Radio & Podcast News – Ford owners more likely to listen to AM radio

Ford owners are more likely to listen to AM radio, according to audience data compiled by Cumulus Media and Westwood One’s Audio Active Group. Ford is among the automakers that is phasing out AM radio, starting in 2024, including vehicles manufactured for the Canadian market. Outlined in a blog post from Chief Insights Officer Pierre Bouvard, he points to the Nielsen Fall 2022 survey revealing 82,346,800 Americans listen to AM radio monthly with one in three American AM/FM radio listeners reached monthly by AM. Citing further data from consumer insights profiler MRI Simmons, Bouvard says Ford owners represent 20% of all U.S. AM radio listeners and are more likely to listen to AM radio. One out of five American AM radio listeners own a Ford vehicle, while 23% own a General Motors vehicle. Bouvard says, as reflected in Edison’s Share of Ear, AM/FM radio’s actual share (73%) is three times larger than what advertisers perceive (28%). Read more here.

QR Calgary has announced that for the 32nd consecutive year, it is once again the exclusive broadcast partner of eight-time Grey Cup Champions, the Calgary Stampeders. For the first time, Stampeder games will be broadcast on both FM at 107.3 CFGQ and continue on the AM dial at 770 CHQR. For the next three years, play-by-play announcer Mark Stephen and colour commentator Greg Peterson, along with game host Jock Wilson, and sideline reporter Dave McIvor, will call every pre-season, regular-season and playoff game, in addition to extensive pre-game and post-game coverage. Fans can catch the action, starting May 22, with a pre-season match up against the visiting Edmonton Elks. The regular season opens June 8 when the Stampeders play at home against the BC Lions.

Remembering with Jeff Sammut is a new podcast from the former Sportsnet 590 The Fan (CJCL-AM) producer and technical director, telling the behind-the-scenes stories of favourite cultural figures. The podcast kicked off April 13 with Sammut remembering late Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie with his wife, Kaya Usher. Forthcoming episodes will see Sammut discuss The Golden Girls with television producer Stan Zimmerman; late sports broadcaster Pat Marsden with his former The Fan co-host Don Landry; actor Bob Einstein with John Byner; and MASH with Loretta Swit, among other guests.

99.3 County FM (CJPE-FM) Prince Edward County has announced local Home Hardware dealer Adam Busscher and family as Honourary Chairs of the community station’s Radiothon 2023, taking place May 25-28. Raising funds to keep the non-profit, volunteer-driven station on-air, more than one-third of the station’s annual income is derived from donations and grants. This year’s event will celebrate the return of all live performances by 45 local musicians from the County FM studios throughout the four-day event.

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has announced the performers and presenters set to take the stage at the Canadian Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Presented by Music Canada. The second iteration of the event, which was put on pause during the pandemic, takes place in Calgary on May 18 at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre (NMC), and streams live at 7 p.m. MT/9 p.m. ET on CBC Gem, CBCMusic.ca/junos and on CBC Music’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Jann Arden will induct country music superstar Terri Clark, who featured Arden on her song “Leavin’ On Your Mind,” while vocalist Ranee Lee will honour fellow jazz sensation Dr. Oliver Jones. Three of this year’s inductees – Diane Dufresne, Terri Clark and Trooper – will grace the stage.

LISTEN: Jeff Vidler of Signal Hill Insights returns to the Sound Off Podcast. In this episode you’ll hear some thoughts about podcast’s possible shift back to indie-focused business models, the difference between American and Canadian podcast consumption, and those of Quebec vs. The Rest of Canada, as well as ways podcasters can interact and learn about their audiences. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:

ICYMI: Canadian Music Week (CMW) is inviting nominations for the Allan Waters Young Broadcaster of the Year Award, in memory of Steve Young, until May 12. Nominations for the 14th annual award, recognizing a young Canadian broadcaster, can come from anyone working in the industry. Candidates must be under 30 years of age as of Dec. 31, 2022 and work in On-Air, Programming, Promotion, Production or Creative. Read more here.