While browsing through the channels today I noticed that Rogers digital cable now has local Ottawa radio stations in the 900's. On one level this isn't a big deal -- digital cable and satellite services have had their own music channels for a while. On another level it's really bizarre seeing old-style analog terrestrial radio stations taking up cable TV spots.

Is this a reflection of how hard it is to fill 999 channels with quality video programming? Maybe it's just acknowledging the fact that not many of us have radios in our homes any more. A lot of people have their cable service hooked up to a good stereo, so it could be pretty convenient...

...if you actually listen to radio.

Here's the lineup in Ottawa. If other cities have the same kind of thing the channels are probably different.

902 CHFI 98.1 FM Toronto - adult contemporary
903 CFTR 680 AM Toronto - 680 News
904 CJCL 590 AM Toronto - The Fan 590, sports
906 CKLG 96.9 FM Vancouver - Jack FM

912 CISS 105.3 FM Ottawa - Kiss FM
913 CHEZ 106.1 FM Ottawa - classic rock
914 CIWW 1310 AM Ottawa - Oldies 1310
915 CJET 92.3 FM Smiths Falls - Jack FM
916 CKBY 101.1 FM Smiths Falls - Y101

925 CJMJ 100.3 FM Ottawa - Majic 100, soft rock
926 CIHT 89.9 FM Ottawa - Hot 89.9
927 CFRA 580 AM Ottawa - News Talk Radio
928 CKTF 104.1 FM Ottawa - Énergie 104.1
929 CFGO 1200 AM Ottawa The TEAM 1200, sports
930 CHLX 97.1 FM Ottawa - Couleur FM, classical music

941 CBO 91.5 FM Ottawa - CBC Radio One
942 CBOF 90.7 FM Ottawa - La Première Chaîne
943 CHUO 89.1 FM Ottawa - U of Ottawa campus radio
944 CKCU 93.1 FM Ottawa - Carleton U campus radio
945 CKDJ 107.9 FM Ottawa - Algonquin College campus radio

The TiVo/PVR Factor (edited)

I was all excited to use the magic recording box on terrestrial radio but it seems to be disabled. I cannot pause, rewind or record these channels. Brutal.