Radio On The Move’s Fall 2022 Share of Audio update from Signal Hill Insights and Radio Connects, indicates AM/FM radio continues to be the largest source of audio listening for Canadians. Consistent with time spent listening in Spring 2022, AM/FM’s share of time spent with audio was at 39%, according to the online panel survey of 3,114 Canadians, 18+, conducted by Maru Voice Canada. Podcasts (7%) and free ad-supported music streaming (6%) were each down one point, while paid music streaming was up one point (14%). With more workers returning to the office, out-of-home AM/FM tuning was up on smartphones (from 27% in April to 32%) and on personal computers (up four points to 35%). Radio’s share of in-car tuning rose to 62%, up from 59% in the spring report. Read more here.
The CRTC has found that the market of Joliette, Que. can sustain at least one additional radio station at this time. The commission says given the scarcity of FM frequencies and the additional interest in serving the market, it has issued a call for applications for a new radio station. The commission previously received an application by Arsenal Media for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language commercial FM station in Joliette. The market of just over 20,000 residents is currently served by Arsenal-owned French-language station, CJLM-FM.
The Canadian Journalism Foundation’s (CJF) J-Talks Live series kicks off its 2023 season on Thursday, Jan. 26 with an exploration of the growing role played by podcasting in long-form investigative crime journalism. The virtual event will bring together independent podcaster Kathleen Goldhar and Tortoise Studios partner Basia Cummings, with investigative journalist and podcaster Connie Walker moderating the discussion on how podcasts have changed the way we think about investigative crime narratives and how the medium is building relationships with audiences. Goldhar, former Executive Producer of CBC’s The Current, left Antica Productions earlier this month to go out on her own as an independent producer. Cummings is an editor and partner in UK-based Tortoise Studios, known for its award-winning narrative podcasts, including weekly investigative show, The Slow Newscast. Walker is currently the host of Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s – which made The New Yorker’s list of Best Podcasts of 2022. Read more here.
Corus Entertainment’s Curiouscast has released Season 5 of award-winning original podcast, Crime Beat. Led by veteran Global News crime reporter Nancy Hixt, since its debut in March 2019, the podcast has recorded over 16.3 million downloads with a growing audience in the U.S., UK and Australia, according to data provided by Corus. Named one of Amazon Music’s Best Podcasts of 2022, Crime Beat has been adapted to TV, currently airing its fourth season on Global TV and streaming on Hulu in the U.S. New episodes will be released every Tuesday.
Westcoast Express is set to make its debut Jan. 31, a new podcast from former TSN Radio (CKST-AM) and Sportsnet 650 (CISL-AM) Vancouver host Scott Rintoul. Featuring infamous Vancouver Canucks’ linemates Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi, and Brendan Morrison, who were dubbed “The Westcoast Express,” the podcast explores their part in rebuilding the NHL franchise in the early 2000s.
CBC’s great Canadian book debate, Canada Reads, returns for its 22nd edition, March 27-30. Ali Hassan will host a panel of advocates championing Canadian books that speak to this year’s theme, “One Book to Shift Your Perspective.” Each day of the competition, one book will be eliminated by the panelists until a winner is declared the must-read book for Canadians in 2023. Debates will broadcast each day on CBC Radio, with a live stream on CBC Gem, CBC Listen and CBCbooks.ca. The five books to be debated and their champions are: Ducks by Kate Beaton, to be championed by Jeopardy! champion, Mattea Roach; Greenwood by Michael Christie, to be championed by actor and filmmaker, Keegan Connor Tracy. Hotline by Dimitri Nasrallah, to be championed by Yukon-based bhangra artist and educator, Gurdeep Pandher; Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, to be championed by #BookTok content creator and nursing student, Tasnim Geedi; and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, to be championed by actor, choreographer, and artistic director, Michael Greyeyes.
SiriusXM has announced the return of The GRAMMY® Channel in collaboration with the Recording Academy. To celebrate the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards, the channel will honour the artists, albums and songs nominated this year, including Adele, Beyoncé, Brandi Carlile, Jack Harlow, Miranda Lambert, Lizzo, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, The Black Keys and more, leading up to SiriusXM’s live, red-carpet broadcast Sun, Feb. 5. Heard on SiriusXM channel 105, the limited-edition channel will run through Feb. 7.
LISTEN: Adam Seaborn, Head of Partnerships for North America at Toronto-headquartered digital sports media startup, Playmaker Capital, is on the latest Sound Off Podcast. Seaborn talks with Matt Cundill about changes in the sports media space, how sports betting fits into Playmaker’s business, room for growth in the sector, and best practices to make your sports podcast flourish. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:
