed. <strong>Radio</strong>-Canada people say that starting the day without one of Mary’s smiles is<br />
unthinkable. Further, they say, her being relegated to oblivion before Christmas is unconscionable. Everyone is<br />
invited to voice their indignation to radiocanada@laliberte.qc.ca.<br />
<strong>TV</strong>/FILM: Canadian network television ratings have bounced back. PPM receivers reveal that far more people<br />
are watching hit shows than previously estimated. Hockey Night in Canada has been averaging just under<br />
two million viewers a week for Game One each Saturday night, almost doubling last year's average. And<br />
imports such as House, Survivor, The Amazing Race <strong>and</strong> Dragon's Den have seen ratings nearly twice as<br />
high as last year’s. CBC’s Sunday evening family drama, Heartl<strong>and</strong>, went from an average of 574,000 last season<br />
to 1,014,000 each week this season. At Global Television, the PPM bounce sees numbers up by an average<br />
33%. Global Sr. VP Kathy Gardner says there’s been a shift in viewership within specialty, with sports <strong>and</strong> family<br />
channels featuring children's programming trending up while “rerun”' channels featuring seen-it-before shows slide<br />
down. Some execs speculate that the economy has led to more cocooning, with more viewers staying home...<br />
Brett Manlove, the VP/GM of Global BC, writes to say that while Anchor Tony Parson’s last day on Global BC<br />
happened last week, he’s now using up his holidays until his contract runs out March 1. Manlove says Parsons<br />
is looking at some new endeavours <strong>and</strong> that Global BC is having discussions with him in that regard... CBC <strong>and</strong><br />
the National Post have an agreement to collaborate in providing coverage of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.<br />
The initiative will include a co-br<strong>and</strong>ed website that will offer reports from a joint collection of digital, print <strong>and</strong><br />
broadcast journalists... Plans for Current <strong>TV</strong>, Al Gore's interactive television network, to enter Canada are on hold,<br />
according to Sr. VP Michael Streefl<strong>and</strong>. In June, the CRTC approved plans to launch Current <strong>TV</strong> here but the<br />
news organization recently laid off 80 people as part of the tough media environment in the U.S. The television<br />
service, which concentrates on covering international <strong>and</strong> domestic stories missed by traditional news outlets, was<br />
to partner with CBC... The Royal Canadian Air Farce is reuniting for another New Year’s Eve show on CBC-<strong>TV</strong>.<br />
It’s the 18th New Year’s Eve special for Air Farce, which first was a radio show, then became a New Year’s Eve<br />
<strong>TV</strong> special, then became a weekly <strong>TV</strong> show before signing off a year ago.<br />
SIGN-OFF: Dean Chevalier (Shavalier), 69, in London, ON of cancer. A native Londoner, Chevalier was a<br />
News Anchor at 980 CFPL London for many years.
