I am sure 660 and 770 were all over the breaking news of the crane vs. train situation this morning on air.  But if it happened around 10 AM, one must wonder where it is on the 660News website?  As of 12:20, the 660News front page is still not updated.  Maybe I need to subscribe to breaking news alerts?  Oh, wait a moment, there it is under the National headlines...



I like the Canadian Press attribution to CHQR...nice.




For the record, here's the CHQR coverage:

Classy.
Someone's head at Rogers central should roll for that one.  How do you let something like that slip? I'm sorry but if you're going to try to market yourself as a station "keeping you in the loop" and "breaking news first" you gotta back it up.

Hmm, weird...I say weird because it took me all of thirty seconds to look in the archives to find the story on the C-train accident (under "Calgary") that was posted at 10:22 AM, when the accident itself happened around 10:15. (There were no pictures, I grant you that.) Perhaps you just missed it in your  neverending pursuit of criticism?

I didn't hear about the accident until just after 11:30.  I was listening to News1130 at the time - they made it breaking news, so me and my colleagues went to the 660News website.  Nothing on the front page...the screen grabs above were taken shortly after 12.  Why isn't it leading 660's front page until 12:30?  It's not showing under 'Calgary' headlines from my screengrab.  I checked your site on two different connections, and got the same thing -- even after a refresh.

And about the archived story that you're referring to TheWave: there is no way that timestamp can be accurate for the amount of detail in the story.  What I am to surmise from the story below is that 660News had all those details only 8 minutes after the accident?  Even before some of the elements in the story occurred?  Maybe the commercial 660 airs is true, "Any sooner and we'd be psychic..."

Maybe it's just a brilliant programming decision! Perhaps David Spence is predicting weather AND news. I hear that starting next week, the Amazing Kreskin will be predicting traffic as much as 3 days in advance.

Quoted from TheWave

Hmm, weird...I say weird because it took me all of thirty seconds to look in the archives to find the story on the C-train accident (under "Calgary") that was posted at 10:22 AM, when the accident itself happened around 10:15. (There were no pictures, I grant you that.) Perhaps you just missed it in your  neverending pursuit of criticism?

I'll say it's weird.  If they had it at 10:22, where was it in their 10:30 news cast?  CBC and AM770 both led with it; it was nowhere in the first 5 minutes of the 660 cast.  As well, two reporters who were at at the scene did not see 660's reporter arrive until almost 11:30.   Maybe there are others here who have better information???  

However, those who think heads should roll for the appearance of the CHQR attribution on the National story are showing their ignorance.  The national headlines for private radio (not including CBC) are grabbed automagically by the website back end server and inserted into the database--likely an RSS feed or something along those lines.  Local editors would have no control, maybe even no knowledge the attribution was there and certainly no (easy) way to remove it.  

mf

Spiffiness, your history of 660News-bashing is well documented, and while there was obvuiously a problem and a mistake by one or more individuals in regards to the web page at 660, why aren't you complaining about QR's jumping the gun on a murder this morning? At 11:00 they led with a murder in motel village, but it turned out to be just a stabbing.

I believe the 660 quote on that story was that police said he was upright and talking to the officer.

You claim to be unbiased, and don't work for, nor have friends who work for, the mighty QR, yet you seem to miss all the QR mistakes, while relishing and jumping all over any 660News misdeeds.

So, where's your indignation on that blatantly irresponsible journalism on QR's part?

"80's boy says "Spiffiness, your history of 660News-bashing is well documented, and while there was obvuiously a problem and a mistake by one or more individuals in regards to the web page at 660, why aren't you complaining about QR's jumping the gun on a murder this morning? At 11:00 they led with a murder in motel village, but it turned out to be just a stabbing."


I enjoy radio miscues as much as the next person, however when you check the audio vault feature on chqr's website, the news announcer says, "he's being taken to hospital, his condition under continuing assessment".   obviously you don't take someone who's been murdered to hospital.  so 80'sboy, you shouldn't criticize others when the evidence is there to prove you're not being truthful.

Was on 660's web this morning...no news story yet on The results of a meeting yesterday between Calgary's Mayor and AB Premiere re:money for Calgary Gang Violence?! They had it on the air when I listened to them but it's not on their web? I checked QR77 and yes it was there.

How can he be murdered and taken to hospital at the same time?

