CKPR-TV seeks licence adjustment

passlake says:

so, we're losing CBC now too, eh? hey tbaytel, you want to dominate the cable market? Offer the CBC and CTV Winnipeg (not Toronto! Winnipeg)

3/5/2010 12:59:44 PM

tbayer says:

Does this mean Hockey Night in Canada is gone from Thunder Bay TV?

3/5/2010 1:54:46 PM

DjMz says:

I bet CBC will most likely set up their own transmitter broadcasting CBC Toronto to TBay

3/5/2010 2:54:45 PM

thebard says:

Wow. I am stunned. Fortunately we live in a 100 channel universe, and for $22 a month you can get both CBC and CTV from other stations along the network. So you don't have to give up Hockey or CBC's Canadian content.

3/5/2010 5:14:46 PM

Dudebro says:

passlake, TbayTel would only do something like that if the idea came from their powers at the top of their foodchain and only if it were a direct money-maker. The public interest is not at the top of their priority list.
Its kind of funny how they want to get into the cable TV game when there is only so much programming available for the canadian market and all of those same channels are already offered via the two canadian satellite providers and the cablecos. Believe me, they are NOT going to be offering it for anything significantly cheaper than what you can find today. About the only benefit will be for those people who like the sounds of "bundling" services so they feel like they are saving and only get 1 bill from 1 provider.

3/5/2010 5:32:12 PM

Bobguy says:

Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one. Nobody watches broadcast tv anymore. They either get if from cable or satelite. If they watch it on cable, they could watch local or the network chanel and that splits the audience right there even if they are interested in what TBT is broadcasting. Then on satelite, who cares what local chanel you are watching...there are 12 CBC broadcasts and I choose the first one I come across when looking for programming. Coupled with the internet, TBT's audience has been fragmented and they are having troubles making money. It's not a conspiracy or greed...people get into business to make money, not lose it...that's called a chairity.

3/6/2010 8:55:58 AM

oldnorthernguy says:

TV has been hit with a perfect storm.

1) Massive competition from 100+ stations including specialty channels. If I am watching the NFL Network, Golf channel, Speed TV or the Food channel, local advertisers do not have my eyes and ears.

2) Ad budgets have been slashed across the country, as the recession took hold.

3) Younger viewers are switching to their computers for their information. I watched 50% of the Olympics on-line.

4) Increased operational costs.

5) Advertisers have discovered that they can use the web to target potential customers far more effectively than TV. Have you noticed how quickly your Google searches influence the ads that appear on your computer screen? TV can't match that.

I am not an expert on these matters, but it doesn't take a genius to notice that TV stations are being sold for peanuts. Many like Red Deer and Brandon went dark last year. CHCH in Hamilton sold for $ 12 bucks. Brandon for a dollar, Victoria for $ 2.00. But before you rush out and buy your own TV station, be aware that they cost $millions to run, and the ad revenue is simply not there in most centres. CHCH a non-affiliated station (no CBC,CTV or Global) will lose about $ 30 Million this year.

Dougall Media is very well positioned with print-radio-TV and on-line media. I am certain we will have Larry Scheffee and Barry Third reading the local news for years to come. But we are in for some changes in local broadcasting.

3/6/2010 12:01:30 PM

DjMz says:

@oldnorthernguy it's Randy Scheffee

3/6/2010 7:13:22 PM

free rider 2 says:

This is the problem with having only one operator with a monopoly of the market.One can speculate or come to the conclusion that this size of market can only accommodate one operator(station) but surely this situation leaves thousands of fellow citizens without either CTV or CBC TV coverage. As for the CBC might we remind the CRTC that the CBC network is subsidized to the tune of ONE BILLION DOLLARS!! annually by the taxpayers in this country to insure that the vast majority of Canadians have TV coverage from the NATIONAL NETWORK?, and those citizens who can not afford cable or a disk are and have been having a portion of their taxes go to the alleged peoples network in this country. The CBC has just made my case.I've advocated for years that the ONE BILLION DOLLAR!!subsidy be withdrawn The government in my opinion has no business in the TV and Radio Network business, Regulatory yes but pouring our tax dollars into a TV and Radio Network, this taxpayer says NO!

3/6/2010 8:27:55 PM

oldnorthernguy says:

DjMz : Whoops. Sorry about that Randy. See what happens when you get old.

3/7/2010 12:47:57 AM