Bell Media Bounces 25 Stations Across Canada To New Variety Hits Brand

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Bell Media Bounces 25 Stations Across Canada To New Variety Hits Brand - RadioInsight

Bell Media continues its nationalization of brands across Canada with the launch of Variety Hits “Bounce” on 25 stations across the country. Positioning as “The Music You Just Can’t Quit”, the stations are now focusing on a Pop/Rock leaning playlist from the 1980s through 2000s. The biggest...

radioinsight.com

Bell Media will use the Bounce name for their radio stations

Other stations making the change to “Bounce” today include:

• AC “102.9 K-Lite” CKLH Hamilton ON
• Classic Hits “99.5 K-Fun” CKKW Kitchener/Waterloo ON
• Variety Hits “96.1 Bob-FM” CKX-FM Brandon MB
• Classic Hits “92.3 The Dock” CJOS Owen Sound ON
• Classic Hits “104.1 The Dock” CICZ Midland ON
• Variety Hits “91.9 Bob-FM” CKLY Lindsay ON
• Rock “105.3 The Fox” CFXY Fredericton NB
• Rock “Big Dog 100.9” CKTO Truro NS
• Hot AC “K93” 93.5 CIKS Grand Falls NB
• Hot AC “Max 104.9” CKBC Bathurst NB
• Variety Hits “103.7 Bob-FM” CJPT Brockville ON
• Rock “101.5 The Bear” CKNL Fort St. John BC
• Rock “102.3 The Bear” CKRX Fort Nelson BC
• AC “EZ Rock 800” CKOR Penticton BC
• AC “EZ Rock 98.5” CHOR-FM Summerland
• AC “EZ Rock 1240” CJOR Osyoos BC
• AC “EZ Rock 95.7” CJAT Kootenays BC
• AC “EZ Rock 106.9” CKKC-FM Nelson BC
• AC “EZ Rock 91.5” CKXR-FM Salmon Arm BC
• AC “EZ Rock 106.3” CKCR Revelstoke BC
• AC “EZ Rock 106.3” CKGR-FM Golden BC
• AC “EZ Rock 590” CFTK Terrace BC
• AC “EZ Rock 97.7” CKTK-FM Kitimat BC
• AC “EZ Rock 99.1” CHTK-FM Prince Rupert BC

 

[Yeziknoradio]

Bell Media Bounces 25 Stations Across Canada To New Variety Hits Brand - RadioInsight

Bell Media continues its nationalization of brands across Canada with the launch of Variety Hits “Bounce” on 25 stations across the country. Positioning as “The Music You Just Can’t Quit”, the stations are now focusing on a Pop/Rock leaning playlist from the 1980s through 2000s. The biggest...

radioinsight.com

Bell Media will use the Bounce name for their radio stations

Excellent post, but be sure to check here to see if Bell adds any more Bounce stations: Bounce

So now it's both Move and Bounce FM cookie cutters for Bell, along with the Virgin radio stations etc...
Yes, this also means no more BOB FM Canada. Some Bear Rock stations doing a flip to the new Bounce format and Dock FM's in smaller markets (Midland Ontario and Owen Sound) now gone.

 

[DavidEduardo]

So now it's both Move and Bounce FM cookie cutters for Bell, along with the Virgin radio stations etc...

This is Canada following the custom set in Europe and elsewhere in the world of doing national formats, which I see as what will happen in the US over time.

 

[louis_p]

This is Canada following the custom set in Europe and elsewhere in the world of doing national formats, which I see as what will happen in the US over time.

It’s happening in the US as well. iHeart has their cookie-cutter brands (Alt, Kiss, Bull, Power, Breeze) in most markets as well.

When Bell decimated the heritage rhythmic station 94.5 The Beat in Vancouver for Virgin Radio, it was a top story on the local news with upset fans protesting. Yet, after a few books, the station rose to #2 in the market and the fans reluctantly accept it. The same can’t be said for TSN 1040 (now a comedy station).

 

[DavidEduardo]

It’s happening in the US as well. iHeart has their cookie-cutter brands (Alt, Kiss, Bull, Power, Breeze) in most markets as well.

That is an exaggeration. "Kiss" can be anything from Churban to Rhythmic Top 40 to CHR to Hot AC. The reason for standard names is that, in the internet age, you can't get by just with a state trademark. All brands are national, and a webcast from New Hampshire called "The Zombie" (just an example) can cause a national mark to be registered and prevent anyone in Alaska or Puerto Rico from using it.

Most of those same-name stations integrate national and local talent, local service elements and local ads into a local music log (which will, of course, be pretty much the same all over the US), but each station is not cookie-cutter... it is just an appropriate implementation of a major format in each market.

When Bell decimated the heritage rhythmic station 94.5 The Beat in Vancouver for Virgin Radio, it was a top story on the local news with upset fans protesting. Yet, after a few books, the station rose to #2 in the market and the fans reluctantly accept it. The same can’t be said for TSN 1040 (now a comedy station).

Lots of broadcasters are trying to figure out what to do with dead AM stations. Nearly none are worth keeping unless, in the US, they can be used for an FM translator.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

Lots of broadcasters are trying to figure out what to do with dead AM stations. Nearly none are worth keeping unless, in the US, they can be used for an FM translator.

AM radio in Canada had a benefit well into the 90's where FM was required to play 49% non hits. When that was thrown out it really messed up what to do with AM radio. It's too bad nobody wants to rush out and buy an HD radio today. That would be the place to dump all AM formats, putting AM to rest.
Here in Canada, it seems cars are the only place where HD is readily available, coming with almost every new vehicle.
A good start. At least it makes drivers aware of what HD is, and what can be found on it. (at the very least)