RADIO: Cutting costs and increasing ads just alienate listeners who now must be chased everywhere

TORONTO – It’s generally accepted among those who work in radio in Canada (and those who observe it) that the industry is still pretty strong. Despite predictions of its demise and the general weakness in the radio business south of the border, Canadian radio companies have continued to see modest growth over the years. “Why is that?” was one of the questions asked last week during the President’s Panel at the Ontario Association of Broadcasters conference held in Toronto last Thursday. Each of the five radio executives (Astral Radio EVP Charles Benoit, Corus Radio president Chris Pandoff, Rogers Radio CEO...