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A prominent Calgary radio talk-show host is among the victims of another round of layoffs in a Canadian broadcast industry plagued by downsizing and restructuring.
Rob Breakenridge, who hosted the afternoon show for QR 770 AM, was let go Wednesday following 27 years at Corus Entertainment. He’s spent the past eight years in the afternoon slot.
“It’s been an amazing ride but after 27 years my time at Corus Radio comes to an end. I’m the latest, but sadly not the last, casualty of cuts/restructuring in the media industry,” Breakenridge said in a post on X on Wednesday.
“Thanks so much to all the listeners who allowed me into their lives for a few hours each day.”
Breakenridge is also a columnist with Postmedia.
A source said two producers at QR 770 were also laid off in a downsizing that reportedly extended across the country due to shrinking revenues.
Breakenridge’s slot was occupied Wednesday by Calgary-based veteran, part-time broadcaster Angela Kokott, but it’s not clear if that time segment will be filled by locally produced content.
On Wednesday, a Corus spokeswoman said changes have been made to maintain the company’s viability.
“We can confirm that, as part of programming refresh across our AM portfolio, we have made some difficult but necessary changes to our radio teams in various markets across Canada to ensure a sustainable future for Corus,” Anna Arnone said in an email.
“As a result, certain roles have been impacted but others have been added or changed.”
The company operates 37 radio stations across the country, along with 15 conventional and 32 specialty TV outlets, as well as streaming services.
In its report to shareholders, the company reported its overall revenues were down 21 per cent in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 compared to the previous year, while radio earnings fell by 13 per cent.
“On a consolidated basis, advertising revenue decreased 14 per cent, subscriber revenue was down six per cent and distribution, production and other revenue declined 58 per cent from the prior year,” states the report.
On Wednesday, it was also reported that Rogers Sports and Media had cut “a few dozen” positions on the audio side of its business.
“With the radio industry continuing to feel the pressure of an uncertain advertising market, we made some difficult but necessary changes in our audio business impacting roles in several markets,” Rogers spokeswoman Charmaine Khan said.
Rogers has 56 radio stations across the country. It also has a podcast and streaming audio network.
The company said there would be no closures as part of the move, as all radio stations, programming and podcasts would continue to run.
Last month, Rogers chief executive Tony Staffieri told financial analysts on a conference call discussing the company’s third-quarter results that Rogers Sports and Media “had a strong quarter” during the three-month period ended Sept. 30.
The company said media revenue increased 11 per cent in the quarter compared with the same time last year, although that was “primarily as a result of higher sports-related revenue.”
Christopher Waddell, a professor emeritus at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, said advertising has been declining across traditional news, prompting broadcasters to cut back on expenses.
“It’s understandable because they have less revenue, but the problem with it, in part, is when you cut back and you reduce the number of people you have, that allows you to do less,” he said.
— With files from The Canadian Press
X: @BillKaufmannjrn
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