Heard a very cryptic sign-off from Gord Whitehead this morning, saying he was "taking some time off" and that he would "be back sometime in the future - that's all I'm gonna say."
Cool 880 has been dropping in the ratings. Oldies music (60s and 70s) may be a cost-effective format, but it seems few people care about the station. I wouldn't be sad to see a format change.
For Edmontonians August 21st, 2007 began with "darkling shadows" overhead: it was cool, windy and with a hint of rain in the air.
On the air in his familiar shift at 630 CHED was morning man Gord Whitehead. And just as he was about to sign off his show, at 8:58 a.m. listeners heard the following unsettling annoucement:
"Well a little note here ... I'm going to be taking some time off work and Syd Smith will be in in my stead. The usual cast of thieves will be assembled here weekday mornings at 630 CHED. I will just not be among them for some time."
While longtime listeners and fans of the veteran broadcaster were absorbing the news, Gord sent out an e-mail to his fellow staff at CHED. In it Whitehead suggested his absence would be longer than he indicated on the air.
heard yesterday that cool 880 is going to a 20/20 news format. rotating news casts every 20 mins. Kind of a shame if the jocks get punted. Gord Robson just settled in nicely to the drive slot.
Meanwhile, CHED's enduring morning man Gord Whitehead, 58, is taking an indefinite sabbatical.
I would suspect that Gord needs a good rest. He's been in the hot seat as a morning man or afternoon drive host for more than 31 years and has never taken time off, other than regular holidays.
CHED realizes what a consummate professional they have in Gord. Station manager Doug Rutherford has urged Gord to recharge his batteries, to return when he's refreshed and revitalized.
Filling in on the CHED morning show will be the dependable Syd Smith, with occasional guest co-hosts.
heard yesterday that cool 880 is going to a 20/20 news format. rotating news casts every 20 mins. Kind of a shame if the jocks get punted. Gord Robson just settled in nicely to the drive slot.
Sherwood Puck,
Do you have a credible source for this rumour? I would be happy to have an all-news station in Edmonton. I like Oldies, but not the COOL 880 version. I have satellite radio for my Oldies fix.
heard yesterday that cool 880 is going to a 20/20 news format. rotating news casts every 20 mins. Kind of a shame if the jocks get punted. Gord Robson just settled in nicely to the drive slot.
Why would they cannabal-ize their news audience from CHED? If some of the CHED audience head to COOL for an all-news format, doesn't that weaken CHED's overall CUME. That doesn't make any sense to me. Although there have been rumblings that Rogers was trying to sneak into the market and give a 20/20 news format a run- like Calgary. Maybe they want to beat them to the punch?
As for Gord, maybe he's just tired. He's been doing mornings for years and maybe he's ready for something else-something new? Why do people always think that there must there always be something sinister lurking in the shadows? Maybe he's just bored and tired. Who could blame him?
QT (Cool 880) going all news might make sense if Corus thinks Rogers wants to have an all-news station in Edmonton. There was something in the Sun not long ago - Graham Hicks' column, I believe - suggesting that Rogers wanted to buy CJCA from the Allard family, end the religious and gospel format, and turn it into an all-news station. And, of course, Rogers already has all-news stations in Vancouver and Calgary in the west.
heard yesterday that cool 880 is going to a 20/20 news format. rotating news casts every 20 mins. Kind of a shame if the jocks get punted. Gord Robson just settled in nicely to the drive slot.
20/20 News has NOTHING to do with being an all-news format.
This was done "back in the day" at the old Boss Formats (such as "The Big 8" CKLW). Essentially, it means that they'll have news at 20 after the hour and 20 before the top.
heard yesterday that cool 880 is going to a 20/20 news format. rotating news casts every 20 mins. Kind of a shame if the jocks get punted. Gord Robson just settled in nicely to the drive slot.
The 20/20 news idea was thrown around in a brain storming session... whom ever told you that obviously wasn't at the meeting.
It's been done before in Vancouver with NW and NW2...although it didn't work out all that great
But CKNW was starting an all-news station in a market already served well by Rogers with CKWX. It could make sense for Corus to flip CHQT to all-news since they already have good ratings and an established news department with CHED.
Looks like Sherwood Puck was right. I heard Bob Layton and Ed Mason doing 20/20 News on COOL this morning. Don't know when they started. The music seems a little different as well. Stuff I haven't heard in a while. Chuck seems happy!
Super Hits of the 70's & 60's. Chuck Chandler WAS Monty Hall's Announcer on "Let's Make a Deal"
Is Cool really Boss radio? I don't like the imaging liners could be done differently. 20/20 news is a concept I love your always getting the news sooner seperates you from the other stations. They should take a page out of dark station Oldies 1150 Kelowna the MD new his music.
I don't like the imaging liners they could be done differently. 20/20 news is a concept I love, your always getting the news sooner, seperates you from the other stations. They should take a page out of dark station Oldies 1150 Kelowna, the MD new his music.
They won't convince me to start listening again until they get rid of Bryan Hall.
Amen to that... what's with that guy? And why does Mgmt let him get away with all of his promotions? I want to hear the news, not about his favorite restaurant that he has a part ownership in. Does he think he's cute and funny? He sounds like my crazy old uncle, and no one in my family wants to listen to him...
Sorry you don't like my comments regarding BAD ASS BOSS RADIO. Spade is a spade. I think if you look at OLDIES 1150 music selection's. One has to agree the MD had the gift of music. Put that in your period with a twist of lime.
Hearing news out of the building today that meetings have been called at corus for Friday. Set to announce the flip of CHQT. Confirm?
I know nothing... but why not some rampant speculation!
Cool moves from 880 to 92.5.
880 becomes all-news. 880edmonton.com was registered on November 6th and shows "Availablenics.com" as the Admin/Techical/Provider contact... and they are also the registrar for 630ched.com.
Bryan hall just alluded to some "changes at one of our Edmonton operations" this morning on his sports segment on Global Morning News, and that we'll hear about it "in the next few days"...
I know nothing... but why not some rampant speculation!
Cool moves from 880 to 92.5.
880 becomes all-news. 880edmonton.com was registered on November 6th and shows "Availablenics.com" as the Admin/Techical/Provider contact... and they are also the registrar for 630ched.com.
Just sayin...
Availablenics.com also has registered 880news.ca. It would be nice to see them do all-news. As I have said before, Corus has the resources with CHED to make that work and make it sound good, and doesn't have to worry about competition from Rogers -- a situation that probably didn't help CKNW/NW2.
It would be interesting if they license the brand, the format, and the slogans from Rogers. Probably not going to happen.
Bryan hall just alluded to some "changes at one of our Edmonton operations" this morning on his sports segment on Global Morning News, and that we'll hear about it "in the next few days"...
hmm...
Yes....Bryan is encouraging Corus to "do it now, do it in cedar."
Their press release states that they'll do everything you would expect in a 30 minute news wheel format; news, weather, traffic, sports, business, and 'hyper news from citizen journalists'? That part alone will be interesting to see how that plays out. Can anyone contribute? What will make it to air? Will they get paid?
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