Funny how the 11am vault cast starts at the end of the story in question, which was a good 2 minutes in, and leaves out whether they said murder or not. And I suppose there is NO WAY they went back and edited IT AT ALL

No - I doubt they edited the archives.  More likely its at the end of the 10 AM hour - the QR hour marker must be off by a few minutes.  

As for the train - maybe 660 wasn't monitoring QR right then - and just missed it.  Stuff happens.  Sometimes its embarrassing stuff.  Why would a head roll at headquarters?

Quoted from oldpro

Was on 660's web this morning...no news story yet on The results of a meeting yesterday between Calgary's Mayor and AB Premiere re:money for Calgary Gang Violence?! They had it on the air when I listened to them but it's not on their web? I checked QR77 and yes it was there.

Oldpro -- you are obviously NOT a pro when it comes to technology, more specifically, reading websites.

I was anxious to hear what the outcome of that meeting was, so I was constantly checking news websites while I was at work. I found the story on 660's website at 5pm... for more details I went to the Herald's site, then QR, then CTV Calgary... and none of them had it at 5pm.. except 660.

And it's still on there... "Premier Stelmach denies Bronconnier's request for $25 million"
you just have to click on "MORE CALGARY".

Like I mentioned before "Pro", perhaps you could use a refresher course when it comes to navigating websites... or just reading in general.

Premier Stelmach denies Bronconnier's request for $25 million

August 28, 2008 - 9:06 am
By: 660News Staff

Premier Ed Stelmach has denied Mayor Bronconnier's request for more provincial funding, to help battle gang violence in Calgary. During today's meeting at McDougall Centre, Mayor Bronconnier asked ...


Is this what you mean! Well Jim Dandy ...  the meeting with the Mayor and Stelmech was held on THURSDAY AUG 28th... in the afternoon. MY GOD!!! 660  was so ahead of the game they must of predicted it. OH and just in case you think the meeting was a different time...here is the clip from the herald...

Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson and Mayor Dave Bronconnier leave the province's McDougall Centre after their meeting with Premier Ed Stelmach on Thursday afternoon to seek $25 million to pay for 200 more police officers for the city.
Ted Rhodes, Calgary Herald

I'm assuming someone simply wrote "am" rather than "pm", a simple error...

Oh, wait, I forgot! I'm on the site where any mistake than anyone at 660 News makes ever is pounced upon like a bear on a salmon as if it's the only error any radio station has ever made. Sorry, my mistake!

yes the bashing of 660 News is getting a little tiresome. Let's pick on someone else shall we?

It might be 'a simple error'.  We all make mistakes.  

However, if I was in charge of a posting to a website, I would make 100% sure that everything is correct!!  This has NOT been the case on the 660 news website.  It is a laughing joke that Rogers would allow this to continue.  This is totally unacceptable!!!

Don't forget TheWave...anyone on this website that's makes a MISTAKE will also be personally attacked. SO what if I did miss something... was that any reason to get attacked  ...is it that big of a deal. My post was in no way insulting to 660...I actually commented on how I DID hear it on the air...but it just was not on their website...and I did go into the "More Calgary" area and it was not there either when I checked. If i made an error in my search someone has every right to point it out but they don't need to belittle me and insult me. By the way I have no problem with anyone making mistakes on 660, QR77 on any station for that matter...No station will EVER be perfect cause no Human is perfect! So who cares...I was just make a point as to what I experienced. Frankly I like 660...and listen to them all the time for my news. And I'll Be the first admit in my  time spent working in the industry I have made more then 1 mistake. On the air and off.

[quote=880]Premier Stelmach denies Bronconnier's request for $25 million

August 28, 2008 - 9:06 am
By: 660News Staff

Premier Ed Stelmach has denied Mayor Bronconnier's request for more provincial funding, to help battle gang violence in Calgary. During today's meeting at McDougall Centre, Mayor Bronconnier asked ...


Is this what you mean! Well Jim Dandy ...  the meeting with the Mayor and Stelmech was held on THURSDAY AUG 28th... in the afternoon. MY GOD!!! 660  was so ahead of the game they must of predicted it. OH and just in case you think the meeting was a different time...here is the clip from the herald...


==========

Oldpro - if you click on the actual story, the first thing you will see is the following...

Premier Stelmach denies Bronconnier's request for $25 million
August 28, 2008 - 4:50 pm
660News Staff


Now I'm not going to pretend I understand how 660 staffers (or their web programmer?) publish to their site, but I'm guessing it's more of a technical glitch that in one area, stories seem to have a publish date that's clearly not true, and one that seems more likey.  They should get it fixed, it is a little embarrasing to say the least.

