Newcap Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the shares of NL Broadcasting Limited, which owns and operates CHNL-AM, CJKC-FM, and CKRV-FM in Kamloops, BC. The deal is subject to CRTC approval.
Revenue at Newcap was down for the first quarter ending Mar. 31, with the company citing revenue declines in the Alberta markets due to continued economic uncertainty in the region and declines in Ottawa due to downward pressure on advertising rates. Revenue of $35.7 million was $1.1 million or 3 per cent lower than last year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $7 million was $1.1 million or 14 per cent lower than last year as a result of lower revenue. Profit for the period was $3 million, a decrease of $1.6 million or 35 per cent compared to last year, due to lower revenue and a higher provision for income taxes.
The CRTC has approved converting CHIN-1-FM 91.9 Toronto from a rebroadcaster of CHIN 1540 into its own ethnic station. Radio 1540 Limited, owned by Leonard and Theresa Lombardi, proposes to broadcast 126 hours of programming each week, 84 hours of which would be devoted to local programming. For the remaining 42 hours (i.e. between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. each day), the station would simulcast CHIN’s programming.
Brad Leask, Network Imaging Producer, NOVA Entertainment, Melbourne, Australia, captured the title of World’s Best Imager on May 5, winning the 6th Annual Iron Imager competition at the Worldwide Radio Summit in Hollywood. Leask took on fellow Aussie and 2016 Iron Imager Champion Sideshow Mike Andersen, Triple M Imaging, Southern Cross Austereo of Sydney. The head-to-head live audio imaging competition is presented annually by Benztown, which took home the honor of Best Domestic VO/Imaging Production in Radio from the 2017 Worldwide Radio Summit Awards, also presented on Friday.
iHeartRadio Canada is heading west with the first ever iHeartRadio WestFest taking place Sat., July 8 at Shaw Millennium Park in Calgary. The festival is the first Canadian iHeartRadio event outside of Toronto. Fifth Harmony, Hedley, Iggy Azalea, Ruth B, Scott Helman and Virginia to Vegas are among those on the bill. Tickets went on sale May 9.
Former News 95.7 (CJNI-FM) Halifax talk host Jordi Morgan launched a new podcast over the weekend called Fall Back Up. Since 2014, Morgan has been vice-president, Atlantic Canada, for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business following layoffs in the Rogers Media division that saw the demise of his highly-rated morning talk show. Morgan says the podcast will provide engaging and thoughtful insights into Atlantic Canada through conversations with business leaders, innovators and high performers. You can link to the podcast through Morgan’s blog.
The 12th Annual Kids Can’t Wait Radiothon, supported by Rogers Radio stations in Kitchener, raised $191,159 for the KidsAbility charity on May 5. Heard on 570 News (CKGL-AM), CHYM 96.7 (CHYM-FM), and Country 106.7 (CIKZ-FM), funds raised help the over 900 kids on the waiting list for KidsAbility services.
The 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon raised $159,393 for the Moose Jaw Health Foundation on May 4-5. The 36-hour fundraiser got a major boost with a $95,852 donation from the Curtis family. Over the last decade, the radiothon has raised more than $3.5 million.
