The End of 570 News, with Jim Snyder, Monday, July 13, 2026

Good evening The Moosa Slobodian Network Friends,

It was so much fun doing a show with Jim Snyder today. Have a listen using the following link: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/lmbOtnnTK4b

Show Notes:

Show Introduction and Network Overview: Aliasgar Moosa opened the Ali Moosa Show, part of the Moosa Slobodian Network, on Monday, July 13, 2026, by discussing the recent closure of 570 News in Kitchener and five other radio stations. The guest, Jim Snyder of Music Radio WJS, joined the conversation, and they discussed the status of Aliasgar Moosa’s network, which currently comprises three affiliates including the Ali Musa Show and the Ali and Macara show (00:00:16).
Music Radio WJS Operations: Jim Snyder described the operational challenges of running his internet-based radio station, Music Radio WJS, noting that they had to take the station offline for approximately 18 months due to software issues (00:02:33). During this period, he spent 15 months rebuilding the entire system, manually entering over 12,000 individual audio cuts—including songs, jingles, and sweepers—to ensure accurate artist and title information for royalty tracking (00:03:48).
Station Philosophy and Analytics: Jim Snyder characterized Music Radio WJS as “North America’s least listened to radio station,” emphasizing that the lack of listeners removes pressure and allows for creative freedom. Both participants agreed that they do not focus on analytics, preferring to operate without the stress of audience metrics (00:04:41).
Content and Programming Goals: The primary premise of Music Radio WJS is to evoke nostalgia by playing music from the 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, helping listeners reconnect with personal memories (00:07:06). Jim Snyder highlighted that they operate as a one-person band and that, while they would enjoy having the resources of traditional radio, they are content with the current setup (00:06:19).
The Closure of 570 News: Jim Snyder expressed that the closure of 570 News was not a surprise, citing financial challenges and the difficulty of generating revenue on AM radio as key drivers (00:08:04) (00:09:54). Jim Snyder recounted that they were told by former program director Don Kollins, as early as 2009 that the station had previously been close to shutting down, suggesting that the station had been on “life support” for years (00:08:50).
Rogers Corporate Evolution: Jim Snyder identified a strategic shift in Rogers’ business model, noting that the company has rebranded as “Rogers Sports and Entertainment”. They argued that Rogers is evolving into a giant focused on sports properties—such as the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC, and Argonauts—and the delivery systems (internet and television) for those properties, making traditional radio a secondary, less profitable asset (00:10:49).
Market Dynamics and Staffing Trends: Discussing the Kitchener market, Jim Snyder noted that it was historically the 11th most listened-to market in Canada and often served as a stepping stone to Toronto. They noted that as AM radio declines, stations are increasingly relying on “voice tracking” and importing talent from other markets rather than maintaining local staff (00:12:53).
The Decline of AM Radio: Both speakers lamented the decline of AM radio, comparing it to the transition from black-and-white to color television, where analog signals are losing relevance. Jim Snyder reminisced about the era of high-power AM stations like WLS in Chicago and CKLW in Windsor, noting that these “monsters” are disappearing as streaming and digital consumption take over (00:15:40) (00:29:13).
Technical and Digital Struggles: Jim Snyder explained that HD radio never gained mass adoption in North America, leading many companies to abandon AM signals in favor of secondary HD channels or FM translators (00:16:42). They noted that companies like iHeart, formerly Clear Channel, have started surrendering AM licenses entirely, directing listeners to digital streams or other platforms instead (00:19:00).
Human and Listener Impact: Jim Snyder emphasized that the primary losers in these closures are the listeners, who lose a valuable source of local information (00:19:00). They expressed disappointment that the closure of 570 News was abrupt, with no prior public announcement or transition period, a practice Jim Snyder described as “terrible” (00:19:59).
Planning and Execution of Station Closures: Addressing the logistical nature of these shutdowns, Jim Snyder stated that such decisions are not made overnight but are the result of long-term planning, including HR departments preparing for mass layoffs and severance packages. They suggested that the “writing was on the wall” for many staff members who had retired in the 12 to 18 months prior to the closure (00:20:53).
Real Estate and Financial Drivers: Jim Snyder explained that the physical land beneath AM transmitter sites, such as the four-antenna array at 570 News, is often highly valuable property (00:22:07). They argued that when companies like Rogers or Bell are struggling financially, selling this land for development offers a significant, one-time cash injection that outweighs the value of maintaining the radio station (00:23:11).
The Economics of Promotions: Reflecting on the past, Jim Snyder observed that radio stations used to have significant budgets for promotional events, such as van appearances and giveaways. They noted that today’s companies are unwilling to invest in these promotional activities, which were essential for building a station’s presence and connecting with the audience (00:25:21) (00:27:29).
The Disappearing Role of Local Radio: Jim Snyder argued that the loss of local radio removes a “necessary entity” that provided community-specific service, such as weather updates or local sports news (00:28:27). They noted that late-night radio, which used to be a source of companionship for workers and night-owls, has been largely replaced by syndicated programming like Coast to Coast AM or automated sports talk (00:29:13).
The Importance of Connection: Jim Snyder highlighted that successful radio relied on the ability of hosts to connect with the audience one person at a time, citing hosts like John Oakley, Mike Farwell, and Gary Doyle as examples (00:32:02). They referenced a story about Rush Limbaugh, where a listener described the host as “the best friend I never met,” underscoring the deep, relational bond that listeners often feel toward radio personalities (00:31:06).