However, I still think it's amusing that the vast majority of people on this message board (or at least, the Alberta radio portion) have nothing better to do than bash 660. It makes it seem as though most of you are just QR staffers trying to tear appart the competition, and make yourselves feel better or perhaps people not involved in radio anymore, but desperate to stay relavent, and spending all of your time critizing Calgary Radio.

Perhaps it's time to start threads on this board that praise stations in Calgary, any of them, for jobs well done, instead of pointing out small (and unimportant) flaws. Perhaps it's time you started being more supportive of Calgary radio, instead of bashing people's hard work.

Totally agreed! That's why I never bashed the station I just commented on how I didn't see the post at all that morning when I checked. End of Story...that was my only comment! As for Calgary Stations...you're right they are good and made up of a lot of GREAT HARD WORKING people. Hence my comment on we are all human and we all make make mistakes. I like it when someone can point out an error  it can make us aware of what we are doing and how we can do it better as broadcasters. But when people notice a mistake they need not bash a station over it...that I Totally agree with! By the way...that is the only post I have posted on here making any kind of comment about "mistakes" and I really don't think it was bashing, but if some people took it that way then I guess that's the way they took it. And as for web programmers on of my best friends does web programming in a major market and ya know what....they screw up every once in a while too! As the saying goes "NO one ever dies when someone makes a mistake...ummm unless your Surgeon/Dr" LOL

I completely agree.

  "...the meeting with the Mayor and Stelmech was held on THURSDAY AUG 28th... in the afternoon. MY GOD!!! 660  was so ahead of the game they must of predicted it."

Really, you don't find this insulting or belittling? It could have been worse, I agree, but it's a far cry from simply saying "Someone must have made a small error."  

I think mistakes on an all news station should be very minimal.  On air, 660 fails miserably on this front.
Just today the on air woman called a Brigadier General,  a Brigader General. A while back, the male anchor called the Calgary district of Bowness, "Bonus".
This happens hourly based on my now limited listening which is why I limit my listening to the weather. Spence rarely trips on the words and never mispronounces anything.
Then I switch the station away from amateur hour in Calgary

Paddy, how could you possibly hear all these mistakes if you never listen to 660 news?

Sometimes I'm early or late to catch the weather and I'm stuck listening to the keystone cops for a few minutes    I check the weather with David Spence once in the morning.
No Spence on weekends so i NEVER listen then at all.
THAT'S plenty of time to catch SEVERAL screw-ups on 660!!!!

Once in a while, because I'm a news junkie, I'll check it for 5 or 10 minutes to see if it has improved, but that's less than once a month and it never does improve. I've come to the conclusion that, with a few exceptions, 660 just hires every warm body who walks in the door.

The only time most of them listen/watch the news is when they are on air because you can tell they have no idea about what they are talking about...none...they are just trying to read words off a screen and doing it poorly. They would fail a grade 9 current events test miserably.

And management doesn't give a crap...they must be making money.

You're right, paddy, David Spence is indeed a well-versed, articulate professional who rarely mispronounces a word. I'll ignore the fact that he only says weather terms that he's been using for twenty or so years that never change, and the hardest thing he has to pronounce is "jetstream", but still. He is very well-versed.

What a lot of people don't realize is that he was actually born like that--he came out of the womb a broadcast-ready meteorologist! Some would think that once upon a time he was an amateur, just starting out in the industry, and he would occasionally make the odd mistake or mispronounce a word, causing some nitpicker to complain about how amateur he is and how they switch the station whenever that "keystone cop" David Spence comes on. But nope, those who think that would be wrong. Spence never had to start out at all, he just came into the world saying "I'll have the full five-day forecast coming up." That man is truly gifted.

Wave, how did you go from defending 660 news to tearing apart one of the good things the station has going for it? Sounds to me like you are an amateur trying to defend your own on-air presentation.

Methinks Wave was being sarcastic.  Maybe just a tad.

Maybe "heads should roll" was a little strong.  I still think the station needs to be careful when it puts things up on the 'net.  I'm sure there's a way to filter items so that if it's in Calgary it doesn't automatically get posted if it is being run off an RSS feed or something like that...just so that you eliminate the possibility of having a competition story running on your website.

