NORTHWEST BROADCASTERS

RECENT NEWS ARCHIVES - 2009

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• 11/30/09 - Seattle market Spirit 105.3 KCMS-FM has joined the ranks of all-Chrismas stations in the Northwest. 

• 11/30/09 - The CRTC has opened an online consultation to receive comments by Canadians on the future of television as it moves to digital.  The Commission is considering a number of options and the effect they would have on the future of local television, along with cable and satellite delivery.  As a number of stations in smaller markets were shut down this year, CHEK-TV/6 Victoria won a last minute reprieve in early September by employees and local investors.  CRTC release

• 11/29/09 - An advance copy of the December 2009 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared by Clay Freinwald for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers.

• 11/29/09 - Apparently the new CFTE call letters for Team 1410 Vancouver are to designate "Team".  Meanwhile, as the CFUN calls disappear from the AM band in Vancouver, the old CFUN towers will be knocked down this coming Tuesday.  CFTE AM 1410 is now co-located with CKST AM 1040 in a new facility in Delta.

• 11/28/09 - As recently rumored, CKCL-FM 104.9 Vancouver (Chilliwack/Abbotsford) has been assigned the call letters CFUN-FM by Industry Canada.   CKCL started identifying as Fun FM on November 12, but is still using its old call letters this morning during its official on-hour IDs.  Team CFUN AM 1410, which changed from talk to sports on November 5, has been assigned the new call CFTE.  The historic CFUN calls have been in use by 1410 since February 14, 1955 when it changed from CKMO, except for for the period from 1969-73 when it used the call letters CKVN.  The CKMO calls are currently used by Victoria's Camosun College station Village 900.

• 11/28/09 - A Life In The News by news anchor Tony Parsons follows his life from his broadcast beginnings in Ontario radio through his 30+ years at Global BC CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver.   Vancouver Sun:  Rick Ouston  Tony Parsons  Randy Shore

• 11/27/09 - Big Crooser Gordon Cruse, now 67 and retired in Victoria, relates his days at Radio Caroline.  He was hired as operations manager and music director by CFAX AM 1070 in 1969.  Michael D. Reid, Times Colonist

• 11/27/09 - Praise KWPZ-FM 106.5 Lynden moved to an all Christmas format at 12:01 this morning.

• 11/27/09 - The Port of Olympia is considering extending the lease for the historic KGY radio studios overlooking Budd Inlet.  Rolf Boone, The Olympian

• 11/26/09 - Long time CFUN AM 1410 Vancouver veteran Stu Ferguson, who was let go when the station flipped to sports three weeks ago, has been named Director of Talk Programming at All Time Favourites CISL AM 650.   Stu was with CFUN for 30 years, the last 20 as program director.  Over at CFUN's sister station The Beat CFBT-FM 94.5, morning show producer/stuntman Benjamin the Butler has left the station as part of restructuring.

• 11/26/09 - Tony Parsons, anchor and VP News for CanWest Global BC (CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver) is one of eight new inductees into the 2009 Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.  CAB release

• 11/25/09 - Continuous Christmas concertos and holiday carols including Handel's Messiah and Bach's Christmas Oratorio begin tomorrow on KING-FM 98.1 Seattle.  Laurie Dunlap, Seattle Times 

• 11/25/09 - Lawyer Linda Larson, a partner at the Seattle-based Marten Law Group, has been elected to a two-year term as chairwoman of the board at Public Radio International.  Feliks Banel, Crosscut.com   PRI release

• 11/24/09 - Another prominent Vancouver broadcaster is out.  This time it is Jacquie Donaldson, long time news director at News1130 CKWX AM.  She previously held positions in Calgary and Toronto.

• 11/23/09 - Starting today, CTV British Columbia CIVT-DT/33 Vancouver begins broadcasting local newscasts in full HD.  Local newscasts air weekdays at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. and weekends at 6 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.  CTV British Columbia began over-the-air HD transmission on some of its most popular shows in August 2005.  News release

• 11/23/09 - Popular political commentator Bill Tieleman has announced that he will no longer be making weekly appearances on The Bill Good Show on Vancouver market CKNW AM 980 due to an inability to come to an agreement with station management.  Tieleman has also filled in as guest host on a number of CKNW programs.  Bill Tieleman announcement

• 11/21/09 - Seattle market Warm KRWM-FM 106.9 moved to Continuous Christmas Favorites at 3 p.m. yesterday.  Warm traditionally moves to an all-Christmas format at this time of year.

• 11/20/09 - Movie maker and CBC Vancouver television producer Bob Gray died Monday, November 16 at age 75.  During his career he produced a host of movies and TV programs, including The Beachcombers and spent nine years working with Aaron Spelling on the highly successful ABC series The Love Boat.  Vancouver Sun obituary

• 11/20/09 - The CRTC has approved an application by the CBC to change its transmitter in Tahsis from AM to FM on 90.5 MHz with an ERP of 46.5 watts non-directional at minus 209 metres HAAT.  The transmitter broadcasts the Radio One programming of CBCV-FM 90.5 Victoria.  CRTC decision

• 11/19/09 - CBC Vancouver is holding an Open House/Food Bank Day at their newly renovated, state-of-the-art broadcast centre at 700 Hamilton Street 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, December 4.  There will be media archives, vintage gear displays and visitors can watch both radio and TV live broadcasts, meet staff and on-air personalities and support a worthy cause by donating to the Food Bank.  CBC info

• 11/18/09 - Buzz Bishop, who entertained for 16 years at CKZZ-FM 95.3 Vancouver (now Virgin Radio) through a number of the station's incarnations, has announced that he will be hosting mornings starting next month at AMP Radio CKMP-FM 90.3 Calgary.  Buzz Bishop blog

• 11/18/09 - Kirby Wilbur, recently released from his show at KVI AM 570 Seattle, tells his side of the story on his blog.

• 11/18/09 - Owen Murphy has been elevated from APD to PD at KIRO AM 710 Seattle.  He has been a producer at MLB.com and ESPN Radio.  Radio Online

• 11/18/09 - Coast to Coast AM has announced that it will be back on Vancouver airwaves in the near future on CKNW AM 980.  The program was displaced in the market when CFUN AM 1410 moved to all-sports two weeks ago.  Coast to Coast release   Vancouver Sun

• 11/17/09 - The flip of CFUN AM 1410 Vancouver to all-sports as Team 1410 on November 5 came with further personnel changes, with weekend/fill-in host Stone Phillips moving to mornings at the station under the new format, and show host Mannie Buzunis to news reader at sister station QM/FM CHQM-FM 103.5.  Radio Real Estate with host Tom Lucas has moved to 10 a.m. Saturdays on CISL AM 650.

• 11/17/09 - University of Puget Sound radio KUPS-FM 90.1 Tacoma has won the Radio Woodie as the top U.S. college radio station for 2009 from MTV’s college television network mtvU.  About 300 radio stations were nominated for the award which recognizes college radio stations for their role in championing independent artists before they achieve mainstream success.  More than three million votes were cast online.  KUPS release

• 11/17/09 - One More Time! The Dal Richards Story, the biography of long-lived band leader/broadcaster Dal Richards, also looks at the Vancouver music scene before rock took over.  Dal's Place is heard every Sunday night at 9 on CISL AM 650.  Another local broadcast icon, Red Robinson celebrated 55 years in the industry last week.  Tom Harrison, The Province

• 11/14/09 - Ubiquitous Global BC CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver news anchor Tony Parsons' new book A Life In The News has been released.  The book covers his life from the beginning in England to his 36+ years on air in Vancouver.  With Tony as anchor, the News Hour has had one of the highest viewerships in North America.  Chapters Indigo

• 11/14/09 - The movie Pirate Radio opened yesterday in North America.  Local personalities Steve Young (CJVI Victoria) and Gordon Cruse now living in Victoria, along with Mick Luvzit, who jocked at LG73 CKLG and CKST Vancouver and more recently hosted mornings at Praise KWPZ-FM 106.5 Lynden, were at Radio Caroline.  Yesterday, Global BC aired an interview with Gordon Cruse.  The clip can be viewed here under the heading News Hour Final - Nov. 13 Full Newscast at the 7:55 countdown mark.  Pirate Radio trailer  Pirate Radio Hall of Fame  Radio Caroline pages: Gordon Cruse  Mick Luvzit  Steve Young               

• 11/13/09 - Phil Evans has been named promotions director at Rogers Radio Vancouver, which includes JACK CKLG-FM 96.9, Fun-FM CKCL-FM 104.9 and News1130 CKWX AM.  He formerly held similar positions at Astral Media and Corus Entertainment Vancouver clusters.

• 11/12/09 - KVI AM 570 Seattle morning host Kirby Wilbur has been pulled from the station's website, leading to speculation that he is yet another victim of on-air staff reduction in local radio.  Reports indicate that today was his last broadcast.  Before joining KVI he was a real estate appraiser.  Seattle Times update  Fisher statement

• 11/12/09 - CKCL-FM 104.9 Vancouver (Chilliwack/Abbotsford) has switched its imaging from The Greatest Hits of All Time to Vancouver's Greatest Hits, Fun FM.  Format and staff continue basically unchanged.  The first new station ID aired just after midnight.  New logo from Wikipedia

• 11/11/09 - KIRO-FM 97.3 morning news co-anchor Jane Shannon apparently has left the building, as she is no longer listed on the station's website.  She joined KIRO's news staff in 1994.  

• 11/10/09 - A second show has been added to a special fundraiser for Vancouver broadcaster Jennifer Thomson, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer this past summer.  The Tuesday night stand-up comedy event takes place at Darby's Pub in Vancouver on November 24th.  Puget Sound Radio  Vancouver Province backgrounder

• 11/10/09 - John Pollard, president and general manager of CHEK-TV/6 Victoria says the station is exceeding the amount of local content required under its new mandate with the CRTC and that reports of million dollar a month losses are not accurate.   CHEK has an agreement to run off-island Global news feeds until next March.  Darron Kloster, Victoria Times Colonist  Meanwhile, former CHEK news reporter/anchor Bob Kendrick recently joined WSYX-TV Columbus OH.   WSYX info

• 11/09/09 - The CRTC has approved the application by 0859291 B.C. Ltd. to acquire the assets of CHEK-TV/6 Victoria and its transmitters in Sooke, River Jordan, Port Alberni and Campbell River.  0859291 B.C. Ltd.is a consortium of local investors, 39 employees of CHEK-TV and Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union locals, which effectively rescued CHEK from imminent closure in early September.  CRTC decision

• 11/08/09 - The transmitter relocation of KLOP-FM 88.1 Ocean Park (11/06/09 below) to 46-58-31 123-08-16, southwest of Olympia, will end the operation of translator K201AB 88.1 West Seattle, which provided an excellent signal for KPLU-FM 88.5 into the downtown Seattle area.  KLOP's new site is on Capitol Peak, the same one used by KNBQ-FM 102.9 Centralia.

• 11/07/09 - Kim Hesketh, VP/GM of Rogers Radio Victoria (The Ocean CIOC-FM 98.5/Jack CHTT-FM 103.1) is retiring effective December 31.   In Vancouver, Crosby McWilliam recently moved from his position of promotions director at Rock 101 CFMI-FM 101.1 to the same position at Astral Media's CISL AM 650/Virgin Radio CKZZ-FM 95.3. 

• 11/07/09 - Vancouver market CKNW AM 980 leads in the latest BBM PPM 12+ numbers, but lags in the 25-54 age group.  Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun

• 11/06/09 - The new all-sports Team 1410 CFUN AM Vancouver will carry all B.C. Lions Canadian Football League games, beginning with tonight’s regular season finale, whereas it previously ran the games when they conflicted with Canucks broadcasts on Team 1040 CKST AM.  Team 1410 will carry syndicated sports shows headed by Jim Rome, Dan Patrick and Bob McCown, and will have play-by-play broadcasts of games from the National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, English Premier League soccer, UEFA Champions League and NCAA college football, including major bowl games.  A half-hour roundup show of scores and highlights will be broadcast weekdays between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.  19 people were displaced by yesterday's format change and four others were affected.  Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun  Marc Weber, The Province

• 11/06/09 - David Bray of Hennessy and Bray Communications outlines preliminary PPM results for the Vancouver market for the four weeks following September 28.  The data can be viewed here.

• 11/06/09 - The FCC has granted a modification of construction permit to Educational Media Foundation for KLOP-FM 88.1 Ocean Park to relocate its transmitter from 46-41-46 123-46-17 near Raymond to 46-58-31 123-08-16 southwest of Olympia.  Power will increase from .55 kW non-directional to 89 kW directional (original CP 84 kW granted 12/19/08) and HAAT will change from 318.2 to 657 meters.  FCC data

• 11/05/09 - The CFUN AM 1410 Vancouver format swap to all-sports this morning comes with the cancellation of all its previous weekday and weekend programming.   Gone are Simi Sara, Nikki Renshaw, Dave Brindle, the producers of all the local programs, 30-year CFUN veteran PD Stu Ferguson, sales manager John Nicholson and much of the sales staff, along with syndicated programs Dr. Laura Show, Dr. Joy Browne Show and Coast to Coast.  Reports indicate that former p.m. drive host Joe Leary will be reassigned to other duties.  Meanwhile at sister station QM/FM CHQM-FM 103.5, David Milne and Shelley Joyce are gone, as weekender Dale Wolfe picks up more on-air duties.

• 11/05/09 - AC KRWM-FM 106.9 holds its lead in the Arbitron October '09 Seattle-Tacoma PPM ratings with a 5.8 share, followed by Classic Hits KJR-FM 95.7 in second with 5.3.  JACK KJAQ-FM 96.5 moves up into third with 5.0.  Radio Online details

• 11/05/09 - A major change at CFUN AM 1410 Vancouver this morning as the former talk station has become Team 1410.  The news release by CHUM Radio Vancouver states the station, "Will be the new home for world class sports personalities including Jim Rome, Dan Patrick, Bob McCown and the best of the best ESPN sports insiders."  CFUN joins sister station Team 1040 CKST as the second all-sports station in Vancouver.  News release

• 11/05/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications reports net losses for its 3rd quarter 2009, which includes $2.6 million after-tax loss related to the Fisher Plaza fire in early July.  It expects a significant portion of the fire costs will be covered by its insurance policies.  The company will host a conference call today at 1:00 p.m. PT.  Fisher release

• 11/05/09 - Former KIRO-TV news anchor Susan Hutchison has conceded the King County executive's race to opponent Dow Constantine.   Chris Grygiel, Seattle P-I  Keith Ervin, Seattle Times  Joni Balter, Seattle Times editorial

• 11/03/09 - Vancouver-based Bohn and Associates Media has announced that effective January 1, it will merge with SparkNet Communications, owner of the Jack-FM and Playing What We Want trademarks outside of Canada.  The new SparkNet will operate in Canada, the U.S. and abroad with a head office in Vancouver.  Bohn and Associates release

• 11/03/09 - On-air moves at Shore CHHR-FM 104.1 Vancouver have Steve Dunbar moving from middays to morning drive with local writer/comedian Colleen Brow co-hosting and reading news.  Gord Rutherford progresses from weekends to middays. 

• 11/03/09 - 25-year programming veteran Mike Preston has been hired as program director of The Wolf KKWF-FM 100.7 Seattle effective November 9.   He returns from San Francisco to the Seattle market, where he was previously PD at Kiss KBKS-FM 106.1.  He replaces former Wolf PD Scott Mahalick.  Radio Online

• 11/03/09 - Former CKWX Vancouver broadcaster Norris McLean, whose career was mostly in Edmonton radio and television, was known for his warm and tender personality.  He died October 4 at age 76.  Cigdem Iltan, Edmonton Journal

• 11/01/09 - Victoria's French language community station CILS-FM 107.9 has hired Phillip Mossman as program director.  He is a veteran broadcaster with experience in B.C. and in Europe with Radio Canada International.   Darron Kloster On The Move, Victoria Times Colonist

• 10/30/09 - An advance copy of the November 2009 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared by Clay Freinwald for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers.

• 10/30/09 - Kelly Latremouille will be be starting Monday in the noon to six slot at the Greatest Hits of All Time CKCL-FM 104.9 Vancouver.   Up until a month ago he hosted p.m. drive at sister station JACK FM CKLG-FM 96.9.  The decision by Rogers Radio to increase live presence on CKCL eliminated the voice tracking position held by Susan Sierra, who had been with Rogers since 2005.

• 10/30/09 - CTVglobemedia CHUM Radio Vancouver division assistant engineer Cody MacKay has been hired by Astral Media for their Vancouver operations.  He replaces chief engineer Barry Johnson who is retiring, effective today.

• 10/29/09 - Susan Sierra, BC Country Music Association's On Air Personality of the Year 1996-98, has left her position with Rogers Radio.  She most recently was hosting/voice tracking on a number of the company's stations in southwest British Columbia.

• 10/28/09 - Michael Ricker, KISW-FM 99.9 Seattle midday host up until last Friday, starts in p.m. drive at Portland's Rock KUFO-FM 101.1.  He was with KISW for seven years.  KUFO's new midday host Ditch also served at KISW from 2002-04.  Radio Online

• 10/28/09 - For the second year in a row The Wolf KKWF-FM 100.7 Seattle morning host Fitz has been voted best radio personality in Seattle and Western Washington by KING-TV viewers.

• 10/28/09 - Curtis Pope of Country 107.1 CKQC-FM 107.1 Abbotsford won on-air personality for the 604 area code and JRfm CJJR-FM 93.7 Vancouver won for station of the year at the BCCMA 33rd annual awards show Sunday.  John P. McLaughlin, The Province   Richmond Review

• 10/27/09 - Veteran broadcaster Wilf Ray, who started his career at CKMO (now CFUN) Vancouver in 1944, has preserved his Gospel radio shows back to the 1980s.  The Sunday evening program began at CJOR in 1965.  The two-hour shows can be heard 24/7 at Wilf's website, with rotations every two weeks.  Wilf retired from radio with his last program, which aired on 600AM CKBD Vancouver on October 26, 2008.

• 10/27/09 - The FCC has granted a minor modification to a construction permit for KPTK AM 1090 Seattle.  The CP authorizes adjustments to the station's night directional pattern to lessen interference on co and adjacent channels.  KPTK will continue to operate at 50 kW with different directional constants day and night from three towers at its existing location.   FCC data

• 10/26/09 - CFPV-FM 98.9 Pemberton has been off air since last Wednesday due to a circuit problem in the studio-transmitter link.  Repairs to the circuit have been ordered, but may take 10 to 20 days.  Meanwhile, station owner Matthew McBride, who received CRTC approval last year to operate a new Triple A station, CKPM-FM 98.7 Port Moody, has the antenna and studio available.  He is confident that sign-on will take place well in advance of the two-year startup deadline next May.  In its approval, the Commission stated that it considered, "McBride's experience in operating radio stations in small communities in British Columbia such as Pemberton, Tofino and Ucluelet will contribute to its success in implementing and maintaining a viable new service."

• 10/24/09 - Twelve Portland Trail Blazers games this season will be aired on the Universal Sports channel on Seattle's KING-TV/5.2 and three more on KONG-TV/16.1.  Greg Johns, Seattle P-I

• 10/23/09 - Nationally syndicated talk show host and former Mount Vernon DJ and Seattle radio overnighter Glenn Beck racked up big dollars for the city, mostly in police overtime.  Mayor Bud Norris presented Beck with the ceremonial key on September 26.  Erik Lacitis, Seattle Times

• 10/22/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications Inc. will release its third quarter 2009 financial results prior to stock market opening on Thursday, November 5, with a conference call to discuss its results at 1:00 p.m. PT that day.  Fisher release

• 10/22/09 - KISW-FM 99.9 Seattle midday host Michael Ricker is leaving after seven years with the station to pursue other challenges. All Access Music Group  KISW info

• 10/22/09 - The CBC is launching a new 10-minute late-night local newscast, in this area on CBUT Vancouver, as part of a number of news changes at the network beginning next Monday.  CBC News

• 10/21/09 - Seattle market The Mountain KMTT-FM 103.7 PD Dave Benson has announced the replacement for the Marty Riemer Show, whch was dropped on September 25.  New host in a.m. drive is Sean Demery, most recently a consultant for Triple A, Alternative, Classic Rock and Classic Hits stations.  He starts October 26.  All Access Music Group

• 10/21/09 - Thirteen Webster Awards were presented last night at the 23rd annual Jack Webster Awards in Vancouver.  Vancouver radio/TV broadcaster Bill Good was presented with the coveted Bruce Hutchison Lifetime Achievement Award.  Webster Foundation release

• 10/21/09 - The FCC has granted a construction permit to Olympia market KGY-FM 96.9 McCleary to increase ERP from 2.35 to 11 kW non-directional.  HAAT drops from 322 to 321 meters at its existing site at 47-05-9 123-11-17.  FCC data

• 10/20/09 - The demolition of the five old CKST AM 1040 Vancouver transmission towers, located immediately north of the new site, now co-located with CFUN AM 1410, was captured on video by engineer John Bollwitt and posted on YouTube.    

