The CRTC has approved an application by Golden West Broadcasting to abandon the Religious music format on Reach 96.3 (CJGY-FM) Grande Prairie, AB and its transmitters CJGY-FM-1 Fort St. John and CJGY-FM-2 Dawson Creek, BC. In its application, Golden West stated that CJGY-FM has encountered financial struggles since its launch in 2007, stemming from its current conditions of service related to religious programming. In approving the application, the commission has ordered the broadcaster to devote at least 40% of content category 2 (Popular Music) musical selections each broadcast week to Canadian selections in their entirety.
The CRTC has issued a call for comments on market capacity and the appropriateness of issuing a call for radio applications to serve Vancouver. The call was triggered by an application from Durham Radio for a rebroadcasting transmitter for Wave 98.3 (CIWV-FM) Vancouver, which airs a Smooth Adult Contemporary format. The deadline for interventions is Feb. 19.
The CRTC will hold a virtual hearing on March 25 where it will hear an application by Bayshore Broadcasting Corporation for a broadcast licence to operate an FM station in Owen Sound to replace its AM station CFOS. The station would operate at 89.3 MHz (channel 207B1) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 1,500 watts. Bayshore says the station’s programming format would remain the same, consisting of a mix of news, talk, and music targeting the 50+ demo. The commission will also hear the application by Local Radio Lab (LRL) to acquire Indie88 (CIND-FM) Toronto from Rock 95 Broadcasting Ltd. for $7 million, also requesting a new broadcasting licence to continue operating the station under the same terms and conditions. The deadline for submission of interventions is Feb. 16.
Orbyt Media has announced the addition of two new affiliates for The Bobby Bones Show – Corus Radio’s Country 99 (CFPG-FM) Winnipeg and Evanov Communications’ Hot Country 88.5 (CKDX-FM) Newmarket, ON, which began airing the award-winning syndicated radio program last week. With the addition of these two new affiliates, The Bobby Bones Show can now be heard on 27 stations across Canada.
CKUA Edmonton is working to remediate damage to its LP collection following a Jan. 16 flood caused by a burst sprinkler system pipe. CKUA staff are attempting to preserve and dry out what they can, working with insurance and remediation experts, ahead of the massive task of re-shelving the LPs. The community station says damaged album covers have been transported to a restoration company facility where specialists will attempt to preserve and flatten the sleeves, so the vinyl can hopefully can be reunited with its original artwork and liner notes at a future date.
Radiodays North America has unveiled its first round of speakers, including Matt Britton, CEO of Suzy, a consumer intelligence platform touted as ‘Siri for brands’; Emily Copeland, Director, Audience Innovation, and Music Partnerships at Australian Radio Network; Eric Nuzum, cofounder of Magnificent Noise, instrumental in NPR’s original podcasting efforts in 2005 and a short-form content and podcasting leader in Amazon’s Audible division; and Skip Dillard, Brand Manager/Program Director of Audacy’s WXBK-FM 94.7 “The Block” in New York City and Vice President of Audacy’s Rhythmic Adult Contemporary formats. Check out the schedule so far here.
COSCAP (Copyright Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) has signed a partnership deal with CMRRA (The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency) and SX Works Global Publisher Services, both SoundExchange Companies, marking an international music rights management milestone. In a move underscoring the growing influence of Caribbean music, COSCAP has inked a partnership agreement with CMRRA to oversee the mechanical reproduction rights of its members across the Canadian marketplace. Enhancing the partnership, the SX Works Global Publisher Services division will help manage the end-to-end administration on behalf of COSCAP members with The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) in the U.S.
SiriusXM Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA), has kicked off the 6th annual SiriusXM Top of the Country competition. The contest offers mentorship and development opportunities, along with the ultimate prize of being named the 2024 SiriusXM Top of the Country winner and $25,000. The two runners-up each receive $10,000. Registration is now open to solo artists and groups until Feb. 2. The competition has helped launch the careers of talent including Tyler Joe Miller and SACHA. The 2023 winner, Hailey Benedict, is gearing up for a summer tour.