As for the talent-bashing...it's the same old song and dance around here.  It's the nature of the industry now...talent is being thrown to the wolves because you no longer need 15 years experience to get into major markets.  A person with one or two years can now be put into a prime time gig in a Calgary or Edmonton or Vancouver.  Is it because there's a plethora of people out there willing to work for fairly cheap?  Is there also an abundance of radio stations that need to be staffed...leading to a watering down of the talent.  How many small-market stations have "grizzled" five-year vets anymore?  Especially newsies.  These youngsters are being thrown into the "show" with little to no guidance and are expected to be flawless on-air?  Come on now.  If anything blame the news directors/PDs for not helping these guys and gals out.

Just my two cents.

Quoted from paddyboyy

Just today the on air woman called a Brigadier General,  a Brigader General. A while back, the male anchor called the Calgary district of Bowness, "Bonus".

what are you supposed to call a Brigadier General?  Now I am curious.

Quoted from Flamethrower

what are you supposed to call a Brigadier General?  Now I am curious.

It's Brig-a-deer, not Brig-a-der        A pro would know that, you would think.

Quoted from Unfamiliar

Wave, how did you go from defending 660 news to tearing apart one of the good things the station has going for it? Sounds to me like you are an amateur trying to defend your own on-air presentation.

Sounds to me like you don't recognize sarcasm when you read it.

"The only time most of them listen/watch the news is when they are on air because you can tell they have no idea about what they are talking about...none...they are just trying to read words off a screen and doing it poorly. They would fail a grade 9 current events test miserably.

And management doesn't give a crap...they must be making money."
(quote from Paddyboy)

none of us believe for one second you're not/were in the biz. you appear to have a very large ax to grind.

Quoted from radiofayce

"The only time most of them listen/watch the news is when they are on air because you can tell they have no idea about what they are talking about...none...they are just trying to read words off a screen and doing it poorly. They would fail a grade 9 current events test miserably.

And management doesn't give a crap...they must be making money."
(quote from Paddyboy)

none of us believe for one second you're not/were in the biz. you appear to have a very large ax to grind.

believe what you will. I have never set foot in a radio station/tv station since a Saturday visit to CFCN as a child in 1963. My voice has never been on an airwave and I've never been in a studio or sold ads. Never been in the biz...period.

My axe is that a station would let such substandard crap on the air and wingnuts like you attack me for thinking that way.

Quoted from paddyboyy

believe what you will. I have never set foot in a radio station/tv station since a Saturday visit to CFCN as a child in 1963. My voice has never been on an airwave and I've never been in a studio or sold ads. Never been in the biz...period.

My axe is that a station would let such substandard crap on the air and wingnuts like you attack me for thinking that way.

So perhaps, if you have never been "in the biz" then you have absolutely no right to be so critical of people who are. You would have absolutely no understanding of the dedication and hard work required, nor of the often unrealistic timelines reporters and writers battle against.

Nor would you understand, as the majority of us do, that anchors at 660 News have many more challenging factors working against them, than the average anchor does. For example, the length of time they are on air is much greater, compared to the brief 3 minute newscasts featured on QR77.

I’m guessing the ‘wingnuts’ attack you, because your comments are unnecessarily mean and crude, and yet you have zero understanding of the industry.

In short… perhaps it’s time for you to hang up your hat and call it a day.
I doubt anyone on this board appreciates your posts.

As a listener, what goes on behind the scenes means nothing. It's what goes out over the air I care about.  
If there is all kinds of dedication and hard work in the back but crap goes out the front, it seems like somebody is wasting their time on something.

I didn't realize this board was just for those in the industry to perpetuate the crap on the radio these days. If the owners of the board want to ban me for my anti-crap comments, so be it.
If you don't appreciate someone telling it like they see it, too damn bad.

If they stop putting rank amateurs on the air who don't know how to pronounce most words, I won't bitch about the poor quality of the on-air product and I might listen more.

There ARE some very good ones there...John Clark, Maryanne Jeremy, Ted Henley, David Tait and some others BUT too often the good ones are paired with jr. high students. I switch the station instantly. That's just a fact.
Take it or leave it.

Quoted from JimDandy

So perhaps, if you have never been "in the biz" then you have absolutely no right to be so critical of people who are. You would have absolutely no understanding of the dedication and hard work required, nor of the often unrealistic timelines reporters and writers battle against.

