Comments on: Corus shuts down AM stations Info 690, 940 Hits

By: The Team 940? Bell proposes frequency swap – Fagstein

The Team 940? Bell proposes frequency swap – Fagstein — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 06:20:04 +0000

[...] where the intervention from Bell gets interesting: They state that they have been trying, since Corus shut down CINW (940 Hits) and CINF (Info 690) in January 2010, to purchase the transmitter and antenna from them, to no avail. Bell says that if [...]

By: All-traffic radio: A $9-million waste – Fagstein

All-traffic radio: A $9-million waste – Fagstein — Wed, 25 May 2011 13:09:51 +0000

[...] in 2008. (Info 690, meanwhile, kept going with their news format). Then, in January 2010, Corus pulled the plug on both stations and gave up. They returned their licenses to the [...]

By: Franc

Franc — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:39:24 +0000

Here's the thing, though! People who purchase Sirius/XM devices are not the ones that listen to AM or FM radio. People who will NOT purchase Sirius XM are the ones to worry about, because, for sure, not all of them will pay the $50 to get a new radio, and you will lose those listeners!

By: Fagstein

Fagstein — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:05:08 +0000

Your solution is interesting, but doesn't solve the problems. These stations failed because they couldn't get ratings. A station on a digital subchannel would get even fewer listeners than an AM station, so I don't see the point.

By: ATSC

ATSC — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:44:07 +0000

Perhaps I wasn't clear in my posting. By using HD-Radio, the costs of operations would come down. Example, Corus was running AM940 and presently running CFQR 92.1. That means two transmitters. Two electrical bills etc. By using HD-Radio on CFQR 92.1, they can have two stations on one transmitter, thus cutting their electrical costs. CFQR 92.1 would be the regular station, while CFQR 92.1-HD2 would carry a service such as the old AM940. It's simply a solution to use new technology in order to cut some of your operational costs. And hopefully keep alive more radio choices for the listners. I'm sure many francophone listners would be very interested in keeping a all news channel much like info690 as a sub-channel to 98,5 fm. So would the employees.

As for the need to purchase a new radio in order to receive those sub-channels, well yes, you will need to. But, people purchase Sirius/XM radios with a monthly service fee. The new AM FM HD-Radio would be a one time purchase without a service fee. And those radios cost from $50 - $300 US. Purchase what you like. Technology advances.

By: Franc

Franc — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:03:10 +0000

*best way to help radio*

By: Franc

Franc — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:57:38 +0000

I understand the convenience of the HD-Radio system, but I don't understand your point. You're saying that the best way to help ration is not only to have more stations, but also to use a technology that will require listeners to purchase a new car / home / office radio? Doesn't make sense to me...

By: Fagstein

Fagstein — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:17:23 +0000

with the slow demise of local TV and no one wanting to pay for it on their cable bills, as well as radio stations going off the air more and more, it is quite evident

I don't think you can conclude from this that people don't want local programming. Local news still gets way higher ratings than national news. Local newspapers have higher readership than national newspapers. Yes, broadcasters are cutting down on local programming, but that's more because they're cheap. Interest has fallen, but that's because people are getting their news differently, and traditional mass media isn't following them.

By: ATSC

ATSC — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:17:14 +0000

I think the market can support a return of two more stations. But somebody has to step up. And they need to be on FM.

The other alternative would be for FM HD-Radio licenses. Since Corus runs CFQR-FM 92.1 (or whatever it's marketing name is now a days) Ask the CRTC for a HD-Radio license. CFQR would stay on it's frequency, and Corus can add a sub-channel to it. Thus allowing two program radio streams on one license.

Or, if Corus doesn't want to do it. Let somebody else go for a HD-Radio license amd let them offer a digital sub-channel or two as many US stations now do.

The NPR station in Vermont does that. 107.9 fm is the regular programming. And, on HD2 they carry Classical music, and HD3 is suppose to offer BBC World Service.

With this kinda technology, the CBC can place Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 3 all on one licensed transmitter. Right now they are running 3 transmitters in English while offering only 2 channels. The HD-Radio way would offer 3 channels on on transmitter. Wouldn't that help improve the Montreal radio market?

By: ck

ck — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:26:04 +0000

Rich, that's exactly right about internet killing everything else.

There are those who claim things like TV and commercial radio still necessary because of local news and community happenings. Funny, I think the opposite: with the slow demise of local TV and no one wanting to pay for it on their cable bills, as well as radio stations going off the air more and more, it is quite evident, folks care more about what's happening nationally, or more globally than in their own backyards. One piece of evidence of this is the fact that municipal elections tend to have the lowest turnout: I think this is true of most municipalities.

I read comments over at CTV page regarding this story. Most missed the old talk news 940AM and the thing that they would miss the most from the last format they had was a syndicated American show, Coast to Coast.

Folks, unfortunately, are liking all things American more and more; especially American shock jocks.

By: znerol

znerol — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:01:27 +0000

What alternatives are there to CJAD?

When 940 News was around (before it was that, I'm not sure what it was, weird music all the time) radio station, I would listen to some of the shows (the morning show sucked, but so do most station's morning shows).

It was an alternative to CJAD. When you had Lorie and Olga bark on CJAD you could quiet switch to 940 and not be subject to that aural assault.

I enjoyed some of the syndicated shows.

I'd rather not pay for satellite radio, and at home listening to more and more Internet radio... wait until internet radio devices become more prevalent..... the end is near!

By: Rich

Rich — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:08:28 +0000

Well, take it this way, there are what 5 -6 greater regions that would use this service. Gatineau, Montreal Sherbrook, Quebec city maybe Trois-Rivieres... plus all of the info on far regions that occasionally get road closure... If this frequency can cover the entire province and no one is using it!
How long would it take to read all of the regions traffic... max 10 minutes... that means you would only have to listen 5 to 7 minutes for your local news...
Environment Canada has this kind of broadcast on VHF, it's been working like this for years...

All the media closures made me think of an old song from the 80's

"Video Killed the radio Star"... can we say "Internet killed everything else"?

Every generation comes with is own technology... doesn't mean its better or more efficient, just new technology...

By: Fagstein

Fagstein — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:00:35 +0000

That's not a bad idea, but I'd suggest a low-power channel for that, not something that's 50,000 Watts and will carry well into New England.

By: Rich

Rich — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:42:09 +0000

info 690 was my personal traffic assistant. I'm on the road all the time, Info 690 was the only on the spot information channel, for weather and traffic among other things. Try to get traffic info on any other channel now.. when they are not joking around , loosing the traffic guys time, you never get anything out of it. 690 was on every 11th minutes of the hour...

If no one takes the channel , why not have the Ministere du transport du Quebec to broadcast some continuous info in french and English in a loop. it might be a better alternative to the useless electronic panel on our highways telling you you are about to be jammed in traffic with nowhere to go (those sign are so useless... )

Anyone that's been in the state know there are dedicated traffic report frequencies, much less expensive then giant useless signs...

they could use some spare time to give government information instead of paying advertising companies to send the messages on other channels...

Anyways, just an idea...

Good luck to all the employees, thank you Stephane Zurrrbinsky for your good work too, we will miss you!

By: Stéphane

Stéphane — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:04:02 +0000

Thanks for the info!

By: James

James — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:30:06 +0000

But what does TED BIRD think about this?!

By: Fagstein

Fagstein — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:07:45 +0000

I just checked Industry Canada's database. Both stations are Class A (clear channel), 50,000W daytime and nighttime.

By: Fagstein

Fagstein — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:47:15 +0000

According to the CRTC decision made when CIQC/CINW switched from 600 to 940, its license allows 50,000 watts of power day and night, the same as CINF 690. Is that not what a clear channel means?

By: Marc

Marc — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:36:15 +0000

Is the problem the economy, lack of listeners, or the people running radio stations.

The latter pretty much nails it on the head. Put a quality, innovative product on the air and they will come. Put crap on, and they won't.

By: David S

David S — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:33:36 +0000

Info690 was listened to by Anglos like myself who are interested in local news, weather, business, arts et spectales, sports, etc. CJAD's 60 second repeating news loop doesn't cut it. Either does AD's promoting of the Canadiens every half hour. There are other sports and teams out there. Please tell me what a good FM alternative is. CBC puts me to sleep. Good luck Stephane Zurrrbinsky.