CKNW Sliding Down the Ratings Razor Blade–Again: This is Very Sad…
On one of the radio boards/websites, there was recently some speculation about what would happen if I was hired at CKNW.
The final commenter, wrote: “Tsakumis will never be hired by NW. He is hated in the building as much (or more) than Jim Mullin.”
Mullin, for those of you who might have forgotten, was their former sports boss that was unceremoniously canned for taking Toronto Maple Leafs moron Brian Burke to task.
Burke, whose ego outguns any ego I might ever muster (and that’s saying something) bitched to Corus through his lawyer and instead of standing by a great story, NW brass capitulated. Mullin covered the story for Neil McRae and Dan Russell.
Mullin was fired. They weren’t.
But I found the comment entertaining. It’s no secret I negotiated with them for awhile, but when you’re being led down the path, who says you’d ever go back to a place that you gave superb service to, and that treated you like you were nothing?
I’m hated at NW??? Someone should ask key members of their news room, which other blogger/writer/journalist has GIFT WRAPPED more stories at the local and provincial level for them in the last three years. Go on. Ask. Perhaps ask Jon McComb how many times he’s lauded my work on air and never received so much as a stitch of criticism from brass. Ask Simi Sara if she has ever received a warning for hailing my work on BC Rail and other stories.
People on these radio boards are mostly bitter has beens, that sit around all day, cross legged on the floor, alternating between fastening and refastening their Depends and sticking cotton in the gum grooves of their dentures.
More to the point…NW’s ratings continue to slide, and as someone who grew up with them, it honestly makes me sad that the idiocy continues. In the latest reporting period they’ve dropped to a 9.4, down from 10.0.
This is very significant considering they have no competition. None.
My pal Simi Sara, whose terrific show is pulling in numbers that easily exceed the Dummy when she was littering the airwaves with incomprehensible nonsense, is now a bona fide rock star. Sara, who has really come into her own, is making me look good. I predicted she would be a star and said, first, that she would beat Christy’s numbers–and quickly. The same geniuses on the radio boards, and even some NW brass STILL stupid enough to be foot kissing the Dummy, scoffed at “Tsakumis and his little corner of the Internet.”
They ridiculed me; they laughed.
Well, who’s laughing now? Sara is a star and I shattered all previous records last month, with over 250,000 readers. 187,019 in BC alone.
Still laughing, idiots?
The bright spots…
Sara, check!
And then there’s McComb. How can someone not listen to this man and wonder why he has not been moved to the morning slot, thus eliminating the painful and ill-equipped Vanilla Bull? Jon is a superb broadcaster and deserves better. I understand his contract is up in the fall and, typical of NW execs, not much encouragement has come his way. I hear he may be getting replaced by Dave Pratt (I’ll get to him shortly).
Dan Russell could be the nicest man in radio. Another superb broadcaster, he’s now being replaced “for a short time” by Dave Pratt. They’re pushing Pratt, but he’s not a fit at NW. He sounds condescending and too hardcore against the backdrop of Vanilla Bull, for example.
Pratt is like a Russian cargo plane: Takes forever to get going and at the end of the journey, you’re left wondering why you went along for the ride. Needs fine tuning–lots. I like him. But then again, I also endorsed Sam Sullivan for Mayor.
The newsroom remains super solid, with great reporters, led by the incomparable Janet Brown and and hyper-diligent and professional Charmaine DeSilva, plus Jordan Armstrong, Shane Woodford (who broke the Coast Guard station story–well done!) and they’re anchored by Tom Mark and Terry Schintz–both great newsmen.
But it’s all for naught…..
Neil McRae is done. An institution is gone. McRae, who only infuriated me once, with has erstwhile, embarrassing editorial years ago on Gretzky’s dad (sorry, it was unforgivable) is one of the best sports jockeys ever. Hysterically funny and always spot on, he will be missed. And if they lose McComb, too. It’ll really be a free fall.
Which brings me to their problems:
Sean Leslie, apart from looking to get into TV and not being too discreet about it, really needs to have his head examined. If ass-kissing the provincial government is what he considers good reporting, he has another thing coming. With his wife employed as a PR executive to the government, he’s in a total conflict and should choose to collect off one or the other. His ratings, in uncontested air, are slipping badly.
Philip Till must be the most celebrated and prolific local reporter of his time, with international credentials that would easily qualify him at ’60 Minutes’. But his schtick is beyond tired and followed by Bill Good in the morning; it’s over. Booooooring….
The biggest problem of course, are the numbers for the Bill Good show, which are diving like a torpedoed sub. He has the worst panels. The all-female panel with Garrosino, Andersen, and Mills, is very painful to listen to and often descends into a borderline catfight. None of them are particularly great and the shameful attempts by NW to garner Bill some female audience, is a failure. Monday morning quarterbacks has NEVER recovered since they got rid of Tieleman–his chemistry with Dr. Spector was marvelous.
Then again, NW’s shilling for Christy isn’t compelling radio–this emanated from Good and Leslie, who are huge problems.
So, throw in Cutting the chesse from the Ledge every Friday with Vaughn and Keith and the descent into radio hell for CKNW continues.