• 10/19/09 - The FCC has granted a modification of construction permit to KSTW-DT/11 Tacoma to increase ERP to 100 kW at 275.7 meters HAAT.  FCC data

• 10/18/09 - John Behnke, former president and CEO of Seattle-based Fisher Broadcasting Inc., died October. 9 after a long battle with Alzheimer's.  He was 82.  He joined KOMO AM as an account executive in 1957 and retired 36 years later as the corporation's chairman of the board.   A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, October 25, at the University of Washington's Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., in Seattle.  Marc Ramirez, Seattle Times

• 10/17/09 - Locally produced Seattle's Forgotten World's Fair of 1909 airs tonight at 7 on KCTS-TV/9, repeating on November 21.  Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times  KCTS info

• 10/16/09 - The upcoming frequency exchange between Shore CHHR-FM 104.1 Vancouver and KAFE-FM 104.3 Bellingham is expected in the next two to three months.  Shore Media Group president and GM Roy Hennessy tells NORTHWEST BROADCASTERS that KAFE has to erect a temporary tower for a few days while a new directional antenna is installed.  Shore's power will increase 25% while KAFE will reduce its northern signal power.  So far there have been minimal complaints about interference between the two stations, much less than originally anticipated.  KAFE's shift to 104.1 facilitates the move of KMCQ-FM 104.5 Covington to Cougar Mountain, near Seattle.

• 10/15/09 - CFUN AM 1410 Vancouver is now fully operational from its new transmitter site in Delta.  The old site will be kept operational until December to allow CFUN to remain on the air while engineers tune CKST AM 1040, which is currently operating at half power from the new site.  The old CKST towers, immediately to the north of the new ones, will be cut down next Monday.  CHUM Radio engineers expect to have CKST fully operational at its new location by the end of this month.  Both stations will broadcast with 50 kW from the new state-of-the-art seven tower site at 49-05-33 122-55-57.  CFUN will radiate directionally from two towers with the same constants day and night, while CKST will be directional from 5 towers with different constants day and night.

• 10/15/09 - The FCC has granted a modification of construction permit to First Broadcasting Capital Partners to move KMCQ-FM 104.5 Covington to 47-32-35 122-6-25 (Cougar Mountain).  ERP will decrease from 25 to 7.1 kW and HAAT will increase from 97 to 388 meters.  Antenna pettern will change from non-directional to directional.  FCC info

• 10/14/09 - The FCC has granted a construction permit to Chehalis Valley Educational Foundation to change the community of license for KACS-FM 90.5 from Chehalis to Rainier, decrease ERP from 6 to 2.1 kW and increase HAAT from 57 to 203 meters at 46-48-43 122-24-17.  Antenna pattern will change from directional to non-directional.   FCC info

• 10/13/09 - Viewer tips have helped capture 84 fugitives since Washington's Most Wanted debuted 11 months ago.  The program, hosted by Q13 KCPQ-TV anchor David Rose, also airs on MYQ2 KMYQ-TV and has been picked up by affiliates in Spokane, Tri-Cities, Yakima and Portland.  Casey McNerthney, Seattle P-I

• 10/12/09 - Bryan Johnson celebrates 50 years of reporting for KOMO radio and television Seattle.  Feliks Banel, Crosscut.com

• 10/11/09 - CFSI-FM 107.9 Salt Spring Island has enhanced its signal with improved processing and stereo, which also improves its webstream audio.

• 10/11/09 - Former CBC Vancouver cameraman Dick (Richard M) Bellamy died suddenly September 29 following a long battle with Parkinson's.  He was 71.  He is most noted for productions of The Beachcombers, The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, Dr Bundolo's Pandemonium Medicine Show, The Bitter Ash and the acclaimed film Hastings Street.  A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Friday, October 23rd at Hycroft, 1489 McRae Avenue, Vancouver.  Province/Sun obituary

• 10/10/09 - Former Vancouver broadcaster Jennifer Mather, who co-hosted the evening news with Russ Froese at CKVU-TV/10, then hosted her own talk show on CKNW AM 980, has re-surfaced as a part time anchor on CTV News Channel, on cable nationally from Toronto.  She is now Jennifer Burke, following her marriage to Maple Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke.  End Zone, Greg Douglas, Vancouver Sun

• 10/09/09 - Preliminary Vancouver PPM numbers covering four weeks of September indicate strong double-digit showings for QM-FM CHQM-FM 103.5 and JACK CKLG-FM 96.9 among women 25-54 and for The Fox CFOX-FM 99.3 and JACK among men 25-54.  David Bray, Broadcaster Magazine

• 10/09/09 - The CRTC will hear the application by 0859291 B.C. Ltd. (a consortium of local investors, 39 employees of CHEK-TV and Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union locals) for the purchase of CHEK-TV/6 Victoria and its related transmitters from Canwest on October 30 in Gatineau, Quebec.  The purchase price, based on the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement dated September 4, 2009, is two dollars.  CRTC info

• 10/09/09 - The CRTC has announced that the University of the Fraser Valley's new station CIVL-FM, which is not yet on air, has agreed to swap its 88.5 MHz assignment with the CBC's assignment of 101.7 for a new Abbotsford translator of CBU Vancouver.  The exchange follows concerns that CIVL would cause interference with CBC's Vancouver station CBU-2-FM 88.1 on the second adjacent channel.  Both parties have been instructed to submit new technical applications.

• 10/08/09 - AC KRWM-FM 106.9 has moved up into first place in the Arbitron September '09 Seattle-Tacoma PPM ratings with a 5.6 share, followed by Classic Hits KJR-FM 95.7 in second with 5.4, and CHR KBKS-FM 106.1 third with 5.0.  Radio Online details

• 10/08/09 - Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. has applied to the CRTC for a transitional digital television station associated with its existing CKVU-TV/10 Vancouver.  It will operate from Mount Seymour on channel 47 with a maximum ERP of 8.3 kW at 670 meters HAAT.   The application will be heard in Gatineau, Quebec on December 14.  CRTC info

• 10/08/09 - Northwest radio legend Pat O'Day, known to the younger generation as the voice of Schick Shadel, appears at the Snoqualmie Casino tonight with The Fabulous Wailers, to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the first teen dance at the Spanish Castle Ballroom.  Erik Lacitis, Seattle Times  Video Gallery

• 10/08/09 - KZOK-FM 102.5 Seattle morning host Bob Rivers says he owns one of three planes possibly stolen by the notorious 18-year-old Camano Island serial burglar.  Jack Broom, Seattle Times

• 10/08/09 - Former Vancouver broadcaster Bill Williams died Sunday (10/14) at the Lynn Valley Care Lodge in North Vancouver.  He was 84.  He had been a news reader at a number of Vancouver area stations and was a talk show host at CHEK-TV Victoria and CJOR Vancouver for several years.  No service has been announced.

• 10/07/09 - Former Vancouver broadcaster Norris McLean died Sunday (10/04) in Edmonton at age 76.  He was an announcer at CKWX Vancouver from 1956-61, before becoming production manager at CKPG Prince George for two years, then moving to Edmonton for most of his career in radio, TV and real estate.   He suffered a brain tumor and stroke earlier this year.  Edmonton Journal obituary

• 10/06/09 - Lisa Adams, former PD at Seattle market MOViN KQMV-FM 92.5, has been appointed PD of WOW Country KAWO-FM 104.3 and Lite FM  KXLT-FM 107.9 Boise ID.  She was most recently PD at KXJM-FM 107.5 Portland.

• 10/06/09 - Canwest Media Inc., the holding company for Canwest Global Communications Corp. has filed for bankruptcy protection.  Canwest owns the Global Television network, which includes Global BC CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver, along with daily newspapers and specialty TV channels.  The company expects the court ordered restructuring of its debt to take four to six months.  Globe and Mail  Financial Post

• 10/06/09 - Bob Aylward, 1960s host of Club 6 on CHEK-TV/6 Victoria has finally been presented with his award after being inducted into the Victoria Music Hall of Fame in 2007.  Royal City Music Project

• 10/05/09 - C-89.5 KNHC-FM 89.5 moves into its studio at Seattle's newly renovated Nathan Hale High School.  YouTube/Q-13 video

• 10/03/09 - An advance copy of the October 2009 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared by Clay Freinwald for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers.

• 10/02/09 - The FCC has granted a construction permit to KXXK-FM 95.3 Hoquiam for a minor change in licensed facilities.  ERP increases from 3 kW to 3.5 kW and HAAT drops from 137 meters to 129 meters at 46-55-55 123-44-4.  FCC data

• 10/02/09 - As Vancouver transitions from diary to PPM ratings, David Bray presents a closer breakdown of the numbers released yesterday, along with a brief commentary of the new system.  Broadcaster Magazine

• 10/01/09 - Classical KING-FM 98.1 Seattle has to explore a number of options as it faces the current economic reality.  Feliks Banel, Crosscut.com

• 10/01/09 - Team CKST AM 1040 Vancouver's Scott Rintoul and other sideline reporters have only about 20 seconds to get it right.  Lowell Ullrich, The Province

• 10/01/09 - BBM S3 2009 12+ ratings have been released.  In Vancouver, CBC Radio 1 CBU AM 690/FM 88.1 leads with an 11.6 share, News/Talk/Sports CKNW AM 980 is second with 11.5 and CHR The Beat CFBT-FM 94.5 and AC QM-FM CHQM-FM 103.5 are tied for third with 7.5.  The Beat leads in Central Reach numbers with 433,700, CBC Radio 1 is second with 331,200 and QM-FM is third with 327,000.  BBM ratings for major Canadian cities.

• 10/01/09 - KPTZ-FM 91.9 Port Townsend expects to be on the air early next year after receiving a $150,000 Public Telecommunications and Facilities Program grant.  Jeff Chew, Peninsula Daily News

• 09/30/09 - Murray Brookshaw has been named the new program director at JACK CKLG-FM 96.9 and Greatest Hits of All Time CKCL-FM 104.9 Vancouver.  He was most recently the operations manager and PD of the two Newcap Radio stations in Calgary. 

• 09/29/09 - Clay's Corner, featured here monthly, has been delayed and will be available this coming weekend.

• 09/29/09 - Management at KIXI AM 880 Seattle confirms that Jim Dai, who was dropped from sister station KWJZ-FM 98.9 along with Jay Phillips a couple of weeks ago is no longer with KIXI.

• 09/29/09 - Eddie Francis and Karen Wild are the new hosts of The Wakeup Show on KUBE-FM 93.3 Seattle, replacing Rob T-Man Tepper, whose contract expired.  Harrison Wood moves from weekends to weekday evenings, previously hosted by Eddie.

• 09/28/09 - Rogers Radio has decided to take JACK FM CKLG-FM 96.9 Vancouver mostly jockless.  Released are midday host Pam Stevens and p.m. drive host Kelly Latremouille.  Mornings remain intact with Larry (Hennessey) & Willy (Percy).  Howard Cogan returns as the voice of JACK.

• 09/27/09 - Syndicated talk show host Glenn Beck received a ceremonial, plaque-mounted key to his hometown city of Mount Vernon from mayor Bud Norris last night as well as a minute-long standing ovation, with close to 800 hundred protesters gathered outside.  Beck spoke for about an hour at the event.  AP/Seattle P-I  Nick Perry and Susan Gilmore/Seattle Times  Dean Kahn, Bellingham Herald   Tahlia Ganser, Skagit Valley Herald

• 09/27/09 - Long time Vancouver broadcaster and most recently CFUN AM 1410 talk show host Jennifer Thomson relates the story of her battle with thyroid cancer.   Jennifer Thomson, The Province

• 09/27/09 - KING-FM 98.1 Seattle has laid off midday host Steve Reeder, overnight and fill-in host Peter Newman, and evening host Gigi Yellen in a move to cut operating costs.  The station will move to more voicetracking to fill the gaps.   Feliks Banel, Crosscut.com  

• 09/26/09 - Graham Barnes, 62, of North Saanich is the second person to come forward as an investor in CHEK-TV Victoria.  Besides employees, there is a group of about eight smaller investors.  Barnes, awarded a lifetime membership from the B.C. Chamber of Executives. is also providing business advice.  Carla Wilson, Times Colonist

• 09/26/09 - An Earth Liberation Front Press Office spokesman said he believes graffiti sprayed on a building in south Snohomish County is a strong warning directed specifically to the Skotdal family, owners of KRKO AM 1380 Everett and the Master Builders Association.  HeraldNet

• 09/26/09 - Morning hosts Marty Riemer and Jodi Brothers have been released from Seattle market The Mountain KMTT-FM 103.7.  A new morning show is expected in about six weeks.  Nicole Brodeur, Seattle Times

• 09/25/09 - Snohomish County detectives and the FBI are investigating graffiti that appears to be intended for KRKO AM 1380 Everett and the Master Builders Association.  Two KRKO radio towers were toppled September 4 and a sign with the initials ELF was found nearby.  Station owner Andy Skotdal says that the towers will be rebuilt as soon as materials can be obtained.  Jackson Holtz, HeraldNet

• 09/25/09 - All Access Music Group (sign-up service) reports that Seattle market KISS FM KBKS-FM 106.1 morning hosts Jackie and Bender and p.m. drive host/MD Eric Tyler have signed new two-year contracts to stay with the station.    

• 09/24/09 - Hudson Mack, news director and anchor at 'A' News CIVI-TV, and KOOL CHBE-FM 107.3 Victoria morning co-host Brian Bailey are currently competing as media riders in the Canadian Cancer Society  Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.  The 1000 km ride began September 19 in Victoria and concludes there October 2, after covering Vancouver Island tip to tip to raise money for pediatric cancer research and programs for children with a history of cancer.  Meanwhile, Hudson's wife Patty debuts a new radio show called Life Style with Patty Mack at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 26 on CFAX AM 1070.  She has been a TV producer/director for 17 years and a CFAX relief host.

• 09/24/09 - Mount Vernon City Council formally distanced itself last night from Mayor Bud Norris, who plans to give the keys to the city to talk-show host Glenn Beck on Saturday.  Council was presented with an unverified 16,000 name petition opposing the honor.  Erik Lacitis, Seattle Times

• 09/24/09 - NORTHWEST BROADCASTERS salutes broadcast icon Pat O'Day today in celebration of his 75th birthday.  Pat was the p.m. drive host at powerhouse KJR Seattle during the 1960s, becoming the station's PD and GM.  He owned KYYX-FM in the 1970s and '80s, still calls hydro races on KIRO-TV for Seattle's annual Seafair and currently owns John L Scott Real Estate in the San Juan Islands.  HistoryLink backgrounder

• 09/23/09 - A widely circulated photo of the early 1960s CFUN AM 1410 Vancouver Good Guys has been updated with a new one taken just a few days ago.  Red Robinson website

• 09/232/09 - There will be limited press access Saturday night when syndicated radio host Glenn Beck is presented with the key to Mount Vernon.  KSVR-FM 91.7 host Jerome Edge is organizing a peaceful protest prior to the presentation.   Mark Rahner, Seattle Times

• 09/23/09 - Former KIRO-TV Seattle news anchor Susan Hutchison gets last word in feisty debate.  Bob Young, Seattle Times

• 09/22/09 - CFAX AM 1070 Victoria co-founder Keith Dagg retires from ad agancy Copeland Communications at age 73.  Darron Kloster, Times Colonist

• 09/19/09 - Smooth KWJZ-FM 98.9 Seattle has dropped its morning and afternoon DJs, Jim Dai and Jay Phillips.  Dai continues in early afternoons on sister station KIXI AM 880.  Carol Handley slots into a.m. drive on KWJZ.

• 09/19/09 - Long time Victoria broadcaster Fraser McAlpine will be inducted into the Victoria Music Hall Of Fame as the most influential broadcaster from 1950 to 1969, at a ceremony Sunday (09/20).  Michael Easton, Puget Sound Radio  Others to be inducted include producer Bob Rock and jazz musician Paul Horn.  Adrian Chamberlain, Times Colonist

• 09/19/09 - CHEK-TV/6 Victoria has announced its first new program since private investors bought the station.   Locally produced, but internationally syndicated, Nice Fish with Victoria angler Gary Cooper starts Monday at 11:30 p.m.  Darron Kloster, Times Colonist (2nd item)

• 09/18/09 - Renton resident and former Marine Sergeant Shannon Waters is competing in this season's Survivor: Samoa on CBS.  Marian Liu, Seattle Times

• 09/18/09 - Joel McHale stars in his own sitcom and movie after getting his start in Seattle at KING-TV's Almost Live.  Jim Forman, KING-TV video

• 09/17/09 - The federal government is stepping into the fight by the networks for compensation to preserve local TV stations in Canada.   It has instructed the CRTC to hold a public hearing on the matter and report back to cabinet, with the expected result being the government making a decision rather than the regulator.  Grant Roberts, Globe and Mail

• 09/16/09 - Alain Trudel conducts the newly launched National Broadcast Orchestra.  Formerly the Vancouver-based CBC Radio Orchestra, the last of its kind in North America, the NBO plans to “carry on the spirit of the disbanded CBC Radio Orchestra,” particularly its mandate to perform orchestral music by Canadian composers.  David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun   Robert Everett-Green, Globe and Mail

• 09/15/09 - S-VOX has announced the departure of general manager Terry Mahoney and general sales manager Gary Milne from its Vancouver market Joytv 10 CHNU-TV/66.  Bill Roberts, President and CEO of S-VOX said the positions have been eliminated to help ensure the financial sustainability of the station with managers now reporting directly to senior staff at S-VOX in Toronto.  Broadcaster Magazine

• 09/15/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications has announced that it has signed an agreement with sports forecasting service AccuScore to deliver local game forecasts and injury and trade information on Fisher stations and their websites.  Fisher release

• 09/15/09 - Rogers Communications has filed a submission with the CRTC in advance of November's hearing on the structural reform of the Canadian television industry, vociferously opposing fee-for-carriage of over-the-air TV stations.  One of Rogers arguments is that fee-for-carriage would create an irritant on the trade front between Canada and the U.S., stating that, "U.S. border broadcasters would also demand carriage fees if fee-for-carriage were to be implemented."  Rogers release  Meanwhile, the CBC has joined the foray, siding with the other two Canadian networks in support of the fees to prop up local television.  Broadcaster Magazine

• 09/15/09 - Seattle resident Judy Nakamura appears on tonight's edition of Jeopardy at 7:30 on ABC.  Seattle Times

• 09/13/09 - Former Vancouver broadcaster David Chesney has come second in his bid to win yesterday's White Rock city council by-election.  Chesney was on air at CJJC Langley during the 1960s and 70s and is the son of station founder Joe Chesney.  Vancouver Sun

• 09/13/09 - One of the three private investors in the employee-led acquisition of CHEK-TV/6 Victoria has identified himself.  He is 28 year old Harmac president Levi Sampson of Victoria.  He expects to be on the CHEK board, but is taking a hands-off approach.   Carla Wilson, Times Colonist

• 09/12/09 - Veteran news and sports anchor/writer Kathy Kovacs has been relieved of her sports anchor position at CTV British Columbia CIVT-TV/32 Vancouver, with the station citing the economic climate as the primary reason.  Additionally, Pratt and Taylor show simulcasts on Team 1040 CKST AM and Canadian cable channel Rogers Sportsnet end October 2.  Here 'N' There, Greg Douglas, The Sun

• 09/11/09 - Too Beautiful to Live with Luke Burbank is being canceled by Seattle market KIRO-FM 97.3 after 395 shows.  It will be replaced by a local show hosted by Frank Shiers.  TBTL will continue as a podcast.  Erik Lacitis, Seattle Times

• 09/10/09 - Radio Broadcaster Jim McKillican of CBC Saskatchewan lost his battle with cancer and died September 8.   He was 53.  While his CBC career was predominently in Regina, he was with the Morning Edition of CBC Radio Vancouver for a brief time.  CBC obituary

• 09/10/09 - The Arbitron August '09 Seattle-Tacoma PPM numbers put Classic Hits KJR-FM 95.7 in first place, AC KRWM-FM 106.9 second, with CHR KBKS-FM 106.1 and Hot AC KPLZ-FM 101.5 tie for third and Variety Hits KJAQ-FM 96.5 fifth.  Radio Online details

• 09/10/09 - Suspects in the destruction of two KRKO AM 1380 Everett radio towers may have fled by boat on the Snohomish River.  Jackson Holtz and Debra Smith, HeraldNet  Meanwhile, the FBI says that another incident five hours earlier involving a WAEB AM 790 Allentown PA tower was likely a coincidence and not a conspiracy.  Frank Warner, The Morning Call

• 09/10/09 - The Canadian Country Music Association Awards, in Vancouver this year hosted by Jason Priestley, will be televised Sunday evening on CBC TV, locally CBUT/2.  François Marchand, Vancouver Sun

• 09/09/09 - On the heels of Mount Vernon's plans to give Glenn Beck the key to the city, Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike is offering the same honor to John Stewart.  Sam Taylor, Bellingham Herald

• 09/05/09 - KRKO AM 1380 Everett is operating on backup facilities following yesterday's vandalism of its transmitter towers.  Station owner Andy Skotdal says the damage could amount to millions of dollars and take several months to repair.   HeraldNet   HeraldNet backgrounder

• 09/05/09 - Although Canwest Global Communications wouldn't comment on the sale price of CHEK-TV/6 Victoria, a source says that it was $2.  CanWest has received assurances the CRTC will okay the transaction within 30 days, while the employee group which bought the station will cover any losses in the interim.  Grant Robertson, Globe and Mail  Carla Wilson, Times Colonist

• 09/04/09 - Canwest Global Communications has entered into a deal to sell CHEK-TV/6 Victoria to a local investor group.  The purchase price has not been disclosed.  Canwest also agreed to provide transitional support services and leased space in the CHEK building at favorable rates in order to ensure a smooth transition.  The deal is subject to CRTC approval.  Canwest release   CHEK News

• 09/04/09 - Veteran TV reporter Howard Markson, formerly of A British Columbia CIVI-TV/53 and CHEK-TV/6 Victoria has been hired by the city as one of two communications specialists to promote the replacement of the Johnson Street Blue Bridge.  Darron Kloster, Times Colonist

• 09/04/09 - Two of the new KRKO AM 1380 Everett radio towers were toppled overnight, apparently by a piece of heavy equipment.  Station owner Andy Skotdal said he is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to arrest of the perpetrators.  The Earth Liberation Front website this morning has an item on it claiming responsibility.  Jackson Holtz, HeraldNet   KOMO News/Photos   HeraldNet update  KIRO Photos

• 09/03/09 - With the recent departure of Rick Dhaliwal from the sports department at Vancouver market CKNW AM 980, sports director Jim Mullin will move to mornings.  Additionally, Stu Walters will move over from sister station AM730 CHMJ and expand his current various roles within the sports department to include afternoon sportscasts on The World Today.   Stu has been a regular contributor to 'NW Sports over the last five years including, most recently, relief hosting of Sports Talk Weekend.  The changes are effective September 7.

