I see no reason why CBC Radio 2 in Montreal 93.5 fm would cause a problem with listeners if they where notified that in 12 months the analog signal would be shut down and that they would need to get a new AM/FM/HD Radio for $100-150 to access Radio 2 as a HD sub-channel of the main CBC Radio 1 signal.

Seriously? Isn't that exactly what happened on the television side? Except the TV transition was mandated about five years in advance, and people were still up in arms when it happened. Not to mention that all new TVs were capable of receiving ATSC signals for years before that.

You might think broadcasters will be eager to switch to a transmission method nobody has the receivers for, but I don't think that makes any sense.

CKDG has pulled its request to move to 106.9 ?

It's true. The notice is here. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CKDG-FM

Don't know how accurate this info is. But it says that CKDG has pulled its request to move to 106.9 ???

It just seems that Terry is disinterested in the whole thing. Not entirely his fault if Spalding lured him back and made certain promises but at least fake interest in what you are doing. There is no chemistry between Terry and Heather and agree with others who say she's lucky if she gets to chirp something in that's funny. Terry has mentioned the time (the exact same time; 8:41 am) twice. So first saying it's 8:40, next up we'll hear a song, it's 8:41, 19 minutes to 9:00am. The reference of 7:47, not an airplane but the time, may be dated but not necessary to say every day.

The most chemistry I have heard is when Sharon (taking Tootall's place) does a cross-over and somehow brings out the Terry of old. That too is misplacement of CHOM's on-air staff (Rob and Sharon on weekends). Although the weekend numbers will no doubtedly go up, how long will those talents want to stay in those shifts? They will be scooped up by other stations, for sure.

Seems that Spalding has done his work (made all the changes), asked promotions to continue deleting negative Facebook comments and when ratings show the actual results he'll blame others.

Your idea of specialty programming for HD Radio sub-channels is exactly what will get people to purchase a unit. The CBC's and SRC's current third radio services would do just that.

I know some people will get up set about loosing a regular analog station to a HD sub-channel position. But, things change. Just pick up a new radio. It's not as if it'll be shut down completely.

It would take time for everybody to switch. But, we need to get started.

I see no reason why CBC Radio 2 in Montreal 93.5 fm would cause a problem with listeners if they where notified that in 12 months the analog signal would be shut down and that they would need to get a new AM/FM/HD Radio for $100-150 to access Radio 2 as a HD sub-channel of the main CBC Radio 1 signal.

If we continue to place new analog FM stations too close to each other, the chances are that listeners will end up loosing some stations also. Not really good either.

Do you want to loose a station for good in your area? Or, do you want to buy a new radio that will probably allow you to keep that station you like?

I receive WVPS's HD Radio signal here in Montreal. And I'm happy that a have a greater selection. I just wish some of the other stations near the border would adopt HD Radio as well. I'm sure WBTZ-FM would add some more interesting formats. Or even add the signals of their sister stations WKOL 105.1 or WIZN 106.7 on their sub-channels.

One of my friends believes CHOM management is actually reading these comments on this blog and are adjusting accordingly. For instance, suddenly Terry is announcing upcoming songs with little facts about them. We`re it more spontaneous or random, it might work, but it's already coming across as a going through the motions thing as it's always exactly the same format "coming up next a song that ... . I can see Esteban being tasked with looking up song facts for TD to read on air. Sure, some of this stuff he may know but again the rigid format suggests it's contrived and not spontaneous the way, as if it's something Dimonte is just getting out of the way because he has to. Tootall tends to throw in music info every which way he can with a delivery that conveys true enthusiasm for the music, sort of the way Nick Michaels used to do on The Deep End show CHOM used to run on Sunday mornings (the best show on radio bar none).

I agree with you wholeheartedly about Rob Kemp. It's a shame he's been relegated to weekends (Actually I've long thought he's what Terry Dimonte would sound like without the gigantic ego and dismissive tone). Rob always expressed genuine enthusiasm for everything. Like Pete Marier and Tootall, he came across as someone humble, down to earth, and truly enthused about his work. I haven't checked out Chantal's new gig yet as I've always found Aaron Rand to be very much like Terry Dimonte, way too much ego.

HD Radio is happening right now. We can solve the problem now.

Except HD radio players still aren't common in the market, which means any station that relies on it will have extremely poor ratings. So while it might be a good idea to get something like Radio 3 on the air, it would be suicide for CKIN and cause a riot among Radio 2 listeners.

A more reasonable move would be to encourage broadcasters (including the CBC) to provide automated (read: inexpensive) alternative and specialized services on HD radio channels, which would spur market interest and get people to start buying HD radios. Once enough people have them (which would probably take quite a long time, even if every new radio had HD radio built in), new broadcasters could start up on HD radio channels.

