980 CKNW Vancouver, 680 CJOB Winnipeg and 770 CHQR Calgary are now officially under the Global News Radio brand

980 CKNW Vancouver, 680 CJOB Winnipeg and 770 CHQR Calgary are now officially under the Global News Radio brand. They join Corus’ Ontario newstalk stations, which were rebranded earlier this month.

Bell Media radio stations are now tracking complete sound recording data, including ISRC (International Standard Recording Codes), automatically on new tracks from major record labels and independent label partners. The network says the new reporting system has resulted in cleaner data, benefiting those that rely on broadcast data to get royalties to rights holders. Developed by Bell Media, Music Canada and Re:Sound, the project has so far resulted in faster payouts and 28 per cent more revenue for major labels and members of CIMA (the Canadian Independent Music Association).

Radioplayer Canada, the radio streaming app featuring more than 500 Canadian radio stations, has announced the streaming service is now available with Amazon Echo, powered by Alexa. Amazon Echo users may now simply ask Alexa to play their favourite radio station on Radioplayer Canada, once the skill is enabled by the listener. The app is also integrated with Sonos, Google’s Chromecast, and Apple CarPlay.

Corus Winnipeg stations Power 97 (CJKR-FM), Global News Winnipeg, 680 CJOB and Peggy @ 99.1 (CJGV-FM) partnered with Freightliner Manitoba on Dec. 2 for the 2nd Annual Fill the Freightliner event. The 12-hour broadcast, anchored by Power 97 morning hosts Philly, Joe & Randy, saw hundreds of residents fill boxes and bags with winter outerwear, food and cash for Siloam Mission, raising over $25,000.

Jim Pattison Broadcast Group’s Winnipeg stations QX104 (CFQX-FM) and 94-3 The Drive (CHIQ-FM), joined Save On Foods for a 12-hour One BIG Day For Christmas broadcast on Dec. 9. Together, $10,000 in cash and nearly 9,000 pounds in non-perishable food items, toys and clothing were collected in support of Winnipeg Harvest.

VOCM St. John’s Open Line raised over $25,000 during the first-ever Autism Society Radiothon on Dec. 12, broadcast from the Avalon Mall. Volunteers from Newfoundland Power and the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland worked the phones as pledges came in from across the province.

Vista Radio’s 44 stations raised $1.4 million in food, cash and toys during its fourth annual Million Dollars Charity Drive. With fundraising efforts focused on the week ending Dec. 10, each Vista station selected its own local charity to support, from food banks to hospital foundations to soup kitchens.