All-News Radio Format

[Stephen Pickford <nmi@netcom.ca>]

As many of you are well aware, CIQC Montreal transformed into CINW 940NEWS
back in mid-December...
and has been met with a number of less-than-pleased commentaries in The
Montreal Mirror, on radiodigest.com, etc.

My question is the following:  Is it common for all-news stations to
advertise as being "24-hours, constantly-updated"...then run a taped
newscast overnights (i.e. between Midnight and 5AM or so)...time checks are
edited out (i.e. rather than 940NEWS time is... the tape runs saying simply
940NEWS (pause...no bother to compress after the edit)...and on and on it
goes)....

Of course, sometimes this edit is missed...i.e. At 230AM, hearing that
something is "coming up at 1045"...or, with taped sportscasts, the games are
known to have ended, but the only mention being that "playing tonight are..."

When all-news was first announced in Montreal, Brian Kenemy (VP of
Metromedia Broadcasting) was quoted on CFCF Television as having "WBZ as a
good model..." --- however, WBZ is news in the day, and talk/sports at
night...CINW is taped news overnight, with primarily US features and little
in the way of local content (one example that is given was a New Years
report that talked about last-minute fare deals from New York...of little
interest or use to a local listener)...I am sure that WBZ has more than 2
local reporters (in addition to anchors/news readers).

Would be interested in hearing from others as to their impressions of
all-news radio, and the future of this format...speculation has it that
940NEWS will change once again, after a few ratings books are out, and
become The Incredible 94, Jammin' Oldies....

Listening to WCBS, WBBM, etc., at night, and I notice much more of a local
news focus and more detailed stories with home market relevance, than what
is taking place currently in Montreal...
has anyone tuned in CINW at night down in New England, and how do you think
this station compares with the other 50kw news outlets?

Regards to all,



Stephen Pickford

Host / Producer -- "Travel World"
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