My feeling is that it would be best if Bell kept TSN, got CHOM, and the other two were sold off. I think that selling to Bell is the easy way for Astral to just get out, period. But it doesn't help anyone, does it?

Are we really going to put CFl Football on CHOM

That's been done for a number of years now. CHOM is the Als overflow station during a conflict.

Are we really going to put CFl Football on CHOM, A Rock Station?

They've done it before. It's pretty rare that Alouettes and Canadiens games overlap, though. Maybe a couple of times a year, and more likely during the Canadiens' preseason.

So Bell Cares about Quebec, BS, they haven't even tried to get a transmitter in Montreal fro CTV2, they care about Money!

I would think an application to add a transmitter for CTV Two would itself be nothing but a money grab, in order to profit from more simultaneous substitution ad revenue. Is there some programming on CTV Two that Montreal isn't getting through American border stations?

More importantly, as I pointed out in my statement of opposition to the CRTC (workload prevented a personal presentation), the CKGM website's live audio stream provides the content far and wide across the country. I know of several people who listen to the audio stream in the prairies and in several cities throughout the US (Habs fans are hardcore). The 990 frequency could easily be picked up in downtown Ottawa and down to the Vermont or New York border crossings. I would guess that a clear channel on 690 widens the potential out-of-market audience, which is, sadly, not considered when looking at ratings.

I truly hope that the CRTC does what is right for the unique linguistic situation that Montreal presents.

Bell was further asked if Tommy would be replaced by sports ? Would the noon program ? The drive home program ? The answer was that CJAD already has sufficient daily sports programming in place.

Two mins at the top & half hours from Chantal DesJardins is what they consider sports programming ?

Bell's arrogance and condescension was at least as insulting as Gary Bettman's attitude towards hockey fans.

Team 990 has tremendous respect for its fans and that is why they have a growing audience. T990 has sought out the best talent and the best guests to give their fans the best possible sports programming. I personally think they are the "60 minutes" of their market.

Mario

I would just like to add something to a lot of what I've been reading. While it is true that we have never turned a profit, keep in mind that we were born in May of 2001. We spent a good chunk of the time as a stand alone AM station with no help from FM partners, or any kind of corporate tie-in. We survived. It was a slow and steady climb and we're all damn proud of the fact that we eventually established a footprint in Montreal.

The more recent association with Bell and eventually TSN has been very helpful in terms of brand awareness and cross promotion. The eventual addition of several TSN national personalities added strong content. Coupled with Montreal Canadiens broadcasts we felt we had turned the corner. In fact, if the Habs had made the playoffs last season, we would have, at the very least, been in a position to see the light at the end of that profit tunnel.

And one other thing that pisses me off. Every story/blog I see alluding to our ratings is terribly misleading. Overall the numbers are what they are. But that includes everybody from the age of 12 +, seven days a week. Our prime target demo, like every all-sports station in North America, is Males 25-54. We have consistently beaten our opposition in that demo for several hours a day, not just 3-7. The Morning show and The Montreal Forum have shown significant gains as well.

All this to say we have become a viable radio station thanks to an awful lot of hard work, dedication and incredible passion from most of our on air talent, none of whom are getting rich doing so. Our sales staff is as good as any in town. Our clients are amazing, many of them staying with us for years because they not only believe in us, but more importantly, get results. And of course our listeners, who have been so loyal, and whose reaction to the possibility of us dying speaks for itself.

Thanks again.

The thing is, the 690 move was approved because it was going to be an anglo station. That Bell now wants to make it a franco station would appear to be directly against the original application to move to the clear channel.

The frequency change application is irrelevant here, at least technically. There were no content conditions set for the move. The station is, however, licensed as an English broadcaster, which is why Bell is going through this process. And the commissioners were very critical of how quickly Bell came back to it after applying to change frequency. It might have no official bearing, but the commissioners are aware of the irony here.

If I understand this correctly, if CRTC approves the Bell takeover of Astral, Bell would then turn in the CKGM license because of having too many stations.