Changes in Consumption Habits: Both speakers acknowledged that the “event” nature of radio has diminished because modern listeners have immediate access to music via mobile devices and streaming, removing the need to wait for a specific song to be played (00:33:16). Jim Snyder observed that younger generations, who grew up with smartphones, have a completely different media consumption pattern than previous generations (00:35:45).
Technological Evolution: Jim Snyder shared anecdotes about the rapid pace of technological change, recounting their first experiences with AOL in 1991 and early mobile phones in the early 1990s (00:36:38). They used these examples to illustrate that radio is simply undergoing another evolution, similar to how other technologies have changed over the decades (00:37:37).
The Reality of Modern Radio Studios: Jim Snyder described a visit to an old cluster of stations where, despite there being five stations in the building, only six people were present (00:40:35). They noted that, historically, that same facility would have been a “beehive of activity” with nearly 150 employees, illustrating the massive consolidation of staffing (00:41:37).
Automation and Centralization: Jim Snyder explained that modern studios are now designed as “plug-and-play” environments where a host can broadcast from any location and the equipment configures itself to the target station (00:42:32). They mentioned the implementation of systems like “Wide Orbit,” which allowed for the centralization of traffic and commercial scheduling, leading to the elimination of local administrative departments (00:43:41).
Future of Sports Broadcasting: Aliasgar Moosa and Jim Snyder discussed the future of sports rights, such as for the Kitchener Rangers, questioning whether they would move to music stations (00:45:40). Jim Snyder expressed skepticism about moving sports to music-formatted stations, noting that audience habits are difficult to change (00:47:27).
The “Radio Losers Club” and Industry Community: Jim Snyder mentioned the “Radio Losers Club,” a group of former radio professionals who meet periodically to share meals, reminisce, and discuss the industry. They explained that this group formed as colleagues in both the U.S. and Canada were laid off, serving as a support network for those displaced by industry changes (00:46:35).
Radio as a Career: Jim Snyder noted the saying, “You may get out of radio, but radio never gets out of you,” explaining that despite not being on terrestrial radio for 15 years, they continue to work in the medium through their internet station (00:48:28). They emphasized that the delivery platform—whether AM, FM, or internet—is less important than the quality of the content (00:49:17).
Digital Broadcasting Models: Citing Glenn Beck as an example, Jim Snyder argued that it is possible to build a successful media brand without traditional cable or terrestrial outlets by leveraging the internet (00:49:17) (00:51:15). They noted that Beck successfully created a 24/7 streaming television station that provides high-quality production without relying on legacy broadcasting infrastructure (00:50:11).
Shifting Entertainment Consumption: Jim Snyder observed that their own household, like many others, has moved away from live TV, with the exception of sports and specific on-demand content. They noted that people still enjoy background music, often supplied by satellite or streaming services, but purposeful listening to terrestrial radio is becoming less common (00:34:29) (00:52:17).
The Failure of AM Stereo: Jim Snyder recalled that AM stereo was a failed technological attempt to save AM radio, noting that the lack of a single industry standard meant listeners rarely experienced the benefits of the technology (00:53:16). They concluded that while it might have extended the life of some music stations, it was ultimately insufficient to combat the medium’s decline (00:54:16).
Historical Context of Station Formats: Jim Snyder noted that Canadian AM stations held onto music formats longer than their U.S. counterparts (00:55:03). They provided examples of major stations like CKLW (Windsor/Detroit) flipping in 1984, WABC (New York) in 1982, and WLS (Chicago) in 1989, marking the shift from music powerhouses to talk-radio formats (00:56:06).
Local Station Transitions and Property Sales: Jim Snyder discussed the local example of CKPC in Brantford, where the station owner, Evanov, sold the studio property on West Street for redevelopment into a senior care center (00:57:02). They noted that the station eventually moved to a smaller, rented facility and successfully lobbied the CRTC to increase power on their FM signal, facilitating their transition away from AM (00:57:52).
Corporate Ownership in Radio: Jim Snyder and Aliasgar Moosa discussed the approach of large corporate owners toward radio stations, specifically citing the management of station 1380 in Brantford by Rogers Communications. Jim Snyder argued that these corporations prioritize the financial bottom line over local heritage or market concerns, noting that management did not view the transition to “the Jewel” as a significant competitive threat (00:59:34). Both participants agreed that owners ultimately view their broadcast infrastructure, described as “sticks,” as their own property, and they are free to make operational decisions regardless of external impact (01:01:12).
Upcoming Guest Profile: Aliasgar Moosa noted that Pete Travers is scheduled to appear on the show next. Jim Snyder shared a positive personal anecdote regarding Pete Travers, describing them as an effective and highly informative salesman who provided valuable guidance when Jim Snyder was navigating real estate decisions (01:01:58) (01:03:45). Jim Snyder expressed a desire for Aliasgar Moosa to pass along well wishes to Pete Travers (01:02:42).
Upcoming Programming Schedule: Aliasgar Moosa reviewed the upcoming broadcast schedule for the audience. The schedule includes Pete Travers appearing as a guest in the immediate segment, followed by Producer Paulie on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. Additionally, a Techstravaganza workshop is planned for Wednesday afternoon, which will focus on moving applications on the iPhone home screen (01:02:42). Finally, the Ali and Macara show is set for Friday at 3:30 p.m., which will feature a discussion about the book titled “Unseen” (01:03:45).
Show Outro and Network Promotion: Aliasgar Moosa concluded the Ali Moosa Show by directing the audience to the Moosa Slobodian Network website, themoosaslobodiannetwork.ca. Viewers and listeners were encouraged to visit the site to learn more about the network’s programming and to subscribe to receive updates (01:03:45).