TORONTO – One of the applicants vying for a spot in the Toronto radio market has launched a grassroots campaign designed to elicit support from its future listeners.
Biz88 FM, the all-talk business news and information station proposed by independent broadcaster Channel Zero, launched the campaign on Monday encouraging supporters to visit its website and send a letter of support to the CRTC on its behalf.
“The CRTC takes your comments seriously – please show them your support for Business News in Toronto”, reads the web page which requests participation prior to April 2, 2012. The CRTC has confirmed plans to hold a hearing on May 7, 2012 at the Allstream Centre in Toronto to consider the 23 applications.
"Business is a missing radio format in Toronto and in Canada overall. Toronto radio reports more sports than business, and for the home of our nation’s largest capital market, this is truly absurd,” said Bryan Woodruff, Channel Zero’s general manager of radio, in a statement. “With personal debt levels peaking and heightened concern over the impact global markets will have on all of us here at home, there's never been a more critical time to launch this type of station.”
But the fledgling station faces some stiff competition from the likes of established radio broadcasters CBC, NewCap, Larche Communications and Evanov Radio Group who is seeking to relocate its Z103.5 station (Proud-FM) to the coveted 88.1 MHz frequency.
