Numeris has announced it won’t be producing a Fall 2020 TV Diary, with its Fall Radio Diary to move solely online and focus on top radio markets only. The audience measurement agency cites the potential for a second wave of COVID-19, and the risks of not being able to physically process diaries with further lockdowns. While some Numeris staff have returned to the office, the agency says it remains unable to process physical diary returns remotely. Numeris has had an Online Radio Diary in place since 2016. With markets with the highest populations typically generating the most online respondents (40 to 50%), the agency will proceed with an online-only Fall Radio Diary with a focus on top markets only. Read more here.
Nielsen Music/MRC Data has unveiled its 2020 Canada Mid-Year Report reflecting the first six months of the year. The music industry experienced a strong start to 2020, with audio streaming growing through early March, up 20.9% over the same period in 2019. Total music consumption was up 10.8% in the first 10 weeks of the year. The pandemic disrupted daily routines and consumer habits, but consumers continued to turn to entertainment to escape. Genres that saw streaming increases included Country, which by the week ending May 7, saw streams rise 10.5% above the baseline. Country’s market share of audio on-demand streams also grew from 5.5% pre-COVID-19 to 6.4% post-lockdown. Christian, Children’s and Blues also posted increases. As Canadians turned to music for comfort, titles older than 18 months took a slightly larger share of both on-demand audio streams (61.9% in the first half of 2020 versus 59.8% in the first half of 2019), as well as year-to-date audio consumption (sales plus streams), which was 62.1% in H1 2020 vs. 59.1% in H1 2019.
Acadia Broadcasting has entered into an agreement to acquire Halifax radio stations Hot Country 103.5 (CKHZ-FM) and Jewel 105 (CKHY-FM) from Evanov Radio Group-owned HFX Broadcasting Inc., subject to CRTC approval. Headquartered in neighbouring New Brunswick, Acadia Broadcasting already owns four stations in Nova Scotia: CKBW-FM Bridgewater, Country 100.7 (CJHK-FM) Bridgewater, Y95 (CJLS-FM) Yarmouth and 101.5 The Hawk (CIGO-FM) Port Hawkesbury. Read more here.
My Broadcasting Corporation’s Peterborough talksports station EXTRA 90.5 (CJMB-FM) has pushed the pause button on its sports programming, rebranding as FREQ 90.5, an Alternative Rewind format featuring songs from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s. In a Facebook Live announcement, the company said StatsRadio’s 365 measurement allowed them to make an informed decision with EXTRA 90.5 audience drop-off coinciding with the NHL season hiatus Mar. 12. MBC says its commitment to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Peterborough Petes remains unchanged.
The CRTC has rejected Rogers application to operate KiSS Radio 104.9 (CKKS-FM-2) in Vancouver as its own station instead of as a rebroadcaster of a Chilliwack station. The station has been operating out of Rogers’ studios in Vancouver since 2000. A joint intervention from Bell Media, Corus, and Stingray stated that should the commission choose to grant a new commercial licence, it should not go to Rogers as it previously tried to enter the Vancouver market by the backdoor as this service was twice cited for a failure to provide locally relevant programming for the Chilliwack and Fraser Valley areas. The commission concluded the Vancouver market can’t sustain a new radio station at this time.
The CRTC has rejected Vista Radio’s application for new radio station in Grande Prairie, AB finding that economic conditions there do not support a new radio station. The northern Alberta city, population 63,000, is already served by five commercial stations.
The CRTC has determined that the Scarborough radio market cannot support an additional commercial radio station at present, but will publish an application by International Harvesters of Christ Evangelistic Association Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate a new Specialty (Christian music) FM radio station to serve the Scarborough market. The commission says given that specialty Christian music stations generally do not raise concerns pertaining to commercial impact, it will publish the application for consideration in the non-appearing phase of a future public hearing.
The National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC) and 30+ radio stations have committed over $480,000 to support local businesses in the economic recovery. From coast-to-coast, stations have stepped in to offer grants of free advertising and promotion, or steep discounts to help local businesses restart and recover. Find the full list of participating stations, here.
Stingray says its economic stimulus plan via its 104 radio stations helped 5,000 local businesses obtain grants in the form of radio advertising over the past few months. Stingray says a total of $20 million has been awarded across the markets where it operates radio stations, $5 million more than initially planned.
