On The Kowch at CRTC hearings in Toronto

CRTC Application Hearings underway  in Toronto for 88.1FM

From where I sit On the Kowch, here are the highlights of the Tietolman Tetrault Pancholy Media presentation at the Toronto CRTC application hearings for 88.1FM:

"Tietolman Tetrault Pancholy Media will broadcast live, local newscasts 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week in Canada's biggest city.

"This initiative will provide Toronto listeners with a much desired service and will also create much needed job opportunities in the Toronto radio market for both male and female broadcasters and broadcast journalists. We are committed to hiring a team of 12 full-time local news reporters and an additional four weekend reporters.

"A special investigative journalism unit will be created.These investigative journalism specials and miniseries will be featured in our newscasts and talk programming. Regular Town Hall Meetings featuring newsmakers and prominent personalities, allowing listeners to interact and react to their views and positions.

"A team of eight producers will research and support content development to ensure a contemporary quality of on air performance.

"88.1 FM's talk shows will be hosted by a team of co-hosts. Face-To-Face on air personalities will regularly express opposing views and interact with listeners on the important issues of the day that are pertinent to Toronto listeners.

"Face-To-Face talk radio allows listeners to hear both sides of the issue being debated. This is not your conventional one host, one opinion, I am right and your are wrong kind of talk radio that exists today in Toronto.

"TTP Media will not broadcast pre-recorded shows or American syndicated shows at night and on weekends ... Tietolman Tetrault Pancholy Media will use overnight and weekend programming on 88.1FM to provide an opportunity for emerging talk and news talent to gain valuable on air experience, working side by side with broadcast professionals."

"You have in the GTA, 16 music stations, 11 ethnic stations, one aboriginal station, two sports talk stations, one all news station, one national information station two AM talk stations.

"Here's what we believe is MISSING in the market place:

• Plurality of opinions throughout the broadcast day
• Live Local Talk and interactive programming 24/7
• Live Local Newscasts 24 hours a day and coverage of community events throughout the week
• Contemporary talk for a demographic audience that is currently not being served
• An independent new voice in this key market.
• The need to hire more women and more representatives from the GTA's multi-cultural communities.

"We are asking for approval to create a new and relevant information radio station for the people of the Greater Toronto Area. One that enhances the choice, quality and the diversity of information programming available to the multitude of cultures represented in Toronto, while expanding the reach of talk and information programming to a broader age demographic by presenting it WHERE they listen; on the FM Band.

"The people at TTP Media and others involved in this project are PASSIONATE about talk/information radio. We are fully prepared creatively and financially to share that passion with the people of Toronto with a new contemporary talk/information radio station that we know Torontonians will be passionate about as well."

The CRTC is expected to make a decision on which applicant gets 88.1FM by the Fall.

From where I sit On The Kowch, the time is right for Toronto to have its first FM talk and information radio station owned and operated by TTP Media.

Steve was in charge of programming Canada's two largest newstalk radio stations for 14 years

You can email Steve at steve@kowchmedia.com

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