Media News Digest: Videotron introduces Helix, ELMNT FM launches, National Post turns 20

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6 thoughts on “Media News Digest: Videotron introduces Helix, ELMNT FM launches, National Post turns 20

  1. Brett

    Every time a indigenous national radio network is formed Montreal is left out. Sure ELMNT is an FM network and Montreal can’t start a new FM station. Doesn’t mean that they couldn’t of applied for an AM licenec.

    Sure Montreal has CKRK in Kahnawake but they don’t target outside Kahnawake. The urban native population get’s left out.

    Reply
    1. Fagstein Post author

      Every time a indigenous national radio network is formed Montreal is left out.

      It’s happened exactly twice that I know of and Montreal was included last time. The loss of Aboriginal Voices Radio in Montreal led to the creation of CKKI-FM (KIC Country), which along with K103 covers parts of Montreal. There isn’t really any space left on FM to launch another station here.

      Reply
  2. dilbert

    The Newcap sale makes me think that it’s incredibly sad that (a) they are worth more as a group of 71 stations rather than 71 separate businesses, (b) the CRTC allows for such concentration of media to start with, and as a result (c) there are few if any willing or able to raise enough money to buy a single station – not that anyone would sell a single station.

    Reply
    1. Fagstein Post author

      The Newcap sale makes me think that it’s incredibly sad that (a) they are worth more as a group of 71 stations rather than 71 separate businesses

      What is this based on?

      there are few if any willing or able to raise enough money to buy a single station

      Small deals for radio station acquisitions happen often, between Vista, Golden West, Evanov, Acadia, Attraction, Harvard etc. But a commercial radio station operating as a standalone business is going to be tough unless you’re in a large market because you don’t get to share the overhead costs. And I don’t think requiring each station to have its own HR manager or accountant is necessarily better for the broadcasting system.

      Reply
      1. dilbert

        “What is this based on?”

        Reality. The only single station deals being made in Canada seem to be consolidation of one form or another, and not much else. Each one of the companies you list is generally a buyer to consolidate and a seller only if it improves their consolidation elsewhere.

        ” I don’t think requiring each station to have its own HR manager or accountant is necessarily better for the broadcasting system”

        I look at what has happened with I Heart Radio in the US. 20 billion in debt, 858 radio stations, and rapidly falling revenue (latest I could find shows 14% drop to same period previous year), and chapter 11 bankruptcy Those 858 stations are tied to the iHm (I Heart Media) anchor, and it’s sinking quickly. You have to think that with a little bit of local management, perhaps some of them might have been better off.

        Also, and let’s be clear: HR and accounting are not primary measurement tools. Local, individual, and responsive station management is. All we have seen for the last 30 years is consolidation, mergers, buyouts, and “shared” management. What has it gotten the consumer? Fewer voices, fewer independent choices, and no chance that it will change any time soon. Do you honestly think that’s a good thing?

        Reply
  3. Richard G

    “The head of the Montreal Newspaper Guild says his members won’t retreat. “The ratification of the employer’s offer in Ottawa was disappointing, particularly when Montreal was standing behind them to go on strike in the event Ottawa refused to vote on or rejected an unsavory contract,” Ron Carroll told National Observer.”
    I’ll be sorry to see the Gazette go . I was also sorry to see the crippling and subsequent closing of the Montreal Star . Oh well . Solidarity forever .

    Reply

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