• 09/03/09 - CHEK-TV/6 Victoria will continue to operate at least until Friday midnight.  Meanwhile, Gordie Dodd, a 30-year advertiser on CHEK, is shifting commercial production over to the competition.  Darron Kloster, Times Colonist

• 09/02/09- KEXP-FM 90.3 Seattle has released its newest addition to the live at KEXP family: Live at KEXP Volume Five, compiled from the best of over 440 live in-studio performances hosted by the station in 2009.  Details

• 09/02/09 - CFSI-FM 107.9 Salt Spring Island will officially launch Monday, September 14, with broadcasting continuing in mono until a stereo encoder is installed.  Program director Richard Moses has left his position but will continue to host his show.  Mike Cherry is now operations manager and will be responsible for the tech side of the station as well as programming and production.  Music director is Rob Pingle and 40-year broadcast veteran Bob Simpson is station manager.  Signal deficiencies on Salt Spring will be offset by the station's 24/7 web stream.

• 09/02/09 - A decision is expected Friday on the fate of CHEK-TV/6 Victoria.  The station will continue to operate day by day, as employees negotiate to buy it from Canwest Global Communications.  Newscasts at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. continue.  Times Colonist  Times Colonist #2

• 09/02/09 - Syndicated talk show host and Mount Vernon native Glenn Beck will be honored with the key to the city on September 26.  Beck’s syndicated radio show is carried weekday mornings on The Truth KTTH AM 770 Seattle.  Bryan Johnson, KOMO News

• 09/01/09 - Patti (Hamilton) Mair, former Rafe Mair show producer for 17 years, died in Vancouver yesterday (08/31) from a heart attack at age 64.  She was his former wife and had been a cabinet secretary in Consumer and Corporate Affairs.  Vancouver market CKNW AM 980 and talk show host Rafe Mair won the 1994 Michener Award for coverage of the issues surrounding a British Columbia power project during the time she was his producer.  Sun/Province obituary

• 09/01/09 - The Jack Webster Foundation today announced that veteran BC broadcaster Bill Good will receive the 2009 Bruce Hutchison Lifetime Achievement Award October 20th at the 23rd Annual Jack Webster Awards Dinner.  CNW Group

• 09/01/09 - CBC Television (locally, CBUT/2 Vancouver) dinner hour newscasts increase to 90 minutes beginning today.  The 90-minute program is essentially three half-hour newscasts that include a mix of international, national and local stories, with an emphasis on breaking local news. 

• 09/01/09 - Eight employees of Corus Radio Vancouver have been laid off or had their positions eliminated.  Gone are Rod Schofield, Katie Campbell, Veronica Sequin, Neil O’Brien, and sales people Beatrice Consentini, Taliesyn Huxtable, Steve De Wolfe and Don Magor.  The reasons given were national sales restructuring and economic issues.  Similar layoffs were announced today at other Corus clusters across Canada.  National account business has been consolidated with Canadian Broadcast Sales, a Corus subsidiary company.

• 08/31/09 - CHEK-TV/6 Victoria has won a reprieve, at least for one day.  Anchor Scott Fee announced on the 5 p.m. news that the station will be on the air Tuesday and will feature newscasts at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and at a new time of 10 p.m.  A spokesman for CHEK owner Canwest Global Communications said from Winnipeg that a revised bid from a local investor group was submitted on the weekend and the aim is to have an agreement in place by Friday.  Times Colonist  TC Update

• 08/31/09 - CHUM Radio Vancouver engineering began testing its new CFUN AM 1410 transmitter late last week and over the weekend during early morning hours.  Similar testing for CKST AM 1040 will begin in a few days.  Both stations will broadcast with 50 kW from the new state-of-the-art site at 49-05-33 122-55-57 in Delta.  CFUN will radiate directionally from two towers with the same constants day and night, while CKST will be directional from 5 towers with different constants day and night.  Full operation is expected in a few weeks.

• 08/31/09 - BBM Canada today announced the launch of its national and regional electronic Portable People Meter (PPM) technology.  The first radio data release date for Vancouver and other major Canadian cities is scheduled for December 10.  Broadcaster Magazine

• 08/31/09 - CHEK-TV/6 Victoria will air special news broadcasts from their sign-off celebration at 5 and 6 p.m. today, with "Best Of" programming from 7 to 10 p.m.  The station is scheduled to sign off for the last time at 10 p.m.  CHEK originally signed on in December 1956 with studios on Epsom Drive in Saanich.  It was founded by CKDA Radio owner David Armstrong, TV personality and fishing expert Charlie White and a New Westminster dentist.  Legislative reporter Andy Stephen and local show host Ida Clarkson helped to establish the station in Victoria.  Canwest News Service  History

• 08/31/09 - There are major differences in radio listening habits between Seattle city limits and Puget Sound Metro.  Erik Lacitis, Seattle Times

• 08/30/09 - A party to thank Vancouver Islanders for their support of CHEK-TV/6 Victoria over the years is planned for Monday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the station on Kings Road.  However, employees say not to check them off yet.  Matthew Pearson, Times Colonist

• 08/29/09 - Rod Mackay, a former investment advisor with Pemberton Securities, later RBC Dominion Securities, died August 26 in Vancouver.  He was 78.  During much of the 1970s he was the voice of the daily afternoon Business Report on Vancouver market CKNW.  A celebration of life is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. September 3 at Marine Drive Golf Club.   Sun/Province obituary

• 08/28/09 - Popular Vancouver sportscaster Rick Dhaliwal has left his position at CKNW AM 980 effective immediately to pursue other business ventures with his family.  He has been with 'NW since 2005 and was previously the sports director at Vancouver's Team 1040 CKST.  End Zone Greg Douglas, Vancouver Sun

• 08/28/09 - Red Robinson sells his vast Elvis record collection to promoter/manager Bruce Allen.   John Mackie, Vancouver Sun  The sale was part of downsizing required when Red and his wife Carole moved from their 4,000-square-foot home in North Vancouver and moved to a plush 1,560-square-foot condo in Coal Harbour.  John Mackie, Vancouver Sun 

• 08/28/09 - Canwest public affairs VP John Douglas said today, "Canwest cannot assume the risk for costs that may be incurred," under the proposed employee-owned model submitted for CHEK-TV/6 Victoria.  He added that the offer came too late. "It's regrettable because there was an extraordinary effort."  CHEK is schedule to go dark following the evening newscast Monday.   Darron Kloster, Times Colonist  Update

• 08/28/09 - A turn for the worse this afternoon for employees trying to buy CHEK-TV/6 Victoria as their bid has been turned down by Canwest Global Communications.  Union representative Richard Konwick says the employee group is still in discussions with both the CRTC and provincial government.  CHEK is scheduled to go dark on next Monday, August 31.  Connie Thiessen, News1130

• 08/28/09 - An advance copy of the September 2009 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared by Clay Freinwald for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers.

• 08/28/09 - The FCC has accepted for filing an application by Mt. Wilson FM Broadcasters, Inc. to operate a Digital Low Power Television station to serve Bellingham on channel 12.  It is proposed to operate with 300 watts non-directional at 48-40-50 122-50-21.7 (Orcas Island) at 689 meters HAAT (722 meters AMSL).  FCC info

• 08/28/09 - As the fate of CHEK-TV/6 Victoria comes down to the wire, employees have announced that they have raised $2.5 million in a bid to save the station.  Dean Recksiedler, News1130

• 08/27/09 - Harry Nuttall, freelance news cameraman at CBUT Vancouver, from its inception in 1953 to the 1960s, died August 15 at age 83.  He suffered a mild stroke a few months ago and later a fall which weakened him.  He covered the demolition of Ripple Rock in Seymour Narrows in 1958.  There will be no service at his request.  CBC obituary

• 08/26/09 - The FCC has granted construction permits to First Broadcasting Capital Partners to move the transmitter site for KMCQ-FM 104.5 Covington to 47-32-36.9 122-06-35.2 with 8.1 kW non-directional at 364 meters HAAT and to Saga Broadcasting to move KAFE-FM 104.3 Bellingham to 104.1 with 60 kW directional at 48-40-49.6 122-50-26.3.  FCC KMCQ info  FCC KAFE info  These changes will facilitate the move of CHHR-FM 104.1 Vancouver to 104.3, previously approved by the CRTC.

• 08/25/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications has announced a partnership with Zooppa.com to host KOMO Video Block Party, a user-generated video competition for Seattle area neighborhoods.  The program is designed to promote community involvement and engage local residents and businesses in a discussion about the neighborhoods they live and operate in.  Fisher release

• 08/25/09 - Rogers Broadcasting Limited has applied to the CRTC for a synchronous repeater on Salt Spring Island to broadcast the programming of CIOC-FM 98.5 Victoria to correct reception deficiencies to the north of its coverage area.  The transmitter would operate on 98.5 MHz directional with a maximum ERP of 3,500 watts at 662 meters HAAT.  CRTC info

• 08/24/09 - A memorial service has been announced for former commentator/newscaster Roy Jacques, who died over the weekend.   It will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, August 28 at Fraser Heights Funeral Home, 14835 Fraser Highway, Surrey.  Red Robinson will be officiating with memoirs from Campbell McCubbin and other speakers.  Sun/Province obituary

• 08/24/09 - As it nears official launch, the exact date which is still to be announced, CFSI-FM 107.9 Salt Spring Island has added live streaming to its website with a 64K stereo mp3 SHOUTcast feed.

• 08/24/09 - The FCC has granted a construction permit to Grays Harbor Institute for a new station to operate at 91.1 MHz in Westport.  Authorized ERP is 6.8 kW at 25 meters HAAT at 47-01-13 124-09-52.  FCC data

• 08/23/09 - Last night's Beatles reunion concert, featuring the tribute band Revolver at the PNE, was attended by an estimated 15,000 fans, many of whom saw the original at Empire Stadium exactly 45 years ago.  Prior to the show, Red Robinson brought onstage Pat O'Day to reminisce the original concerts in Vancouver and Seattle.  Afterwards, Red announced that if Revolver were to return for a couple more numbers, it would double the time of 27 minutes of the original performance, cut short due to an unruly crowd.  Much to the audience's delight, the band complied.

• 08/23/09 - Well known Vancouver commentator and newscaster Roy Jacques died late Friday night.  He is believed to have been 94.  He started his broadcast career as a news correspondent in the UK in the late 1930s, moving to Canada in the 1940s.  Over the years he worked at CKMO and CFUN/CKVN Vancouver and ran a very popular commentary and was news director at CKWX during much of the 1950s.  He acted as the judge on Magistrate's Court on CHAN-TV (BCTV) Vancouver from 1963-72.  He was most recently heard as the voice on McIver's Appliance commercials during the early and mid 2000s.  Red Robinson tribute

• 08/22/09 - Vancouver radio stations step up to the plate in support of emerging local artists.  Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun

• 08/21/09 - Red Robinson expects between ten and twelve thousand people at the Beatles tribute band Revolver concert Saturday at the PNE.  The original Beatles Vancouver show in 1964 lasted only 27 minutes because of an unruly crowd.  Seattle icon Pat O'Day will join Red on stage to host the show and recall the Seattle Beatles concert held the previous night 45 years ago.  Carmen Chai, The Province

• 08/20/09 - 91 year old Doctor Swing Dal Richards along with his 14-piece orchestra perform two shows daily for 17 days at the Pacific National Exhibition Amphitheatre, releases a new CD, co-writes a book, is scheduled to play his 75th New Year's Eve gig at the River Rock Casino Resort on December 31 and still finds time to host Dal's Place Sundays at 9 p.m. on Vancouver market CISL AM 650.  Stuart Derdeyn, The Province

• 08/19/09 - CTV British Columbia CIVT-TV/32 Vancouver weathercaster Tamara Taggart will join Regis Philbin to interview actress Renee Zellweger and journalist/author Geraldo Rivera this Friday, August 21 (Recent News 07/30/09).   Taggart was selected as the only Canadian top 10 finalist in the "From Local to LIVE Co-Host For a Day Search" on Live! with Regis and Kelly.  Broadcaster Magazine  Update: Peter Birnie, Vancouver Sun

• 08/19/09 - Former KIRO-TV Seattle newscaster Susan Hutchison and Metropolitan King County Councilmember Dow Constantine have pulled away from a crowded field to win places in the general election for county executive following Tuesday night's count of mail ballots.  Keith Ervin, Seattle Times

• 08/19/09 - Arbitron Seattle-Tacoma radio ratings, released last week, have rewarded stations which focus on music.  Mike Jones, Seattle Radio Examiner

• 08/19/09 - The CRTC has released a number of decisions regarding TV stations owned by Rogers Broadcasting.   In addition, the Commission has approved an application by Rogers to extend the deadline to begin operation of digital stations CHNM-DT Vancouver and CHNM-DT-1 Victoria to August 31, 2011, noting that this was the second extension.  The Commission also noted that most television licensees in Canada will be authorized to broadcast only digital over-the-air signals after that date.  CRTC release (items 50-52)

• 08/19/09 - Installation work is almost complete on the new CHUM Radio Vancouver transmitter complex in Delta.   Testing and adjustment of the RF systems and antenna tuning will start next Monday with on-air testing for CFUN AM 1410 starting later next week.  On-air testing for CKST AM 1040 is expected to begin the first week of September.

• 08/18/09 - CICV-FM 98.7 Lake Cowichan is now on air in stereo after receiving CRTC approval in April.  The tiny 5-watt (maximum ERP) developmental community station is clear and audible throughout the lakeshore up to Youbou to the north, and Honeymoon Bay and Mesachie Lake to the south.  Its mandate is to focus on local musical talents and emergency services.

• 08/17/09 - Fisher Communications has launched a network of 43 hyperlocal neighborhood web sites in the Seattle market, increasing local content offerings.  The hyperlocal sites bring together content from KOMO-TV and DataSphere Technologies' new LocalNet service.  The new sites include BallardKOMO.com, BellevueKOMO.com and 41 others.  Fisher release

• 08/17/09 - In an attempt to stay relevant, Bellevue College-owned KBCS-FM 91.3 will eliminate four morning music shows along with two hours of early-morning jazz beginning August 24.   Recent data shows listeners are gravitating away from the station to satellite radio and other niche programming.  Nicole Tsong, Seattle Times  KBCS program changes

• 08/17/09 - Pioneeer Vancouver broadcaster Wilf Ray has announced that rebroadcasts of his two-hour weekly gospel show are now available at his website.  Wilf's program, which ran on 600AM prior to its flip last November to FM, came to an end on October 26.  His career began in December 1944 on CKMO (later CFUN).  Programs will be rotated regularly in the collection going back to the 1980s.

• 08/17/09 - A Celebration of Life will be held for CBC Vancouver announcer Dan McAfee who died January 16, 2009 at age 73.   It will take place on Sunday, August 23 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on the 8th floor at the Performing Arts Lodge (PAL), 581 Cardero Street, Vancouver.  CBC obituary

• 08/16/09 - An episode of pet adoption, where a pit bull gets in its licks with Global BC CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver news anchor Randene Neill last Tuesday, has gone viral world wide.  Corry Anderson-Fennell, The Province  Video

• 08/16/09 - King County Superior Court has upheld a February land-use decision by Snohomish County Council permitting two new 199-foot radio towers near Short School Road.  Construction could start as early as tomorrow on the towers, which are required for a new station at 1520 kHz owned by S-R Broadcasting, parent company of KRKO AM 1380 Everett.   HeraldNet

• 08/15/09 - Schedule changes at Team 1040 CKST AM Vancouver beginning August 31 will see four local programs reduced to three with Rick Ball concentrating on Lions and Canucks play-by-play.  Meanwhile, former Team 1040 reporter/host Jeff Leyland will be scripting and voicing highlight packages for the NHL Network.  End Zone - Greg Douglas, Vancouver Sun

• 08/14/09 - Memories will come to life as Pat O'Day shares the stage with Red Robinson to emcee Beatles tribute band Revolver on opening day of the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver on August 22.   The show at the Global BC Amphitheatre will take place at 8:15 p.m., the exact time and date of the original Vancouver Beatles performance 45 years ago.  Red Robinson details

• 08/13/09 - Andrea Collins will be the new midday host at KOOL-FM CHBE-FM 107.3 Victoria beginning August 31, the same day as new p.m. drive host Scott McGregor.  She moves west from Curve CHIQ-FM 94.3 Winnipeg.  ChrisD.ca

• 08/13/09 - The Arbitron July '09 Seattle-Tacoma PPM numbers put AC KRWM-FM 106.9 up into first place, Classic Hits KJR-FM 95.7 second and Hot AC KPLZ-FM 101.5 third, with CHR KBKS-FM 106.1 and Variety Hits KJAQ-FM 96.5 tied for fourth.   Radio Online details

• 08/13/09 - The annual OFC group meeting of former KJR and KOL Seattle entertainers was held Monday with many very memorable broadcasters in attendance.  The club was formed in the 1990s by Lan Roberts and consists of 42 members, many now living out of state, along with three promotion people and Vancouver broadcasters Dave McCormick and Doc Harris.  Photo courtesy Danny Holiday.

• 08/13/09 - NBC has announced that it will broadcast its Today show from Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. PT during the 2010 Olympic Games.  Vancouver Sun

• 08/12/09 - Scott McGregor has been announced as the new p.m. drive host at KOOL-FM CHBE-FM 107.3 Victoria.  He is most recently p.m. drive host at Rock 106 CJRX-FM 106.7 Lethbridge AB.

