Cogeco is acquiring 10 regional radio stations owned by RNC Média

Cogeco is acquiring 10 regional radio stations owned by RNC Média, including Planète 104.5 (CFGT-FM) Alma, Planète 93.5 (CKXO-FM) Chibougamau, Planète 99.5 (CHRL-FM) Roberval, Planète 100.3 (CHVD-FM) Dolbeau-Mistassini, Radio X 95.7 (CKYK-FM) Saguenay, Capitale Rock 104.3 (CHGO-FM) Val-d’Or, Capitale Rock 102.1 (CJGO-FM) La Sarre, and WOW 96.5 (CHOA-FM) Val-d’Or, Pop 104.9 (CJLA-FM) Lachute and Pop 102.1 (CHPR-FM) Hawkesbury. The total value of the transaction is $18.5 million. Cogeco Media already owns and operates 13 radio stations across Québec.

The Tŝilhqot’in Community Radio project in Williams Lake has received $180,500 in federal funding, under the Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting component of the Aboriginal Peoples’ Program. Launched in December, the project is a new platform for the Tŝilhqot’in Nation to assist in the revitalization of their language and culture. Broadcasting to the six Tŝilhqot’in communities in B.C., the station plans to provide its audience with a variety of programs in Tŝilhqot’in, Carrier, Nuxalk and English, including language lessons and interviews, news and community updates, traditional stories and songs, music and comedy segments, and a community morning show.

The Rock 98five (CJJC-FM) Yorkton broadcast an Apr. 19 Humboldt Broncos benefit hockey game that raised $65,000 for the player’s families. Former Yorkton Terriers play-by-play voices Terry Struthers, Craig Stein and Randy Atkinson called the game which featured teams comprised of former Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League players. The Rock has made copies of the broadcast available on their website with proceeds going to the benefit fund.

The Hamilton Spectator has debuted a new podcast called Covering Diane, looking at the more than 30-year-old murder case of Robert Badgerow, the first Canadian tried four times for the same murder. He was eventually found guilty in the 1981 death of Diane Werendowicz, a 23 year old nursing assistant. Over its five episodes, the podcast interviews original reporter Barbara Brown and includes audio clips from original interviews. The podcast was produced by columnist Susan Clairmont and the Spec’s former web editor David Crosbie, who is now a producer with Canadaland.

101.5 my FM (CKMO-FM) Orangeville, ON helped Headwaters Health Care Foundation (HHCF) reach its fundraising goal of $20,000 during its second annual radiothon on Apr. 11. Airing from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., the 12-hour event featured on-air personalities in conversation with hospital patients, staff, sponsors, and physicians. Money raised will go toward the purchase of an ICU specialty bed.

Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) is raising funds for the Tyler Bieber and Brody Hinz Memorial Bursary, honouring the two young broadcasters killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy. The scholarship, based on financial need, would go to a Radio Television Journalism program student “with an interest in a career in sports broadcasting and a commitment to community service, particularly within the sports community.”