RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off his cross-country tour last Thursday, taking time to call in to 103.7 BOB FM (CJPT-FM) in Brockville, ON and request a song. While in transit, Trudeau called in to BOB’s Breakfast with Mark & Aiden, and asked to hear Tragically Hip’s Three Pistols. Trudeau told the hosts the tour is an opportunity to connect with people who aren’t thinking about politics as much as those in Ottawa are and need to be heard from. Trudeau also told the hosts he was “stoked” to visit the Brockville Aquatarium.
Pandora has announced it will cut seven per cent of its workforce by the end of Q1 2017 to reduce operational costs. Expected to equate to about 150 positions, the announcement last Thursday, sent the company’s stock seven per cent higher. Pandora will soon launch its Premium streaming service, a competitor product to Spotify and Apple Music.
Submissions are now open for the inaugural Jim Beam Make History Talent Search in association with Canadian Music Week. The radio-driven competition, supporting indie and emerging talent, will take place in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal with support from radio partners 102.7 The Peak (CKPK-FM), X92.9 (CFEX-FM), Indie 88 (CIND-FM) and CHOM-FM. Unsigned acts are invited to submit an original song or video and bio to the radio stations’ websites or indie.ca, where a music industry panel will select up to five artists in each market as regional finalists. The regional finalists will then be invited to play a live showcase before a panel of judges. Each regional winner will play at the Canadian Music Week Festival in Toronto where a grand prize winner will be selected.
Toronto’s JAZZ.FM 91 (CJRT-FM) broadcast studio has been renamed The Allan Slaight Studio, celebrating the broadcasting pioneer’s legacy and love for jazz. The former Slaight Communications chairman is now 85. The gift, from an anonymous donor and distant relative, will support the not-for-profit station’s ongoing commitment to jazz and the arts. The station produces over 30 concerts a year in addition to providing numerous music education programs including Jazz 4 Kids and the JAZZ.FM91 Youth Big Band.
Buffy Sainte-Marie will receive the 2017 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award at this year’s JUNO Awards. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) says Sainte-Marie exemplifies the essence of humanitarianism through her dedication to protecting indigenous communities and intellectual property. Named after CHUM Ltd. founder Allan Waters, the award will be presented at the JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards presented by SOCAN on April 1, 2017 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa.
SiriusXM Canada has released its financial results of the first quarter of 2017, with revenue up 4.4 per cent year over year due to an increased subscriber base and strong growth from the pre-owned vehicle market. The company is in the final stage of its recapitalization go-private transaction and is awaiting a CRTC decision, following public consultations. Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2017 increased $726,000 or 3.1 per cent, to $24.24 million, due to higher revenue and lower subsidies and distribution costs, and partly offset by higher marketing and revenue share and royalty costs. The company generated free cash flow of $13.15 million, an improvement of 28.5 per cent, primarily due to lower capital expenditures related to fewer new terrestrial repeaters and XM activation fees, offset by a decrease in cash flow generated by operating activities.
Newcap Radio says close to $86,000 dollars was raised during the Stu Jeffries Thousand Dollar Make-A-Wish Minute holiday campaign on boom 97.3 (CHBM-FM) Toronto. As part of the campaign, listeners were given 60 seconds to answer 10 random questions live on air during Jeffries’ weekday morning show. For each correct answer, $10 was awarded to the contestant and those who got all 10 right won $1,000. Every dollar awarded was matched by the station, in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Online submissions open Feb. 13 for the BCAB Awards of Excellence. Entries are being accepted for Best Commercial Creative (Radio and TV); Best Station Imaging (Radio and TV); Community Service Award (Radio and TV); and Excellence in News Reporting (Radio and TV). Nominations for Broadcast Performer of Tomorrow, Performer of the Year and Broadcaster of the Year can also be submitted.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Bruce “Barks” Barker. The Grand @ 101 (CICW-FM) Centre Wellington, ON host and PA announcer for pro lacrosse franchise The Toronto Rock suffered a stroke on Dec. 29. The stroke affected his right side, his ability to write and his speech. He was admitted to the Acute Stroke Floor at Guelph General Hospital and is now being treated as an outpatient. Funds raised will cover Bruce’s medical costs and living expenses until he is back on his feet. Barks has previously worked as a morning show host and sports personality on myFM (CIYN-FM) Kincardine, ON, MIX 99.9 (CKFM-FM) Toronto, CJAY 92 Calgary, Rock 95 (CJFB-FM) Barrie, and the CKO radio news network.
