TORONTO — The challenges facing Corus Entertainment, which have accelerated over the past six months and even led its former CEO to announce his early retirement, have reached a new zenith.
With its TSX-traded shares just above 10 cents per share, the owner of broadcast radio and television stations in Canada moved forward with significant reduction-in-staff initiatives in one Ontario city.
With some 300 full-time staffers expected to receive their notification of job loss within the next six weeks, it became known on Thursday that CFMK “Big 96.3” and CKWS “Fresh 104.3” in Kingston, Ont. (not to be confused with the Hudson River city of Kingston, N.Y.) were transitioned to what appears to be fully automated services. For the Global News operation in Kingston, job losses were also seen.
In a statement supplied to the media, Corus explained that while the two stations “will remain in Kingston,” both CKWS and CFMK will utilize voice tracking to continue to produce local content “made for and reflecting Kingston.”
Numeris ratings data is no longer publicly available. However, topline radio statistics for Fall 2021 show CKWS with a 5.7 share and CFMK with a 10.1 share, good for second place behind Rogers Sports + Media’s CKXC “93.5 Country.” Rogers is a primary competitor in Kingston, as it also owns CIKR “K-Rock.” Other operators include an entity tied to My Broadcasting Co., and Bell Media, which owns CFLY “Move 98.3.”
On Facebook, Corus/Kingston music programmer and air personality Bill Welycha shared, “I am not really in shock, as it wasn’t a surprise. We at Corus Kingston (radio and TV) were previously told of imminent downsizing across Canada. The process has begun. It has affected our Kingston area operations a great deal. If not shocked, then how am I feeling? Saddened and confused. Also anxious and curious what the next steps will be.”
Regarding the news division, Corus said it has “reimagined” its broadcast schedule for Kingston, the Toronto-area community of Peterborough, and the British Columbia city of Kelowna” with a focus on supper hour and late-night news programming.”
Additionally, the local online team will now operate “under a new model to better support local breaking news.”
This is not right to do what you did to or tv news weather and sports. it was your fault it’s when you gave yourselves these big raises that cause these layoffs. not Corus employees. SO, GET OUR Kingston news back on every morning and at 6 pm here. SELL THE STATION TO SOMEONE WHO HAS RESPECT TO THIER EMPLOYEES. 70 YEARS IN KINGSTON. WE DO NOT NEED CORUS HER EIN CANADA. James
I agree with James I want the local news ..who cares about T.O.!!
This is the type of comment every media executive needs to see. If local radio and TV are “local,” then where is the content to back up that statement delivered to investors and advertisers? We care about Toronto because we have a base in the GTA. But if we are in London, or Niagara, or in Windsor, we want to know about our community. And, CRTC licensees are required to serve their local communities, hence the inability of 88.5 to move in to Toronto, right? Glo, you and James are 100% correct and both of you should write the CRTC or to Ottawa.
Comments are closed.