Nor would you understand, as the majority of us do, that anchors at 660 News have many more challenging factors working against them, than the average anchor does. For example, the length of time they are on air is much greater, compared to the brief 3 minute newscasts featured on QR77.

I’m guessing the ‘wingnuts’ attack you, because your comments are unnecessarily mean and crude, and yet you have zero understanding of the industry.

In short… perhaps it’s time for you to hang up your hat and call it a day.
I doubt anyone on this board appreciates your posts.

Isn't it the listeners who we're doing this for?  If they're not happy with the product then shouldn't that be a sign to buck up and take responsibility?  I appreciate every listeners comments good or bad.  It's how you deal with them that makes you successful or not.

Now don't get me wrong I agree 660 has tough deadlines and a crazy clock but at the same time stress-management needs to be exercised.  As I've said before, it's up to managerial types to step up and help some of those who are having difficulties dealing with them.

Geez Paddy, you don't have to be so hostile.

I do agree with several of your points....

Listeners are the most important thing, and of course, the average person is not likely to be thinking about the work behind the scenes. But they should.

Also, I didn't mean to imply that this message board was only for people currently in radio... if it was, I wouldn't be posting either... I just think your comments are obscenely critical for someone who has zero understanding of what radio work is like.

I also agree 660 does have some amazing on-air talent (David Tait is always flawless), and some people that could use some work, and shouldn't be on-air.

But with every station I listen too (QR and CBC, iNews and CHED) I hear people I like, and people I don't. That's life. Deal with it.

I don't think any of the stations mentioned ever air "crap", or have "crap" people on air. I think it's also a wee bit immature for you to say they sound like jr. high students.

Also - as for "If you don't appreciate someone telling it like they see it, too damn bad." Very mature, i think my 6 year old daughter talks like that.

"Listeners are the most important thing, and of course, the average person is not likely to be thinking about the work behind the scenes. But they should."

I don't know how the assembly line works or how they cram the engine and all that stuff under the hood of my car, but when I go out in the morning to go to work, the damn thing better start is all I care about.


"But with every station I listen too (QR and CBC, iNews and CHED) I hear people I like, and people I don't. That's life. Deal with it."

I never said I didn't like the people...hell, I've never met them. There are very many who shouldn't be on the air, they aren't good enough. I switch the station when they come on. That's life. deal with it.

"Also - as for "If you don't appreciate someone telling it like they see it, too damn bad." Very mature, i think my 6 year old daughter talks like that."

You daughter is very astute for her age, you should pay more attention to her.


I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have nothing against 660 at all. I would be their number one listener if they did it right. I'm a news junkie and a radio junky. I listen to radio alot. It's on right now while I type this. The TV is off, as usual.

If 660 would stop cutting corners, they would be #1 in the segment, but with Jr high kids on air, they have no credibility with me. Judging by the ratings, I don't seem to be alone.

You have to put out quality if you want to be taken seriously in ANY business. Radio is no exception. That's life. Deal with it.

I think all some of us would like would you to be more objective, paddyboy. I'll say it again, your 660 bashing is legendary. Either you don't listen to CBC or QR, or you choose to ignore their many mistakes, okay not so many for CBC, but for example QR had the wrong name for Calgary's dead soldier last week for about an hour. Where's your "Jr. High" comment for them?

We might actually believe your continued protestations of "I'm not in the industry" or "I have no friends at QR" if you actually judged them as well. But your vitriol seems to be exclusively brewed for 660.

Quoted Text

Really, you don't find this insulting or belittling? It could have been worse, I agree, but it's a far cry from simply saying "Someone must have made a small error."  

Yup you're are right "TheWave" that was belittling, but that wasn't my initial comment actually. My initial comment was not and that second comment was written out of anger cause I felt attacked and I was on the defense! But beyond all this bashing back and forth I read a very excellent comment and I can't remember who posted it, but it has to do with stations hiring people with less experience! BINGO that HIT's THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!! I know personally of people getting hired straight outta school for gigs in Major Markets cause they are willing to work for dirt cheap wages.

Quoted Text

As for the talent-bashing...it's the same old song and dance around here.  It's the nature of the industry now...talent is being thrown to the wolves because you no longer need 15 years experience to get into major markets.  A person with one or two years can now be put into a prime time gig in a Calgary or Edmonton or Vancouver.  Is it because there's a plethora of people out there willing to work for fairly cheap?  Is there also an abundance of radio stations that need to be staffed...leading to a watering down of the talent.  How many small-market stations have "grizzled" five-year vets anymore?  Especially newsies.  These youngsters are being thrown into the "show" with little to no guidance and are expected to be flawless on-air?  Come on now.  If anything blame the news directors/PDs for not helping these guys and gals out.