But NW brass doesn’t care. So why should you? They are simply going to continue cutting faster than revenues decline–a guaranteed crash–except this one is in slow motion and painful. If they had ANY kind of serious competition, CKNW would be done in a heartbeat–and that’s a shame. The house that Al, Rafe, David, George and Gary built (among others) will be no more.
Very sad that NW is drowning in the arrogance of their own executives.
Sadder still, that no one–YET, has stepped into the ring to challenge for the belt.
It’d be a first round knock out.
Cause the championship remains vacant.
__________________________________
Basi-Virk piece almost completed. Out tonight after dinner sometime. Check back then. And I’ll be working through the weekend, so don’t go too far!
Enjoy the sun. I’m on the road again.
Very sad indeed since Rafe is a hero of mine too. I only listen to NW as I pass though BC, but I’m not missing much it seems.
I do have to disagree on two sports points:
- Ran Russell maybe a great guy, but his material is state and his ignorant disdain for the CFL is puzzling especially since the league’s rebound in ratings, attendance, and credibility.
- I think Dave Pratt might be the best radio showman in BC. It’s not about agreeing with him; the man attracts ratings and is a conversation starter. In the appropriate time slot, he could even work in a non-sports format. Oh yes, people would be outraged… but they would listen.
Even if the suits at Corus don’t like you, I would think they should learn to live with you if you can increase ratings (which you would). So strange they seem to think it would be risky to go back to more cutting edge programming, when it’s so clear the real risk is not doing so before it’s too late!
[Translate]
I made Tom Plasteras a very simple offer: Pay me nothing for one year while I put $250,000 into Corus lawyer’s trust account, and if don’t bring back the ratings to at least 75% of where Rafe had them, then I’ll leave and never do radio again and my quarter million can go to the Orphan’s Fund.
I think he’s still collecting his jaw from the floor.
I know what I’m worth and I know what I can do. I just don’t like being bullshitted and I will not be produced by some wet behind the ears school girl that hasn’t the first goddamned clue about great broadcasting, much less what’s going on around the world.
If they made an offer, the conditions on my part would be simple: My own producer, hand-picked by me, weekly wrap sessions and how to be a better and better broadcaster–because you can always learn to be better, and a team mentality. No more children at the controls. Pay for stars, yes, but get them some damn support.
Ask any of the biggest names in radio today, and in a honest moment, the most feared name is mine. Why? It’s simple. They’ve heard me, know what I can do, and believe in what I say, even if they disagree.
AND! I bring my own network. Name one other writer/journalist/broadcaster who brings his own quarter million audience.
But I know what I’m worth and I won’t do it until I can get what I’m worth. If it doesn’t happen soon enough, I’m going to turn this blog into a streaming three hours show every morning. And then we’ll see how the public and media react.
[Translate]
Love it! From the outside it appears NW is too stubborn and won’t want to be shown up.
I’m in technology, and I think the time is finally right for web-only “broadcasting.” I knew David Berner during his mycityradio.com days (’99 or 2000?), and that was the wrong model in so many ways. Rafe’s attempt was better, but the consumption technology wasn’t there to support it (mobile web).
Broadcasting online is still a different beast. What I think what would work best for you is a one-hour live stream at a set time every morning augmented by the blog. The one-hour translates best to podcasting, as the real audience and traction would come from iTunes etc.
Two interesting examples are Glenn Beck’s (just citing the technical example not the man or content) GBTV “broadcast.” The other and more perhaps more applicable is the “Too Beautiful to Live” podcast that stared as a weekday evening show on KIRO here in Seattle. Both are examples of known quantities finding a better, more effective fit online.
[Translate]
I wanted to reccomend a podcast as well, or atleast the option of archiving the live online broadcast. I know for certain that people my age (30ish) and younger can’t be bothered to tune in to something at a specific time (hello pirate bay tv shows) but if the media is available to be consumed when we want it, it’ll get much love I’m sure.
[Translate]
Nash, I worked at mycityradio.com and it was an absolute hellhole. The numbers stunk, the business model was severely flawed, there were very few advertisers and staff morale was the lowest I’ve ever seen at any place I’ve worked at. For something that was supposed to be “new and revolutionary”, it wasn’t! It was just radio with a TV camera on it.
That being said….Alex, I would recommend doing a 3 hour live stream (if you have enough content), along with a 1 hour podcast for those who can’t tune in. I think it would be a goldmine if the right advertisers signed on….
[Translate]
Buddy, I have advertisers begging me to monetize and I’m just reluctant to do it.
But it’s coming.
[Translate]
DO IT!!!
I’d help you any way I could but you probably have more knowledge about the radio industry than I do!
[Translate]
“… I’m going to turn this blog into a streaming three hours show every morning. And then we’ll see how the public and media react.”
Do it! I dare ya, I double dare ya!! Traditional media is fast going down the tubes. If you can stream a talk show to mobiles and work out a revenue model you will do very well!
[Translate]
And Alex, not that I wish to sound like a totally fawning dolt with a long distance crush………..but you’ve also got the voice – wonderful mellifluous tones!
Music to the ears – thanks for all the hard work.
[Translate]
That’s very kind.
Wish I’d arrived at this voice without all the cigar tobacco and alcohol that delivered it.