• 08/12/09 - KTTH AM 770 Seattle-based syndicated talk show host Michael Medved appears to be included in a ban on radio talk show hosts on cable news channel CNN.   Mike Jones, Seattle Radio Examiner

• 08/12/09 - Award winning 42 year gardening personality Ed Hume is leaving his weekend position at KOMO AM 1000 Seattle.  He'll be replaced by returning home improvement diva Tami Michaels.  BlatherWatch

• 08/12/09 - CHEK-TV/6 Victoria employees have committed more than $500,000 for 25% ownership to save the station from closure, the balance to be held by outside investors.  An offer has yet to be made and accepted by the company.  Carla Wilson, Victoria Times Colonist

• 08/10/09 - Canwest Global Communications, parent company of CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver, CHEK-TV/6 Victoria and a host of other media properties, has initiated talks with the federal government on a potential change of ownership.  Grant Robertson and Andrew Willis, Globe and Mail

• 08/09/09 - The saga of former news anchor Susan Hutchison vs KIRO-TV Seattle continues.  Chris Halsne, KIRO-TV  Gene Johnson, AP/Seattle P-I  Bob Young, Seattle Times update

• 08/08/09 - CHEK-TV/6 Victoria employees meet with community members to examine an employee-ownership business plan to avert an August 31 shut down of the station.  Carla Wilson, Victoria Times Colonist

• 08/08/09 - News1130 CKWX Vancouver sportscaster Ann Schmaltz's scoop that Chris Zimmerman was stepping down as president and chief executive officer of the Vancouver Canucks was quickly picked up as lead story by most radio and TV stations in Canada.   Greg Douglas, Vancouver Sun

• 08/07/09 - Go Northwest! comes under fire by Northwest Airlines over use of the term "northwest".  Could NORTHWEST BROADCASTERS be the next target?  Andrea James, Seattle P-I

• 08/07/09 - Andrew Skotdal, President/GM of KRKO AM 1380 Everett has been appointed to the NAB Radio Board of Directors, filling a district seat vacated by Peter Benedetti, CEO of BMG Billings.  Skotdal has served on the Washington State Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors since 2000, serving as the organization's chairman in 2007.  NAB release

• 08/06/09 - Canwest Broadcasting has announced the appointment of Brad Kubota to Vice President, Global BC (CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver) Sales effective September 1, replacing Ruth Powell who is retiring after almost two decades.  Broadcaster Magazine

• 08/06/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications has released its second quarter 2009 financial results with TV revenue down 26% compared to the same period last year and radio revenue down 49%.  Fisher will host a conference call today at 1:00 p.m. PT to discuss the results.  Fisher release

• 08/06/09 - Neil Gallagher, VP and General Manager of the Vancouver CHUM Radio Division, recently stepped down from his position and senior anchor and Director of News and Information Programming, Hudson Mack has re-signed for five years with A CIVI-TV/53 Victoria.  Mack has numerous industry awards to his credit.

• 08/05/09 - Virgin Radio CKZZ-FM 95.3 Vancouver has announced its new fall lineup:  5-9 a.m. Breakfast with Nat and Drew, 9-noon Taylor Jukes (aka Natalee Taylor), noon-3 Kevin Lim, 3-6 p.m. Kiah and Tara-Jean (Kiah Tucker and Tara-Jean Wilkin) and 6-9 p.m. On Air with Ryan Seacrest.  Virgin info

• 08/04/09 - Legendary orchestra leader Dal Richards, at age 91, is back for several shows at this year's Pacific National Exhibition.   He continues to host Dal's Place weekends on Vancouver market CISL AM 650.   Tom Harrison, The Province

• 08/04/09 - An 8-minute video of the history of KXRO AM 1320 Aberdeen and its later sister stations can be viewed at YouTube.

• 08/03/09 - Earle T. Kazmark died Thursday, July 23 in Spokane at age 75.  He owned and operated several businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest including KAPA radio in Raymond.  Family tribute

• 08/01/09 - CHEK-TV/6 Victoria reports that people are calling and saying, "I've got $25,000, how can I help you guys stay on the air," as an employee takeover of the station is being considered to avert an August 31 shutdown.  Darrel Bellaart, Victoria Times-Colonist  Meanwhile, CHEK owner Canwest Global Communications has won another extension from its senior lenders on a deadline to come up with a recapitalization plan to restructure $3.8 billion of debt.  Financial Post/Times-Colonist

• 07/31/09 - Legendary KJR Seattle personality and Seafair race announcer Pat O'Day, former Almost Live host John Keister and hydroplane driver Chip Hanauer look back at the "Indy 500 on the lake."  Bill Kossen, Seattle Times  Pat O'Day archive audio  O'Day returns Sunday for another Seafair broadcast on KIRO-TV.   Jim Moore, Seattle P-I

• 07/31/09 - Air personalities Buzz Bishop, Sarah Bartok and Kuljeet Kaila, along with marketing director Phil Evans and producer Mark Lacock have left their positions at Virgin Radio CKZZ-FM 95.3 Vancouver.  The group joins part timer Barbara Beam, who also recently left the station.

• 07/31/09 - Heat-related technical problems knocked The Ocean CIOC-FM 98.5 and JACK FM CHTT-FM 103.1 Victoria off the air Wednesday evening and then again Thursday morning,  Times-Colonist

• 07/30/09 - An advance copy of the August 2009 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared by Clay Freinwald for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers.

• 07/30/09 - The 55-year long career of legendary Vancouver broadcaster Red Robinson is profiled by Kevin McKay in Senior Living Magazine.

• 07/30/09 - Effective August 31, the CBUT/2 Vancouver evening newscast will expand to 90 minutes, beginning one hour earlier at 5 p.m.  The change is part of CBC's expansion of local newscasts in every region of Canada.  CBC release  

• 07/30/09 - After two years as morning host at CKWR-FM 98.5, Kitchener/Waterloo ON, former KIXI AM 880 Seattle PD/MD/morning host Bob Dearborn has been released.  He worked at KIXI from 1994-99.  Further info  Seattle Times 1999 archive

• 07/30/09 - CTV British Columbia CIVT-TV/32 Vancouver weathercaster Tamara Taggart is one of five women selected to sit in for Kelly Ripa, co-hosting one show with Regis Philbin on August 21.  Kristen McKenzie, 24 Hours  CTV release  Video

• 07/29/09 - Puget Sound Radio reports two upcoming departures from KOOL CHBE-FM 107.3 Victoria, with midday host Joelle St. Clair headed to Edmonton and p.m. drive jock Simon Mitch Mitchell moving to England.  PSR thread

• 07/29/09 - King County executive candidate and former KIRO-TV Seattle anchor Susan Hutchison maintains that all of the sealed records from her lawsuit against the station should be kept secret.  Bob Young, Seattle Times

• 07/29/09 - Bill Botten, bass player for the Hometowners Band, which played regularly on CJVI Radio in Victoria during the 1950s and '60s has died at age 96.  A celebration of life will be held at McCall Brothers Floral Chapel, 1400 Vancouver St., Victoria on Thursday, July 30 at 1 p.m.  Times-Colonist obituary

• 07/27/09 - Steve Raible joined KIRO radio in Seattle after six years with the Seahawks and has become a trusted voice for both news and sports.  Percy allen, Seattle Times  Meanwhile, Jesse Jones goes from Montana State to local consumer reporter.  John Levesque, Seattle P-I

• 07/27/09 - The FCC has granted a construction permit for a DTV Replacement Translator for KIRO-DT/39 to serve Olympia.  It will operate on channel 34 with .5 kW at 168 meters HAAT at 47-00-57 122-54-59.  Replacement translators are being licensed to provide service to areas lost after the DTV transition.  FCC data

• 07/26/09 - KEXP-FM 90.3 teams up with Seattle Center to offer four weekly performances that showcase top-notch national and local musical talent at the Mural Amphitheatre beginning July 31.  Jonathan Zwickel Seattle Times

• 07/24/09 - The FCC has granted voluntary assignment of license for KWDB AM 1110 Oak Harbor from West Beach Broadcasting Corp. to Impact Directories of Northwest Washington, LLC.  Sale of the station for $100,000 was announced in early June.

• 07/23/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications, Inc. will report its second quarter 2009 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, August 6.   Fisher will hold a quarterly conference call to discuss its results at 1:00 p.m. PDT that day.  Fisher release

• 07/23/09 - The FCC has dismissed an application for a minor modification of construction permit for KVOS-DT/35 Bellingham (File No. BMPCDT-20080620AGP) for 1000 kW ERP at 48-08-9 121-58-56 at 478 meters HAAT.  FCC data

• 07/22/09 - CHEK-TV/6 Victoria has become a casualty of the recession.  Owner Canwest Global anounced today that financial losses have forced CHEK to go dark on August 31.   It signed on December 1, 1956.  Also being shut down at the same time is CHCA-TV/6 Red Deer AB.  CHBC-TV/2 Kelowna will become a Global TV affiliate on September 1.  Carla Wilson, Victoria Times Colonist  Canwest release

• 07/22/09 - Triple A Shore 104 CHHR-FM 104.1 Vancouver hosts Shorefest, performances by a selection of local bands to coincide with the HSBC Celebration of Light.  Tom Harrison, The Province

• 07/22/09 - David Pratt and Don Taylor are scheduled to return to their sports talk show this afternoon on Team 1040 CKST AM Vancouver after being absent since engaging in an on-air yelling and screaming match Monday.  Greg Douglas, Vancouver Sun

• 07/21/09 - Bonneville Seattle Radio has announced The Rush Limbaugh Show and The Glenn Beck Program have both signed long-term contract extensions with The Truth KTTH AM 770 Seattle.  Bonneville release

• 07/21/09 - David Locke, former KJR AM 950 Seattle host and SuperSonics and Storm play-by-play, has been named play-by-play announcer for Utah Jazz broadcasts on KFAN KFNZ AM 1320 Salt Lake City beginning with the 2009-10 season.  NBA release

• 07/17/09 - KIRO 7 KIRO-DT/39 Seattle has completed removal of its analog antenna, replacing it with its digital one, at the top of its Queen Anne tower.   There was some disruption of satellite and OTA services during the procedure.   KIRO 7 news

• 07/16/09 - Pioneer Vancouver performer and musician Pat Trudell died on July 2, just a few days before his 90th birthday.  He appeared on many CBC Radio and Television programs in the 1950s and '60s.  A Celebration Ceremony has been scheduled at the Mt. Seymour United Church, 1200 Parkgate, North Vancouver at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 24.  Peggy Oldfield/CBC obituary  Sun/Province obituary   

• 07/16/09 - Seattle-Tacoma's first Arbitron 6+ PPM ratings put Classic Hits KJR-FM 95.7 in first place, Country KMPS-FM 94.1 and AC KRWM-FM 106.9 tied for second, News KOMO AM 1000/FM 97.7 fourth and Hot AC KPLZ-FM 101,5 fifth.  Further details are available at the Arbitron website.  Click on "Radio Ratings" then "PPM Data".  They also may be viewed at Radio Online or at All Access (sign-up service).

• 07/16/09 - King County executive candidate Susan Hutchison is going to the state Supreme Court to fight release of records of her discrimination lawsuit against her former employer, KIRO-TV.  She filed a lawsuit against the station in October 2003, claiming unlawful discrimination.  She was an evening news anchor there from 1981 until September 2002.  Bob Young, Seattle Times

• 07/15/09 - Long time morning news anchor George Gordon and evening sports anchor Paul Weisser have left the employ of News1130 CKWX AM Vancouver.  George had been prominent at the station since 1999, both on air and, for a time, executive editor.  Most of his earlier career was in Ontario, with stops in Winnipeg.  Paul was a BCIT broadcast program graduate and had been with News1130 since 2000.  Reports indicate that the the full time evening/weekend sports position has been eliminated.  Also exiting today was Mark Foreman from engineering.

• 07/15/09 - The FCC has granted a CP for a minor change in licensed facilities for KING5 KING-DT/48 Seattle.  ERP will increase from 960 to 1000 kW and HAAT will increase from 239 to 257 meters at its current transmitter site at 47-37-55 122-20-59.  FCC data

• 07/14/09 - Progress on the the new CFUN/CKST Vancouver tower site on 104 Street between Hwy 10 and Hwy 99 in Delta continues.  Photos of equipment being unloaded, the building and phasor room can be viewed here.  Completion of the site is expected late this summer.  Photos are courtesy CTVglobemedia Vancouver radio division engineering.

• 07/13/09 - After 35 years in radio, assistant news director Robert Linden is taking early retirement from News1130 CKWX AM Vancouver.  Over the years he was instrumental in the development of the News1130 morning show and the station as a whole.  He managed the introduction of Traffic Alerts and guided website integration.  Several award-winning news stories and continuing coverage events were produced under his watch.  His last day is Friday, July 24.  He started in radio as a DJ at CJIB in Vernon B.C. in 1973 and has been with News1130 since 2001.

• 07/13/09 - The 27 FM stations broadcasting HD in the Northwest will likely get a listener boost from the new $50 Insignia portable HD Radio receiver unveiled over the weekend by Best Buy.  Engadget

• 07/11/09 - The killer of former KIRO AM 710 Seattle radio talk show host Mike Webb has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.  Casey McNerthney, Seattle P-I   Jennifer Sullivan, Seattle Times

• 07/11/09 - Part time Vancouver sportscasters Dan Elliott and Christie Buono are on the short list to receive a guaranteed year of employment with national specialty TV service The Score.   Greg Douglas, Vancouver Sun

• 07/08/09 - A number of online stations have reached an agreement to ward off a large increase in copyright royalty rates.  AM and FM radio broadcasters are exempt from copyright royalty rates for over-the-air radio play, but are subject to the new rates for any songs streamed over radio station Web sites.   Joelle Tessler, AP/Seattle Times

• 07/08/09 - The Zone CJZN-FM 91.3 Victoria p.m. drive host Jeremy Baker also blogs, podcasts and even occasionally takes a run at politics.  Mike Devlin, Times Colonist

• 07/08/09 - The CRTC has denied a request from Rogers Broadcasting that its Citytv stations in Vancouver (CKVU-TV/10) and Toronto no longer be required to air 100 hours of Canadian films in prime time each year.  Gayle MacDonald, Globe and Mail  Broadcaster Magazine

• 07/07/09 - HD Radio developer iBiquity Digital is urging the FCC to immediately authorize an "intermediate" power increase to 6 percent of analog FM power and "work toward authorization of a full 10 dB increase" after a current test program by NPR is completed.  Radio Ink   At least 30 stations are now broadcasting HD in western Washington.  HD Radio list  Radio Ink update

• 07/07/09 - Recently named BCAB Broadcast Performer of Tomorrow, Kevin Lim returns to his hometown evenings at Virgin Radio CKZZ-FM 95.3 Vancouver.  He has most recently been hosting p.m. drive at Sun FM CHSU-FM 99.9 Kelowna.

• 07/06/09 - A ruling by the CRTC today paves the way towards compensation by cable companies to small and medium market over the air TV stations in Canada.  News1130   Karim Bardeesy, Globe and Mail

• 07/06/09 - Fisher Communications has signed a long-term option to convert its local marketing agreement into an $11 million purchase of KOMO-FM 97.7 (formerly KFMY) Oakville.  KOMO AM 1000 Seattle began simulcasting on the South Sound station on May 15.  Inside Radio

• 07/06/09 - The End KNDD-FM 107.7 Seattle has hired Whitney "Red" Knoerlein for morning drive beginning in August.  She has been the midday host at DC101 WWDC-FM 101.1 Washington D.C.

• 07/04/09 - Besides affecting immediate Seattle stations, the Fisher Plaza electrical fire also knocked out KOMO-FM 97.7 in the South Sound.  An AM tuner was set up in West Seattle connected to a streaming receiver at the Olympia studios to restore the signal.   Fisher has two 2.5 megawatt generators parked outside Fisher Plaza to provide power to the building.  It is estimated that It will be weeks before all the switching equipment can be replaced allowing the facility can go back on the Seattle City Power Grid.

• 07/04/09 - Bio, the Canadian Biography Channel pays tribute to media legend Ted Rogers, founder of Rogers Communications Inc., Canada’s largest media, wireless and cable company, with a one hour biography special Ted Rogers: A Life in Broadcasting premiering Monday, July 6 at 8 p.m.  ET/PT.  Rogers owns numerous stations in Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Squamish/Whistler.  Mediacaster

• 07/04/09 - Along with knocking several Seattle radio and TV stations off the air, the electrical fire at Fisher Plaza Thursday night also interrupted Internet services.  Chris Grygiel, Seattle P-I   Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times  KOMO News  KING-TV News/Video

• 07/03/09 - An electrical vault fire at Fisher Plaza at 11 p.m. Thursday forced evacuation and disrupted stations which broadcast from the building.  KOMO AM 1000 is broadcasting today from a building at its transmitter on Queen Anne hill in Seattle, and KOMO-TV is broadcasting morning segments from a truck in Kerry Park.  Seattle Times  KOMO News  KING News  Fisher release

• 07/01/09 - Following a month of testing, Shore 104 CHHR-FM 104.1 Vancouver officially signed on this morning at six.  The weekday on-air lineup includes Moose & Alex 6 to 10 a.m., Steve Dunbar (from Rock 101) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bill & Jody 2 to 6 p.m. and Dug Joy 6 to midnight.  Jim Byrnes will host Slippin into Darkness 8 to 11 p.m. weekends.  Shore 104 info

• 07/01/09 - The new CFUN AM 1410 Vancouver weekday lineup beginning tomorrow will be Simi Sara 6 to 10 a.m., Dave Brindle 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Nikki Renshaw 12:30 to 3 p.m., Joe Leary 3 to 6 p.m., Dr. Laura & Dr. Joy Browne 6 to 10 p.m. and Coast to Coast AM 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• 06/30/09 - The FCC has changed the rules to allow re-transmission of AM stations on existing FM translators to fill coverage gaps within their authorized contours.   There has been a positive response to a handful of AM stations using FM translators under special temporary authorities.  A local example is KONP AM 1450 Port Angeles, which has been carried at FM 102.1 since last July.  KONP info  Radio Ink

• 06/29/09 - Former CJOR, CFUN and CKO-FM announcer, Mel Christian, died at St. Paul's hospital in Vancouver this afternoon.  He was 62.   He also worked at stations in southern Ontario during the 1970s.  He read news and then was the beat and crime reporter at CFUN Vancouver from 1980-85, before becoming the engineer at CJUP Langley.  He retired from broadcasting in 1999 and was most recently living in Ashcroft, B.C.  1968 & recent photos

• 06/29/09 - 1960s Vancouver teen idol Terry Black died Saturday evening at age 60 in Kamloops.  Red Robinson released this statement: "Back in the British Invasion days, a young Vancouver singer took the city by storm.   He was discovered by Buddy Clyde on Dance Party, a teen show on CHAN TV (now Global).  Buddy was able to get the attention of the owner of Dunhill records, the same label that the Mamas and Papas recorded for as well as P.F. Sloan (Eve of Destruction) and others of the day.  In 1964 Terry charted the hit Unless You Care and it became a major hit in the U.S. and Canada, making him one of the few artists from this city to ever appear on the Billboard charts.  He followed this with a few more moderate hits such as Sam Cooke's Only 16 and Russ Hamilton's Rainbow.   He continued to perform up to recent months.  He made his mark but has not received the recognition his talent so richly deserves.  I will miss his music but mostly his humanity."  Kelowna Capital News  Vancouver Sun

• 06/27/09 - An advance copy of the July 2009 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared by Clay Freinwald for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers.

• 06/27/09 - KUBE-FM 93.3 Seattle morning host Rob The T-Man Tepper announced this week that he will leave the show when his contract expires later this year.  He has been with KUBE for 14 years.  Mike Jones, examiner.com

• 06/26/09 - There were more radio cuts in Vancouver today.  This time at CTVglobemedia TALK 1410 AM CFUN.  On air hosts Marke Driesschen, Jennifer Thomson, Val Cole and Patrick Muliha have been dismissed.  The revised lineup will be announced early next week.

• 06/26/09 - Branding elements created for the launch of Vancouver market Joytv CHNU-TV/66 and CIIT-TV/35 Winnipeg in September 2008 took honors at the 2009 Promax|BDA Design Awards Competition, receiving a Bronze certificate for Network Package Design in the Integrated Media category.  The campaign also earned a Gold Award at the 2009 WorldFest-Houston Remi Awards in April.  Broadcaster Magazine

• 06/26/09 - Kent Boyle, aka R.P McMurphy, morning co-host at Mixx KXXO-FM 96.1 Olympia is campaigning for a Puyallup City Council seat.  Neil Pierson, Tacoma News Tribune

• 06/26/09 - Funeral service has been announced for former CBUT Vancouver reporter and Hourglass anchor Harvey Dawes, who died Monday, June 22 at age 82.  It will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 30 at Boal Chapel in North Vancouver.  Sun/Province obituary

• 06/25/09 - Another pink slip at Rogers Radio as Ken Geiger, GM/PD for Mountain FM CISQ-FM 107.1 Squamish/CISW-FM 102.1 Whistler and the Fraser Valley stations Star-FM CKSR-FM 98.3 Chilliwack and Country CKQC-FM 107.1 Abbotsford, has also been let go in a middle management purge.

