TV Week blogger Joe Leary is a freelance writer, broadcaster and TEAM 1040 reporter/host. Catch his weekly blog as he dishes on Vancouver's celebrity gossip.
Update from Joe Leary: Thank you for your support
By Joe Leary
It’s been an interesting and challenging week to be in radio as my employer, for the better part of the past four years, TALK 1410 (CFUN), flipped from news-oriented talk programming to an all-sports format, resulting in the loss of some nineteen staff positions including all on air hosts and producers.
With no shortage of people contacting me either directly or indirectly via text, phone calls, e-mails, facebook, and various and sundry additional means including a number of reader and listener enquiries here at www.tvweekonline.ca I felt the need to respond to those wishing to learn of my employment status.
First and foremost, I thank all of those concerned. There is nothing more flattering and comforting to know that you’re in people’s thoughts upon hearing news that your career may have been halted, or at the very least, interrupted.
I am, in fact still employed and will be remaining at CFUN, as the morning show host at the newly-rebranded Team 1410; brother station to Vancouver’s flagship all-sports property, Team 1040.
As in any walk of life, it’s not easy to see people, who you regard as friends lose their jobs, and difficult for those remaining to rationalize the fact that it’s unlikely you will ever work together again and in most cases, likely never even see each other again.
Such was the case with the demise of TALK 1410, some thirteen years after numerous variations of news and information-oriented talk programming failed to resonate.
Sadly, with ever-declining advertising revenues and no one particular talk hybrid or variation appearing to ignite a large enough segment of the listening audience to make it imminently profitable, the decision was made to retool the entire radio station and rebrand it as a second all-sports property for the Vancouver market.
During the halcyon days of the sixties and seventies, CFUN was a veritable Top 40 powerhouse, battling the then CKLG (AM 730) for pop ratings dominance.
But as the ensuing decade brought about continual decline and erosion within the ranks of those that sought out the AM band for music listening, the station – originally launched in 1928 as CKMO – decided to throw its hat in the talk arena in 1996.
After constantly hovering within the lower reaches of the overall Vancouver radio ratings, a decision to re-format and rebrand CFUN was imminent.
I wish to thank all of my colleagues and co-workers for their camaraderie and good-natured rivalry over the years, and a special thank you to all of you who have expressed your thoughts and well wishes. Hopefully you’ll tune me in on the all-new Team 1410 beginning next week.
Comments
Listening to sports
It is great to hear that you will still have a job. I loved listening to you and Jen and Art. Alas I am no sports fan and as such will likely not be tuning in to hear you. But good luck anyhow!
Well, retool time.
Joe. I was your number one fan of the Jenn and Joe show... I always gave you 10s in the surveys. I was really shocked to hear about Jenns health issues. When that show was done, I was fairly upset,....Had finally found a show that made me laugh out loud. That was the afternoon show. Chemistry was different on the mornings,.. I think I am of similar demographics with you. Got kicks out of the stories you told of your night crawls, which changed with your morning show... Question is, what time is your morning show on, and when does it start?
joe leary
why don't you take the high road Joe and walk, just based on principle after what this station did to all your co workers?
The Big Sell Out of CFUN 1410 (No Fun 1410)
Fox news is tabloid news at best and a joke on society. ESPN on air staff would not know a baseball from a cricket mallet, so they too are just tabloid sports. Sort of Howard Stern style.
Good luck Joe, I really mean that. However, I have changed my preset, so if 1410 wants to reach me they could start by a reply to my numerous emails. What happened to my VIP status am I just a non VIP now? Thanks for that! CFUN has my email, its their call now.
will enjoy listening to your voice on the radio but...
loved your humour on the talk 1410..maybe compromise with humour and daily life stories involving atheletes..but juicy gossip stories...there's too much sports and it's killing the appreciation of art in Vancouver...I should of kept more of your shows on tape..never get tires of you, Art and Dave Brindle.............athelites love to eat, a restaurant clip would be fun and they love to travel...how about some travel.. sorry but pleasant memories can live again
Carol , long time listener
Little need for another sports stn.
I find it hard to believe that we in Vancouver need another All Sports station....I get all the sports news I need from CKNW........(Which is my default setting if 1410 was airing Crap on the weekends). Team 1040 is available if one needs MORE sport programming.........................................COME ON.!
There is not enough choice for decent talk radio here in the Lower Mainland........And now it is even more bleak!........................Best of luck to all the on air personell and producers/(great on air banter) Joe, Jen, Art, Ryan, Simi, Renee, Dave, Nikki,Val and All.........A sincereThank You for the many, many hours of entertaining chat.
