Argo games on TSN 1050 to be simulcast

[Shatto]

It still comes back to a decision based on saving money rather than giving the fans an enriched experience. It looks bush and it another reason why casual CFL fans perceive the Argos to be bush. Penny wise but pound foolish. So now when anyone is driving and wants to listen to the game, they will get a second rate radio broadcast. Now when we leave the game, we probably have no post game show to listen to. For those of us watching the game but prefer to listen to Hogan's broadcast over TSN's, we now have no choice.
Sorry, no matter how one tries to spin this, it remains a bad PR move.

[paulwoods13]

Doesn't a bad PR move require bad press? Has this decision received any press?

A bad PR move is calling in the cops to manhandle a paying customer.

[1971GreyCup]

Toronto Sun, April 10th, 2017. ARGOS DROP RADIO
The Toronto Argos have scrapped their radio broadcasts in favour of the CFL on TSN simulcast, leaving Mike Hogan out of the play-by-play gig he has held for more than a decade.
“I’d like to thank everyone who made the 12 years I’ve called games so much fun,” Hogan tweeted last week. “Will miss it more than I can imagine.”
The Argos called it a business decision and are now the only franchise in the CFL without their own radio broadcast team, something that could be (but hopefully isn’t) the start of a trend.
“This was a tough decision to make,” Argos senior director of media and communications Jamie Dykstra said in a statement. “We have a tremendous amount of respect for Mike Hogan. He’s a pro’s pro and we thank him for all of his contributions throughout his years calling Argos games. But when we sat down with our partners at TSN 1050 this off-season to evaluate our options moving forward, we decided that simulcasting our games on radio was the right business decision.”

[BATKINSON001]

And the worst decision for bringing in new fans and entertaining the existing ones who can't get to games

[ArgoGabe22]

Games are still on radio. It's better than nothing.

[Wobbler]

To return to the original theme, I will miss the radio broadcast and especially the pre game and post games shows. In spite of the slight broadcast delay, it was always preferable to turn the TV audio down and listen to the play by play on the radio.

I find the delay to be intolerable, which is why I haven't listened to the radio broadcast since video streaming became practical. But yes, when radio was the only option it was nice to get an Argo-focused perspective on the game.

[Mike Hogan]

Thanks for the kind words folks, it's extremely rewarding to know that people appreciate what I've done over the years. It wasn't an easy call to receive, that's for sure. Hopefully there will come a time when a decision to go back to radio is made, whether I'm on the mic or not. Cheers.

[Jon Gonzo]

Doesn't a bad PR move require bad press? Has this decision received any press?

A bad PR move is calling in the cops to manhandle a paying customer.

This is "Breaking News" in Regina. That they don't get any press is rather the overall problem isn't it?

[Shatto]

The individuals who decry this move, seem to agree that it is obviously a way of saving money but at the expense of providing a richer experience for fans. IMO, it is much the same as banks moving jobs overseas to save money, which results in the firing of staff and often also resulting in impaired service. It is all in the name of reducing costs and improving the bottom line.

Hogan has done a superlative job of not only calling the games but also being a highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic supporter of the team. He will be sorely missed.

[paulwoods13]

Hogan has done a superlative job of not only calling the games but also being a highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic supporter of the team. He will be sorely missed.

No argument with that.

[Rich]

Thanks for the kind words folks, it's extremely rewarding to know that people appreciate what I've done over the years. It wasn't an easy call to receive, that's for sure. Hopefully there will come a time when a decision to go back to radio is made, whether I'm on the mic or not. Cheers.

Hey Hogie:

Sure hope this doesn't dampen your enthusiasm for the Argonauts or the CFL. I can certainly understand how it might. I got a feeling the powers that be will come to their senses on this issue and reinstate the radio broadcasts sooner than we might have expected, and that you will return to being the Voice of the Argonauts for many years to come.

[Harpastum]

That's right Rich!
And you gotta factor in that Argo nation is a LOT larger than the number of seats filled in the stadium at any game.
Often I have mentioned at the golf course about being at the last night's game - & even folks that never attend - are still knowledgable about the team & how we did.

[Will]

That's right Rich!
And you gotta factor in that Argo nation is a LOT larger than the number of seats filled in the stadium at any game.
Often I have mentioned at the golf course about being at the last night's game - & even folks that never attend - are still knowledgable about the team & how we did.

Have you ever asked them why they weren't attending the games?

[Harpastum]

Of course - the number one question - especially when they have shown to be interested in the team.
But you know there are some people who will never put themselves out - & won't bother to attend games of any type.
These people would also know the goings on of Blue Jays, Leafs, Raptors, TFC - & consider themselves true fans.
So what's the answer - club them over the head with a 5 iron & drag them to the next game maybe...?

[AngeloV]

.
So what's the answer - club them over the head with a 5 iron & drag them to the next game maybe...?

Ah yes..The United approach.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Gill The Thrill]

Unfortunately, the Argos' radio broadcasts have had little to no value since TV blackouts were removed back in 1991. I recall that the removal of TV blackouts was done for a couple of home games back in 1988 and that is when CFRB pulled the plug on their long-standing relationship with the Argos.

CFRB pulled the plug after 1988 because they let it be known that they were chasing the rights to the Toronto Blue Jays games on radio as that contract was coming up. They didn't get it and the Jays stayed on CJCL 1430, which would become the FAN by Labour Day 1992.

[Gill The Thrill]

There is no evidence anyone is making money selling Argo merchandise -- not the team, the league, the stores. But there is evidence that the last time a major retailer, National Sports, stocked a lot of Argo and Ticat merch (2006-07), it ended up blowing out the stock at rock-bottom prices.
.

...and you think that doesn't happen to NFL and NBA merchandise and even NHL merchandise that they sell. They have also liquidated these products at rock bottom prices. I've been to Sportchek stores in the last couple of years that had tones of Fitzpatrick Bills jerserys. The guy hasn't played in Buffalo for years, same with Sanchez NY Jets jerserys, so let's not pretend it's only CFL merchandise that doesn't sell. The ridiculous 1000% mark up on these jersey's bought in bulk doesn't help these retailers in moving them also.

2006-07, that sounds like a long time ago...can you provide more anecdotal evidence that is more recent.

[ArgoGabe22]

2006-07, that sounds like a long time ago...can you provide more anecdotal evidence that is more recent.

That's probably the last time that a ton of CFL merchandise was offered nation wide in a big box store. Stores haven't carried such of an amount since then.

[marcwagz]

argos gear doesn't sell because its not for sale... anywhere.
Look at the jerseys available last year
Ray, Foley, Hazelton?
Hazelton was kicked off the team halfway through the year, Foley was kicked off this off season.

If we had some marketable players we might actually make some jersey sales. I was going to buy one last year but I didn't have a clue which jersey to buy.

[paulwoods13]

argos gear doesn't sell because its not for sale... anywhere.
Look at the jerseys available last year
Ray, Foley, Hazelton?
Hazelton was kicked off the team halfway through the year, Foley was kicked off this off season.

If we had some marketable players we might actually make some jersey sales. I was going to buy one last year but I didn't have a clue which jersey to buy.

If it's not for sale anywhere, how did you find jerseys of three different players?