Hamilton on the dial for CBC
Corporation tunes in to talk shortage
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...e-dial-for-cbc
The CBC wants to be in Hamilton.
Hamilton is recognized as the largest underserved radio market and “one of the top 10 markets across Canada,” said Kirstine Stewart, the executive vice-president of the public broadcaster's English services. That makes the city a top priority for a new five-year plan announced this week to expand to roughly eight new markets, she said.
Areas with large and underserved markets are the priority.
Firm details as to when any new stations will open are yet to be seen. However, Stewart said she expects to be able to announce some in a matter of months.
The rollout will be staggered over the next five years.
There are more than 7 million Canadians who cannot receive CBC radio, she said, adding that the corporation hopes they will get to 6 million of those with the new plan.
Hamilton's biggest barrier remains the lack of available FM frequency, Stewart said, adding that it will not be possible for the CBC to buy new frequency in the area.
But that only means the corporation will have to look at different technological options, including digital, she said.
There are “workable solutions.”
A large number of people in the Hamilton area do follow CBC programming from Toronto, but they recognize that stories important to Hamiltonians are missed, Stewart said.
It is the city's proximity to Toronto that many believe has been a reason the public broadcaster has not expanded to Hamilton over the past almost two decades.
“Historically speaking, we're too close to Toronto,” said Alexandre Sevigny, assistant professor of multimedia and communication studies at McMaster University.
“It's insulting for Hamilton.”
The city has unique political, artistic and neighbourhood identities, he said.
It is incredible that Hamilton currently has eight radio stations and Buffalo – with a population nearly half the size – has 18 radio stations, Sevigny said.
A CBC presence would symbolize an acknowledgement that Hamilton is an important city, he said.
Councillor Brian McHattie, who was involved in advocating for a Hamilton CBC radio presence in 2005, said the prospect of a station actually coming to Hamilton is “fantastic.”
Councillor Jason Farr, who spent 22 years on air before turning to politics, said he would tune in regularly to CBC in Hamilton.
“I think a local CBC station would be the perfect complement to what is now a diverse format range musically in this city, however, provides no options in terms of the talk format,” he said.
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