1 - CKDG-FM 105.1 certainly needs a better frequency. Giving them the 106.7 frequency would certainly improve things.

2 - The idea that they want 107.9 as a back up bothers me a lot. WVPS-FM uses that frequency, and the VPR (Vermont Public Radio) station offers something that no other station in this market can even approach. And don't even bother comparing CBC Radio to them. The other thing about WVPS is that they also broadcast a HD Radio signal. This offers VPR Classical on 107.9-HD2, and the BBC World Service on 107.9-HD3. Of course you need a FM/HD Radio to get those two extra channels. But never the less, it's great to have other sources of programming from just one station. So in effect, this new application would affect three program streams of WVPS. And for what? The same old radio programming?

3 - I would prefer that CKDG-FM be allowed to move to 106.7, and then allow this new application to use 105.1.

4 - Better yet, give them 106.5 that is reserved for a CBC station in Cornwall. Hoarding frequencies is just not right. Especially when somebody else is willing to go on the air right now. Besides, the Cornwall area probably gets CBC Radio from either Montreal or Ottawa.

Like I said, I don't mind this new station getting a go ahead. But interfering with WVPS 107.9 is not okay.

Since we are running short on FM frequencies, I wish the CRTC & Industry Canada started to force stations to adopt HD Radio and it's multicasting abilities in order to free up some space. We would not be in this situation now if this was done. I've posted before about this. I believe the CBC/SRC should be the first to go HD Radio.

Example...

95.1 fm - SRC Premiere Chaine (HD2 - Espace Musique, HD3 - Espace Libre) 100kw
107.9 fm - CBC Radio One (HD2 - CBC Radio Two, HD3- CBC Radio Three) 100kw

This would free up 88.5, 93.5, and 104.7

Another is Hellenic Radio

106.7 fm - Mike FM (HD2 - CKIN currently on 106.3) 500 watts

This would free up 106.3

Just this small movement can free up 88.5. 93.5, 106.3 and 104.7
That is four fm frequencies just in the Montreal area. Plenty of room for the new Dufferin application.

And if Dufferin would get for example 88.5 (which would be a lot better than their current proposal)
They can even place their newly licensed 990 AM station on 88.5-HD2. Thus giving that new station a much better sound quality and a better chance at attracting the audience they want.

This problem of an over crowded FM band can be solved. It will require a change. The government will need to impose this change or else we are going to get a ever more crowded FM band.

There was some talk in the US about assigned the frequencies of TV Channel 5 & 6 (76.1 - 87.9) to the FM band. I believe this has dead out. But never the less, this would have required new radios to access 76.1 - 87.9). HD Radio is happening right now. We can solve the problem now.

I'm all for new players getting a chance to enter the radio market. But we need to make room.

And in a total chick moment... I like Jamie's suit. Kinda shiny. I like shiny. Where does she get her wardrobe? OK... I'm done wasting cyberspace. LOL ;)

I don't understand why anyone pays for cable or satellite TV these days. Not only is it a waste of money, the quality of the picture is INFERIOR to the free-to-air broadcast signals.

You assume people who subscribe to cable and satellite are only interested in over-the-air networks. There are all sorts of specialty channels that aren't available over the air.

People don't subscribe to cable to get NBC, they subscribe to get Discovery, Space and RDS.

dead customers don't pay bills.

I use this inexpensive indoor amplified antenna I picked up a decade ago:
http://salestores.com/rcaant12.html

I get ALL, and yes, I do mean ALL, the American stations. CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and both VPT and WCFE PBS stations. As each contains sub-channels, that is 15 US channels, half of which are in high definition and 5.1 sound.

The antenna actually sits AWAY from my window, all the way at the far back wall in my living room (presumably it works best there because that is the south wall).

I also pick up an local Montreal channels (another 8 channels), but apart from the news, I rarely watch them. Plus unlike the US stations, their signals are weak and intermittent. Laughable since I can see the antenna on Mount Royal from my window, yet I cannot pick some of them up.

No worries about simulcasting, and I save about $50/month. :)

In my ideal world: Bell would cut a cheque and donate some money from existing revenues, still have the ads but with a greater focus on the issues with less on service promotion

Isn't that what they're doing? I haven't seen any ads for Bell services, and plenty of interviews and stories about the issues of mental illness. And Bell is giving at least $50 million. What more do you want?

Obviously Bell is going to have its name all over this, otherwise they wouldn't be able to justify the expense to shareholders. The question is: Who is the bigger winner here, Bell or the recipients of their $50-million-plus donation?