• 06/24/09 - FM 104.9 CKCL-FM program director David Larsen, JACK CKLG-FM 96.9 PD Andy Ross and Rogers Radio Vancouver market sales manager Jamie Letwin have left their positions.   Reports indicate that according to Rogers Vancouver VP Geoff Poulton, the decision was made locally and no format changes were being planned.

• 06/24/09 - Harvey Dawes, who reported for CBC Winnipeg for almost 2 decades before moving to CBC Vancouver in 1965, died unexpectedly Monday evening.  He was in his early eighties.  He anchored Hourglass on CBUT Vancouver during the sixties and seventies before retiring from the corporation in 1987.  Further details to follow.  1959 CBC Winnipeg video clip

• Lieutenant Commander Gerry Pash has retired from his military role with the Canadian Forces Reserve at age 65.  He spent numerous (27 years) in
  broadcasting at CKDA in Victoria, CHWK Chilliwack (and CFVR Abbotsford) and was VP and Managing Director of Okanagan Radio in Penticton from 1972 to 1989.  He will continue as a civilian public affairs officer for the Canadian Forces with Navy Public Affairs at Maritime Forces Pacific
  Headquarters.

• 06/23/09 - As CFSI-FM 107.9 Salt Spring Island continues testing, engineers are concentrating on getting a good, clean signal covering the northern part of the island, including the main village of Ganges.  To make up for any signal deficiencies, the decision to stream on the Internet is a go and local cable carriage is planned.  The studio/transmitter link is still being evaluated by Industry Canada and when a license is issued, the station should be set to go, however a firm sign-on date has not yet been established.

• 06/23/09 - The Jack Webster Foundation has announced that the deadline for submissions to the annual Jack Webster Awards for B.C. print, broadcast and online journalists has been extended to July 13.  The awards will be presented at the 2009 awards dinner October 20 in Vancouver.  Broadcaster Magazine

• 06/23/09 - CTV British Columbia CIVT-TV/32 Vancouver has picked up 8 medals at the 2009 Promax|BDA Awards Competition in New York City.  CTV was recognized with more awards than any other Canadian broadcaster with a total of 31.  Broadcaster Magazine

• 06/23/09 - The FCC has granted voluntary assignment of license for KUSE-LD/46 Seattle from EBC Seattle Inc., Debtor in Possession to Mako Communications, LLC.  FCC authorization   FCC data

• 06/22/09 - Gary Burleigh, AKA Gary Shannon at KJR Seattle back in the early 1970s, re-surfaced in the market anchoring news at KOMO AM 1000.   KOMO Profile

• 06/22/09 - A number of viewers are having over the air reception problems with the new digital signal of KCTS-TV/9 Seattle following its move back to VHF from its temporary digital UHF assignment.  Brier Dudley, Seattle Times

• 06/22/09 - The FCC has granted a construction permit to KYIZ AM 1620 Renton to move its transmitter from the existing site to an adjacent one, 165 feet away.  The application states that the present transmitter site is leased from the State of Washington, which intends to sell the property.  Antenna height and operating power will be unchanged at the new location 47-26-28 122-12-10.  FCC data  Engineering Report

• 06/21/09 - One of Canada's most gifted announcers, former CFUN Good Guy Al Jordan, who died May 7th at age 80, was a mentor to a number of Vancouver's top broadcasters.  Susan Lazaruk, The Province

• 06/20/09 - A memorial service has been announced for pioneer Vancouver broadcaster Arnie Nelson, who died June 7 at age 74.   The service will be held Friday, June 26th at 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Church at 49th and Oak Street.  Sun/Province obituary

• 06/20/09 - Shaw TV play-by-play announcer Morley Scott is likely to become part of the Vancouver Giants organization.  Former CKWX Vancouver play-by-play announcer Rory Markas is now in his 11th season with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Greg Douglas, Vancouver Sun

• 06/20/09 - Vancouver broadcaster Ron Barnet and journalist Keith Matthews have been selected for entry this year into the Vancouver Canadians Broadcast & Journalism Hall of Fame.  Barnet announced Canadians play-by-play on CKNW beginning in the mid 1980s and Matthews was a sports writer for the Vancouver Sun and News Herald, with some baseball work on CKMO in the late 1940s.  Matthews died in 2006.  Canadians release

• 06/19/09 - Doug Keough, the first sales representative for CBUT Vancouver after it signed on in late 1953, died Sunday, June 7 in West Vancouver, one day after his 82nd birthday.  He later moved to Lethbridge and Victoria to assist in similar start-ups.  A memorial service will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 2337 Inglewood Avenue, West Vancouver at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 20.  Sun/Province obituary

• 06/19/09 - Canadian filmmaker Allan King, who was a coordinating producer at CBUT Vancouver during the 1950s, died Monday at his home in Toronto.  He was 79.  His first documentary was Skid Row in 1956.  CBC News  Allan King Films

• 06/17/09 - Vancouver blues musician Jim Byrnes, who grew up in St. Louis and listened to Nashville radio in the late 50s and early 60s, gets ready to debut his own show July 4 on Shore 104 CHHR-FM 104.1, following its official launch July 1.  Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun

• 06/16/09 - Shore 104 CHHR-FM 104.1 Vancouver continues testing, as it readies for a July 1 launch.  Former CKLG morning host Roy Hennessy is likely the best known figure behind the new independent station.  Tom Harrison, The Province

• 06/15/09 - TV mogul Moses Znaimer is back in the television business as his company, ZoomerMedia Ltd. is acquiring Joytv 10 CHNU-TV/66 Fraser Valley and Joytv 11 CIIT-TV/35 Winnipeg, along with their parent company VisionTV.  The sale is subject to CRTC approval.  VisionTV release  News1130

• 06/15/09 - CFSI-FM 107.9 Salt Spring Island began testing at 9:20 a.m. today using a single bay antenna instead of the 2-bay unit specified in the original proposal.  A 3-bay array was determined to be the best to achieve the directional pattern required, but it weighs 1200 lbs., too heavy for the wooden hydro pole according to a consulting engineer.  The station has to protect CILS-FM 107.9 Victoria.  Signal reports may be emailed to info@cfsi-fm.com or phone 250-931-1079.   Original CRTC Authorization

• 06/13/09 - Award winning broadcasters Bob Kendrick and Tess van Straaten have been hired by CHEK-TV/6 News Victoria and will appear on air together for the first time at 5 p.m. today.  Grania Litwin, Times Colonist

• 06/13/09 - Team 1040 CKST AM Vancouver shuffles its lineup next week to make way for syndicated ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd.  Here 'n' There Greg Douglas, Vancouver Sun

• 06/13/09 - Yesterday's shutdown of analog TV in the U.S. brings a flood of confused calls to the Western Washington DTV Hotline.  Lindsay Toler, Seattle Times  The last minutes of analog KSTW-TV/11 can be viewed here, KCPQ-TV/13 here and KIRO-TV here, courtesy YouTube.  KOMO-TV News

• 06/12/09 - Assistance is available from a number of sources in the Seattle area for viewers who weren't ready for the digital TV switchover today.  Scott Gutierrez, Seattle P-I  Peter Svensson, Seattle Times  Tacoma News Tribune   Meanwhile, viewers in Canadian border cities take advantage of "free TV" from U.S. digital broadcasters.  Saanich News  Canadian over-the-air stations are required to make the transition by August 31, 2011, with three Vancouver stations already transmitting digital signals, but with reduced power.

• 06/11/09 - DISH Network and Seattle-based Fisher Communications have reached a multi-year agreement providing for the distribution of Fisher stations in seven markets, including KOMO-TV and KUNS-TV locally.  The previous agreement expired last December, leaving customers in the seven areas without Fisher programming.  Fisher release

• 06/11/09 - Analog television goes dark in the U.S. tomorrow, June 12.  Some stations, such as KING-TV/5, will continue their analog signals for a period of time as part of the Nightlight program.   There will be tips on how to receive the digital signals, but no regular programming.  KOMO-TV  KING-TV   KIRO-TV  KCTS-TV  KCPQ-TV.   The Bellingham Herald lists the transition times for Seattle area signals.  KCTS-TV/9, KSTW-TV/11 and KCPQ-TV/13 will return to their original VHF channel positions from their temporary UHF assignments, requiring over-the-air viewers to re-scan their digital tuners following the changes.

• 06/11/09 - Former CBC Vancouver radio host David Wisdom presents a screening of Vancouver images at Simon Fraser University.  Fiona Morrow, Globe and Mail

• 06/09/09 - Vancouver radio pioneer Arnie Nelson died Sunday, June 7 in St. Paul's Hospital following a battle with a brain tumor.  He was 74.  He began his career as a guitar and vocal performer at age 10 on CKNW New Westminster in 1944 on programs including The Children's Hour, Bill Rea's Roundup, and Ranger's Cabin.  Arnie stayed with 'NW in various capacities including all-night DJ and sales until 1964 before moving to CJOR in 1965. He then took the position of manager for the west coast operations of All-Canada Radio and TV from 1965-76.  He retired from broadcasting in 1982.

• 06/08/09 - West Beach Broadcasting Corp. is selling KWDB AM 1110 Oak Harbor to Impact Directories of Northwest Washington for $100,000.  FCC data

• 06/08/09 - RTNDA Canada, The Association of Electronic Journalists presented its RTNDA Awards at the B.C. Region Awards Banquet Saturday evening in Vancouver.  RTNDA Canada release

• 06/08/09 - Veteran Vancouver broadcaster Stirling Faux, most recently morning news host at CHQR AM 770 Calgary will handle middays Saturdays and Sundays on CISL AM 650.

• 06/07/09 - KBDB-FM 103.9 Forks was forced off the air by a failure to a cooling fan on the transmitter power supply last week.  General Manager Steven Rhyner was able to return the station to the air with 50 watts from the exciter with the help of parts from engineer Clay Freinwald.   It is expected to return to full power early this week.

• 06/06/09 - A private memorial for Big Al the Kiddies Pal Al Jordan, who died May 7 at age 80 will be held for family, colleagues and good friends.  He was one of the pre-eminent voices in Vancouver and a generous mentor and friend to countless of Vancouver's most well-known and respected radio hosts.  Sun/Province obituary

• 06/05/09 - Vancouver broadcast icon Red Robinson reflects on this week's shut down of Radio and Records, where he says, publisher Erica Farber took her own money to salute the Pioneer deejays at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland in 1997 because the The Hall never properly recognized them, although they have a display of about 80, who were elected in 1995.  Only performers are inducted.   Songwriters, publishers, etc. are elected in a special category with the exception of Dick Clark, Tom Donahue, and Alan Freed.  The deejays were selected by a premium list of radio people, record company executives and performers.  Erica hosted the event and it was a who's who of the original rock jocks including himself, Seattle legend Pat O'Day, along with "Cousin" Bruce Morrow, Art Leboe, Porky Chadwick, Paul Berlin, Arnie "Woo Woo" Ginsberg, Rufus Thomas and others.  She made an interesting observation at the event, stating, "Without these men and women (there was only one woman), the great stars in this hall most likely would not be recognized at all."  Red tells NORTHWEST BROADCASTERS, "The reason it (R&R) fell is due to the birth of consolidation, whereby local radio stations were owned by large conglomerates and bought only one subscription to share with the hundreds of stations they owned.  It also affected the advertising because it eliminated so many previously privately-owned outlets, narrowing down the potential ad bucks."

• 06/05/09 - Former KFOG-FM 104.5 San Francisco PD Dave Benson has been appointed PD at Seattle market The Mountain KMTT-FM 103.7.  Radio Ink

• 06/05/09 - KGY AM 1240 Olympia should reach out a little better when it starts transmitting from its new facility early next month.  The new tower is located over 400 feet from the exsisting one at 47-3-28 122-54-3.  FCC data  Christian Hill, The Olympian  Meanwhile, sister station KGY-FM 96.9 has added live mornings with Smilin Jay to its Real Country format. 

• 06/05/09 - 29-year-old Scott Brian White has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of decade-long KIRO AM 710 Seattle talk show host Mike Webb in 2007.  Levi Pulkkinen, Seattle P-I   Jennifer Sullivan, Seattle Times

• 06/04/09 - CanWest Global (CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver) has unveiled its fall lineup of shows, but nothing for its sister network E! (CHEK-TV/6 Victoria), leading to further speculation about the future of those stations.  Gayle MacDonald, Globe and Mail  Meanwhile, CTV announced earlier that its fall schedule makes only minor changes to its main network (CIVT-TV/32 Vancouver) but adds its strongest lineup to date at sister network A (CIVI-TV/53 Victoria).  Gayle MacDonald, Globe and Mail  Grant Robertson, Globe and Mail update

• 06/03/09 - Based on Nielsen numbers for April 23rd through May 20 sweeps, KING-TV/5 Seattle drew top numbers for local weekday news shows, mornings at 4:30, 5:00 and 6:00; noon and evenings at 5:00 and 11:00.   Seattle P-I reader blog

• 06/03/09 - S-R Broadcasting has applied to increase the daytime power of KRKO AM 1380 Everett from 34 to 50 kW.  Night power is already authorized at 50 kW.  President and General Manager Andrew Skotdal tells NORTHWEST BROADCASTERS that the Class B station's output will meet the efficiency threshold for a Class A (i.e. KIRO 710, KOMO 1000), but it is not entitled to Class A nighttime interference protection.   KRKO's protected nighttime contour signal level is 2.14 mV/m, very good for a Class B (regional) signal, due to the station's 1922 sign on.  The daytime power increase does not require any actual construction, only a re-program of the power setting on the transmitter.  A better audio path to the transmitter site to improve modulation levels should also occur over the next 60-90 days.  FCC application

• 06/02/09 - A "massive computer breakdown" yesterday at the CBC left national and local TV stations reading news from paper instead of a teleprompter.  The 6 p.m. newscast on CBUT-TV/2 Vancouver also was affected.  Josh Wingrove, Globe and Mail

• 06/02/09 - The CRTC has announced that UFV Campus and Community Radio Society has withdrawn its application to amend the technical parameters of CIVL-FM 88.5 Abbotsford.   No reason was given for the withdrawal.  CRTC release  The Commission has also extended the time limit to August 31, 2009 for the commencement of operations for CHNM-DT/20 Vancouver and its Victoria translator CHNM-DT-1/54.  CRTC release (Appendix 2, Item 1)

• 06/02/09 - The FCC has granted a minor change in licensed facilities for KOMO-DT/38 Seattle.  ERP will be 880 kW non-directional at 259 meters HAAT (up from 810 kW at 223 meters HAAT) at the current transmitter location 47-37-55 122-21-9.  FCC data

• 06/01/09 - Shore 104 CHHR-FM 104.1 Vancouver officially began testing at 1:04 p.m. today following short periods of carrier and music.  It will ultimately swap frequencies with KAFE-FM 104.3 Bellingham, which in turn will allow KMCQ-FM 104.5 Covington to more effectively target the Seattle market.  The CHHR move has been approved by the CRTC but both the U.S. station moves are pending FCC authorization.

• 06/01/09 - Rogers Communications, owner of Canada's third largest network CITY-TV (CKVU-TV/10 Vancouver), has spent big for new programming to compete with CTV and Global.  In addition to acquiring programs which aired last year on the competition, it has purchased the simulcast rights to the new Jay Leno show in an effort to brand CITY-TV as a comedy-focused channel patterned after NBC's lineup.  Grant Robertson, Globe and Mail

• 06/01/09 - Preliminary numbers from Arbitron's Portable People Meter rating system has really shaken up the Seattle radio market.  Erik Lacitis, Seattle Times

• 05/30/09 - CBC Vancouver is laying off over two dozen workers according to a Canadian Media Guild representative.   Charlie Smith, straight.com

• 05/30/09 - CBC Radio 1 CBCV-FM 90.5, heading into its 11th year of broadcasting, has widened its lead over news/talk CFAX AM 1070 in the Victoria market.  Amanda Ash, Times Colonist  CBC Radio widens its lead in Vancouver.  Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun

• 05/29/09 - A Celebration of Life has been announced for veteran sports broadcaster Ted Reynolds, who died April 29.  It will be held at the CBC building in Vancouver at 11:30 a.m. June 8.  CBC announcement

• 05/29/09 - Evening Magazine, which debuted on KING-TV/5 Seattle in 1986, is looking for a new host.  Former host John Curley left the show in April when his contract wasn't renewed.  The program has been predominantly local since 1991.  John Levesque, Seattle P-I

• 05/28/09 - BBM S2 2009 12+ ratings have been released.  In Vancouver, CBC Radio 1 CBU AM 690/CBU-2-FM increases its lead with a 12.4 share, News/Talk/Sports CKNW AM 980 retains second with 10.7 and The Beat CFBT-FM 94.5 moves up to third with 8.4.  The Beat leads in Central Reach numbers with 401,200, CKNW is second with 335,600 and CBC Radio 1 is third with 324,900.   In Victoria, Radio 1 CBCV-FM 90.5 retains its lead with a 15.1 share, news/talk CFAX AM 1070 is second with 11.9 and The Ocean CIOC-FM 98.5 is third with 9.3.  BBM ratings for major Canadian cities.

• 05/27/09 - Shore 104 CHHR-FM Vancouver is scheduled to begin testing on its originally assigned frequency of 104.1 at 1:04 p.m. Monday, June 1, provided no problems materialize.  The station had hoped to sign on at its newly assigned frequency of 104.3, but the move of KAFE-FM Bellingham from 104.3 to 104.1 has not yet been authorized by the FCC.  Shore 104 management is hopeful that the frequency swap will occur by this fall.  

• 05/26/09 - An advance copy of the June 2009 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared by Clay Freinwald for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers.

• 05/25/09 - A mini-boom of viewers switching back to TV antennas and away from cable and satellite in Canada appears to be under way.  Jennifer Ditchburn, The Canadian Press  In the U.S., one in three homes now has HDTV.   Digital Home

• 05/23/09 - Recently retired CKWX AM 1130 Vancouver sports director Garry Raible will decorate the winning horse in the seventh race named in his honor Sunday at Hastings Racecourse.  He will also appear on Dan Russell's Sportstalk on CKNW AM 980 Monday night.  Greg Douglas' Short Hops, Vancouver Sun  News1130

• 05/23/09 - Victoria's two TV stations join the push for satellite and cable companies to pay for local programming.   In addition, A British Columbia CIVI-TV/53 is holding a rally today at 11 a.m.  Victoria News

• 05/22/09 - Earthworks Entertainment has announced that it has signed an agreement with Hit Parade Radio to launch a 24/7 Oldies Radio Network in Texas featuring Larry Lujack in morning drive.   Earthworks management expects to sign more than 100 stations in the first 12 to 18 months.  Hall of Famer Lujack entertained at KJR Seattle in the mid 1960s before becoming a Superjock in Chicago.  Earthworks release

• 05/21/09 - The WNBA Seattle Storm has announced that it has extended its agreement with KKNW AM 1150 to air all 34 regular-season games.  Dick Fain and Adia Barnes will also be returning as the Storm's broadcast team.  OurSports Central

• 05/21/09 - Photos of the new CFUN/CKST Vancouver self-supporting transmitting towers on 104 Street between Hwy 10 and Hwy 99 in Delta can be viewed here.  An aerial view from CTV British Columbia's Chopper 9 is here.   Completion of the site is expected late this summer.  Photos are courtesy CTVglobemedia Vancouver radio division engineering.