Stingray’s FLOW 93-5 (CFXJ-FM) Toronto and DJ Charlie B presented DJs United Against Racism – a 12-hour commercial free fundraiser on July 10 that raised $55,000 to benefit Toronto’s Black Health Alliance. 25 DJs from across North America donated their time and talent, including DJ Envy (New York); DJ Infamous (Atlanta); DJ Jam (San Diego); Cale Granton (Toronto); DJ Rory (Toronto); DJ Clue (New York); 4Korners (Toronto); Peter Kash (Toronto); DJ RychKydd (Toronto); Fafa Khan (Montreal); Kardinal Offishall (Toronto); Dr. Jay (Toronto); DJ Kav (Calgary); DJ Wikked (Toronto); and DJ Jester (Toronto). The on-air event also featured interviews with prominent Canadians like Director X, Hal Johnson, Mike “Pinball” Clemons, Tory Lanez and more. Donations will continue to be accepted online at flow935.com/united.
CBC Radio One’s summer schedule programming is underway, including new radio series What on Earth, the return of Wiretap and Vinyl Cafe, and inaugural radio runs of CBC’s top original podcasts. They include More with Anna Maria Tremonti, airing Sunday mornings at 11 (11:30 in NL), as well as three seasons of Uncover, airing during The Current timeslot, including the most recent season Uncover: Dead Wrong, focused on the wrongful conviction of Glen Assoun in a 1995 Nova Scotia murder.
SiriusXM and U2 have launched the band’s much-anticipated U2 X-Radio channel on SiriusXM Channel 32. The channel explores the band’s history, idols, influences and current passions, plus inspiration, conversation, culture, commentary and ideas from the band and guests. Curated by U2, the team behind U2 X-Radio includes longtime creative director, artist and musician Gavin Friday, along with friend and radio host Bill Flanagan, author of ‘U2 at the End of the World.’
SiriusXM has acquired Stitcher from E.W. Scripps for $325 million, including its Midroll advertising arm, Earwolf podcast network and the Stitcher podcast platform. Among the titles SiriusXM acquires under the deal are Freakonomics Radio, SuperSoul Sunday from The Oprah Winfrey Network, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Literally! With Rob Lowe, LeVar Burton Reads, and WTF with Marc Maron. The deal follows the company’s recent acquisition of podcast analytics platform, Simplecast, and ad tech platform AdsWizz.
The Amplify Podcast Network, a partnership between Simon Fraser University’s Publishing program and Digital Humanities Innovation Lab, Wilfrid Laurier University Press, Wilfrid Laurier University Library, and The Documentary Media Society, aims to develop Canada’s first podcast network for academics. It plans to launch in 2023 with podcasts to be peer reviewed to ensure accuracy. The podcast network is an extension of a pilot project by its co-director Dr. Hannah McGregor, an Assistant Professor of Publishing at SFU and host and producer of the Secret Feminist Agenda.
LISTEN: Jay Richardson is the afternoon drive host at Power 97 (CJKR-FM) Winnipeg, where he started the on-air portion of his radio career back in 2007. He’s also been the voice of the Winnipeg Jets, announcing all the penalties, goals, assists and in-house announcements at Bell MTS Place. On the latest episode of the Sound Off Podcast, he talks with Matt Cundill about the highs and lows of his journey through Winnipeg radio.
LISTEN: Coop, the host of syndicated weekend radio show RedCup Country, grew up listening to country music when country wasn’t cool. On the latest episode of Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast, Coop tells Shawn Smith, that’s why he jumped at the chance to host country music’s biggest, weekly on-air party.
Benztown and P1 Media Group have partnered with RadioDays Europe to bring the Coronavirus Radio Ideas “Best of Awards” to an international stage. The awards will honour radio professionals around the world that have used their brands and platforms in creative and innovative ways to better serve their listeners, partners and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone is invited to nominate their favourite ideas and posts that have been shared in the Coronavirus Radio Ideas Facebook group. The awards will recognize the best ideas in 12 categories, including: Best Social Media Video Content, Best Virtual Event, Best Parody, Best Virtual Concert, Best Station Promo, Best Community Service, Best Social Media Visual, Best Hometown Video, Best Corona Podcast, Best Corona Reporting, Best Sales Promotion, and Best Mega Promotion. The last day to submit nominations is July 31. Online voting starts Aug. 6 and closes Sept. 7.
FEATURE: CanCon at 50: Sean Ross, Edison Research’s Vice President of Music and Programming and the columnist behind Ross on Radio, offers his American hot take (as a lifelong fan) on Canadian Content and radio as the mandate celebrates 50 years. Read more here.
