Radio and Podcasting News In Brief – Acadia Broadcasting to acquire CIGO-FM

Acadia Broadcasting has filed an application with the CRTC to acquire CIGO-FM Port Hawkesbury, NS, owned by MacEachern Broadcasting Limited. Chris Pearson, President of Acadia Broadcasting, says the company sees the acquisition of the Cape Breton station as a strong cultural fit. The acquisition would bring Acadia’s broadcast licences to 15.

Stingray has entered into an agreement to acquire 99.5 Drum FM (CHOO-FM) Drumheller from Golden West Broadcasting, pending CRTC approval. The deal is expected to close in mid-2019. Stingray already owns Real County-branded CKDQ-AM in the market with Ian Lurie, president of radio operations, saying in a press release that the acquisition would allow the company to pool “challenged” resources in the small market.

Stingray flipped its Classic Hits stations in Vancouver and Edmonton on Boxing Day. LG 104.3 (CHLG-FM) Vancouver and 96.3 Capital FM (CKRA-FM) Edmonton have been rebranded as 104.3 The Breeze and 96.3 The Breeze, respectively, playing “easy, relaxing, and familiar favourites.” Steve Jones, SVP Brands & Content, Radio, told Broadcast Dialogue, that the company has been watching the rise of The Breeze format in several U.S. markets over the past year and saw an opportunity in both Edmonton and Vancouver to fill a void. In Vancouver, the on-air staff remain intact, including Kelly Latremouille on mornings and Graham Hatch on afternoon drive. In Edmonton, Sean Burke will remain on the morning show, while Jake Taylor transitions from middays on the former Capital FM to sister station K97 (CIRK-FM). Jones said the station will be recruiting for afternoons.

Stingray has dropped its $120 million bid to acquire U.S.-based TV music platform Music Choice. Company CEO Eric Boyko said in a press release that Stingray’s recently announced distribution agreement with Altice USA, which will bring 50 Stingray Music audio channels and hundreds of music videos from its On-Demand catalog to Altice Optimum and Suddenlink subscribers, positions the company “to continue as the supplier of choice in the United States for curated B2B and direct-to-consumer services.”

Rogers rolled out a new imaging package on its rock radio stations Jan. 1 that features Canadian alt rocker Bif Naked and former Howard Stern Show sound designer Ron Tarrant. They join existing voice Vanessa Marshall as Rogers’ new national imaging voices across all 10 Rogers rock stations across the country. Read more here.

Okanagan Oldies (CKOO-FM) Kelowna has rebranded to “SOFT 103.9, familiar favourites.” The station has added artists like Adele, Ed Sheeran and James Blunt to its oldies playlist. It’s also introducing new weekend show Sunday Sixties.

JAZZ.FM91’s board of directors has reversed its decision to appeal the Commercial List Application filed by donor member Brian Hemming. In a statement posted to the station’s website Dec. 21, it says while concerned about issues related to the privacy of donors. JAZZ.FM91 has released an electronic version of the donor member email list. The statement cautions donors to “be prepared to receive email communication from the “SaveJazzFM” organization, which has indicated its intention is to hold a Special Meeting to replace the current Board. We believe that is not in the best interests of JAZZ.FM91’s listeners, donors and other stakeholders.”

Jazz.FM91 alumnae Dani Elwell, Garvia Bailey and Heather Bambrick, have launched their own online radio station, JAZZCAST. Funded right now by a Patreon campaign, the station aims to feature live and recorded programming, podcasts, live performances and interviews. A full programming schedule is expected to be revealed in February.

Global News Radio 770 CHQR Calgary raised $255,000 for the Calgary Children’s Foundation during a 13-hour radiothon on Dec. 7. Donations received on Pledge Day are distributed in the spring, with approximately 90 per cent of donations going directly to organizations unable to run campaigns themselves. Special guests included Calgary Stampeder Spencer Wilson with the Grey Cup and Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

boom 97.3 (CHBM-FM) Toronto raised over $160,000 in December to benefit the Toronto & Central Ontario Make-A-Wish chapter. Over the four years of the charity drive, donations have increased 100 per cent.

Stingray’s Zed 98.9 (CIZZ-FM) and Real Country 95.5 (CKGY-FM) held their 16th Annual Stuff A Bus for the Red Deer Food Bank & Christmas Bureau in December. Within the three days, over $30,000 in monetary donations was raised, not including toys or carts of food. The stations also partnered with Gifts For Grandparents through Family Services of Central Alberta, collecting donations of comfort items, snacks and games that were delivered to isolated seniors in the community. A cheque was also presented to Family Services for $10,000 for their Feed A Family program.

Pacific Content is out with 13 Predictions for Podcasting in 2019. The podcast agency surmises that more smart-speaker specific audio will be developed; entertainment properties like game shows, soap operas and reality shows will arrive as podcasts in greater numbers; and that podcast marketing will continue to evolve, taking a cue from movies, TV and music.

Nielsen has undertaken an ad-effectiveness study, commissioned by Midroll, that shows podcast advertising generates better brand recall than other forms of digital advertising. According to the data, podcasts generate up to 4.4 times better brand recall, and boosted purchase intent among listeners. Sixty-one percent said they were likely to buy, compared to 56 per cent of listeners who did not hear an ad.

Roo Phelps, former co-host of syndicated country countdown show The Casey Clarke Show with Roo Phelps, has penned relationship tell-all 11 Weeks that’s risen to best-seller status on Amazon. Phelps, a fourth-generation broadcaster, stepped away from radio in May to explore other opportunities. Watch Phelps’ interview with KelownaNow here.

APTN is conducting a National Indigenous Music Impact Study (NIMIS), the first of its kind in Canada. The study will look at the challenges and successes the Indigenous music community faces, and its economic impact. APTN and its partners are looking to engage those involved in the Indigenous music community, including anyone (Indigenous or non-Indigenous) who creates, promotes and supports Indigenous music in Canada. The results of the study will be public and shared widely with organizations who support the community. Find more info on the NIMIS website.

NPR and Edison Research have released new research, conducted after the Dec. 2018 holidays, confirming a 78 per cent year-over-year increase in smart speaker ownership in the U.S. 53M people A18+ (21 per cent of the population) now own at least one smart speaker. 

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