You are way too kind. Thank you.
[Translate]
Agree about the level of subject matter and young producers working the “NW morning show.
All that Valley Girl, sing-songy, up-talk, giggly guff at the end of each morning is getting me down. Come on girl, you’re coming across as a wriggly puppy—not a news hound.
Shirley Stocker, your medium needs you!
AS for Dave Pratt: I totally agree. yadayadayada–and no payoff! He’s not deep, he’s not witty.
My god. This must mean I think Neil Mcrae IS that good….
[Translate]
I would love to hear from you daily.
Please do your own show!!
[Translate]
Yup Go for it ALEX!!….used to really enjoy Rafe too.
Waste of time listening to NW now
[Translate]
Amazing idea AGT
[Translate]
Thank you. I’ve been considering it for quite awhile.
[Translate]
The rot at “NW started the moment senior CORUS management contrived to have Rafe Mair fired and I am afraid the public will not know the real story until he passes on………in about 20 years!
The CORUS owned ‘NW sold its soul to the highest bidder and it has been such ever since. The tired old shtick from the “other” Campbell is so shopworn, it now verges on the pathetic. God knows, if Campbell the younger was such a business man as he claims, why the hell is on the radio and nor actually owning the radio station.
Corporate pitchmen are a dime a dozen these days and his borderline business offerings, sounds like a PNE shill, selling to country rubes.
Like Limbaugh down south, the once mighty top dog ’98 has turned into a tawdry HATE ’98, where little substance is offered and a whole lot of BS is sold as news.
Adiós ‘NW, your time has come and now let’s watch the rats running for the lifeboats, the rusty hulk of the old ’98 is floundering on a reef of its own making.
[Translate]
great column alex
as the liberals polling numbers fall so does cknw bbm numbers fall mmmm.
do we need to revisit the whole media ownership question of multiple outlets in the same market?
as ratings go down so do revenues.
we have to ask why is chorus allowing nw to fail.?
alex if you were ever to get a show , if it is not on nw they should just turn out the lights.
[Translate]
Worked for a company once (actually more than one, but this one in particular) that tied its ass to the Socreds. The company’s support of the party, which was in government at the time, was borne out in multi-faceted ways behind the scenes. Not unusual in the media realm at the provincial or national level in this country.
However, eventually that support became so blatantly obvious in what was, and was not, carried by that outlet in terms of news, editorial and commercial content. A majority of the audience reached the point where they could not stomach what they were being fed, and started to drop off at first slowly, and then in droves.
I think NW has reached, and now passed, the saturation point because, I believe, people see some of the station’s performers as being nothing more than PR flaks for this disgusting pretender of a premier.
Either disassociate yourself, or go down in flames. Your shelf life is done.
And yes, there must be some competitor somewhere with the balls to take them on. As you say, its a done deal if they do.
[Translate]
Absolutely 100% bang on!
I think NW’s #1 problem isn’t the on air staff, it’s the management. Plasteras is a complete and utter joke…what NW ever saw in him to move him from the production studio into the Program Director’s office I’ll never know.
IMHO, the last straw was when they started bilking administrative fees from the Orphan’s Fund. It’s official…it’s about the money and the profit, not the on air product.
[Translate]
Alex,
An excellent chronicle of the destruction of a once-great Vancouver institution by bureacrats and bean counters who think they know better than industry professionals. By selling their souls and abandoning their ethics and duty to the public they brought this upon themselves.
They stand in stark contrast to you in searching for the truth which has no doubt furthered their slide in the polls. I listened yesterday as Robertson’s denials of any responsibility for the Stanley Cup riot went completely unchallenged.
Simi Sara has been an outstanding addition (& a very nice person) and I enjoy Phillip Till (though I’m seldom up early enough to hear him unless I have an early Tee Time) but if they get rid of a superb newsman like Jon McComb they deserve their fate and perhaps it’s better to tear it down and start over.
“Basi-Virk piece almost completed. Out tonight after dinner sometime.”
Perfect. Right at the cocktail hour.
[Translate]
Tha ka Bob. Much appreciated.
[Translate]
I think you’d do an excellent job. Not only are you very well spoken but you have the “voice”…. one that would translate very well over the airwaves.
Talk radio around here needs someone who will stir the pot and get people thinking.
Cheers!
[Translate]
Bang on Alex
I have listened th The Top Dog since they were announced as being @ 980 on the Hutton Button, I grew up on Adrea Le Puque and Orman Steel Drum Bannana, Now I Turn them on @ 1210 to listen th Bruce Allen and then Keep it on through The World Tonight.
The Dog is starting to have accidents on the carpet too often and needs to be put down
[Translate]
Alex, you and I are of similar age, so we both grew up listening to the same CKWN and have been front-row-center for its gradual but inevitable decline. This summary is excellent.
What I’m unclear on is when this radio station turned the corner from independent, accurate and not-afraid programming… to being a mouthpiece for the government. Did they get so much flack over Rafe and his continuing, persistent and accurate calling-to-task over the Kemano completion project, that they felt pressure to fire him? Is that what did it? It seems once they managed to dump Rafe, a lightbulb went off in Victoria. “Hey, we can tell these guys what to say”…. and it’s been downhill from there.
