Rogers Gets Its 24 Hours News Channel
In the wake of the less than well-received Bills game and the passing of its founder, Rogers finally has a reason to celebrate today. Earlier this morning the CRTC finally made a decision approving Rogers Broadcasting's application for a 24 hour Toronto news channel.
Shocking news I know given that Rogers' Citytv juggernaut can't even find anything interesting to put on Breakfast Television. Now, with 24 hours to fill, how many traffic accidents and changing weather conditions can they possible cover? Perhaps they'll continue their current strategy of recycling day old story ideas from various un-named local blogs?
Of course, the decision to let Rogers try its hand at 24 hour news is not without controversy or repercussions. There is much speculation whether the city actually needs a 24 hour news channel given that more and more of us are relying on web-based sources to get our breaking news and information.
Then there's CTV's CP24 - Toronto's other (and currently only) 24 hour local news channel. (Previous coverage of their failed web launch here) It's pretty clear now that this station isn't going anywhere. There were some rumours that CTV might sell it back to Rogers but with the news today the possibility of the CRTC letting that happen should be pretty much nil.
