by Jack Bennest » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:47 am
forgive me but this man I really respect - thanks to SO/WNY board
Dick Smyth's Commentary on the CHUM Sale
I stand to make a few bucks on my CHUM stock yet I
deeply regret yesterday's news.
It marks the end of a unique part of Canadian
broadcasting;. But it also is a serious blow to
diversity and a classic example of what happens when
the beancounters and the suits replace the
broadcasters and the creatives in the board room.
CHUM increasingly has become a mean minded place in
recent years. Its corporate arrogance was well
displayed yesterday by implementing major
changes and major layoffs immediately. This is
something that must be considered and approved by the
CRTC. Yet CHUM has acted as though it were a "fait
accompli." However, given the lapdog character of our
once tough broadcast regulator, it probably is.
This acquisition is bad news for advertisers,
equipment and program suppliers, the public and for
people in broadcast careers.
Never in my days at CHUM did I ever think it someday
would be owned by the god-damned telephone company!
Dick Smyth