But why did that happen? How did the government manage to stick its claws into CKNW like that? CBC I can understand, but not an independent. It’s weird, and I sincerely don’t get it. “They’re a bunch of idiots” is not a valid explanation. Even idiots have motivation…so what was it? Dumbing down the content = less listeners = less advertising revenue. Even idiots get that. In all sincerity, I’m puzzled. And yes, it’s very sad. CKNW was an entrenched part of the Vancouver landscape, one that grew up through the 70s through the Barrett government and into the Socreds and through Expo’86 and onward… it grew up along with the city. Now the city is older and more mature, and CKNW is sickly and dying. It really bothers me.
[Translate]
The media started to die around the same time as NW decided to cheap out and kill good content.
As for selling themselves: The suits were approached by the Kinsellas I the world (who personally told me he got Dummy her job) and the die was cast.
Media by insider. Public let down. Story over.
[Translate]
LDB sale by insider. Public let down. Story not over.
[Translate]
Same insider has brillant idea to mail out fake BC Assessment Notice during 1991 campaign. Open Casket Service over..
[Translate]
JC,
Why do the MSM toe the government line?
Well, aside from hoped-for personal patronage (a-la Pamela Martin) and the natural political leanings of the corporate class, consider also that this government is a huge advertiser in a time of declining MSM ad revenues.
Between the government’s direct ad spend and that of all the puppet crown corporations (why do Hydro or ICBC or BC Ferries do advertising or PR at all? Will we forget they exist?), the government holds a very long financial lever. Cross the PAB and forget about all those juicy full-page display ads and minute-long commercials selling “the best place on earth” to the people that already live there, capiche?
[Translate]
Wait until the NDP gets a hold of the PAB. Then you’ll see a continuation of paid by you and me “feel good about us” government ads.
The NDP is according to them “On Your side”,
if anyone thinks PAB will disappear once the NDP beomes government, try another spin at the prize wheel.
[Translate]
Throughout my formative years, NW was always on in the house.
Even as a ‘know everything’ teenager – I learned so much from people like Webster, Bannerman and Rafe.
I find it so ironic that NW management is either so stubborn or so Liberal entrenched (new age word for stupid) that they cant see what we all see.
They are done. Adios, goodbye and thanks for the memories. Simi and Jon will still do well, wherever they go. May the Liberal lip-locked management fartcathers find their just rewards.
I would say you Alex are required reading / listening the next generation……..just as NW was for mine.
Cheers,
PS: off topic – had my yearly physical today and reminded me of one of the funniest lines ever. Ray Romano talking about turning 40 and having his first prostate exam….” I was so afraid it would hurt….but i was even more afraid it wouldnt…”
[Translate]
Hilarious!
Mine always hurts!!! Thank God.
[Translate]
Hah!, I thought it was just me …….
[Translate]
My doctor was rough too – no foreplay – so in retaliation, I screamed out another doctor’s name!
[Translate]
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!! Could very well be the funniest goddamned line on this blog ever!!!!!! LOVED IT!
What a woman!
[Translate]
…..this part of this thread is TMI!!!!!
LALALALALALA I can’t hear (or in this case see your posts) you guys!!!!
[Translate]
No sense in going nuts.
or getting bummed out over (ahem) a “quick feel”..
[Translate]
I had prostate checked yesterday. I have been working for the Ambulance Service for so long, I didn’t feel a thing!
[Translate]
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
[Translate]
Thanks Cam, I thought there was something wrong with me. Nice to know I’m normal.
[Translate]
Great piece, Alex – as usual. Can you please answer this question which has vexed me since I moved here several years ago; Why is no one of substance competing against NW in this attractive and expanding market? Where is the spirit of entrepreneurialism that is omnipresent in every other sector in BC? There is a tremendous vacuum just begging to be exploited, by my estimation. What am I not getting about this? It can’t simply be that the cost is enough of a barrier to entry that all are scared off. I have seen money put together in this town for far riskier enterprises…
[Translate]
Expensive and complicated.
So far, everyone that has tried has never had the money to do it.
The opportunity is there. But you have to have the dough–AND A PLAN!!!
[Translate]
lets sell shares and get this done.
i realize that is a simplistic response.
i am sure that most of your readers would buy shares.
beats the hell out of bric shares
[Translate]
[Translate]
If I have tuned to NW for the news or weather, I turn it off when the screaming car dealer ads come on, and often don’t turn it back on. And has anyone ever heard the day people refer to a Charles Adler item? If they can’t stand him it’s not a recommendation to me.
[Translate]
NW would have been wise to sign you, long ago.
I think the idea you have for your own online show would be great, because you could set the rules, and follow no one.
I have thought about this, and if you did indeed get on with a local broadcaster, that would be great.
But I wonder, and I say this with the utmost respect, would you still be the same AGT or would you change to suit the corporate suits. I think I know your response already, but I fear that the only way you will get a time slot on radio, is if you “play ball” so to speak. Therein lies the problem with radio today; it is far too corporate.
You have been given a great responsibility to be the voice of the real people, not just the corporate hacks. If you do indeed go on to have a radio show, I hope you tell those in charge that it will be your way, unfettered and uncensored, so that we continue to get the same great, truthfull reporting.