• 05/21/09 - Seattle market TV stations will cease transmitting analog signals for one minute today at 5:28 p.m. to bring attention to the digital TV transition June 12.  Seattle Times

• 05/18/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications has promoted Christopher J. Bellavia to Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.  He joined the company last November as Vice President, Senior Attorney and Corporate Secretary.  Fisher release

• 05/18/09 - Sandusky Radio is the first to commercially launch the Quu platform on its Seattle market stations, making all commercials and programming fully interactive.  Quu, Inc. is also Seattle-based.  PRNewswire

• 05/16/09 - U.S. bands face a number of obstacles this year to get to the the 111th Victoria Day Parade, which starts at 9 a.m. Monday (May 18) at Mayfair Shopping Centre.   Some bands, like Seattle's Ingraham High School Band, have not missed a parade in 44 years.  The entire three-hour procession will be televised live on E! CHEK-TV/6 Victoria.  Jeff Bell, Times Colonist

• 05/15/09 - PD Kevin Welch has left his position at Seattle market The Mountain KMTT-FM 103.7 after two years.  He previously was APD/MD at KINK-FM 101.9 Portland for nine years.  Radio & Records  Over at The Wolf KKWF-FM 100.7, All Access Music Group (sign-up service) reports morning co-host Tony Russell, who had been doing his part of the show from Fort Worth, is moving to Seattle to join Fitz and Mary White in the local studio.

• 05/15/09 - CBC Radio has announced schedule changes for both its Radio One and Radio 2 services.  Broadcaster Magazine

• 05/15/09 - The FCC has granted a construction permit to Northwest Indy Radio for a new station at Westport to operate on 91.7 MHz with 120 watts at 3.3 meters HAAT at 46-51-39 124-06-31.  FCC information

• 05/15/09 - Rallies have been organized by 'A' CIVI-TV/53 Victoria to raise awareness that local conventional television is in crisis.  They will be held from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, May 23rd at 1420 Broad Street in Victoria and 82 Commercial Street in Nanaimo.  Station release   Meanwhile, the CRTC has told Canada's major television networks they will most likely lose their bid to charge cable and satellite carriers for their signals unless they dramatically alter their approach.  The regulator has proposed that they consider the networks negotiating with carriers for signal compensation rather than approving a monthly fee, with possible arbritration if a deal can't be reached.  Grant Robertson, Globe and Mail  The CRTC has now shelved an idea aimed at curbing how much U.S. programming Canadian conventional broadcasters can acquire.  Paul Vieira, Financial Post

• 05/15/09 - KFMY-FM 97.7 Oakville, formerly The Eagle is now simulcasting Newsradio KOMO AM 1000 Seattle as KOMO-FM.  KOMO release

• 05/14/09 - Bill Hutton, a former news director at CKWX Vancouver, died yesterday May 13 at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, after a short illness.  He was 83.  He was the founder and first President of the Radio and Television News Director's Association (RTNDA) of Canada and received several of its awards.  Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 16, in Saint David's United Church, Burnt Church, N.B.  ChronicleHerald announcement

• 05/13/09 - Tributes are pouring in on local message boards for "Happy Pappy" Al Jordan, who died May 7 at age 80.  He read news during a.m. drive on CKWX in the early 1950s and made stops in Penticton and Hamilton before returning as a CFUN Good Guy, on board with the station's flip to Top 40 in 1960.  He did production work back at CJOR during the 1970s.  Puget Sound Radio thread  RadioWest thread

• 05/12/09 - One of the most popular commercial voices in the Vancouver radio market has died.  Al Jordan was production director and host of Theme for Teens on CJOR in the early 1950s and a Good Guy and morning host at CFUN during the 1960s.  An announcement was made last night by Dan Russell on his Sportstalk program on CKNW.  Audio clip courtesy RadioWest.  Red Robinson tribute  Further details to follow.

• 05/12/09 - Seattle-based Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is selling his two Portland radio stations to a group led by former radio mogul Larry Wilson.  The stations are Newsradio KXL AM 750 and The Game KXTG-FM 95.5.  Mike Rogoway, The Oregonian

• 05/12/09 - The CRTC has received an application by UFV Campus and Community Radio Society to relocate the antenna site of CIVL-FM 88.5 Abbotsford, increasing its average ERP from 92 to 250 watts (1000 watts max), changing its radiation pattern from circular to horizontal and changing HAAT from 336.8 meters to minus 17 meters.   CIVL is not yet on air and was recently given an extension to March 14, 2010 to sign on.  CRTC release

• 05/11/09 - Newsradio KOMO AM 1000 Seattle will begin simulcasting on KFMY-FM 97.7 Oakville this Friday, May 15.   KOMO has been an AM station in the Seattle market for over 80 years.  KFMY is currently The Eagle - South Sound's Classic Hits.  KOMO release

• 05/10/09 - Writer and Emmy-award-winning Seattle television reporter Greg Palmer died Friday, May 8.  He was 61.  He started his broadcasting career at KTW Seattle, with positions at KRAB-FM, KIRO-TV and KCTS-TV.   He won 13 Emmys during 13 years at KING-TV.  A private ceremony will be held this fall.  Christine Clarridge, Seattle Times  Detailed Biography

• 05/10/09 - Sports announcer Jody Vance, most recently a pre and post game show host on Leafs TV in Toronto, will be assuming a yet unnamed role at The Shore CHHR-FM 104.3 Vancouver when it signs on in the near future.  She reported sports in the Vancouver market during most of the 1990s.

• 05/09/09 - Ken Allan joonyer, who has entertained Vancouver radio listeners for the past nine years, is moving back to his hometown.   Effective May 25, he takes over as afternoon drive host at The Juice CJUI-FM 103.9 Kelowna.

• 05/05/09 - Greg Rampage takes over p.m. drive at The End KNDD-FM 107.7 Seattle, moving APD/MD Andrew Harms to middays.  Radio & Records

• 05/03/09 - Well known Vancouver broadcasters past and present, along with a world class chef and a Canadian Idol finalist, fill in mornings this week on Virgin Radio CKZZ-FM 95.3.  Station Release

• 05/02/09 - Global BC CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver sports director/anchor Squire Barnes is doing in-depth interviews with provincial party leaders as the station tries out a new angle.  Ian Haysom, Times Colonist

• 05/02/09 - Now retired News1130 CKWX AM Vancouver veteran sports director Garry Raible reported stories about the games and not himself.  Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun

• 05/01/09 - Radio & Records has re-posted the latest Seattle-Tacoma Arbitron radio ratings, with Country KMPS-FM 94.1 now listed in third place, dropping AC KRWM-FM 106.9 down to fourth.  Complete 12+ numbers can be viewed at Radio & Records.  Click on the Ratings tab at the top of their page, then type "Seattle" into the Market Name box.  Next update still has not been announced.

• 04/29/09 - Canadian sports broadcasting legend and CBC Television veteran Ted Reynolds died early Tuesday morning at age 83.  His career, which began at CFJC radio in Kamloops, spanned more than 50 years, 35 of them with CBC Television, and included play-by-play and Olympic Games.  He was also a freelance broadcaster, retiring two years ago at age 81.  CBC news

• 04/29/09 - The FCC has granted a construction permit to Northwest Indy Radio for a new station at 91.3 MHz in Elma.  It will operate with an ERP of 100 watts non-directional at minus 88 meters HAAT at 47-00-38 123-22-59.  FCC info

• 04/29/09 - As Clear Channel Communications continues with nationwide layoffs, Dick Fain and Brian Lambert are casualties at KJR AM 950 Seattle.  Seattle Sportsnet

• 04/28/09 - An advance copy of the May 2009 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared by Clay Freinwald for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers.

• 04/28/09 - News/talk KIRO AM/FM holds onto first place in the Arbitron 12+ Winter '09 ratings for Seattle-Tacoma, with Talk KTTH AM 770 up into second and AC KRWM-FM 106.9 third.  Complete 12+ numbers can be viewed at Radio & Records.  Click on the Ratings tab at the top of their page, then type "Seattle" into the Market Name box.  Next update has not been announced.  *Note that the ratings were posted on the R&R site April 28, but have since been removed.   The All Access Music Group website stated that they were released to Arbitron subscribers only.

• 04/28/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications has reported decreases in television and radio revenue of 27% and 29% respectively during the first quarter ending March 31, 2009.  Loss from operations was $5.4 million for the quarter, compared with income from operations of $1.3 million during the same period in 2008.  Fisher release

• 04/27/09 - The CRTC has announced an approval of extension to March 14, 2010 of the time limit to begin operation of University of the Fraser Valley's new community-based campus FM station in Abbotsford.  CIVL-FM is licensed to operate at 88.5 MHz directional with a maximum ERP of 300 watts.  The Commission notes that this is the final extension.  CRTC release (item 8)

• 04/25/09 - More changes are coming to the Vancouver radio landscape as The Shore CHHR-FM 104.3 (originally licensed to 104.1 but swapping frequencies with KAFE-FM Bellingham pending FCC approval) signs on and PPM debuts later this year.  Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun  Former familiar voices will return on The Shore. Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun

• 04/24/09 - Astral Media has announced the appointment of veteran account executive, Deborah Stillie as retail sales manager for its Vancouver radio stations.  She takes over the position May 1.

• 04/24/09 - John Curley, 14 year host of KING-TV/5 Seattle's Evening Magazine signed off his final show yesterday with his successor likely to be named from within.  Mark Rahner, Seattle Times

• 04/22/09 - News reader and fill-in sports anchor Geoff Rohoman will take over morning sports at News1130 CKWX AM Vancouver.  Geoff fills the slot after Garry Raible retires next Thursday.

• 04/22/09 - Puget Sound Radio Broadcasters Association (PSRBA) presented the 24th Annual Soundie Awards Tuesday, where the industry celebrated the best in creative audio as well as honored professionals who have contributed to radio and advertising.  Nominees and winners 

• 04/21/09 - Veteran sportscaster Garry Raible's last broadcast will be at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, April 30.  He is leaving News1130 CKWX AM Vancouver and retiring to the Okanagan.   He was one of the originals when the station moved to all news in 1996, with a radio career going back to the early 1970s, when he was a soccer color analyst at CJOR.   Greg Douglas Short Hops, Vancouver Sun

• 04/21/09 - Stimson Bullitt, a former president of KING Broadcasting Co., died Sunday at his West Seattle home.  He was 89.  He took over KING Broadcasting in the 1960s.  Scott Sunde, SeattlePI.com  Joel Connelly, SeattlePI.com   Jack Broom, Seattle Times

• 04/21/09 - Reliable reports indicate that veteran host John Curley is leaving Evening Magazine on KING-TV/5 after 14 years, with his final show Thursday, April 23.  His replacement will be named at that time.  There is no word if he'll stay at KING in another capacity.  An announcement was made last November 5 in the Seattle Times that Curley would be leaving the show in April.

• 04/19/09 - As the June 12 transition date nears for full power analog TV in the U.S., KTBW-TV/20 Tacoma was shut down on April 20, now operating only digitally as KTBW-DT/14.  Additionally KUSE-LP/58 (analog) was turned off on April 8th and is unlikely to be migrating to digital, due to financial difficulties encountered by the owner, Little Rock AR-based Equity Broadcasting.

• 04/17/09 - Fisher Communications has announced that the Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) has awarded 9 regional Edward R. Murrow awards for excellence in broadcast journalism to KOMO Radio and Television.  Fisher release

• 04/17/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications has announced the launch of a new search and discovery experience designed to allow consumers to find local news and information that is most relevant to them.  Based on the new Search and Discovery for Media service by DataSphere, Fisher's sites will provide visitors with the ability to easily search across real-time video, audio and text articles.  The new search service is now powering KOMONews.com in Seattle and will soon be launched across 13 additional Fisher sites including STAR1015.com.  Fisher release

• 04/16/09 - Mike Siegel returns to morning drive on Business Radio KKOL AM 1300 Seattle, toned down from his days at KTTH AM 770.  He was formerly heard on KVI AM 570 and syndicated in the 90s by KRKO AM 1380 Everett.   Siegel has also been a replacement for Art Bell.

• 04/15/09 - BC Children's Hospital Foundation has announced that it has formed a partnership with The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.  Under the partnership, Pattison's 19 radio stations in BC will support the foundation in its efforts to promote the $200-million Campaign for BC Children around the province.  The Foundation also has a partnership with Global BC CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver, which has been providing news coverage and airing campaign public service announcements.  Broadcaster Magazine

• 04/15/09 - Laid off Seattle P-I journalists have launched a nonprofit online news site, Seattlepostglobe.org, supported by KCTS-TV/9, which is providing office space and discussing plans for former P-I journalists to provide content for KCTS broadcasts or its Web site.  Eric Pryne, Seattle Times

• 04/15/09 - The CRTC has given the nod to the Cowichan Valley Community Radio Society to operate a new low-power developmental community FM station in Lake Cowichan, 35 kilometers northwest of Victoria.  It will operate at 98.7 MHz with an average effective radiated power of 3.7 watts.  The station will focus its music programming on local talent along with emergency updates and advisories of road and flood conditions, weather reports and fire hazards, along with talk shows, phone-ins and programming specific to the community.  CRTC decision

• 04/12/09 - Vancouver Radio Musuem webmaster Brian Walks is recuperating in hospital following a fall from a ladder a week ago.   He has a compound fracture of his tibia and fractured ankle with many small bone fragments and vertigo due to an injury to the back of his head.  In the interim, he is unable to maintain his website.

• 04/12/09 - Seattle listeners now have two all-sports stations to choose from, but Paul Ski, Rogers Radio CEO says now is not the time to add a second station in Vancouver.  Greg Douglas, Vancouver Sun

• 04/11/09 - The late Vancouver Sun columnist Jack Wasserman (former CJOR/CKNW), the late BCTV Vancouver ventriliquist Peter Rolston, writer Chuck Davis who worked on air at a number of Vancouver and Victoria radio and TV stations and writer/broadcaster Joy Metcalf are among 10 new recipients of the The B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame Pioneer Award to be presented at a ceremony April 19.   The Pioneer Award is given to individuals who have moved the entertainment industry forward over a substantial period of time through their work with individuals or groups, in performance, design or technologies.  Vancouver Sun

• 04/09/09 - Astral Media Radio Sales has announced that it will represent Shore 104 FM CHHR-FM 104.3 Vancouver, which is scheduled to sign on June 1.  Shore recently received CRTC approval to move to that frequency from its originally licensed 104.1, with KAFE-FM 104.3 Bellingham awaiting FCC approval to move to 104.1.  Astral release

• 04/08/09 - The federal government is considering a $150-million local programming fund tied to news and current affairs programming to help smaller market TV stations in Canada.  Members of Parliament have grown concerned in recent weeks that the CRTC is not moving fast enough to address the prospect that some small stations could be shut down.  CBC eligiblity is still unclear.  CanWest Global Communications has indicated it may close its five-city network E!, which includes CHEK-TV/6 Victoria and CHBC-TV/2 Kelowna, if a buyer can't be found.  Grant Robertson, Globe and Mail  CBC News

• 04/08/09 - Gabriola Radio Society plans to re-apply to the CRTC for the use of 98.7 HHz on Gabriola Island, providing an application by Rogers Communications to upgrade its CIOC-FM 98.5 Victoria signal is turned down by the Commission.  Industry Canada recently upheld an objection by Rogers to the Society using the 98.7 FM frequency.  Dustin Walker, Nanaimo Daily News

• 04/07/09 - As work progresses on the new CFUN/CKST Vancouver transmitter site in Delta, a photo of one of the seven new towers being erected can be viewed here.    Photo courtesy CTVglobemedia Vancouver radio division engineering.

• 04/07/09 - The FCC has granted a construction permit to Port Townsend Seventh-Day Adventist Church for a new station at 91.1 MHz in Port Townsend.  It will operate with 1 kW directional at 473 meters HAAT at 48-00-58 122-55-32.  FCC info

• 04/07/09 - KIRO AM 710 Seattle ushered in its new 710 ESPN sports programming late Sunday evening, unveiling a lineup featuring Los Angeles-based Colin Cowherd as well as local programming that includes Kevin Calabro and Brock Huard.  Perry Allen, Seattle Times

• 04/07/09 - Talk show host Terry Spence has been released from CFAX AM 1070 Victoria after 35 years of service with the station.  He will sign off his midday show at 3 p.m. today, to be replaced on an interim basis by Dave Dickson.  Mike Devlin, Victoria Times Colonist

• 04/06/09 - NFL analyst/ESPN broadcaster John Clayton will host a weekly Saturday morning show from 9 a.m.-12 noon, focusing on the Seahawks, NFL and current sports news on 710 ESPN KIRO AM 710 Seattle.  He also will provide live sports analysis to local weekday shows.  KIRO release

• 04/06/09 - After nearly three years of Music of Your Life, Seattle market KIXI AM 880 has departed from the syndicated service with a return to local programming.  Operation Director Dan Murphy will take over as PD as well as on-air host weekdays from 3-6 p.m.  Returning is Jim Dai weekdays noon-3p.m.   KIXI will also expand its Radio Drama offerings.  Station officials state that, "...It's not a format change, more of an adjustment
  and return to more of local focus..."

• 04/05/09 - Groovin' Blue, Dr. Bundolo, Zig Zag and the voice of thousands of radio and TV commercials, Bill Reiter still does voice work and operates WAGRadio.  Chris Bryan, New West News Leader

• 04/05/09 - There are nine new inductees into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, with Vancouver broadcast icon Red Robinson on hand for the inductions this weekend.  Red was inducted into The Hall in 1994 as Canada's first rock n' roll DJ at CJOR in the early 1950s.  John Ackermann, News1130  Jim Farber, Daily News  2009 inductee bios

• 04/05/09 - Vancouver broadcaster and world "Yo-Yo King" Harvey Lowe appeared on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in the 1960s, worked as an impresario for Vancouver nightclubs and continued to spin right up to his death March 11 at age 90.  Susan Lazaruk, The Province

• 04/03/09 - CBC Radio 1 edging out perennial leader CKNW AM 980 in the latest Vancouver market BBM ratings doesn't go unnoticed.  Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun  Fiona Morrow, Globe and Mail  This Fall PPM officially will be launched in Vancouver, along with Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto.  David Bray, Broadcasters Magazine

• 04/02/09 - BBM S1 2009 12+ ratings have been released.  In Vancouver, CBC Radio 1 CBU AM 690/CBU-2-FM leads with an 11.0 share, News/Talk/Sports CKNW AM 980 is second with 10.1 and QM-FM CHQM-FM 103.5 is third with 8.8.  The Beat CFBT-FM 94.5 leads in Central Reach numbers with 384,600, News1130 CKWX AM 1130 is second with 357,400 and QM-FM is third with 336,800.  BBM data

• 04/02/09 - It's not local, but it is historic and followed locally.  After 72 years of broadcasting, CBS is turning off Guiding Light, which began as a 15-minute radio show in 1937, migrating to television in 1952.  It won 69 Daytime Emmy Awards.  Meg James, Seattle Times

• 04/02/09 - Grant Wyatt, a cameraman for CKVU-TV Vancouver for 32 years, died March 25.  A private family service is scheduled for April 3.  Sun/Province obituary

• 04/01/09 - Former Husky and pro quarterback Brock Huard debuts his own sports-talk radio show backed up by veteran ESPN talk-show host Mike Salk from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday on the new 710 ESPN KIRO AM 710 Seattle.  Percy Allen, Seattle Times  Meanwhile a KIRO source says Dori Monson will announce next week he's giving up his 13 year long news talk show to do syndicated ESPN sports.  (OK, this part was an April Fool's joke by BlatherWatch)   KIRO's signals are set to split tomorrow as its new sports format next Monday will coincide with the Seattle Mariners' opening day.  Mike Stern, Radio & Records

• 03/31/09 - KIRO AM 710 Seattle begins its all-sports 710 ESPN format next Monday following the announcement that it is hiring Seattle P-I sports writers Art Thiel, Clare Farnsworth and Jim Moore as well as former Seahawks linebacker Dave Wyman and ex-Mariners catcher Bill Haselman.  Seattle P-I Sports Blog

• 03/31/09 - News/talk KIRO AM/FM continues in first place in the Arbitron 12+ Winter '09 P2 numbers for Seattle-Tacoma, with AC KRWM-FM 106.9 second and Rhythmic KUBE-FM 93.3 third.  Complete 12+ numbers can be viewed at Radio & Records.   Click on the Ratings tab at the top of the page, then type "Seattle" into the Market Name box.  Next update is scheduled for April 28.

• 03/31/09 - The CRTC has approved an application by Shore Media Group Inc. to change the frequency of CHHR-FM Vancouver from 104.1 to 104.3 MHz.  This authorization will allow KAFE-FM 104.3 Bellingham to move to 104.1 and facilitate changes at KMCQ-FM 104.5 Covington to better serve the Seattle market.  CHHR is not yet on air and will identify as The Shore when it is scheduled to sign on in the next few months.  CRTC decision

• 03/31/09 - About 15 people, mostly in news, production and sales at KING-TV/5 and KONG-TV/16, have been laid off.  Layoffs were across the board with no recognizable staffers.  The number represents about 5% of station staff.  Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times  Puget Sound Business Journal

• 03/30/09 - Former Vancouver broadcaster Jeff Rechner, now headquartered in Los Angeles, is the trailer voice for the TV campaign of the DVD release of Slumdog Millionaire.  It can be viewed at Jeff's Voice Boy Productions website.

