The sudden silence heard all across Hamilton on Wednesday morning was deafening.
It’s not every day a historic radio station goes off the air before it tells its listeners. They, and staff, found out when beloved AM station CMHL 900 just suddenly went dark. Just like that, an almost 100-year marriage ended without any notice or chance to say so long or thanks for the memories.
Just as the newscast was about to start at 11 a.m. someone shut down the 50,000-watt transmitter and took the station off the air before they could announce the biggest story of the day. That story was that, after 97 years of broadcasting in Steeltown, the famous station ceased to exist.
“It was shocking,” said venerable Hamilton and Burlington businessman and member of the Order of Canada, Ron Foxcroft, who was listening when the plug was pulled. “I had just got back in the car after officiating a citizenship ceremony to welcome more than 60 new Canadians when I turned on the news.”
It didn’t come on. There was nothing.
“I heard the weather and just then the signal went dead,” said the 78-year-old owner of Fox 40 whistles and Fluke Transportation. “I thought it was a technical glitch but started getting texts.”
The station vanished into thin air. For Hamilton, it was like a death of a family member.
“Aired my first (program) in my early 20’s at CHML January 3, 1973,” said talk show legend Roy Green on X. “Worked with and learned from legendary broadcasters. CHML and Hamilton were intertwined. A true privilege to turn on the CHML microphone and through the station engage with the city on so many fronts. A very sad day.”
Its’ a dark day in Canadian history as well as broadcast history. With CHML closing, it’s like Hamilton losing its heart. Since its first broadcast in 1927 it has been an iconic staple of The Hammer the same way the CFL’s Tiger-Cats or the Steel plants are.
“It’s devastating,” said Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath in a statement, adding “this is a tremendous loss to our community” since “this station has connected us in unquantifiable ways with each other and with the rest of the province, the country and world for almost a century.”
It has always been one of Canada’s most prestigious radio stations and it was always a thrill to be invited on as a guest over the years, as I was Sunday with Roy Green. This news is like a punch to the gut and speaks to the harsh reality of a changing country and media landscape.
This station and its on-air and producing talent are iconic Canadian treasures. From Roy Green to the “mayor of the morning” Paul Hanover in the 1960s and 70s, Tom Cherington, Perc Allen, Lorne Greene, Norm Marshall, Bob Bratina, Shona Thompson, Vic Copps, Lisa Brandt, Paul Tipple, Dorie Cowling, Charles Adler, Tom Darling, Don Luzzi to Bill Kelly and Scott Thompson, CHML has always been both an all-star team and the hall of fame of broadcasting.
People understood the tough business environment Corus Entertainment and other media companies face. But they didn’t see this coming.
Foxcroft said he was listening to morning man Rick Zamperin’s show Wednesday and there were no clues. It wasn’t until noon that Corus made it official in an X post which said: “We want to extend our profound gratitude to all our listeners, valued advertisers and community partners – thank you for your steadfast support throughout the years … After decades of service to our remarkable community, we are announcing the closure of 900 CHML radio station. This decision, though incredibly difficult, has been made after careful consideration and is necessary following years of financial losses.”
Meanwhile, on air-talent were preparing their shows and had no inkling. Afternoon host Scott Thompson waited until his scheduled 3 p.m. show start time to post to X: “It has been an incredible 40-year run. It was an honour to be part of the legendary CHML and its service to the great people of Hamilton.”
None of the hosts were given a chance to say farewell to their loyal audiences and their audiences did not have the opportunity to say goodbye to them.
It doesn’t get any more cold, callous, crass and corporate.
“They kind of left us hanging,” said Foxcroft. “It’s heartless.”
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At 78, “Foxy” has listened to the station his whole life.
“So many legends, so much history.”
With one flip of the switch, it became history.
Retired educator Mary Willard, 95, said the station was just in its second year when she was born so this was like the loss of a family member.
“My parents listened to the station,” she said, adding she remembers doing so 90 years ago. “Whether it was Norm Marshall or listening to the Tiger-Cat games, it was a big part of our journey.”
Hamilton musician Tony G added “this is a shocker” since “CHML was the go-to place for news and views as well as a must-listen when things like snowstorms hit.”
There is no easy way to say goodbye, but what happened at Hamilton’s CHML on Wednesday brings the silent treatment to a whole new level.