Either way, the fact that they are talking about you says that you are indeed making an impact. An impact they cannot ignore.
Btw, as far as NW are concerned, I have stopped tuning in altogether; maybe a bit of Sportstalk at night, that it all.
[Translate]
I would be the same guy but a little toned down.
It’s the same way when I was doing a formal column. It’s not about making the suits happy, just simple courtesy.
[Translate]
Got it.
I wonder, will we ever see the days like we had when Webster and Burns were around?
They were not what I would call courteous per se, but damm, is was good radio. Gruff and to the point. Just damm good reporting/interviewing. That’s what we all want to see (at least I do).
Sadly, it has been gone for some time.
Maybe you can revive it?
[Translate]
Those days will come again.
[Translate]
This is a very interesting topic. Dave Reynolds, a popular radio host for Campbell River’s “The River” radio, was recently fired with “just cause”, only they won’t say what that cause might be.
Some are speculating that it was because he was becoming so popular in the social media.
http://www.ctvvancouverisland.ca/2012/06/fans-outraged-over-popular-djs-firing/
[Translate]
I believe it is for the same reasons the public education system is under attack. The government and their corporate masters do not want to promote a populace of critical thinkers. That is why they hate you Alex. You encourage critical thinking. Good work.
[Translate]
EXACTLY, puppet masters!
[Translate]
I remember Phillip Till’s first few weeks on ‘NW.
It was absolutely PAINFUL to listen to. The other reporters from the Frosty Forst days just didnt mesh with him at all… They, not him, got the hook.
Till’s credentials as a reporter are unquestionable, but his delivery is stiff, his jokes are stale, his guffaws at his own jokes are grating, and his impatience at other peoples’ banter is absurd. How many times have I heard him cut other radio personalities off because they are talking longer than the “allotted” 30 seconds but when he drones on about “35 years ago in Lebanon when I was dodging bullets” a poor traffice reporter has to patiently wait until she’s rushed to get he news on air.
A pompous twit that should never have been given the time slot. He should stick to investigative reporting because he sucks at his current job……
Thats why I changed the channel
[Translate]
It’s just like Bill Good. He’s a reader, not a bloody editorialst. He’s a moron in a suit.
Till, on the other hand, has enough intelligence, certainly, but his pomposity is insufferable. A reporter who is NOT an editorialist. Far from it…
[Translate]
Ahhhh yes , Till and Bill.
Legends in their own minds.
Doe anyone remember Till first few weeks and when he “invented” a character that was french?
He would set up the questions as Phillip Till and then answer them himself as a “Frenchy” character in heavily accented pseudo anglais.
The only comparison would be the starched shirt Lt. that replaced Robin Williams in the movie ” Good Morning Vietnam .
That DJ had the exact same “frenchy shtich” and it was just as painful to listen to.
Phillip went on and on and on with this horrible “skit” for several days.
It was brutal to listen to…
And this was the best they could find to replace Frosty.
My Gawd.
The dreadful skit thankfully died a quiet death.
Someone higher up must have finally told him to “can it”.
Either that or his french wife stopped cooking him dinner.
That pathetic attempt at humour should have sent alarm bells clanging fro one end of CKNW to the other!
” Bloody Hell! The man couldnt tell a joke if an amateur proctologist was self examining the wrong hole right in front of him!”
Time for Till to get the Hook.
Then swivel the gunsights around and point them at the Dreadnought HMS Bill Good and blow him out of the water…….
[Translate]
I remember. It was very bad, as you say.
[Translate]
“Billi Vanilli” is so dumb!
How dumb is he?
He’s so dumb he thinks he has to lip-sync what he’s reading on the radio!
As for Till – Yawn!
[Translate]
On Wednesday Simi replayed a clip of Good interviewing de Jong, who will not come on her show. It reminded me of why I quit listening to Good about a year ago. The visceral urge to throw my lunch plate at the radio returned in seconds. De Jong took Good, who ostensibly was trying to get to the bottom of administrative cost issues, on a circular walk talking about how the anesthesiologists were a bad bunch and how the Canadian Institute for Health Issues was the gold standard for information. He never did get around to answering the question. Good then spent some time trying to get de Jong to tell him where the money was coming from for the Royal Columbian and St. Paul’s upgrades, and actually seemed proud of himself for getting de Jong to say it was coming from, wait for it, …taxpayers!! WTF?? Did he actually think the listeners were waiting with bated breath to get the answer to that mystery?
Luckily Simi only played the clip to set up the fact that Good’s interview didn’t provide any answers, and she proceeded to clean up his mess. It’s obvious why de Jong won’t show up and face her, but feels right at home with Good. And equally obvious why the listeners do the opposite.
[Translate]
Too bad ckwx 1130 wont hire you or cfax 1070 Victoria.Lots of empty airspace on the am dial these days.
[Translate]
We would love to have Alex on the airwaves over here on the island
[Translate]
“and the descent into radio hell for CKNW continues.
But NW brass doesn’t care. So why should you”?
Well, umm…………. I don’t.
The Station could fade to black tonight and I couldn’t care less.
What once was, no longer is, nor will be.
