Global News is ceasing providing helicopter traffic reports across the country.
Global will not air traffic and breaking news reports from the Canadian Traffic Network (CTN) beyond Dec. 19, marking the end of a long-standing partnership that began in 2006.
“Over nearly two decades, CTN’s aerial reporting has played an important role in delivering timely traffic and breaking news coverage to Canadian audiences,” CTN President Donna Gardener stated in an email to Broadcast Dialogue. “Many respected broadcasters have reported from CTN helicopters over the years, helping build CTN’s trusted service known for accuracy, consistency, and professionalism.”
CTN says it will continue to deliver traffic coverage for Corus radio stations, including CKNW Vancouver, CHED Edmonton, and 640 (CFIQ-AM) Toronto.
In an appearance on Global News Morning in Edmonton over the weekend, longtime helicopter reporter Shane Blakely told viewers that it had been an honour and privilege to share what he had seen from the sky from Global 1, the city’s first and only news helicopter launched in 2007.
“Unlike Les Nessman from WKRP [in Cincinnati] who pounded on his chest to make it sound like he was in a traffic helicopter, I didn’t have to. I had one,” said Blakely. “And I felt fortunate to be in it for the last 17 and a half years. I’ve worked with some incredible people, but it’s viewers like you who made this job so joyful.”
A Corus spokesperson has denied the move to eliminate airborne traffic on its TV stations was tied to broader restructuring and aggressive cost-cutting measures that have been underway within the company’s media division for some time.
“CTN advised us earlier this year it would no longer be able to support helicopter traffic services across the TV markets currently being served by CTN,” the spokesperson told Broadcast Dialogue. “As a national broadcaster, it made little sense to have inconsistent coverage across our markets. As a result of this change, we mutually agreed to end their TV traffic services while continuing our radio partnership.”
