My Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has entered into an agreement with Rogers Sports & Media to acquire two of its stations in Southwestern Ontario and another in the Ottawa Valley. Pending CRTC approval, MBC will take over 101.3 CKOT-FM and 107.3 CJDL-FM Tillsonburg, and 92.3 CJET-FM Smiths Falls. 101.3 CKOT-FM is currently branded as Easy 101.3 and carries and carries an Adult Contemporary format, while CJDL-FM carries Rogers’ Country brand and CJET-FM the JACK FM format. Read more here.
Corus Entertainment has launched The Ben Mulroney Show, airing across its AM news/talk radio stations, as part of network changes tied to last week’s “programming refresh.” Making its debut this past Monday, Ben Mulroney is being heard from 9 a.m. – noon on 640. The first hour will focus on topics directly impacting those living in the Greater Toronto, Hamilton Area, and Ontario, with the following two hours to be syndicated across Corus’ talk network. The show will be heard from 9 a.m. – noon on AM 980 (CFPL-AM) London, noon – 2 p.m. on QR Calgary and 880 CHED Edmonton, 2 – 4 p.m. on 680 CJOB Winnipeg, and 6 – 8 p.m. on 980 CKNW Vancouver. Read more here.
Radioplayer has unveiled a new app ecosystem, allowing users to listen seamlessly to radio and podcasts between devices, among other enhancements. In addition to being able to switch between devices – including car dashboards, smartphones, and smart TVs – without interruption, the improved listening experience includes personalized recommendations based on listening habits; the ability to sync favourite stations across all devices; and voice control for in-car listening. Radioplayer has also introduced an Integrated Data Platform, offering broadcasters access to real-time insights into listener behaviour. Read more here.
Quu, the car tech research and dashboard solutions provider, has released its inaugural 2024 In-Vehicle Visuals Report, looking at the prevalence of radio in the top 100 best-selling new American vehicles. Its latest survey, based on data collected between Nov. 2023 and Jan. 2024, finds AM radio is still present in 98% of car dashboards, while FM radio is present in 100%. The report says while rumours of AM/FM radio disappearing from the dashboard have been greatly exaggerated, AM/FM no longer has a monopoly. Ninety-eight per cent of new vehicles also have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM is installed in 92% of new vehicles and radio stations need to drive home their value proposition to listeners who have several other choices at the touch of a button.
Dean Blundell has announced he plans to wind down his podcast network, Crier Media, in the New Year. The former 102.1 the Edge (CFNY-FM) and Sportsnet 590 The Fan (CJCL-AM) morning host, had more than 60 podcast collaborators under his initial digital venture DeanBlundell.com, before rebranding in early 2023 as Crier Media. Blundell told Broadcast Dialogue that after seven years in the digital space, he’s “shelving the publishing aspect of Crier for the time being and reassessing the digital media ‘landscape.’” The veteran host said podcasting and content creation “to feed an algorithm” doesn’t excite him at the moment, leading him to focus more on the consulting and brand building side of his business. Read more here.
LISTEN: Ian March, Program Director of Indie88 (CIND-FM) Toronto is on the Sound Off Podcast, discussing his 25-year radio career. Among other things, March talks about focusing on digital integration and targeting a broader audience, the station’s recent ownership change to Local Radio Lab and the challenges posed by CRTC approval delays, as well as the evolving nature of radio programming.
