Radio

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How Cool Is This?

January 26, 2012 @ 17:56

680 News traffic report sponsored by Humble and Fred Radio.

**Listen to the latest edition of HumbleandFredRadio.com**

One Hundred Great Days

January 24, 2012 @ 21:17

That's how long it's been since Humble and I recorded our first show on HumbleandFredRadio.com - and man oh man, has a lot happened since then.

When we first hatched the idea of doing an internet show back in July, little did we know or dream that by January 24th we'd be trail-blazing Canadian Broadcasting.

There are lots of podcasts of terrestrial radio shows, but ours is the first exclusively independent on-line show to be distributed by a major broadcasting company.

And that's what this is, it's a distribution deal between Rogers Broadcasting and HumbleandFredRadio.com INC. We supply content and Rogers gives us crazy promotion which increases our reach, which increases our advertising rates.

We maintain complete control of content and we continue to do the show from our cozy and comfortable studio in Etobicoke.

I don't know what was the best part of today, the initial announcement on Breakfast TV, the follow-up with Brady and Lang on The Fan 590, having Bob McCown on our show as a guest, or getting in the car at 3:00 this afternoon and hearing a 680 News traffic report brought to you by Humble and Fred Radio?

It didn't hurt to go to Sportsnet.ca either, and see a Humble and Fred Radio banner right across the top of the screen.

Again, it's more than we could ever have thought possible in such a short amount of time, but it's a fine indication of what good solid content can do for you, because honestly, if we weren't doing a good show, none of this would be happening.

The first indication was the last week of October and the second week of the show when we received an e-mail from Rogers Vice-President of Programming Julie Adam.

hi guys ... hopefully these are still your email addresses
I caught your podcast today and thought it was really well done.
congratulations!
Julie

This led to lunch, which led to another meeting, which led to a proposal from Julie and the next thing you know, we reached an agreement and signed it just before Christmas.

The people at Rogers have been fantastic, from top to bottom. No bullshit here, everything they said they'd do, they've done, and more. And that's pretty refreshing on the heels of being jerked around by others over the summer.

What impresses us more than anything is Rogers vision for the future. They see what's coming and being in the delivery business they want to stay ahead of the game.

Where's it all going to go? We have no idea, but it's going to be a lot of fun finding out.

Up until today, our biggest challenge was reaching those people who we knew would still want to listen to us, but had no idea we were back together and available on their computers and smart phones.

Rogers will help us get that message out. Did I mention the TV commercials that are being produced right now? Or the billboard that will soon be on the Gardiner?

Yes, it's been a great 100 days and we're looking very much forward to the next 100.

Toronto Star - Humble and Fred Gain A Powerful Pal

Marketing Magazine - Rogers Radio Snags Humble and Fred

**Listen to the latest edition of HumbleandFredRadio.com**

Category: Radio

Tomorrow Morning on Breakfast Television and Sportsnet Radio

January 23, 2012 @ 20:01

Tomorrow morning Humble and Fred Radio moves to higher ground.

The announcment will be made on Breakfast Television shortly after 8am. It will be repeated at 8:40 with Brady and Lang on Sportsnet Radio, The Fan 590.

After just three months and 62 shows, Humble and Fred Radio will make an unprecedented move in Canadian broadcasting. Hopefully it will pave the way for others.

It's been quite the ride.

**Listen to the latest edition of HumbleandFredRadio.com**

Category: Radio | Stuff

Signal For Sale?

January 12, 2012 @ 08:09

There could be a very interesting development in Toronto radio over the next few months that could not only see the demise of am 640 as we know it, but also an escalation in the sports radio wars.

Even if Bell Media and Rogers hadn't bought MLSE, it's no secret that Corus Radio wanted out of the hockey business. It never turned into the revenue generator they thought it would, and what money it did make was not enough to off-set the cost of running other day parts on the station.

When am 640 was MOJO, it made sense to have hockey. A guy's station with guy talk married to hockey play-by-play and hockey talk. Back then the station actually had an identity, something it has sadly lacked since somebody came up with the brilliant idea to drop the guy theme and adopt a mish-mash of something-or-other.

Since then, the station has done virtually nothing forcing Corus Radio to pour huge amounts of money down a bottomless pit.

But that could all change in imminently. Sources tell me that Bell Media has inquired about purchasing the 640 frequency from Corus Entertainment and using it for TSN Radio, currently occupying the shitty 1050 signal.

This could be a lucrative way out for Corus. Rather than continuously feeding a dead dog, or switching to an all-traffic format (which has been discussed). they can grab a few million off Bell and then use the am 640 studios as a production studio or maybe even a studio for where the business is really going, an internet station with super low overhead.

Give the room to Mike Stafford and let him go wild!

Bell is committed to a sports format and it makes a lot of sense now that they've grabbed a piece of MLSE. They'll have content they don't have to pay for, but it's hard to sell that content when 1050 on your dial virtually disappears in many parts after sun down.

It's a technical thing. For reasons that are beyond my explanation the lower you go on the am band the better the signal and the ones up the dial go all fuckin' weird at night.

In this case, 640 is beyond huge. When we were doing the MOJO thing we'd get calls from places like North Bay. 640 would instantly put TSN Radio on an even playing field with The Fan when it comes to reach.

It makes sense on so many levels. Even if Corus wanted to renew their hockey contract, they couldn't because the guys who now own the team own their own radio stations. The content on their own properties is worth way more than they'd ever get from Corus.

But more than anything else, it represents an attractive option for Corus. Over the past couple of years I've heard inklings about a desire to literally flip the switch "off" at 640. Unless you have niche programming like all sports or all news and are prepared to throw lots of money at it long term, am signals are useless.

Unless of course you have one that somebody else wants.

Hello TSN 640?

Category: Radio | Sports

Today With Craig And Matt

November 16, 2011 @ 11:04

Occupy Toronto