The CRTC has issued a call for applications to serve the Calgary radio market after receiving an application by Fraser Media Diversity for a broadcasting licence to operate a community ethnic FM radio station to serve the city. The commission found that the market has the capacity to sustain at least one additional radio station, in its view best served by proposals for ethnic and Indigenous communities given those growing populations in the city and increased tuning to stations serving those communities.
Cabin Radio, the Yellowknife online radio station denied an FM licence last year, is getting another shot as the CRTC reopens applications to serve the market after an appeal for an exception. The commission says circumstances have changed since Cabin Radio’s original application, “Specifically, the COVID-19 pandemic and the wildfires in the Northwest Territories have highlighted the importance of having increased access to radio content in the north.” The regulator says it will consider various factors, including how the station will reflect local community, diversity and language; its business plan to ensure longevity; and its impact on the existing market, including projected audience share overlap.
Vista Radio has launched 91.7 ICON Radio, a Classic Hits format spanning decades and genres, hosted by veteran on-air talent including Brother Jake Edwards and Gerry O’Day. ICON Radio went live at noon Friday on CKAY-FM Sechelt on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast. Formerly branded as Coast FM, programming will also include artist spotlights and musical history segments. In addition to longtime Rock 101 (CFMI-FM) morning man Brother Jake and former CFOX music director and AM 650 (CISL-AM) personality O’Day, the on-air lineup includes CKLW Windsor and CKXL Calgary alum Gentleman Jim Jackson, and Barb Montgomery. Read more here.
Stingray has rebranded Fredericton’s CIHI-FM as HOT 93.1. The station had formerly carried the Rewind Classic Hits format since Feb. 2021. Jennifer Evans, Director of Operations for Stingray New Brunswick, says the launch addresses the changing needs of consumers, with the CHR format bringing more diversity to the Fredericton radio market. The station joins Atlantic HOT stations in Charlottetown, Sydney, and St. John’s, in addition to Ottawa and Sudbury.
Corus Audio launched new network weeknight show @Night with Mr. D on March 18, hosted by Damian Rickards. Airing from 7 – 10 p.m. on nine Hot AC and CHR/Top 40 stations across Ontario, Corus says the show will feature curated playlists spanning today’s hits and new releases, in addition to artist interviews and discussion about trending topics. Listeners are able to dial in to join the interactive show. It’s airing on JUMP 106.9 (CKQB-FM) Ottawa, 104.5 Fresh Radio (CFLG-FM) Cornwall, 104.3 Fresh Radio (CKWS-FM) Kingston, 100.5 Fresh Radio (CKRU-FM) Peterborough, 93.1 Fresh Radio (CHAY-FM) Barrie, Energy 95.3 (CING-FM) Hamilton, Magic 106.1 (CIMJ-FM) Guelph, 91.5 The Beat (CKBT-FM) Kitchener, and 103.1 Fresh Radio (CFHK-FM) London. Read more here.
Radioplayer is entering the American market with former Audacy and Paramount Pictures executive Ken Lloyd named U.S. Partnerships Lead. Building on its success in Europe and Canada, Radioplayer says it aims to enhance the radio experience for U.S. listeners across connected cars, smart speakers, and mobile apps, in collaboration with brands like Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, and Renault. Meanwhile at Radiodays Europe in Munich this week, Radioplayer announced a Google Assistant integration and the launch of a Data Platform with an extensive Insight Dashboard that continuously collects and analyzes listener data, content engagement metrics, and ad performance.
Pod the North has announced the debut of new flagship podcast Canardian on April 8. “The podcast gossiping about Canadian hometowns” will feature podcasters like Frequency Podcast Network’s Jordan Heath-Rawlings and Arshy Mann of Canadaland’s COMMONS, promising discussion on the inner turmoil of Southeast Calgary’s fake lake communities, Whitehorse’s Trumpy history, and the unruly teens of Ancaster, ON.
Flightpath, the Hamilton, ON-based podcast revenue optimization startup, has announced that Glassbox Media has selected the company as its inventory and campaign management platform. Established in 2021, Glassbox has rapidly expanded its podcast portfolio, touting 15 million monthly downloads across shows including Everything Everywhere Daily, rSlash, Proof: True Crime Podcast, LISK: Long Island Serial Killer, and Investing for Beginners.
LISTEN: “Murphy’s Logic” is the title of longtime Maritime broadcaster and CTV Atlantic anchorman Steve Murphy’s latest book, named for his long-running opinion segment on CTV Atlantic News at Six. Murphy joins us on Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast to share his insights after 45 years in the news business, including his takes on media bias, the future of journalism, and more. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:
LISTEN: Seth Resler joins the latest Sound Off Podcast to explore the dynamic intersection of podcasting and community marketing. Reflecting on radio’s digital evolution, he discusses content overload and the challenges of standing out in a saturated market; the pivotal role of community building, particularly in the pandemic era; and shares his insights on podcast monetization and social media dynamics.
Pro Bono Group has released a new PSA for the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. Released free to Canadian radio stations, “Musical Chairs” is the fourth PSA unveiled since the launch of the campaign in October.