Not necessarily. Though Bell was asked about this possibility, normally the CRTC insists on divestment either through a sale or shutdown. If it's a sale, the station(s) are put under trusteeship until a buyer is found and a sale finalized.

Also, does this assume that their application to convert TSN 690 to RDS 690 is being rejected by the CRTC as well? If that is the case, then 690 would be open and up for grabs again. Would the CRTC put out a call for applications for 690 all over again?

The CRTC will rule on Bell's application. If it says no, and/or orders Bell to turn in the licence, 690 becomes free, and likely there will be another open call for applications.

Also, what would then happen to the transmitter site where Bell has already installed antenna and transmitter for 690 kHz.

A good question. Dufferin originally had a plan to use the CJAD site, but that was based on using 690, which is omnidirectional. If Dufferin's rent is enough to pay the transmitter's costs, they might keep it as is. If not, it might try to sell the transmitter to Dufferin or two whomever eventually gets 690.

The thing is, the 690 move was approved because it was going to be an anglo station. That Bell now wants to make it a franco station would appear to be directly against the original application to move to the clear channel. You don't think that Bell didn't rush the move to 690 ahead of the hearings to give the CRTC a "fait accomplis" rather than giving them the opportunity to say "we need to review"?

"The CRTC's policy is that one owner can have three stations in a market like this, and I don't see why they would deviate here."

At this point Bell has so many entries into this market, that it is beyond counting. They have the major anglo TV channel, they have the biggest non-cable distribution system, and they have control or direct ownership of a significant number of specialty tv channels. To apply the limits on radio alone, in ignorance of what else Bell controls in the market place would be a pretty signficant failing, IMHO.

Bell owns so much that you cannot avoid them in day to day life as an Anglo at all, without significant effort. That means that Bell has a large control of the news sources and gets to set much of the agenda in english Quebec.

The question of language on a single station is a red herring, it in the end ignores the greater harm caused by Bell taking over pretty much all of the Anglo media in Montreal.

As Team 990, CKGM didn't have the Habs games either. It managed to keep going.

It also lost money for that entire time.

For me, it's simple. CKGM-AM and CHOM-FM should be bundled together and sold off to a new owner. The synergy between the two can make them very profitable in the right hands.

I don't see what synergy these two specific stations would have that another random grouping of two stations wouldn't, besides their history.

Just curious: with all these media executives and tech people appearing this week, it looked like every single presenter read their spiels off paper.

The CRTC asks that people make their presentations from written remarks, which are distributed to those present at the hearing. It's a lot of paperwork. There are plenty of iPads and other devices present in the room, used by people in the audience.

I think a CKGM all day sports talk radio can work in Montreal. Perhaps in the evening hours (after 8pm) they can try a few other things than sports talk. Perhaps some news talk, perhaps even some music.

But, don't tell me it can't survive or that it's value is zero. CKGM has been around for decades. And now with it's better 690 signal, it can be heard even further. Just that 690 clear channel assignment is of value.

As for the Teitelman group's plans, they had proposed a brand new English radio station. Let's hope we manage to get that.

For me, it's simple. CKGM-AM and CHOM-FM should be bundled together and sold off to a new owner. The synergy between the two can make them very profitable in the right hands.

Just curious: with all these media executives and tech people appearing this week, it looked like every single presenter read their spiels off paper. I was surprised that not one intervenor used an iPad or similar tablet. Maybe Bell, Rogers, Cogeco and Videotron execs don't trust their own WiFi or cell connections when it comes down to the crunch?

Seriously, even waitresses in diners use tablets now to take orders. I would have thought everybody there would been using them.

Thoughts wander watching 9 - 10 days of hearings a day!

to the way it was "back in the day" with Bell getting TSN radio and CHOM, and someone else taking over the former standard broadcasting assets.

Who would that someone else be? Would have to be a whole new player with deep pockets. The only other one who is present on the scene is TTP. Apart from CJNT, Rogers doesn't have much interest investing in Quebec.