Parnaby and controversial shock news radio personality Richard Syrett were among six long-time news staffers whose positions were lost in a cost-cutting shakeup at the once-formidable Toronto radio station in the past week. (http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/577706)

I grew up listening to CFRB (because my Mom listened to it and I had no choice) but the news coverage was the best.

Another one bites the dust!


They were among 23 jobs cut from Astral Media's English-language radio division. The specialty TV, radio and outdoor advertising company, which acquired Standard Radio in 2007 for $1.1 billion, released a statement citing the need to "maintain and enhance the competitive position of its 82 radio stations."

I've personally known John Elston since teenage years. He often told me of finding the midnight shift a rough ride even at such a high profile station. Well buddy, if you're listening...make the best of it, if you know what I mean. ;)

The Taylor Parnaby 11:50 tradition will be sorely missed. Despite the right wing spin it idendified the most important issues of the day and shed light on them. The little history lesson always brought a smile.

CFRB- relationship radio.

In the early 1970s when I was going to school they were beyond the best news station in Toronto. Jack Dennett was the voice of Toronto news, period. Pierre Berton sparred with Charles Templeton in daily commentaries, Gordon Sinclair had a daily rant, and the sports team was on the high-brow side for a nice change.

Here's a nostalgic site with lots of great name-dropping from that period:

http://torontoist.com/2008/08/vintage_toronto_ads_wallys_world.php

A name they forgot was the crime beat reporter "Jocko Thomas, reporting from poLEECE' HEAD'quarters." ;)

Most hard news and information junkies went to the CBC long ago while the traffic, weather and sports types went to 680 News which left CFRB courting the, what we called in the ad business, 55 to dead demographic.

Astral can spin it however they want, but my opinion, from the stations of theirs I listen to, is they cut back all the best personalities and shows strictly because the vets cost more. Let's see if cutting the most experienced and keeping the "cheap help" works out better for them than it did for Circuit City... I already listen to Astral stations about 1/4 as much as I did 2 weeks ago, and I'm a BIG radio listener.

After being a long time listener I havent tuned into CFRB for a couple of years. I am not sure if their morning show...beginning at 5 or 5:30 has been revamped but it was embarrassing with that wacky news segment.

One thing not mentioned also is that CFRB cut ''Live Audio Wrestling'' from their Sunday 11pm-1am (Monday morning) time slot, and it has since made the immediate move to Sirius radio, and that show had a very unique target demographic for CFRB that they normally can't get because as hugh said, they dont target the youngsters there anymore... I really wish Rogers would just get what it wants in acquiring the station...

Another thing not mentioned is the intrusive and huge amount of advertising. I find it impossible to wait for the small islands of programming in their sea of commercials.

but the repitition of the same ones that bugs me the most. Endless promos for "HBO Canada" (another Astral channel) drives me around the bend. However, I can tolerate Tom's (Tom's Place) endless yammering about nothing. They dropped some prominent people (I will miss Jane Brown - love her voice) but kept their core high visibility people. As far as letting go the highly paid, I think Bill Carroll, The Motts, and John Moore all make more the Taylor did.

Still listen online several hours a day.

Steve

A name they forgot was the crime beat reporter "Jocko Thomas, reporting from poLEECE' HEAD'quarters."From Page #36 of Broadcast Dialogue, July-August 2010 (http://www.broadcastdialogue.com/imag/July-August%202010/index.htm) issue:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/picture.php?albumid=368&pictureid=2928

I hated CFRB as a kid. My Dad would make us listen to it in the car.

"Can we listen to 1050 CHUM plllllleeeeeeeaaaaasse?"
"No."

Endless promos for "HBO Canada" (another Astral channel) drives me around the bend.


I've actually wondered if they'd be better off just rebranding the channel as HBO radio and carrying some of the programming that'd translate well to the radio like Bill Maher or "First Look" etc