RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST:
Canada’s National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC) has joined a growing consortium of radio broadcasters working toward launching the Radioplayer Canada app and desktop streaming player technology. Announced last fall, the free app promises to give listeners access to live and past radio broadcasts from more than 400 stations across the country through Radioplayer Canada’s browser-player and on connected devices through the iOS or Android app. Campus and community stations join Bayshore Broadcasting, Blackburn Radio, Blackgold Radio, Byrnes Communications, CAB-K Broadcasting, Central Ontario Broadcasting, Clear Sky Radio, Cogeco Media, Corus Entertainment, Durham Radio, Fabmar Communications, Golden West Broadcasting, Harvard Broadcasting, Larche Communications, Newcap Radio, Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Rogers Media, Rawlco Radio, RNC Media, Saskatoon Media Group, Vista Radio, and Westman Communications Group, among others.
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) has ruled that paid spots voiced by a radio host on BLVD 102.1 (CFEL-FM) Quebec City were sufficiently distinct from news and programming content, so the station did not violate any broadcast code. During the Sept. 6, 2016 broadcast of talk show Arthur le midi, radio host André Arthur did two “live” advertisements for a local restaurant. The host prefaced the first spot with [translation] “before going to the real commercial break, we’re going to do a fake commercial break”; he then proceeded to talk about the limited time offer of a roast beef dinner at the restaurant. That spot was followed by a customary commercial break of pre-recorded ads. Arthur did a similar promotion at the end of his program, only that time did not premise it with the “fake commercial” comment. Following a listener complaint, the CBSC’s French-Language Panel found the station had achieved an appropriate distinction from regular content, adding that the topics covered on the show that day were completely unrelated to the restaurant.
The 14th annual Country 105 (CKRY-FM) Caring for Kids Radiothon in Calgary raised over $1.78 million for the Alberta Children’s Hospital, bringing the event’s 14-year total to over $22.7 million. Country music star and former nurse Paul Brandt co-hosted with the Country 105 FM announcers and sang for everyone in hospital.
The annual IWK Radiothon, involving 10 Bell Media-owned stations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, raised $272,935 on Feb. 2. Participating stations included C100 (CIOO-FM) and 101.3 Virgin Radio (CJCH-FM) in Halifax; Big Dog 100.9 FM (CKTO-FM) and Cat Country 99.5 FM (CKTY-FM) in Truro; FOX 105 FM (CFXY-FM), Capital 106.9 FM (CIBX-FM) and KHJ 1260 AM (CKHJ-AM) in Fredericton; MAX 104.9 FM (CKBC-FM) in Bathurst, K93 FM (CIKX-FM) in Grand Falls and CJ104 FM (CJCJ-FM) in Woodstock. Funds raised support the most urgent priority needs of the IWK Health Centre, including up-to-date equipment.
Last week’s Corus Radiothon in London, ON raised $80,510 for the Children’s Health Foundation at the London Health Sciences Centre. Stories of hope and perseverance were shared during the Feb. 9 broadcast, aired on AM980 (CFPL-AM), FM96 (CFPL-FM), Country 104 (CKDK-FM) and 103.1 Fresh Radio (CFHK-FM).
Vancouver’s Woman Of Worth Awards have been re-named The Tammy Moyer Woman Of Worth Awards, in memory of the late CKWX News 1130 morning anchor. Moyer passed away last year after fighting pancreatic cancer. The awards will be held on March 25 at the Delta Grand Villa Ballroom.
Frequent JAZZ FM (CJRT-FM) Toronto on-air personality and former morning show host Heather Bambrick is nominated for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year for You’ll Never Know at the Junos. Heather has been with JAZZ FM since 2001 and is currently the host of Jazzology and Sunday Afternoon Jazz. She has twice been awarded the National Jazz Awards’ Broadcaster of the Year.
Vancouver’s Roundhouse Radio (CIRH-FM) and Quantum Properties are giving one lucky listener a brand new, luxury one bedroom condo for one year, rent free. Appealing to those caught up in the city’s housing crisis, the Free House from Roundhouse contest runs until March 31, with the winner to be announced April 3 on the Janice and Cory Show.