Former devoted listener,Current "Bored Dogwalker"
R. Goodchild. Coq. B.C.
Will miss you all...
I couldn't believe my ears that morning when the sports was on... I went to the internet right away to see what was going on... and there was the message of the change. I thought you were gone too, only to hear you were saved.
I will miss hearing about what is going on in Vancouver and the great guests you had on. I learned alot about the city... I like your sense of humour.
Hope all goes well. You are great at what you do and hope you enjoy your new venue...
1410
I've just returned from vacation and when I turned on the radio in my car, I thought that something was wrong with the dial. I was listening to what sounded like an American station yapping about sports!
Well, now I know and like many I have changed to CKNW, which can be a tad boring but there is nothing else.
On many, many drives to and from work, depending on when you were on, you brought a smile to my face and as often as not, a great laugh. Both helped to take away the stress of the day. Thank you and all the best.
Jenn & Joe
Sad to see you "off" the air. I always considered CFUN as true local radio... unfortunately, no longer. This is what happens as cities and town grow. Sad indeed. for everyone, I hope as one door closes, another one opens.
How is Jenn's health? someone said she's not well. Is that true? Good luck to all, Chris
1410 will be missed
Good luck to you Joe but can't do the same for your current station. Don't need any more sports so won't be listening. Forced to listen to the US these days on the scratchy AM dial because the Vancouver radio market is boring. Annoying the listeners every 6 months with new format directions probably didn't help the CFUN market - unfortunately never seemed to have the knack of building the audience, too much trash and burn methodology.
1410
The Jenn & Joe show in the afternoons was magic. I tuned in most days and laughed. Once you moved to mornings something just wasn't right, namely you Joe. Your pouting about having to get up early got old really quickly. I can only hope you have a better attitude for your morning sports gig.
I won't be tuning in I'll be listening toy Ipod. I echo the comments from above, take the high road, look for another station and tell the jerks at 1410 where to go!!
S.
joe do you think you should
joe do you think you should feel secure in your new job?
Jen & Joe
I really miss your show, Joe. You came on just as I was leaving work and I ALWAYS got a laugh - usually at YOUR expense!!! I'll miss the snort! Your morning show was great, but you really shone in the afternoon when your quirky ways could get out. I won't be listening to the new 1410. :-( Sue
Jen and Joe show
What magic you both had on the radio (jen and joe). I looked forward to your show every afternoon. Then Jen left. Now Joe. So sad. Hope you are both on the airways again.
Joe on reformatted 1410
Hi Joe,
I am so surprised to hear that you're still on 1410 in the a.m. and what time would that be? I would like to try to hear you and will try (but I hate sports so not sure how it'll work out). It was like losing a part of your family when they did that dirty overnight switch and I miss the real 1410 every single day. I listen to cbc and cknw now but it's more of a passive listening experience. I guess you never do know what you've got until it's gone. All the best and I will try to find out when you're on.
Elaine
Really miss your show
Hi Joe, I'm a longtime listener and fan of yours and agree totally with the comments of Elaine. I have moved away from Vancouver and really enjoyed listening to your take on current events. 1410 was my connection to my home of almost 50 years. I was so happy to be able to listen to you and Jenn in the morning on my computer up here in Tumbler Ridge. I am glad to hear you were able to stay on thre in some capacity and hope one day you can find your niche as you certainly warrant your own show. I know you don't want to be seen, but you would make an excellent talk show host on TV. Good luck, and I know I speak for many when I say how much I miss you and your show and hope you can find your way to the masses again, because I will never listen to the sports show.
Merry Christmas
Marge
I really miss the 1410 talk shows
Hi Joe. I listened to all the 1410 talk shows while carrying out my work day as a gardener. I felt so ripped off when they just changed the format overnight. You were my favourite, and I'm happy to find out that you are doing well in another life. Now I listen to the Team 1040 cuz I like those guys too and I am a big Canucks fan. I haven't heard anything I like on the new 1410 so if you ever get a talk show again, could you let the team 1040 know to let their listeners know. You were always pretty nice to them. Thanks! Jacqueline H.
The New 1410 Format
I fail to see the logic in replacing a series of witty and amusing shows, which appealed to both sexes and all ages, by a boring repetitive 'sport-talk' format.
My prediction for 2010......EMBARRASSING FAILURE!!
where is Joe leary, after Team 1410
Mike and Mike are on whoever they are...wish he was back on the talk show circuit like the talk 1410 station
Where is Joe Leary now
May 2010.... needs an afternoon lift
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