I number of years ago it was very difficult for U.S. talent to cross the border and work in Canada. Any idea on how difficult it is for American citizens to get jobs at Canadian stations these days.
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U.S. jocks on Canadian radio
- Thread starter mightymoose
- Start date
mightymoose said:
I've been told by two friends, one here in the USA and one in the UK that it's "easier" in a way then it used to be.
Apparently, according to both of them, "broadcasting professional" is one of the jobs whos Work Permits can be fastracked if you're immigrating into Canada from elsewhere.
Have I ever tried it? Not yet...
I did about five years there in early 70's. Required "Landed Immigrant" Status to be able to legally live & work there. Fun part was not many knew I was from States so they were blown away that I was able to legally work in the U.S. after that span of time. Whoops...did I forget to mention I'm a "Yank??"
Radio in the U.S. is such a bloody damn mess I just wonder about the viability of moving north of the border. Now I am under no illusion that radio in the U.S. is going to return to the good old days (how ever you define them). Nor do I believe any other part of the world is like going off to Neverland where radio is beautiful every day. The world wide web will someday be wireless & seamless across the globe. And everyone can have their own internet station (oooooooo goody).
It's just that Canadian radio doesn't seem to have quite the level of screwed-up-ness (like that?) that US radio owner/operators have bought themselves...and believe me they did buy it for themselves. No one put a gun to their weasely little heads and made them screw it up the way it is, they did it willingly.
(now quietly putting away soap box)
It's just that Canadian radio doesn't seem to have quite the level of screwed-up-ness (like that?) that US radio owner/operators have bought themselves...and believe me they did buy it for themselves. No one put a gun to their weasely little heads and made them screw it up the way it is, they did it willingly.
(now quietly putting away soap box)
Darned right Bong - it's a short drive from some big American markets to some big Canadian markets. Why not take a road trip with a few CD's in hand. I understand November is nice in Canada (lol!)
Christ almighty, you freakin' kids 'n yer 40th!
Bongwater said:
God, I'm the young one here.. turning 25 in a few days!
.........and I feel like 35. But when I talk to people about work (what little there is) I always come away with the impression that the folks I've talked with feel as though they've just interviewed their grandfather. Or at least their father.
Being young is great, but there are many times I feel a sense of comfort when I'm talking to a guy with a little salt-n-pepper on top or some gray around the temples. (or a woman for that matter. I could no more keep up with a 30 year old woman than I could fly to the moon).
Being young is great, but there are many times I feel a sense of comfort when I'm talking to a guy with a little salt-n-pepper on top or some gray around the temples. (or a woman for that matter. I could no more keep up with a 30 year old woman than I could fly to the moon).
Bongwater said:
I've been reading where AM 600 won't sign off, but simulcast the FM for awhile.
Aaaah, has this thread drifted a long ways from the difficulties of American jocks working in Canada?
So here I am, looking at the reverse move. I'm a Canadian citizen, married to an American, living in the Seattle area (Bremerton), and thinking seriously about getting back to work. I've got my green card interview early in December ( a rubber stamp situation really, all the big hoops have already been cleared) and that'll give me full legal status for work and other landed immigrant rights. The good news for me; I have a long, proven track record in Canadian radio in a major market (Vancouver). I'm damn good on air and in voice over work and I'm realistic about money and ego. The bad news: I'm in my mid 50's, out of radio for eight years, and I see myself ideally working a couple or three days a week at KPLU or some aspect of NPR.
I did a lot of years of the: "And The Hits Just Keep On Coming" style of radio and later Soft Hits (ala WARM 107) but I don't feel that's who Iam now. I could do oldies but there's already a lot of very talented people in Seattle looking for those gigs (particularly in light of recent format flips and adjustments).
So what doors would you knock on?
Maybe I'll be sorry I asked.
I did a lot of years of the: "And The Hits Just Keep On Coming" style of radio and later Soft Hits (ala WARM 107) but I don't feel that's who Iam now. I could do oldies but there's already a lot of very talented people in Seattle looking for those gigs (particularly in light of recent format flips and adjustments).
So what doors would you knock on?
Maybe I'll be sorry I asked.
neumann sennheiser said:
My cohorts North of the Border tell me the bad economic conditions we're experiencing the the lower 48 are similar in B.C./Canada.
Generally limited openings for talent in Vancouver seem to revolve around VO work and radio news anchors/reporters. The challenge is that like many who are currently employed, there aren't many leaving, but instead choosing to ride out the economic conditions.
There are a couple pretty good broadcast job listing sites on the Internet. I'd keep my eyes there, sending out resumes' and demo/aircheck CD's of your work.
Good luck!
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