• 03/28/09 - CanWest Global Communications has put the potential closing of some of its smaller-market television stations on hold until the end of summer and says it has received interest from potential buyers for some stations that operate under the E! brand.  E! stations include CHEK-TV/6 Victoria, CHBC-TV/2 Kelowna and stations in Hamilton, Montreal, and Red Deer AB.  Grant Robertson and Andrew Willis, Globe and Mail

• 03/27/09 - An advance copy of the April 2009 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared by Clay Freinwald for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers.

• 03/27/09 - Laid-off Seattle P-I reporters and editors are involved in two initiatives to launch new web sites devoted to in-depth journalism.  One of the groups, calling itself Seattle Post Globe, has met with officials at local PBS stations and is being provided with office space by KCTS-TV/9.   Eric Pryne, Seattle Times

• 03/26/09 - CBC English Services plans to cut up to 80 positions from its news division and a further 313 from sports, entertainment, current affairs, sales and support.  Cuts to programming will mean fewer episodes of many prime-time TV shows and cuts to entire programs on both Radio One and Radio 2.  There has been no mention of staff cuts in British Columbia.  CBC news   Updates: James Bradshaw, Globe and Mail  Brendan Kelly and Chris Cobb, Vancouver Sun

• 03/25/09 - 1,000 HD2 and HD3 HD Radio subchannels are now on the air, with 100 unique HD Radio receivers now available.   At least 20 of the 30 Northwest HD stations include subchannels.  Radio Ink

• 03/25/09 - The CBC is going to cut as many as 800 jobs across Canada and sell $125 million worth of assets in an attempt to save $171 million.  The plan will include 393 English services layoffs and a voluntary retirement incentive package,  James Bradshaw, Globe and Mail  Vancouver Sun

• 03/25/09 - KOMO Radio, state of the art  72 years ago, is preserved on film.  Joe Wren, KOMO News

• 03/24/09 - One of two women injured in separate attacks in downtown Vancouver last Thursday is identified as Rosanna Liu, finance manager at CBC British Columbia.  She was hospitalized after being pushed to the ground by an unidentified attacker, resulting in a serious shoulder injury and broken right arm.  She has since been released.  CBC News  Elaine O'Connor, The Province

• 03/23/09 - The CRTC has approved an application by the CBC for authority to use a subsidiary communications multiplex operation (SCMO) channel to broadcast a predominantly Fijian Hindi and Fijian language radio service produced by Radio Fiji Mirchi on its French language CBUF-FM 97.7 Vancouver.  Programming broadcast using an SCMO channel is not accessible with standard radio equipment and requires the use of a special receiver.  CRTC decision

• 03/23/09 - The FCC has granted voluntary assignment of construction permit for KBSG-FM 89.3 Glenoma from SamSno Educational Media to Northwest Indy Radio.  FCC info

• 03/22/09 - Historic photos and airchecks of 85 KTAC Tacoma, including a Chuck Bolland newscast, are available at Facebook.

• 03/21/09 - Legendary sports broadcaster Bill O'Mara died Saturday morning at age 92.  He was KING-TV/5's first sports director and was broadcasting high school basketball games on KLKI radio Anacortes up until 2007.  No service is planned.  KING/5 news  Bill Virgin, Seattle P-I backgrounder  Katherine Long, Seattle Times  Dori Monson tribute

• 03/20/09 - The FCC has granted voluntary assignment of license for KBKS-FM 106.1 Tacoma from CBS Radio Holdings Inc. to AMFM Texas Licenses Limited Partnership.  The ownership change is part of a swap announced by CBS last December 15.  AMFM Texas Licenses is a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications.  FCC info   CBS release

• 03/19/09 - Former CBC chairwoman and British Columbia finance minister Carole Taylor stated in Vancouver yesterday that CBC programming should be different from private stations and not ratings-focused.  Ian Bailey and Caroline Alphonso, Globe and Mail

• 03/19/09 - Following news that Industry Canada had upheld an objection by Rogers Radio for a proposed new station on Gabriola Island to operate at 98.7 MHz, the CRTC has announced that the Gabriola Radio Society application has been withdrawn from its upcoming hearing.  CRTC info

• 03/18/09 - Industry Canada has upheld an objection by Rogers Radio to the Gabriola Radio Society using 98.7 MHz for its proposed new station on Gabriola Island.   The CRTC will likely either reject the society's application or require it to find another frequency.  Dustin Walker, Times-Colonist

• 03/17/09 - Opponents of building two new 199-foot AM radio towers in the Snohomish Valley have filed an appeal in court claiming that the Snohomish County Council did not follow proper procedure last month when it decided to let KRKO AM 1380 owner S-R Broadcasting Inc. build the towers.  They are required for a new station on 1520.  Noah Haglund, HeraldNet   Meanwhile, locals are complaining of RFI from the higher powered KRKO signal.   KING-TV video

• 03/16/09 - The Seattle P-I will cease publication with Tuesday's edition, after a run of 146 years.  The company will maintain seattlepi.com, promising new columns from prominent Seattle residents, more than 150 reader blogs, community databases and photo galleries.   Dan Richman and Andrea James, Seattle P-I  Michelle Nicolosi, Seattle P-I  Eric Pryne, Seattle Times  Times update  NORTHWEST BROADCASTERS has been linking to Bill Virgin's valuable weekly radio column since March 2001.

• 03/16/09 - Thelma Taft, who died February 12 at age 87, was a co-owner, key player and occasional on-air personality at KRKO AM 1380 Everett.  She and her husband Bill Taft owned the station from 1941 to the mid 1970s.  Julie Muhlstein, HeraldNet

• 03/16/09 - Washington State University, which holds a construction permit for KNWU-FM 90.9 Forks, has applied to the FCC to move the station to 91.5 MHz with .17 kW at minus 2 meters HAAT at its existing transmitter location 47-56-0 124-23-41.  FCC data

• 03/14/09 - Former world yo-yo champion Harvey Lowe died Wednesday in Vancouver at age 90.  He hosted Canada's first Chinese-language radio show Call of China on CJOR beginning in the early 1950s.  A funeral service is planned for 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19 at Ocean View Funeral Home in Burnaby.  CBC News  John Mackie, Vancouver Sun  Sun/Province obituary

• 03/12/09 - The Gabriola Radio Society will likely have to find a new frequency for its proposed station at 98.7 MHz on Gabriola Island, as Rogers Radio has filed for an expansion of CIOC-FM 98.5 Victoria, which would short space the two frequencies.  Island Tides (page 8)  Gabriola Sounder

• 03/12/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications has announced that Phelps K. Fisher will be retiring from the Board of Directors effective April 1.  He will be replaced by Michael D. Wortsman.  Fisher release  The company reports its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, with strong political revenue offsetting broad declines in core advertising.  Fisher release

• 03/12/09 - Noncom stations head into pledge drives in a "make-or-break year".  KIRO AM 710 Seattle has announced its weekday programming lineup for its all-sports format, launching next month.  KZOK-FM 102.5 morning show producer Mike Jones leaves for budget reasons.  Bill Virgin's On Radio, Seattle P-I

• 03/10/09 - Vancouver broadcasters Jurgen Gothe, Fanny Kiefer and Bill Reiter join international recording star Michael Buble, journalist and CBC commentator Max Wyman and five others who will be inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame April 19.  The entertainment hall was established in 1994 and honors British Columbians who have made an outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry locally, in Canada, and abroad.   News1130   CTV British Columbia

• 03/09/09 - Bonneville International has hired Brock Huard and Mike Salk to co-host a talk show together when KIRO AM 710 Seattle flips to all sports next month.   Huard is a former NFL player who was a standout quarterback at the University of Washington and covers football for ESPN and Salk is a veteran of ESPN.  Talkers Magazine

• 03/08/09 - Pat Gerow, country-western music pioneer, steel guitar player and member of the Western Swing Hall of Fame, died January 31 at age 87.  He was a staff musician at Vancouver market CKNW in 1947 and performed with country stars Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Alberta Slim and Evan Kemp.  Susan Lazaruk, The Province

• 03/07/09 - Global CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver news director Ian Haysom looks at the hard times facing newspapers and TV.  Victoria Times Colonist

• 03/05/09 - Dennis Kelly, AM group program director for KVI AM 570 and KOMO AM 1000 Seattle shares his memories of nationally known radio newsman Paul Harvey, who died last weekend at age 90.   KKOL AM 1300 scrambles to find alternative live business news programming.  Bill Virgin's On Radio, Seattle P-I.

• 03/04/09 - Both CTV and CanWest Global have asked the CRTC to relax existing requirements for Canadian content on their local networks.  CanWest is asking the regulator to reduce the amount of Canadian programming it is required to broadcast on its stations to a minimum of 10 hours of local programming per week in markets of more than one million people and five hours in markets of less than a million.  Currently, CanWest stations are required to broadcast anywhere from about nine hours of local programming in small markets to more than 42 hours of local programming in larger markets such as Vancouver.  Matt Hartley, Globe and Mail

• 03/04/09 - The CRTC has dismissed a complaint by the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada against Canwest Media Inc. alleging that, by shifting elements of local program production from its television stations to broadcast centers in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto, Canwest would contravene its obligations with respect to the broadcast of local programming and the Commission’s local advertising policy.  CRTC decision

• 03/04/09 - Radio Pacific Inc. has applied to the FCC to move its KONP AM 1450 Port Angeles transmitter from 48-07-19 123-26-13 to 48-05-55 123-24-20, southest of its current location.  Power will change from 1 kW day/night to 1 kW day/.91 kW night non-directional from one tower.  FCC details

• 03/03/09 - Three hosts of the canceled 'A' Morning on CIVI-TV/53 Victoria, Astrid Braunschmidt, Erick Thompson and Maggie Cox, will assume positions as reporters.  Reporter Bill Macfarlane is the only on-air staff member to lose his job as 18 positions are cut.  Also gone is reporter Howard Markson, who resigned this week.  In place of the morning show, cameras will be in the studio of CFAX AM 1070 to broadcast its morning show from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.  Newscasts are being added at 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.   Carla Wilson, Victoria Times Colonist

• 03/03/09 - News/talk KIRO AM/FM continues in first place in the Arbitron 12+ Winter '09 P1 numbers for Seattle-Tacoma, with Rhythmic KUBE-FM 93.3 second and AC KRWM-FM 106.9 third.  Complete 12+ numbers can be viewed at Radio & Records.   Click on the Ratings tab at the top of the page, then type "Seattle" into the Market Name box.  Next update is scheduled for March 31.

• 03/03/09 - CTV today announced the restructuring of its local program operations and significant staff layoffs.  Effective immediately, 'A' Morning, the three-hour local morning show produced separately at CIVI-TV/53 Victoria and at the A stations in London and Barrie ON, has been cancelled.  In total, 118 positions have been eliminated at A stations in Victoria, London, Barrie and Ottawa, representing approximately 28% of the stations' overall staff.  CTV release

• 03/03/09 - BBC Broadcasting Inc. has applied to the FCC to change the transmitter location of KRPI AM 1550 Ferndale from 48-50-35 122-36-5 to 48-59-9 123-02-18 and increase nightime power from 10 kW to 50 kW.  If approved, it would remain directional day and night, increasing from 3 towers to 4 during the day and from 2 towers to 3 at night.  FCC info

• 03/02/09 - Jim Mullin has officially been named sports director at Vancouver market CKNW AM 980.   Mullin, who has announced sports and play-by-play for several stations in this area, has been handling the duties of the position for the past 18 months.

• 03/02/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications, Inc. will report its fourth quarter 2008 and full year 2008 financial results before the market opens on March 12.   Fisher will hold a quarterly conference call at 1 p.m. PT on March 12.  The call will be accessible through a limited number of dial-in conference lines, and live to the general public via webcast.  Fisher release

• 03/02/09 - The CRTC has approved an application by Four Senses Entertainment Inc. to operate a new commercial FM station in Whistler.   The new station is to offer a Hot AC music format featuring songs from the late 80s and 90s along with 49 hours of local programming, including 11 hours per week of local spoken word programming relating to news, weather, sports, road conditions, and local community events.  It will operate at 101.5 MHz with an average effective radiated power of 881 watts (1870 watts maximum at minus 244 meters HAAT).  CRTC decision

• 03/01/09 - Shockwave: Surviving North America’s Biggest Disaster, a two-hour CBC-TV network special in hi-def with state of the art computer animation, looks behind the scenes as scientists apply what they've learned from the earthquake and killer waves in Sumatra to create new disaster survival plans for western North America.  This Omni Film Vancouver production will air Thursday March 5 from 8-10 p.m. on CBUT/2 Vancouver.

• 02/28/09 - CTVglobemedia has forecast a loss of close to $100 million this year on its over-the-air television operations and continues to lose money on its A stations in Canada.  It announced earlier that it is not renewing the licenses of two of its southern Ontario A stations, with CIVI-TV/53 Victoria a possible target as it may consider similar actions in other local markets.  Grant Surridge, National Post  Grant Robertson, Globe and Mail

• 02/28/09 - Veteran sports broadcaster Garry Raible is leaving his post at News1130 CKWX AM Vancouver and retiring to the Okanagan.  He was one of the originals when the station moved to all news in 1996.  His career goes back to the early 1970s, when he was a soccer color analyst at CJOR.  Greg Douglas Short Hops, Vancouver Sun

• 02/27/09 - An advance copy of the March 2009 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared by Clay Freinwald for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers.

• 02/27/09 - Two administrative jobs have been cut immediately and two vacant positions will not be filled at CFAX AM 1070 Victoria as the CHUM Radio division of CTV Limited announced yesterday it would eliminate 40 positions at nine stations in Canada.  Air staff are not affected.  Times Colonist   Meanwhile there were three administrative layoffs at the company's Vancouver cluster.

• 02/26/09 - Photos of work being done on the foundations for the towers and the preloading for the main building of the new CFUN/CKST Vancouver transmitter site can be viewed here.   Photos are courtesy CTVglobemedia Vancouver radio division engineering.

• 02/26/09 - Several New York television productions are considering moving to Vancouver following the Fox TV network announcement that it has relocated production of its television series Fringe to Vancouver.  Brian Morton, Vancouver Sun

• 02/26/09 - Team 1040 CKST AM Vancouver adds local daytime content next Monday, with Blake Price moving to 9 a.m. to noon, displacing the syndicated U.S.-based Jim Rome Show to evenings on nights that Canucks games aren't being played.  Jim Jamieson, The Province

• 02/26/09 - Radio shows in Seattle are affected by changes in Los Angeles.  Bill Virgin's On Radio, Seattle P-I

• 02/25/09 - CTVglobemedia has announced it will not renew the licenses of two of its southern Ontario A channel stations, arguing that the model for over-the-air conventional television is no longer sustainable.  CIVI-TV/53 Victoria could also be in jeopardy as the company says it may need to consider similar actions in other local markets.  Grant Surridge, Financial Post  Grant Robertson, Globe and Mail

• 02/25/09 - The municipality of Delta has issued a building permit to CTVglobemedia for the construction of seven new towers on 104 Street between Hwy 10 and Hwy 99.  Work has now started on the site to house transmitters for CKST AM 1040 and CFUN AM 1410 Vancouver.

• 02/21/09 - Meteorologist Shannon O'Donnell, most recently a weather anchor for NorthWest Cable News and on the 10 p.m. newscast on KONG-TV/16 Seattle, is now a freelance substitute on KOMO-TV/4.  Seattle P-I

• 02/21/09 - Chilliwack's Rock Station - The Hawk CHWK-FM 89.5 officially signed on shortly after noon yesterday with a humorous look at the area's history beginning in 1858.  It marks the return of the heritage CHWK call letters to Chilliwack.  Jennifer Feinberg, Chilliwack Progress

• 02/20/09 - Chief meteorologist Rebecca Stevenson hosts Another Perfect Storm at 7 p.m. Monday on KIRO-TV/7 Seattle about the Great Coastal Gale of December 2 and 3, 2007.  Seattle P-I

• 02/19/09 - Snohomish County Council voted 3-2 Wednesday to overturn a hearing examiner's ruling that two new transmission towers for a new station on 1520 kHz would pose an unacceptable health risk.  Andy Skotdal, president and general manager of S-R Broadcasting says that construction will start by the end of summer south of Old Snohomish-Monroe Road and east of Highway 9 and the new station will be on air by the end of the year.  Noah Haglund, HeraldNet

• 02/19/09 - Veteran KPLZ-FM 101.5 Seattle programmer Kent Phillips points out that when cars come equipped with wireless Internet technology in the future, audio streams will be available in-vehicle just as traditional broadcast radio is now.  Bill Virgin's On Radio, Seattle P-I

• 02/18/09 - All Access Music Group (sign up service) reports that The BJ Shea Morning Experience has signed on for another five years at KISW-FM 99.9 Seattle.

• 02/18/09 - Starting Monday, KRKO AM 1380 Everett will deliver its new 34,000 watt day/50,000 watt night signal with a new sports programming lineup anchored by the Dan Patrick Show in a.m. drive and Jeff The Fish Aaron in p.m. drive.  Jim Rome and Fox Sports hosts Steve Czaban, Chris Myers, and JT The Brick round out the lineup, as the station partners with Fox Sports Radio.   The new signal is in an FCC authorized testing period and comes with digital HD Radio.  Listeners are encouraged to call the comment line at 425-379-1380 to report on reception.  Yoshiaki Nohara, HeraldNet

• 02/18/09 - Seattle area TV stations, with the exception of KWPX-TV/33, have opted to wait until the new analog shutdown date of June 12.   In Bellingham, KVOS-TV/12 and KBCB-TV/24 have gone dark on their analog frequencies.  Tim Klass, AP/Seattle Times   

• 02/17/09- The Hawk CHWK-FM 89.5 Chilliwack will officially sign on at 12:05 p.m. Friday February 20.  Bruins hockey play-by-play will air beginning at 6:30 with DJs on hand between the second and third period.  The station has been on-air testing since last week.

• 02/16/09 - KOMO-TV/4 Seattle news anchor Kathi Goertzen returned to the anchor desk today.  She relates her story here.

• 02/13/09 - KOMO-TV/4 Seattle news anchor Kathi Goertzen will return to viewer's screens on Monday following brain tumors and eye surgery.  Initially she will anchor the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. news and report on her ordeal over the past few months.  KOMO news  Seattle P-I

• 02/13/09 - Long time broadcaster Ron Able, who worked at CKVN/CFUN Vancouver in the early 1970s, died today from cancer in Winnipeg at age 57.  For the past 12 years he was the morning show host at QX104 CFQX-FM 104.1 Selkirk/Winnipeg.  Services have not yet been announced.  CTV Winnipeg  Winnipeg Sun QX104 tribute

• 02/13/09 - The FCC has granted a Construction Permit to San Juan Island Community Radio for a new station in Friday Harbor to operate at 91.9 MHz.  It will operate with 100 watts at 114 meters HAAT at 48-33-25 123-01-29.  FCC info

• 02/12/09 - The British Columbia Institute of Technology is holding its Broadcast and Media Communications Reunion for everyone who got their start in BCIT's Broadcast Program on Friday, April 3 at the BCIT Broadcast Centre, Building SE10.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m.  Further info

• 02/12/09 - Northwest Indy Radio is planning two FM stations in Glenoma, which could someday be heard on translators in Seattle.  Bill Virgin's On Radio, Seattle P-I

• 02/11/09 - Effective immediately, the CRTC has eliminated its policy restricting the broadcast of hits by English-language commercial FM radio stations in English-language markets in Canada.  This policy change will likely effect the programming of Greatest Hits of All Time CKCL-FM 104.9 Vancouver.  CRTC decision  Grant Robertson, Globe and Mail

• 02/11/09 - The Hawk CHWK-FM 89.5 Chilliwack has begun signal testing. The station will operate with a maximum ERP of 1600 watts at 188.7 meters HAAT at 49-06-35 121-50-52.  Format will be Diversified Rock, targeted at listeners 18-54.

• 02/10/09 - Rainier Radio has returned after being off line for several months.  The site targets archives from the "Second Golden Age of Radio" from the 1950s to 70s, including contributions from Seattle icons Pat O'Day and John Maynard.  Bill Virgin January 2008 Seattle P-I

• 02/10/09 - KJR-FM 95.7 Seattle has started reporting only the good news.  As of yesterday (02/09) the station promotes, "Starting today, KJR-FM reports Only the Good News. You can get bad news anywhere."

