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It’s an incredibly sad day for the sports market in Vancouver.
TSN 1040’s Halford and Brough show was abruptly cut off just after 9:00 am on Tuesday morning, followed by the message that there was going to be an announcement about the future of the station at 9:30 am.
Shortly after the announcement, the news was leaked on Twitter.
Breaking: Carnage at Bell continues, ENTIRE radio stations this time, @TSN1040 @tsn1150 amongst the stations eliminated. Very sad day.. more coming
— jonah (@yyzsportsmedia) February 9, 2021
Then, at 9:30 am, the news became official.
“As of today, CKST will no longer be a sports radio station,” the recorded voice memo said on air.
“We want to thank our on-air personalities, advertising partners and everybody who has contributed to this station.
“Our work here at TSN 1040 was driven by our passion to bring you the very best news, sports and discussion.”
“The new format of the station will be launched this Friday at 7:00 am.”
The station then cut to Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of your Life)” after the announcement.
...Really?
And they're playing Green Day? This is an absolutely abhorrent way to treat your employees.
— Paul Chapman (@PaulChapman_) February 9, 2021
Reports suggest that employees had 30 minutes to collect their valuables and personal items before corporate security began a “shutdown process.”
Oh, and when Bell cites financial difficulties, remember this.
from Bell’s Q4 financial report: pic.twitter.com/qjQnLJM0Ib
— thomas williams (@nosalaryretaind) February 9, 2021
Bell apparently got $123 million in gov’t subsidies for covid relief earlier this year and just now reportedly eliminated the Vancouver 1040, Hamilton 1150, and Winnipeg 1290 TSN radio stations https://t.co/PZ0bfT0h5r
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) February 9, 2021
The CKST radio station has been in existence since 1963, and it’s been a sports radio station in Vancouver since February 1st, 2001 under the name “TEAM 1040.”
Bell Media and TSN then purchased the radio station in 2009, and the station officially changed to TSN 1040 in 2014.
TSN 1150 in Hamilton and TSN 1290 were also shut down today. All three stations will reportedly be replaced by some kind of Comedy channel.
Sounds like later this week, Bell Media will announce the TSN stations in Winnipeg and Vancouver will be altered to their “Funny format”.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) February 9, 2021
That’s using stand-up comedy and other content.
Here are some other reactions from around the hockey world following the shocking announcement.
I didn’t wake up this morning thinking I’d be the last guest in the proud 20 year history of AM 1040 Vancouver sports talk radio.
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) February 9, 2021
What an absolute gut punch for this market. And to a class group of media colleagues that I’m proud to call my colleagues and friends.
Just stunned.
It’s heartbreaking to see so many of my dear friends and colleagues in WPG, VAN and HAM lose their jobs, including you, Troy, as well as @JimTothSports, @IllegalCurve and so many others, too numerous to mention. I’m just gutted for all of you. https://t.co/CNPQG19Cpd
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 9, 2021
If you think there is any joy or pleasure in seeing "competitors" lose their jobs, think again.
— Scott Rintoul (@ScottRintoul) February 9, 2021
These are colleagues, friends, people with families.
This sucks.
Talked to 2 ppl on financial side that have worked public sector. They think audit of Bell is something that could be done. I think it is imperative that we as citizens contact local MP’s to express concern over bell taking 122 mill & then doing cuts. Scutiny is needed.
— Arpan Parhar (@arpan_on_BC) February 9, 2021
Let me say - it’s been an amazing, wonderful run for 15 years at 1040 with great co-workers, friends and a ton of laughs and debates along the way
— iain mcletchie (@mcletch) February 9, 2021
Loving what you do, every day, for 15 years is ok. It’s pretty good.
I’ll hold my head high. I hope all my 1040 friends do too
I have a lot of bottled up stories about my time at Bell and TSN, a place where I “retired” from because I could no longer stand how they exploit their workers.
— Grady Sas (@GradySas) February 9, 2021
Don’t care anymore. I’m glad the public is waking up to how shitty they are. #BoycottBell
TSN 1040 was Bell’s #2 sports radio station... make this make sense. pic.twitter.com/B0CGv2uSB5
— JC Abbott (@JC_AbbottCFL) February 9, 2021
Bell Media on Jan. 28: "Mental health is important."
— Scott Billeck (@ScottBilleck) February 9, 2021
Bell Media on Feb. 9: "Let's shut down several of our radio stations and not tell our employees first."
What a joke.