Just my two cents

Found the comment...I think you are right Old reliable. And I think it may have to do with budgets. Why hire someone with 15years exp and spend 10-15 grand more when you can hire a Student outta school and save the Corporation some dough? Well I guess as the saying goes... "Ya get what ya pay for"

Quoted from 80sBoy

We might actually believe your continued protestations of "I'm not in the industry" or "I have no friends at QR" if you actually judged them as well. But your vitriol seems to be exclusively brewed for 660.

I listen to QR a fair bit, and as soon as Adler comes on I switch the station. Can't handle the guy. Other than that I have not been forced to switch stations on QR because they seem to have some decent on air people. CBC puts me to sleep.

Quoted from paddyboyy

I listen to QR a fair bit, and as soon as Adler comes on I switch the station. Can't handle the guy. Other than that I have not been forced to switch stations on QR because they seem to have some decent on air people. CBC puts me to sleep.
For the record, I'm in the road-building business...30 yrs, gravel, graders,tampers and asphalt. The radio is on in my F-250 all day. Mostly 1060 because it's the least annoying. Unless one of the crew is in the truck and then I just get groans. They hate country. I don't switch then.

This is the internet...don't care if I'm believed or not...but we aren't talking member size, so why lie

And that gas-guzzler of yours is obviuosly wired for the interweb too.

Let me guess, yours are the "perfect" roads I glide to and fro on each day....

I listen to QR a fair bit, and as soon as Adler comes on I switch the station. Can't handle the guy.

Geez, I think Adler is by far the best thing on QR these days. I know, I know, I know... he  IS well-read, well-spoken, has an amazing vocabulary and keeps his ums and ahs and ohs and stuttering brain-cramps to a bare minimum, unlike the obviously and easily affordable amateur crew of Rutherford, Blanchard and Breakenridge.

Sure, Adler is cocky, arrogant, even pompous, but at least he's entertaining AND informative, qualities sadly lacking for rhe rest of every day at QR.

At least CBC sounds, well, like CBC - stodgy and plodding at times, but not pandering to lovers of radio amateur hour.  

Quoted from Ra2000

I listen to QR a fair bit, and as soon as Adler comes on I switch the station. Can't handle the guy.

Geez, I think Adler is by far the best thing on QR these days. I know, I know, I know... he  IS well-read, well-spoken, has an amazing vocabulary and keeps his ums and ahs and ohs and stuttering brain-cramps to a bare minimum, unlike the obviously and easily affordable amateur crew of Rutherford, Blanchard and Breakenridge.

Sure, Adler is cocky, arrogant, even pompous, but at least he's entertaining AND informative, qualities sadly lacking for rhe rest of every day at QR.

At least CBC sounds, well, like CBC - stodgy and plodding at times, but not pandering to lovers of radio amateur hour.  

That was funny!!!!

Quoted from Old Unreliable

These youngsters are being thrown into the "show" with little to no guidance and are expected to be flawless on-air?  Come on now.  If anything blame the news directors/PDs for not helping these guys and gals out.

I would agree. It's a much different environment out there now, compaired to back when I used to be braodcasting.

I think it's the news directors and PDs that need to be held responsible. If they are going to hire people with minimal experience, they need to take the time to get them trained properly, and work with them.

I don't care if they are straight out of school, or 50 years old with a career change, they need some guidance.

now if corporate radio were smart, they would have their OWN, IN-HOUSE training system.  Say the Mother Corp hires you straight outta BCIT and they own several small, medium & major market stations.  Being the smart owners they are (cough, cough), they'll start you in their news dep't in Jerkwater, Saskatchewan where they have a small newsroom staff, headed up by a seasoned veteran who has the TIME to critique and mentor you.  You learn, and in time move up to Mother Corp's medium market station in Hairy Armpit, Alta., where you can specialize in JUST reporting or anchoring.  Then, if you haven't tired of the mac and cheese life by now, you get your big break in Vancouver or where-ever.  

It's not rocket science folks and the Mother Corp would be the winner.  Starting a green broadcaster in major market is unfair to the aspiring broadcaster, not to mention a source of hillarity on boards like this.