With the plummeting Ratings the Advertiser’s would do well to negotiate lower rates, or just flush their money down the toilet’
The day that Kinsella had Plasteras and company (I highly doubt the Owner’s even knew or care) to REMOVE 1 years air time of Dummy’s former Program from the Audio Vault, I knew the fix was in.
Cheers.
[Translate]
Local paper had a poll on whether people were going to vote. 87% said yes. Come election time 16% voted. The problem isn’t the people who can read. This will probably come off sounding elitist but the people that read and investigate and stay informed via blogs etc can’t stand the MSM. This allows them to serve more pablum to the masses. IMHO NWs ratings would go up if they dumb down even further. Maybe Good can do a fluff piece on Dummies fashion sense.Webster and Mair to CC and Good. Does this just reflect who they feel the public is?
[Translate]
Some very compelling points, indeed.
[Translate]
100% agreement.
The MSM shovels the manure to a waiting and willing public.
Hence shows like Entertainment Tonight, The Biggest Loser, etc.etc.etc.
Try and talk to anyone at work about local, provincial or federal polotics and the corruption and their eyes glaze over and the start talking about “those Canucks” or “singers on Canadas Got Talent”…..
We come by these politicians because the general public are uninformed, lazy and dont care………
[Translate]
Alex,
Please,please do not do a 3 hour show. I would be compeled to watch and never get my chores done. 1 hour, I can work a little harder and a little longer, but 3 hours would be hard to make up.
You are the greatest, thanks
[Translate]
With pleasure.
[Translate]
I wish your political wisdom was being prominently broadcast throughout BC beginning 13 or 14 years ago at minimum.
Had it been, I believe the BC Liberal Party would have only won of BC’s past 3 provincial elections with the result being a BC much better off than it is today.
[Translate]
That’d be correct.
[Translate]
won “one”
[Translate]
It is sad what CKNW has become. For me Simi Sara is the only host I will listen to now. A good host does not have to have my point of view, but they must have integrity. Bill has none. Neither does Sean Leslie. I have no doubt Simi would call a spade a spade with a politician of any party, and that is what matters to me.
[Translate]
Jon McComb is wonderful, as well.
[Translate]
I agree with your opinion of Jon Mccomb, AGT.
.
But how does he keep it together with 6 weather reports per hour and 6 traffic reports per hour combined with countless news updates, ads, etc., etc….?
It seems that, at the most, he only gets to do about 10 – 15 minutes per hour of any real on-air talk show journalism.
Whatever you do in the future, I look forward to your great success and appreciate what you do on this blog more and more every day.
Gawd!
Can’t imagine/don’t want to imagine what our beautiful province would be enduring if it weren’t for people like you, Simi Sara and Jon McComb.
Simi, Jon and AGT on the same station – what a team – what a concept!
[Translate]
Thanks…
Jon once apologized to me during a station break for the MANY station breaks and traffic interruptions that really meant nothing, in the general scheme of things. He was genuine and I felt so sorry for the man. Here’s one of BC’s biggest radio names ever being interrupted by some bubble gum blonde in a helicopter over the Lions Gate….honestly…
[Translate]
If you had your own show it would probably go national.Curiosity who would you want your sponsors to be?
[Translate]
It’s not a matter of who I’d want them to be, it’s who’s already spoken to me and who I continue to negotiate with.
And that’s not something for public consumption.
At the moment.
[Translate]
:^)
[Translate]
Alex said: “The house that … Gary built (among others) will be no more.”
Ohhhhh come on.. Gary Bannerman was the ultimute cheerleader for the Socreds… both Bill Bennett and Bill Vander Zalm (whom he also described as a personal friend).
Frankly, Bannerman makes Bill Good look neutral. Really!!
Alex said: “My pal Simi Sara, whose terrific show is pulling in numbers that easily exceed the Dummy when she was littering the airwaves”
Ohhhh come on again. Once I listened to ‘NW, (for ~30 years now since I was in elemenary school) but ‘NW didn’t have talk radio for the day (for whatever promotional reason while as I was driving).
I changed the channel from ‘NW to another, which I stumbled upon. In that vein, I flicked my radio channel to 14 C-FUN, where, IIRC, Sara was a radio co-host with some guy called Joe (?).
After a few minutes, I realized that neither had a radio voice and both were complete and utter flakes!!!! No intelligence vis-a-vis anything!!! And Sara, particluarly, had a horrible nasal voice!! I’m sorry but that was my personal reaction.
I would LOVE to see Sara’s current ‘NW ratings for her timeslot! Can you provide them?! I bet that they have gone into a nose dive (irrespective of Clark). I have absolutely never listened to Sara. Really.
[Translate]
You’re completely off the grid.
Sara’s ratings are better than Christy’s, with ease. You don’t know what you’re talking about with respect to Simi. She’s great people and a sure talent. Love her and her show.
As for your embarrassing comments about my deceased friend Gary Bannerman, I have only this to offer: Bannerman was an intelect and talent that will NEVER come this way again. He covered Bill fairly, regardless of friendship and was a terrific broadcaster.
[Translate]
Alex said: “Sara’s ratings are better than Christy’s, with ease”.
Great, would you please post the hourly ratings for her time slot to confirm same?! I would love to see them! Really!
