Newsgroups: ont.singles
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!csri.toronto.edu!pkern
From: pkern@csri.toronto.edu (pkern)
Subject: damn!
Message-ID: <8901050507.AA13864@bloor.csri.toronto.edu>
Organization: University of Toronto, CSRI
Distribution: ont
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 89 00:07:58 EST


 From "Pop Notes" by Craig MacInnis in the Toronto Star,
 Wednesday, Jan 4/89, on page F1   [reprinted without permission]

	   "The spirit of radio" -- the slogan that once summarized
	CFNY's adventurous programming policy -- has lost its soul.
	   With the resignation last week of program director Don Berns,
	regarded by many as the best in local radio, the once-progressive
	Brampton station seems destined for the mainstream.
	   "Our music selection will be reduced to about 1,200 songs," one
	insider told me yesterday. "That compares to about 10,000 cuts a
	few years ago."
	   Although CFNY's programming has been in transition for
	the past year -- vacillating between commercial fare and
	esoteric electro-pop -- it was the recent arrival of radio consultant
	Doug Pringle that tipped long-time staffers to the stylistic overhaul.
	   Pringle arrived last Thursday.  Berns, who had held the pro-
	gramming post for the past 1 1/2 years, gave his notice Friday.
	   "I do not wish to program a radio station that I simply don't
	have my heart in programming," Berns said yesterday.
	   "It's simply their definition of modern rock versus my defini-
	tion of modern rock."
	   In the old days, "modern rock" meant an eclectic mix that ranged
	from a heavy load of Canadian pop to an even heavier dose of
	European dance tracks and British rock. From _Teenage Head_ to
	_Talking Heads_, from _The Stranglers_ to _Cabaret Voltaire_.
	   Now, under Pringle, a veteran consultant who has "designed"
	formats for several western Canadian FM stations, there's
	talk of a vastly different playlist.  Tune in today and you'll likely
	hear the results.
	   "Madonna, Rick Astley, Samantha Fox ... you name it,
	they're going to play it," said one disgruntled source.
	   Although Pringle was not available for comment, the sta-
	tion is also expected to launch a major TV campaign in coming
	weeks to acquaint listeners with the new sound.
	   Berns has asked to remain with the station in another capacity.
	   With 'Streets Of Ontario', deejay Liz Janik's weekly salute to
	independent bands, CFNY earned a reputation as one of the nation's
	leaders in promoting home-grown acts.
	   The CASBYs, the station's annual awards show, remains the
	best showcase for up-and-comers ignored by the more conservative Junos.
	   With a new format aiming for the Top 40, CFNY has finally fled
	to the middle, where most of Toronto's radio already resides.
	   Dispiriting, eh?


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