Evanov Communications’ Arise Christian Radio AM 1380 (CKPC-AM) in Brantford, ON has gone dark. CKPC-AM had been broadcasting a Christian Contemporary music format since September 2020 when Evanov moved the station’s former Country format to sister station CFWC-FM, with an eye toward maximizing profitability on the FM band. This is the second AM station the company has shuttered in the last three years, with CHRF 980 AM Montreal, the company’s only French-language station, going dark in June 2020. “Like other broadcasters, Evanov Communications is at a junction that has been brought about by competitive forces, economic conditions and the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are assessing the ongoing impact of these factors on our business, and are adjusting, realigning, and reinventing ourselves where necessary,” said Allison Worone, General Counsel at Evanov, in a statement provided to Broadcast Dialogue. Read more here.
First Peoples Radio (FPR), which operates ELMNT FM Indigenous radio stations in Ottawa and Toronto, says without further tangible benefits support, they will be forced to close. FPR has filed a Part 1 application with the CRTC requesting the redirection of $2 million ($1 million per year) of the $30,104,028 tangible benefits package approved by the commission to support CFPO-FM and CFPT-FM. FPR says despite making efforts over the last two years to diversify the not-for-profit’s funding base and expand advertising revenue, including pursuing government funding to support Indigenous content, efforts have been unsuccessful or insufficient to meet operating requirements. The station undertook significant layoffs last October. Read more here.
CRTC has renewed the broadcasting licence for My Broadcasting Corporation’s Freq 90.5 (CJMB-FM) Peterborough, also approving a request to delete conditions of service that saw it previously devote more than 50% of each broadcast week to spoken word programming. In its application, MBC said it had been forced to back away from its sports/talk format as a result of the shutdown of most sports during the pandemic. The CRTC decision finds that CJMB-FM would likely continue to struggle to find financial footing should it have to continue to operate in the specialty format, heightened by the fact that it operates with much lower power than the other commercial radio stations in Peterborough with which it competes.
The CRTC has denied a proposal by Rogers Sports & Media seeking a reduction in the amount of Canadian content it’s obligated to play on KiSS 91.7 (CHBN-FM) Edmonton. The commission rejected a proposal to reduce Canadian content from 40% to 35% between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, saying Rogers did not demonstrate in its application how such a reduction would improve the financial situation of CHBN. In its application, Rogers stated that the greater 40% Canadian musical selections threshold creates an undue burden on the station for no other reason than implementing a condition of service imposed in 2004 when the licensing application was first approved.
The CRTC has denied an application by Faithway Communications Inc. to renew the broadcasting licence for Fredericton, NB religious music station CJRI-FM and its transmitters CJRI-FM-1 Woodstock, CJRI-FM-2 St. Stephen, and CJRI-FM-3 New Bandon. Accordingly, the licence will expire Aug. 31 at midnight. The commission says in light of the severity of numerous instances of non-compliance, the station’s history and the licensee’s failure to respond to the commission, including failing to appear at a May public hearing, it finds that not renewing the broadcast licence for CJRI-FM and its transmitters is the only appropriate measure under the circumstances.
The CRTC has approved an application by Pickering College Campus Radio for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language community FM radio station in Newmarket, ON to replace its low-power English-language campus radio station CHOP-FM Newmarket. The proposed station will operate at 102.7 MHz (channel 274A1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 33.5 watts. During the school-year, the total amount of community-created or hosted programming will equate to 95 hours a week with student created or hosted programming equating to 31 hours a week. In the summer months, the ratios of community-led or hosted programming will increase to 105 hours a week, representing 83% of total programming and 21 hours a week for student created or hosted programming. Music broadcast by the station will be a mix of alternative, rock, pop, classic rock, and jazz music, with a focus on independent and emerging artists.
Pattison Media’s 94.3 NOW!radio (CHNW-FM) Winnipeg temporarily rebranded Tuesday as 94.3 MEOW!radio, in celebration of International Cat Day. Morning hosts Marika and Turnbull unveiled the new name at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, raising awareness of the “MEOWtain of cats” in need of loving homes at the Winnipeg Humane Society. The rebrand was complete with MEOW!radio IDs. The station also changed its electronic billboards for the day, urging listeners to “Listen MEOW!” Read more here.
Orbyt Media, in partnership with The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, has announced the return of “A Day to Listen” for a third straight year on Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. So far, more than 500 radio stations – spanning all formats, regions and broadcasters – have participated. This year’s program will be hosted by William Prince, Aysanabee and Shoshona Kish of the band Digging Roots. Special guests include Buffy Sainte-Marie, Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson, Cindy Blackstock, and former NHL’er Jordin Tootoo.
Edison Research’s Share of Ear study has shared a quarterly update looking at all audio usage among Americans, 13+. AM/FM Radio (which combines over-the-air with listening to radio stations via their streams) is down one point to 36%. Owned music (listening to CDs, vinyl, owned digital files, etc.) dropped two points to 7%, while Podcasts gained one point to hit another new all-time high of 10% of all listening. Audiobooks were also up one point, now accounting for 3% of all time spent with audio.
The Podcast Academy’s Ambies’ are open to nominations until Nov. 17. Production companies, individual producers/creators, and distributors of a podcast series which published at least three episodes during the period from Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2023 are eligible for consideration. Any ongoing podcast can enter, and any miniseries podcast can enter so long as they published episodes in 2023.
LISTEN: Lauren Passell, owner of Tink Media, is on the Sound Off Podcast joining Matt Cundill to talk about podcast marketing. Lauren, along with Arielle Nissenblatt, embarked on podcasting’s ultimate PR campaign last April with the “Adopt-a-Listener” initiative to recruit more people to connect with podcasts. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:
Red Robinson will be posthumously honoured at the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) on Aug. 31. The late Vancouver DJ, who passed away in April, had a long association with the PNE, emceeing shows there starting in the 1950s. To honour Robinson’s contributions, the organization will host Red Robinson Day on the 66th anniversary of the famed Elvis Presley concert Robinson emceed. At noon on Red Robinson Day, the PNE will host a special bench dedication ceremony serving as a permanent tribute to Robinson’s influence on the music industry and his lifelong connection to the fair. The event is free with fair admission. A special display of iconic ’50s cars will be on site at Festival Park throughout the day, saluting Robinson’s love affair with the 50s era. At 6 p.m. Elvis tribute artist Aaron Wong will perform, followed by the evening’s Summer Night Concert featuring Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo and a special video presentation commemorating Robinson’s life and achievements promoting rock ‘n roll.