IMHO Barry Clarke was probably the last great afternoon broadcaster on ‘NW.
Alex said: “As for your embarrassing comments about my deceased friend Gary Bannerman”
Hell, NDP hacks (including NDP MLA’s and Dave Barrett even back in the day !!!!!!) constantly vilified Bannerman – hell more than the NDP has ever villified Bill Good! And I’m no Bill Good fan. haha
Fer instance:
1. Bannerman backing the Socreds during the ’83 election when the NDP were as/or more popular than the Liberals are now. And that says sumthin. Remember?
2. Bannerman being the “rahh rahh” man for Expo ’86, which was opposed by the BC NDP. Remember?
3. Bannerman being the “rahh rahh” man for Vander Zalm prior to/ and during the October, 1986 election when the NDP was also portayed to form guvmint. Remember?
From a previous newspaper article corroborating the above:
1. “In February, 1974, [Bannerman] aired a three-hour show during which he castigated the NDP government of former premier Dave Barrett ”
2. “Bannerman told listeners native people had no respect for the law, and were dirty, childlike, alcoholic, and committed incest.”
3. “Bannerman never revealed a party affiliation, though his antipathy to the NDP and his admiration for Social Credit did not harm his standing with station management, or with advertisers.”
http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20110719.OBBANNERMANATL/BDAStory/BDA/deaths
Come on Alex. While I agree that Bannerman was a good broadcaster, don’t shy away from the fact that he was also “Pro-Socred” and “Anti-NDP”. Like night and day. Just like Bill Good. Nothing seems to have changed over time.
And yes, may Bannerman RIP. In that regard, we both agree.
[Translate]
Your evidence defeats your own argument. Bannerman provided balance. You cannot compare the far left NDP of yesteryear with that of today. Nor can you say his alleged bias is the same as Good. Bannerman gave an opinion that was pro-Socred. Fair enough. But he never took questions from the caucus chair. Nor did he admit on air that his friendship with Bill would impede him from reporting fairly on him! He took Bill to task in several editorials I can recall.
Your comparison isn’t at all like.
[Translate]
Brad, while Bannerman may have loathed the NDP and liked the Socreds…That still didint stop him from critisizing the Socreds if they screwed up.
Only recently, when Christy’s number have so obviously tanked, has Bill Good offered even a whisper of a critical comment at CC or her government.
Is so nauseatingly biased I want to put my fist through the radio every time I hear him say. ” I’m not biased, I ask her tough questions…”
Just the appearance of Bill Good giving her the easy way has caused him to lose face in so many people’s eyes.
He’s a mockery of “good” reporting. Stick a fork in him, he’s done.
[Translate]
Complete and total agreement!
[Translate]
I love the idea of you getting a show. Real opinions, backed up by real research by someone who loves this province and city. Not sure there’s enough for daily but maybe three hours once a week, extremely well researched. But yes let’s see it. Or hear it.
As for Pratt, I like him because at least he’s got some energy and interest in what he’s talking about (or at least pretends to). I listen to NW a lot and there’s so much repetition with them replaying each other’s comments, etc. Keep firing away Pratt.
McRae, will be sad to see him go. My all-time fav was his follow up ran on Burke after Quinton Burke comment that got Quinton fired. I thought afterwards, McRae the master is showing the young man how to really skewer. It was masterful!
I thought, as I do with you, McRae: comfort the afflicted, but definitely skewer the comfortable.
Would be good to hear you get a chance on air but a solid one, backed as you say by $ and a plan.
Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
As for NW rating slide, I blame you. I was zoning, listening in uncritically. But then I read you, saying wake up people listen to this BS. And I did. Now I can’t listen to Billy Vanilla without paying attention to how often he doesn’t go deep on an interview because he’s only an inch deep. And thinking about great gig Sean Leslie has over there, getting along with everybody and only rocking the boat when he absolutely has to. I come here to find out what’s really going on.
I always thought that a streaming Internet show with podcast would go if properly promoted (through your 250,000 readers). Once a week to start. Or maybe daily one-hour broacast. Can you do occasional shows like blogs – then alert readers to listen in when you do a new one? Hmmm….something to think about.
[Translate]
I’m thinking, trust me.
[Translate]
My 2Cents: I don’t know who Simi or Pratt or Rusell are. I don’t listen to radio since Rafe was kicked off … Not sure if i will ever tune in again.
[Translate]
Alex nice article. listening to NW is painful, listening to Good,Baldry, Leslie and Palmer is even worse.
They are so far up the liberals a$$ its disgusting. The BC Liberals with there dismal decade of the new millenium performance, scandels and big business payoffs is never reported, all we hear about is the past performance of the previous ndp government.
i believe the people are turning their backs on this right wing liberal propaganda machine, the people have had enough.
Keep up the good work, i appologize for using perfanity.
[Translate]
Well, Palmer and Baldrey were better this morning, but it’s amazing how much evidence needed to be dropped at their feet for them to wake up.
[Translate]
NW has a lot more problems than meets the eye. They are in an industry that is going through big-time flux, a radio band which is being relegated to the cassette/8 track crowd and a format that is unjustifiably too expensive to operate when you consider production, on air and technical costs. As soon as cellular data pricing comes down more and new car radios stream the internet it’s done-as one of the only things keeping local radio together has been people listening in cars. Now people will be listening to stations all over the world thus watering down the local radio market with something they cant compete with.