Thursday, December 24, 2007 Page Two<br />
RADIO: Citadel <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing, one of the U.S.’s largest radio broadcasters with 224 stations, has filed for<br />
bankruptcy after agreeing to turn over control of the company to its creditors in exchange for reducing its<br />
debt. The filing was not unexpected since it reflects the troubles plaguing the American radio industry,<br />
including big debt loads. One day later, NextMedia also filed for Chapter 11 protection prompted by a recent<br />
raid on NextMedia’’s cash by its senior lenders. NextMedia owns 36 stations in seven medium <strong>and</strong> suburban<br />
markets... K97 Edmonton’s Terry Evans, of the Terry, Bill & Steve show, moved into an 18-wheeler early last<br />
Monday morning. Three days <strong>and</strong> five hours later, he moved out because the trailer had been filled with nonperishables.<br />
Also raised were monetary donations exceeding $20,000, all to benefit the K-97 Christmas Rig for<br />
Edmonton’s Food Bank... Q99 Gr<strong>and</strong>e Prairie collected 8,666 food items over a four-week period during its<br />
second Stuff A Bus promotion for the Salvation Army. This year’s results double those of last year’s effort... The<br />
Q (CFQR) Montreal’s 12 Days of Starlight has raised $137,291.00, almost 85% more than expected. In its second<br />
year, The Q's 12 Days of Starlight appealed to Montrealers as well as local businesses to make a difference in the<br />
lives of seriously ill children <strong>and</strong> their families.<br />
REVOLVING DOOR: Jordan Hennessey, ex of Newcap Calgary, will become <strong>Sales</strong>/Operations Manager<br />
at CJCY Medicine Hat Jan. 4... Laura Knop becomes the new ND at CHQR Calgary Jan. 4. Knop, who<br />
has three decades of radio broadcast experience, moves to QR from her mid-day editor’s gig at 660 News<br />
Calgary... At Q99 Gr<strong>and</strong>e Prairie, morning Host Kent Schumaker moves to become PD at YL/KIX Peace River.<br />
He departs Q99 Jan. 15... Natalie Fournier is the new Promotions Director at Lite 92.9 (CFLT-FM) Halifax. She<br />
had been with a public relations agency <strong>and</strong>, before that, did a four-year stint with Skywords Media in Halifax...<br />
Lindsay Rae will move to KRAZE 101.3 (CKIK-FM) Red Deer after she wraps up her morning co-Hosting gig with<br />
101.3 The River (CKKN) Prince George at year-end. She’ll also be a morning co-Host at KRAZE... New<br />
Promotion <strong>and</strong> Marketing Director at ENERGY 101.5 (CKCE-FM) Calgary is Sonya Koson, an industry newbie.<br />
She succeeds Khazma Tichon who is now Promotions Director at 92.5 JOE FM (CKNG-FM) Edmonton. Koson<br />
begins next Monday, Dec. 29... Mike Cornacchia is the new Business Manager, <strong>Broadcast</strong> Engineering <strong>and</strong><br />
Technology Services at CW Media in Toronto effective Jan. 12.<br />
LOOKING: APTN Montreal – Video Journalist; APTN Edmonton - Video Journalist; APTN Winnipeg -<br />
Research/Writer on-line <strong>and</strong> a Programming Analyst; C<strong>TV</strong> Toronto – Director of <strong>Sales</strong>, C<strong>TV</strong> Digital Media<br />
<strong>and</strong> a News Producer (Canada AM); CBC Ottawa – Regional Communications Manager <strong>and</strong> a Senior<br />
Industrial Relations Consultant; CBC Montreal – Corporate Communications Officer <strong>and</strong> a Senior Manager,<br />
Advertising; CBC Toronto – Creative Head, <strong>TV</strong> Drama <strong>and</strong> a Manager of Planning, Communications; CBC St.<br />
John’s – Senior Communications Officer; CHEK News Victoria – Maintenance Technician; Teletoon Toronto –<br />
General Accountant; <strong>TV</strong>O Toronto – Manager, Digital Media Services; 93.3 The Peak Port Alberni - Operations<br />
Manager/<strong>Sales</strong> Manager; Astral Media <strong>Radio</strong> Vancouver – <strong>Broadcast</strong> Technician; CJOB/CJKR/CJGV Winnipeg<br />
– Account Manager; Isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>Radio</strong> Nanaimo –<br />
Senior Account Executive; Isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>Radio</strong><br />
Courtenay/Campbell River – Account Executive;<br />
Rogers <strong>Broadcast</strong>ing Calgary – <strong>Broadcast</strong><br />
Technician; <strong>and</strong> VOCM St. John’s – <strong>Broadcast</strong><br />
Journalists.<br />
SUPPLYLINES: Rohde & Schwarz has won<br />
the Best Innovative Technology award for its<br />
R&S CMW500 wideb<strong>and</strong> radio communication<br />
tester at the Mobile Industry Congress of<br />
China, held in Beijing Dec. 10-11.<br />
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: We’re taking the next<br />
two weeks off to celebrate Christmas <strong>and</strong> the<br />
New Year. Be back with you with our Jan.<br />
14/10 edition.
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