By Frank Moher
I am back to listening to my local CBC Radio affiliate, the one out of Vancouver. This comes after a lovely respite, during which I listened instead to a talk-station called CFUN, whose hosts — besides offering news and commentary of substance — were, well, fun.
Earlier this month, CFUN switched to an all-sports format and rebranded itself TEAM 1410. This brings it yet closer in sibling cuddliness to its sister station TEAM 1040, also owned by CHUM, also all-sports all-the time, and together with TEAM 1410 a dyslexic’s nightmare. The reason was that old one: ratings. The station was 16th of 19 in the Vancouver market according to the last set of BBMs. There was some indication that it was starting to move up the ranks at the time of its extreme makeover, but not soon enough.
So, I am returned to the ever-earnest CBC (number one in the market), and, occasionally, the earnest and often angry CKNW (falling, but still strong). I don’t blame CHUM; I blame the city’s radio listeners. If Vancouver has a reputation as No-Funsville, and it does, the blame lies squarely with Vancouverites themselves, who wouldn’t know an entertaining station if it came on-air and tried to make their damp lives a bit more sparkly. As it did. So long, and thanks for the sparkles.