• 02/09/09 - Crooner Michael Buble filled in as color commentator Saturday night with regular play-by-play announcer John Shorthouse on the Vancouver Canucks/Chicago Blackhawks broadcast on Team CKST AM 1040.  Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun

• 02/09/09 - Film pioneer Hugh Spencer-Phillips died February 4 at age 71.  He worked for the CBC from 1967 to 1979 on productions such as the Beachcombers and Ritter's Cove and later as an independent on TV series, movies and feature films in Vancouver, including 21 Jump Street and Da Vinci's Inquest.  A private memorial service will be held at a later date.   Sun/Province obituary

• 02/07/09 - The recession hits all-sports radio in Canada hardest in Vancouver and Toronto, with Team CKST AM 1040 Vancouver revenue off 20% and the added burden of an annual $1.2 million Vancouver Canucks rights fee.  William Houston, Globe and Mail

• 02/06/09 - The postponement of the mandatory transition to digital TV in the U.S. until June has resulted in confusion at many stations.  The major Seattle stations, KOMO-TV/4, KING-TV/5 and KONG-TV/16 will wait until June 12 to shut down their analog transmitters, with KIRO-TV/7 and KCPQ-TV/13 undecided.  KCTS-TV/9 says it will continue to transmit analog until June 12.  Seattle P-I

• 02/06/09 - Canwest Global Communications has given itself six to eight weeks to complete a review of its E! network stations in Victoria, Kelowna, Montreal, Hamilton and Red Deer and says it has received interest from potential buyers.  Two major players, Rogers Communications and Astral Media, say they are not looking at the E! network assets.  The stations could be shut down if a buyer can't be found in the next two months.  Grant Robertson, Globe and Mail

• 02/05/09 - Canwest Global Communications is considering selling CHEK-TV/6 Victoria and CHBC-TV/2 Kelowna, along with its television stations in Montreal, Hamilton and Red Deer.  The company says that they will not be part the core of its operations in the future.  Canadian Press/CBC  Canwest release  Victoria Times Colonist

• 02/05/09 - The House voted 264-158 on Wednesday to postpone the long planned national transition to digital TV to June 12, to address growing concerns that too many Americans won't be ready by the February 17 deadline.  The Senate passed the measure last week and the bill now heads to President Obama for signing.   TV stations may switch to digital sooner than June if they choose.  Joelle Tessler, AP/Seattle P-I

• 02/05/09 - John Maynard and John Kessler present audio rarities and gems on Record Bin Roulette, that debuts Friday at 7:30 p.m., repeated at 1 p.m. Saturdays, on KPLU-FM 88.5.  Bill Virgin's On Radio, Seattle P-I

• 02/04/09 - Buddy Holly's That'll Be the Day began as a regional hit in Vancouver, Buffalo, and Philadelphia 20 months prior to the rock star's death in an Iowa plane crash February 3, 1959, which also took the lives of Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.  Tom Hawthorn, Globe and Mail  

• 02/03/09 - The New Broadcast Partners has appointed AAA/Alternative programmer Chris Mays to handle AAA and alternative programming and consulting. She has over 30 years of radio programming experience, much of it in the Seattle market, including the creation of The Mountain KMTT-FM 103.7 in 1991, which she programmed for 15 years before moving to San Francisco.  She was also the program director of KZAM, until changing the station to KLSY in 1983.  New Broadcast Partners release

• 02/03/08 - Former long time Victoria radio and TV personality Keith MacKenzie died at Nanaimo General Hospital on January 28 at age 79.   He began his career as a sportscaster at CHEK-TV and CKDA/CFMS-FM in the early 1950s before becoming executive vice president of CKDA/CFMS.  He was likely best known as CKDA's Roving Reporter.  He had lived in Parksville for the past 18 years.  A celebration of life will be held on February 6 at 2 p.m. at Knox United Church in Parksville.  Victoria Times/Colonist obituary

• 02/02/09 - Bob Blackburn, the original play-by-play voice of the Seattle SuperSonics, continues to convalesce at a hospital facility in north Seattle following a head injury suffered in a fall in December.  Best wishes can be sent to him c/o Timber Ridge, 100 Timber Ridge Way, Issaquah WA 98027 or by email to his son at la.bob@hotmail.com.   Steve Kelley, Seattle Times

• 02/02/09 - Shore Media Group Inc., licensee of the yet to be launched AAA format CHHR-FM 104.1 Vancouver, has applied to the CRTC to move to 104.3 MHz and increase its maximum ERP from 8,000 to 10,000 watts at 600 meters HAAT. There is an application on file with the FCC to move KAFE-FM 104.3 Bellingham to 104.1 to facilitate the move of KMCQ-FM 104.5 Covington into the Seattle market.  CRTC info  FCC info

• 01/30/09 - The on-again off-again digital TV transition, originally scheduled for February 17, may yet be delayed until at least June 12.  Another vote to delay the shut down of analog TV in the U.S. could happen next week, but there are possible snags.  Jim Puzzanghera, Los Angeles Times

• 01/30/09 - The digital television transition in the U.S. will remain February 17, as the House defeated the bill that would have moved it to June 12.  MSNBC

• 01/30/09 - SamSno Educational Media is selling the construction permit for KBSG-FM 89.3 Glenoma and its translators in Manzanita and Hoquiam to Northwest Indy Radio for $1.

• 01/29/09 - February 3 marks the 50th anniversary of "The Day the Music Died" and the Iowa plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, JP Richardson.   Valens had played Vancouver a few weeks earlier on a booking arranged by broadcaster Red Robinson.  Red recalls   Des Moines Register video

• 01/29/09 - In an appeals hearing, Snohomish County Council has voted 3-2 to overturn a hearing examiner's October ruling that halted construction on two controversial AM radio towers south of Snohomish.  The decision, which may be appealed to Snohomish Superior Court, opens the way for a new full-power AM station on 1520.  David Chircop, HeraldNet

• 01/29/09 - Gabriola Radio Society has applied to the CRTC for an English-language FM Type B community radio station on Gabriola Island, to operate at 98.7 MHz with an ERP of 80 watts non-directional at 178 meters HAAT.  CRTC info

• 01/29/09 - Rock radio legend Pat O'Day celebrates the 50th anniversary of his first day on the air in Seattle as he looks back at his radio days and laments the current state of the business.  Non-com KUOW-FM 94.9 barely edges out KIRO-FM/AM for top spot.  Bill Virgin's On Radio, Seattle P-I

• 01/28/09 - An advance copy of the February 2009 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared by Clay Freinwald for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers.

• 01/28/09 - The FCC has granted Voluntary Assignment of License from First Broadcasting Capital Partners, LLC to Steven L. Rhyner for KBDB-FM 103.9 and KBIS AM 1490 Forks.  Announcement of the sale was made last month.

• 01/28/09 - The Canadian Association of Broadcasters has announced the cancellation of its 2009 convention in Vancouver and has made a number of senior management changes as part of a restructuring of its operations.  CAB announcement

• 01/28/09 - KUBE-FM 93.3 Seattle program director Eric Powers will add the PD duties for KISS KBKS-FM 106.1 when Clear Channel Communications takes over the station from CBS Radio in March.

• 01/27/09 - The Senate voted unanimously Monday to delay the transition from analog to digital television broadcasting by four months to June 12.  The House of Representatives is working on companion legislation to solidify the delay, and the government is expected to relaunch an intensified campaign to inform viewers of the change.  Locally, Seattle-area community groups are opening centers to help residents make the change.  Reuters/Yahoo   AP/Seattle P-I

• 01/25/09 - Local personalities share their thoughts on the January 16th passing of Dr. Bundolo's Pandemonium Medicine Show announcer Dan McAfee.  CBC obituary

• 01/24/09 - The Obama administration is seeking a delay from February 17 to June 12 for the digital TV conversion to give the government more time to fix a subsidy program for digital converter boxes, but it would come at a price.  Joelle Tessler, AP/Seattle P-I

• 01/22/09 - Former 17-year CHEK-TV/6 Victoria reporter/anchor Robin Adair has been named B.C. Liberal party candidate for the riding of Saanich South.  The seat is currently held by NDP MLA David Cubberley, who is retiring from politics.  Victoria Times-Colonist

• 01/22/09 - Former Vancouver broadcaster Peter Weissbach returns to local airwaves with a one-hour daily talk show on KVI AM 570 Seattle beginning February 9.  He hosted at CJOR Vancouver during the 1980s before moving to Edmonton and then the US with shows in Portland, San Diego and KVI and KIRO Seattle.  BlatherWatch

• 01/22/09 - The CBC has applied to the CRTC to add a subsidiary communications multiplex operations (SCMO) channel to its French language station CBUF-FM 97.7 Vancouver to broadcast multi-cultural programs in Fijian Hindi along with English programs for Canadian-born Fijians.  CRTC info

• 01/22/09 - KJR AM 950 Seattle shares sports-talk programming with sister station KHHO AM 850 Tacoma as local radio uncertainty picks up and KIRO AM 710 plans to drop its news-talk format this spring.  Bill Virgin's On Radio, Seattle P-I

• 01/21/09 - The massive 1850 people layoff announced yesterday by Clear Channel Communications so far appears to have hit the Seattle-Tacoma market relatively lightly.  Locally, Abbey Still, on-air personality and music director at The Funky Monkey KFNK-FM 104.9 exits.  She had been with the station since April 2006.

• 01/20/09 - News/Talk KIRO AM 710/KIRO-FM 97.3 continues in first place in the Seattle-Tacoma market Arbitron 12+ Fall '08 ratings.  Tied for second are Warm KRWM-FM 106.9 and Talk KTTH AM 770.   Complete 12+ numbers can be viewed at Radio & Records.   Click on the Ratings tab at the top of the page, then type "Seattle" into the Market Name box.  Next update is scheduled for April 28.

• 01/20/09 - KJR AM 950 Seattle and sister station KHHO AM 850 Tacoma have shifted their sports affiliation from ESPN Radio to Fox Sports Radio, with the latter now identifying as South Sounds Sports 850.

• 01/19/09 - TV viewers north of the border will not be able to watch US commercials during Super Bowl XLIII as they have during recent years, unless they have access to KING-TV/5 Seattle over the air or have a "gray market" US-based satellite service.  Canadian cable and satellite services which carry programs simultaneously with US stations are obliged to substitute local commercials.  In previous years, viewers have managed to circumvent this by watching out of market eastern TV signals.  Last month the CRTC responded to a complaint by CTV and has ordered all carriers to comply with simultaneous substitution regulations.  CRTC release

• 01/18/09 - Vancouver's established FM stations evolve in response to new challenges.  Stuart Derdeyn, The Province  The arrival of new Triple-A stations in Vancouver, led by The Peak CKPK-FM 100.5, add new life to the radio market.  Stuart Derdeyn, The Province  Assistant program director Tamara Stanners hosts a video tour of The Peak.

• 01/17/09 - Very popular and long-time QM/FM CHQM-FM 103.5 morning co-host Terry Reid signed off for the final time yesterday morning.  Sign-off audio can be heard at RadioWest and further Terry Reid airchecks are available at RadioWest's Terry Reid-A-Thon.

• 01/17/09 - Dan McAfee, who was a CBC Vancouver radio & TV announcer during the 1960s and 70s, died yesterday (01/16) at age 73.  He also appeared in CBC's Dr. Bundolo's Pandemonium Medicine Show during the 1970s.   Province/Sun obituary

• 01/15/09 - A multi-year partnership has been announced with the Seattle Sounders FC that will bring the club's soccer matches and pre and post game shows to KIRO-FM 97.3 starting in mid March.  MyNorthwest.com 

• 01/15/09 - Chris Bennett hints that his three Seattle market AM stations could be reduced to two or even one as ad sales slump.   KMCQ-FM 104.5 Covington should return to the air soon following weather-related blockage of fuel to run its generator.  First Broadcasting is still working on its proposal to move the transmitter to Cougar Mountain.  Oldies return as KIXI AM 880 adds Shake Rattle and Showtime for two hours Saturdays at 6 p.m.  Bill Virgin's On Radio, Seattle P-I

• 01/14/09 - Seattle market KONG-TV/16 will cease analog broadcasting at 9:00 a.m. on February 6th, ahead of the mandated February 17th date.  KING-TV info  KING-TV/KONG-TV analog/digital comparative coverage maps.

• 01/14/09 - After completing all radiation treatments and being treated with a new drug to target what remains of her brain tumor, an upbeat Kathi Goertzen hopes to be back anchoring news at KOMO-TV/4 Seattle within two weeks.  KOMO-TV news

• 01/13/09 - Kevin Gemmell, station manager & general sales manager of The Hawk CHWK-FM 89.5 Chilliwack has announced the staff lineup for the soon to launch station: Glen Slingerland, PD/mornings; Tim Amey, news director/mornings; Sadie Hesketh, middays; Ken Boyd, p.m. drive; Jennifer Coles, news reporter; Rob Fitzgerald, swing/weekends; Matt Wallace, production manager; Rhonda Lee Ross, administration/creative and Randy Merkley, sports director/play-by-play.  Sales staff include Gary Pigeon and Brad Smart.  Engineer is Bayne Opseth.  The website will launch soon.

• 01/13/09 - The Board of Directors at Salt Spring Radio Corp., owner of CFSI-FM 107.9 Salt Spring Island, has hired Bob Simpson as station manager effective March 1.  He is currently manager of CIVL-FM 88.5 Abbotsford, the yet to sign on community/college station at the University of the Fraser Valley.  CFSI has set a tentative sign-on & testing date of April 1.

• 01/11/09 - Long time broadcaster Don West has retired from his position at Vancouver market AM 650 CISL AM 650 with his final broadcast last weekend.  Additonally Big Daddy Dave McCormick is on air 4 days a week 10 a.m - 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday along with voice tracking duties and Brook Ward has been added to the air team of the the Vancouver Giants broadcasts, hosting pre-game reports and intermissions.  Meanwhile, a power outage at the studio almost held up the Thursday launch of Virgin Radio at sister station CKZZ-FM 95.3.

• 01/09/09 - Seattle market KISS FM KBKS-FM 106.1 has signed On-Air With Ryan Seacrest to run from noon to 3 p.m. starting January 12, moving Kristen the Island Girl to 10 a.m. to noon.  She will also be the local producer of Seacrest's show.

• 01/09/09 - Hearst Newspaper Division President Steve Swartz told Seattle P-I employees today that the Hearst Corp. is starting a 60-day process to find a buyer, confirming an earlier report by KING-TV/5.   Options include moving to a digital-only operation with a greatly reduced staff, or completely shutting down.  KING-TV news  Seattle Times  Dan Richman and Andrea James, Seattle P-I  Times update

• 01/09/09 - Seattle P-I publisher Roger Oglesby is mum over a report on KING-TV/5 that the paper will be put up for sale and could ultimately be shut down.  Dan Richman and Andrea James, Seattle P-I  Seattle Times  KING-TV news

• 01/09/09 - Angela Russell will join KIRO-TV/7 Eyewitness News in March to co-anchor the 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts with Steve Raible.   Margo Myers will continue anchoring noon newscasts as well as some morning news shows.  Seattle P-I

• 01/09/09 - Virgin Radio 9 5 3 CKZZ-FM 95.3 Vancouver launched yesterday at 4 p.m.  Air staff include Nat and Drew weekday mornings, Sarah 9 a.m. to noon, Kiah noon to 3 and The Rush with Buzz and KJ afternoons 3 to 6.  Weekend shows include Saturday Night Fever,  American Top 40 and The UK Hit 40.  Astral Media release

• 01/08/09 - Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium has announced a 91-person English-language on-air team for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, which includes hosts, play-by-play announcers, analysts, reporters and Olympians. The list includes notable Vancouver personalities Don Taylor, Dave Randorf, Farhan Lalji and Perry Solkowski along with former Vancouver broadcasters Dave Hodge and Brad Fay.  Broadcaster Magazine

• 01/08/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications has appointed Troy A. McGuire Vice President and General Manager of Fisher Interactive Network.  He retains the title of VP News and Programming and returns to Seattle from Bakersfield, California.  Fisher release

• 01/08/09- KMCQ-FM 104.5 Covington has been off air for several weeks and its future remains uncertain.  Bill Virgin's On Radio, Seattle P-I

• 01/07/09 - Former KVOS-TV/12 Bellingham newsman Andy Anderson died Sunday, January 4.  He was 77.  He worked as a stringer for KIRO radio during the 1948 election, before moving to KVOS radio in Bellingham in the late 1950s.  Anderson made the transition to KVOS-TV, where he worked for 29 years as news anchor, news director and public affairs director, before being laid off in 1984.  He also is credited with playing a key role in the development of the PACE trusted-traveler program to speed up border crossings.   In recent years, he was active in the City Club, a civic education organization. John Stark, Bellingham Herald   A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 10 at Moles Bayview Chapel in Bellingham.  Bellingham Herald obituary

• 01/07/09 - Former Sonics play-by-play voice, Kevin Calabro, is the first major hire for the new KIRO AM 710 Seattle all-sports format debuting April 1.  Gary Washburn, Seattle P-I

• 01/07/09 - CTVglobemedia has received a Development Permit from Delta Municipality to construct the new consolidated transmitter site for CFUN AM 1410 and CKST AM 1040 Vancouver.  Preliminary site work will start next week, with a projected on air date of September 1.

• 01/07/09 - It will be mostly business as usual at CKZZ-FM 95.3 Vancouver, but with "a more eclectic mix" Thursday as the station takes on the new Virgin Radio image.  Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun

• 01/06/09 - Popular QM/FM CHQM-FM 103.5 Vancouver morning show co-host Terry Reid is leaving his position in the next couple of weeks.  Terry, who has been with the station for 16 years, will sleep in for awhile and concentrate on his voice work with Descriptive Video Works, which provides described video for visually impaired TV viewers.  His wife, Diane Johnson, founded the company in 2003.   Mike Shaeffer, most recently the morning co-host of Air 1 Radio, will take over his position.

• 01/05/09 - Veteran broadcaster and voice over artist Bill Reiter, aka DJZigZag on WAGRadio, will spin vinyl (yes, vinyl) on the Bro Jake morning show on Classic Rock 101 CFMI-FM 101.1 Vancouver Wednesday, January 7th sometime after 8 a.m.  YouTube Vinyl  Rock101 photos

• 01/04/09 - Blanche DeBrunner, who worked in the sales department of CBC Radio/TV Vancouver for 27 years, died December 30th at age 81.   She began her broadcast career at CJOC Lethbridge AB.  Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, January 7 at Burquitlam Funeral Home in Coquitlam.  Sun/Province obituary

• 01/04/09 - Environment Canada, Global B.C. CHAN-TV/8 and CKNW AM 980 Vancouver meteorologist Mark Madryga, whose regular work schedule starts at 3 a.m., now gets to sleep in on the weekends.  Cheryl Chan, The Province

• 01/04/09 - Seventy year old award-winning CFAX AM 1070 Victoria talk show host Joe Easingwood heads into his 55th year on-air, with 13,000 broadcast days to his credit.  Victoria Times Colonist

• 01/03/09 - CKZZ-FM 95.3 Vancouver, now known as 95 Crave, will flip to Virgin Radio 9 5 3 on January 8 and focus on a Hot AC format.  Astral Media Inc. announced last month that it would roll out the Virgin Radio brand across Canada in early January for its Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal stations.  The partnership between Astral Media and Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Radio International was launched last year with the introduction of Virgin Radio 999 Toronto.  Astral Media release

• 01/03/09 - CHEK-TV/6 Victoria will relaunch its evening news programming Monday by putting a stronger focus on local content.  Scott Fee will anchor 30-minute local newscasts at 5 and 6 p.m. weekdays, with Global National at 5:30 and a half-hour news magazine program hosted by Dana Hutchings at 6:30.  A half-hour 11 p.m. newscast will be added Saturdays, hosted by Skye Ryan.   Jennifer Crosby leaves to take a position at Global Edmonton.  Joanne Hatherly, Victoria Times Colonist

• 01/02/09 - Seattle-based Fisher Communications has announced that it has reached an agreement in principle on a carriage agreement with Charter Communications, which carries Fisher's programming on its cable systems in Seattle, Portland, Eugene and Yakima.  Fisher release

• 01/01/09 - Radio suffers through a rough year despite political advertising, and more cuts are yet to come, running the risk of disconnecting stations and their audience.  Bill Virgin's On Radio, Seattle P-I

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