I would love to hear you on the radio Alex but let me be an H-hole for a second. You will never get hired prime-time at NW whether working for $1 million or $1 until you prove yourself on air. Rafe did it with his wife on the all night show before he went on mornings. Even CC was filling in and possibly getting the odd whisker burn getting people comfortable with her on air style. You will only get hired for a regular daily show at NW after either proving yourself somewhere else, as a fill in host or getting noticed at a non prime time slot. Maybe pitch for the Weekend afternoon shows as they are a rumour right now and if you start doing shows that have news breaking material that other shows talk about the rest of the week you never know what might happen.
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a MAJOR bloodletting at NW from management to so-called producers to people who answer the phones. Right now management’s idea of improving ratings is having some woman talk about sex on Sunday night which is a sorry comment on the captains running the listing ship NW now. Sounds more like desperation to me.
[Translate]
That’s a good point, all of the new hosts started out doing vacation relief etc. I see they have Bob Mackin doing an investigative series, they must be trying him out.
I hope to see Mike Smyth get a regular spot on the station as he’s the only host that makes me laugh while providing great content. I love his passion.
I like Simi but think she might benefit from a co-host, maybe David Pratt. I always start out listening to her show but most days turn it off as it doesn’t hold my interest. She’s good in the noon portion when she’s interacting with the sports and news guys.
[Translate]
No disrespect to Bob or Mike, but they will never get their own show on NW while Kinsella has a direct hotline to Plasteras’s phone.
They intentionally made it extremely difficult for Mike to get on-air full time by insisting he’d have to move to Vancouver to make it work.
[Translate]
Bob Mackin will have significant CanCon money thrown at him by NW.
They know he is being courted by the competition and are scared. So, they’ll try to tie him up with Canadian content money, rather than send it to CFMI for promo of a Nickelback album.
Just watch.
[Translate]
It’s my understanding (maybe it changed in my 10+ years away from the industry) that the way CanCon works is that stations are mandated to play 35% Canadian music as per their license from the CRTC. From that, SOCAN takes a percentage of advertising revenues from the stations for distribution amongst the artists on the station’s playlist.
I think you’re right that NW will throw significant money at Bob to try and get him on their side and not investigate the Liberals misdeeds (past, present and future). There may be a little funneling of money from promotional endeavors and from things such as the NW Orphan’s Fund and maybe some money from staff cuts (which are rumoured to be upcoming), but I don’t think CanCon money has anything to do with it.
[Translate]
Absolutely brilliant Alex. The mainstream media is so pissed at you for curb-stomping that miserable excuse of a premier into the pavement. BC owes you and owes you big.
[Translate]
Plasteras not making that deal with you is at the very least a very bad business decision.
CKNW or Corus, has to realize that their business is not:
1) Bill Good telling all the the little people how wonderful the food is at Il Giardino
2) wasting the talents of a fine foreign correspondent by forcing him to make lame jokes about the weather
3) getting a token female to do a show, because they can’t have a man possibly competing with the aforementioned Good
4) Dave Pratt, the misogynistic plagiariser, pretending to be a bad ass and giving the old gang at the Top Dog some street cred yo
5) some old woman talking about sex – yuck!
6) infomercials up the yin yang
7) Sean Leslie – another binder reader in training
No, their business is to be the place where we go to find out what the hell is going on. But they have lost that business to you. Because we trust you and will never trust them again.
[Translate]
Someone needs to throw a bucket of water on those three screeching allay cats, Bill Good calls an panel of pundits
The only thing that’s a “pun”, is that these broads are given air time
[Translate]
NW seems so desperate for new listeners that they are pandering to the crazies in Vancouver’s radical left community. This week they had Vancouver Cop Watch on Bill Good’s show, a group who have been pestering the police for a couple of years now.
Rather than questioning what they have been up to Good swallowed their lies hook, line & sinker when they said they are trying to build bridges between the VPD and people in the DTES. Despite the fact the evidence is that they are doing just the opposite…
http://www.genuinewitty.com/2012/06/18/vancouver-cop-watch-hoodwinks-the-public-on-cknw/
[Translate]
Alex:
I love the “Cutting the cheese from the Ledge” line. I laughed so hard when i saw it that I almost cut the cheese myself.
[Translate]
Glad you liked it. Haven’t seen you at the gas station lately.
[Translate]
So true. I actually stop by that gas station quite a bit. I assure you, I haven’t given up my car in order to be the only person using the local bike lane.
[Translate]
That’s a good thing!
Suzanne Anton–the fool, keeps telling people that the Dunbar bike lanes are full. What an idiot! I drive that road twice a day for 300 plus days per year. THEY’RE ALWAYS EMPTY!!!!!
I’m glad you’re well, pal. It was great you introducing yourself to me last year. I stopped all the time now. It’s quite flattering.
[Translate]
Having listened to NW for a long time it has been painful to hear the product deteriorate.
The least Bill Good et al could do is devote a few hours of air time to defend their product from your critisism. I guess they havent gott the guts for that
[Translate]