Bell Media’s updated iHeartRadio app now includes Evanov radio stations and some U.S. stations. Included in the enhanced programming lineup are popular podcasts WTF with Marc Maron, The Joe Rogan Experience, The Nerdist, and Bell Media originals The TSN Hockey Bobcast, Jay and Dan and Mike on Much. The app’s platforms have also been expanded to include Apple Watch, Apple CarPlay, Android Wear, Android Auto and Sonos devices.
The CRTC has approved Dufferin Communications Inc.’s application to operate an ethnic commercial specialty FM radio station in Winnipeg to replace its ethnic commercial AM radio station CKJS Winnipeg. The FM station would operate at 92.7 MHz (channel 224B) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 19,700 watts (maximum ERP of 35,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 154 metres).
Newcap has rebranded CFCW-FM Camrose as New Country 98.1. The station’s new on-air line-up features Stevie De La Rose, weekdays from 6 a.m. to noon; Lucas Banack on afternoons; and The Casey Clarke Show with Roo Phelps, weekdays from 6 – 11 p.m.
CHOM 97.7 FM Montreal is pulling the plug on indie show Montreal Rocks, which Jay Walker has produced and hosted for the last seven years. The final episode of the show, which highlighted the local music scene, will air Dec. 31. The move is part of a change to the station’s Sunday night schedule that will see a switch to live-DJ programming.
Rogers Media has rebranded KiSS 95.9 (CHFM-FM) Calgary to 95.9 CHFM, Calgary’s Lite Music Mix, as of Dec. 1. Launching with an all-Christmas music format for the holidays, the station’s on-air lineup will see morning show host Billie Jo Ross return from maternity leave on Jan. 8 to join Mornings with Mookie, Billie Jo and Lori. Sasha Spencer, Erin Wilde, and Sue Deyell will round out weekday programming, with Michelle Yi taking listeners through the weekend.
Audience Insights and Ulster Media recently released findings from the first Canadian Podcast Listener study. As previously reported in Broadcast Dialogue, the research shows that podcasting is officially a thing in Canada. Download the full report here and listen to Jeff Vidler discuss the findings in the latest edition of our own Broadcast Dialogue podcast below.
97.5 The River (CKRV-FM) Kamloops raised over $30,000 for the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, $8,000 for Christmas Amalgamated and collected 1,611 toys at the 25th Annual Toys for Kids Breakfast. This year’s hospital donations are earmarked for the Pediatrics Ward.
Cumulus, the second largest radio company in the U.S. with 446 stations in 90 markets, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Weighed down by debt and years of underperformance, the plan will cut the company’s debt load by more than $1 billion.
