As for "defending their turf", I think this makes a stronger case for a Roger's FM All-News, one similar to their Halifax station.

The CRTC held "Deversity of Voices" hearings last fall about Ownership groups having Monopolies over local market's news voices.

If one radio group has all the "all-news" stations in a markets, where's the different perspective?

I think Roger's application just got stronger. Not to mention Roger's already powerful all-new "brand" AND they will go for an FM licence, which will pull a lot, if not most of iNews 880 AM's listeners to the FM band.

A guttural scream could be heard emitting from the Rogers compound on Gateway Boulevard at the news of 880's format flip.

Best wishes to Gord Robson !

Whatever station gets Gord Robson will pick up an excellent announcer, who knows his stuff!

I do consider CBC as a viable option... that's why I said...

Quoted Text

"... a 3rd radio news outlet for Edmonton would be better than this which, in the grand scheme of things, sound like more of the same."

When one thinks of NEWS on the radio dial it's not CBC. I know myself I never tune in just skip it on the scan by. CBC is so monotone !

Quoted from freqnut

As for "defending their turf", I think this makes a stronger case for a Roger's FM All-News, one similar to their Halifax station.

The Halifax, Saint John, and Moncton stations are not all-news, they're news-talk similar to CHED and CHQR.  Are you making the case for a second news-talk station in Edmonton or a news-wheel, i.e., what 880 is proposing, but on FM?

Should be interesting to see how this rolls out.  Especially in regards to how things are put together and how many staff are on at any point of the day.  It is alarming to see only 6 of the 12 new hires being for "on-air".  Might need more than that if you wanna go 24/7........
I will agree though that this should only strengthen any application for an FM news-wheel.  Especially if the CRTC is doing its job and diversifying the voices.  That said, maybe Edmonton needs another country station?  

Quoted from Chedder

Stagnant?  Yes, we have been stuck at Number One for a while.  Sigh.  What a burden.  

wow Chedder... do you live in a bubble?  You're talking like a tech guy before the burst.

Stagnant: 1 a: not flowing in a current or stream <stagnant water> b: stale <long disuse had made the air stagnant and foul — Bram Stoker>
2: not advancing or developing <a stagnant economy>

http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=stagnant&book=Dictionary

AM Radio in Canada: AM radio saw a total profit (before interest and taxes) of $17.6 million last year, a 29.7% jump from 2005 - even though Statistics Canada says almost half of all stations didn't break even. AM radio's 5.5% profit margin didn't come close to that of FM radio, at 24.2%.

http://www.mediaincanada.com/articles/mic/20070809/radio.html

I wasn't knocking CHED with my post (or CKNW or CFAX or any metro News/Talker that claims to be number one)... I was applauding one of the other HALF of all AM radio stations that need to do something or die.

Quoted from 460

I just want to say what great people, and broadcasters Lesley Primeau and Doug Rutherford are despite this strategic  move......best to them.......that's radio....Gord R.

You're a good man Gord.  I'm glad to have worked with you ... or near you at least.

In an update on the Last Link page it says Bob Layton has been sending emails to reporters at other stations

http://lastlinkontheleft.com/r022c0803coolnews.html

Perhaps growing impatient waiting for students to finish their semesters before applying for work at iNews880, on March 17th CHED news director Bob Layton fired off e-mails to radio reporters at competing stations.

The subject line? Jobs Jobs Jobs. The tactic? Raid.

[image of Bob Layton email]

Those who make it to the interview stage should ask if Corus will implement the wages their recent parity study of local broadcasters indicated they should pay as a major market leader.

The study included the CBC, CTV, Global and the Canadian Press and suggested entry-level reporters should earn a minimum of $60K per annum. However, when Corus acted on the study they placed even their senior reporters at the lowest level of available scales, leaving some only earning half of what their counterparts make at other outlets.

It's not unusual to work as a CHED newsman and only get one raise in ten years.

Journalism students thinking of working at the station should also ask about the Corus Code of Ethics, who it applies to and and how it is enforced ... and if soliciting reporters at their place of business was morally wise.

Raiding is a time honored way to get good employees.  I've been approached by many stations during my career.  Its flattering, and a good way to get a career jump.

I guess if its never happened to you, its harder to fathom...

Quoted from Lawrence

Raiding is a time honored way to get good employees.

"Time honored" is one way to put it.

But surely Bob Layton would realise ambitious and worthy reporters would be flocking to iNews880 in a heartbeat if it was such a great opportunity.

If you're seriously into the radio news biz, you'd surely be already aware of the flip (or somehow missed the full page ad while liberating stories from the Sun).

So why the e-mails?

If I had received such a shotgunned e-mail, I would take it instead as a sign of desperation.

Sort of weird, on this forum. Everyone here talks about how radio has went downhill by downsizing, cutting people left, right and centre, and here's a station that is HIRING at least a dozen new people to work in their newsroom and all people can do is nitpick?  

I mean, when everything is said and done, there will probably be close to 40 people? working in that newsroom, that is unheard of in a radio newsroom in this day and age. Can see nothing but upside if you are working in radio news.