Pattison Media has rebranded CKOV-FM Kelowna as OV 103-9, That ’70s station, as the company closed on the acquisition of the station on April 1. Previously branded as 103.9 The Lake, the passion project of former Clear Sky Radio network owner Paul Larsen had been carrying a Gold-based Soft AC format since its launch in March 2021. The new format features ‘70s favourites from artists like Elton John, Chicago, ABBA, Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac, in addition to select hits from the ‘60s, including Simon & Garfunkel, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles. The station will also carry news on the hour. OV 103-9 joins Pattison’s other properties in the market 104.7 The Lizard (CKLZ-FM), 103.1 Beach Radio (CKQQ-FM), and the Kelowna10 app. Read more here.
Vista Radio has grown by three more radio stations and two digital news portals. As of April 1, CAB-K Broadcasting’s Country 96.5 (CKLJ-FM) and Rock 104.5 (CKJX-FM) in Olds, AB and Country 106.5 (CKVG-FM) in Vegreville have been acquired by Vista. This now takes Vista’s independent network to 51 radio stations and 40 digital properties in three provinces and the Northwest Territories. Pending CRTC approval, Vista is also set to acquire 21 of Bell Media’s radio properties in B.C.
The Saskatchewan Country Music Association has announced the nominees for the 2024 SCMA Awards, set to take place in Lloydminster on June 22. Radio Station of the Year – Major Market nominees include Saskatchewan Country CKBI (900 AM) Prince Albert, 620 CKRM Regina, Pure Country 92.7 Regina, 92.9 The Bull Saskatoon, CJWW 600 Saskatoon. Radio Station of the Year – Secondary Market nominees are Country 106.1 FM Estevan, FM Country CJVR (105.1 FM) Melfort, Saskatchewan Country CJNB (1050 AM) North Battleford, Country 106.7 FM Weyburn, and GX94 Yorkton. Up for On-Air Personality of the Year are Chase Hussey, Pure Country 92.7 Regina; Cody Glydon, 620 CKRM Regina; Courtney Fielder, Country 100.7 Moose Jaw; Jason Lee, CJWW Saskatoon; and Matt Ryan, CJNB North Battleford. Fielder also earned a nod for Music Director of the Year, alongside GX94’s Danny Ismond and CJWW’s Matt Bradley.
Radiodays North America and Canadian Music Week (CMW) have opened nominations for the Pat Grierson Radio Sales Person of the Year Award, sponsored by Slaight Music. Grierson, the founder and president of Canadian Broadcast Sales (CBS), passed away at the age of 77 in May 2022. The award will celebrate a Canadian radio sales professional for top notch performance, ability to lead by example and willingness to embrace new technologies and innovation, among other criteria. Submissions are open until April 22. The winner will be recognized at the Radiodays North America President’s Reception at Corus Quay on June 3, and receive a $5,000 cash award. Read more here.
Humor in the C-Suite is a new podcast from comic and keynote speaker Kate Davis. Every week, she’ll chat with business leaders on how they use humour to create extraordinary work culture, shedding light on the influence humor has in the corporate environment in promoting trust, confidence, curiosity and success. Guests include author Todd Hirsch, Sugarmoon founder Paola Girotti, and Historic Restoration founder Oskhar Pineda. The podcast is produced by the Sound Off Media Company.
SiriusXM Canada and the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) have opened public voting for this year’s SiriusXM Top of the Country competition. This year’s semi-finalists represent five Canadian provinces: Robert Adam – Bonnyville, AB; Alexa Goldie – Kingston, ON; Parker Graye – Orillia, ON; Zach McPhee – Vernon, BC; Tony Stevens – Surrey, BC; Trudy – Montreal, Que.; Mariya Stokes – Stavely, AB; and Jade Turner – Misipawistik Cree Nation, MB.
SiriusXM is devoting a limited engagement channel to 14-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift. Channel 13 (Taylor’s Version) debuts Sunday, April 7, 13 days ahead of her highly-anticipated new album The Tortured Poets Department. It will feature Swift’s music from her chart-topping 17-year career, including Eras Tour favourites, live tracks, bonus tracks and more. The 13th day of the channel, Friday, April 19, will see the full album played beginning to end continuously throughout the weekend. Swifties will also share their personal and meaningful experiences with Taylor and her music.
Luminate says the Canadian public continues to rank among the world leaders in percentage of the population actively listening to music and the overall percentage of music streamers (premium and subscription). However, Luminate says with an average of 11.1 hours spent with music weekly — a number lower than comparable markets like the U.S., France and Germany — there is an opportunity to grow time spent listening among Canadians. Canadians strongly support homegrown artists, with 71% of music listeners engaging with music from Canada in 2023, compared to 66% in 2022. That increase was aided by new breakout stars like Canadian singer-songwriter Tate McRae and the continued growth of Punjabi music in Canada, including Canadian-based artists like Karan Aujla and Shubh.
Edison Research’s Infinite Dial 2024 indicates monthly podcast listening is up by five points (42% in 2023 to 47% in 2024). Just over one-third (34%) of the U.S. population, 12+, say they have listened to a podcast in the past week – up from 31% in 2023. An estimated 98 million Americans now listen to podcasts weekly. Other highlights of this year’s report are that 70% of those 18+, who have driven or ridden in a car in the last month, listen to radio as an audio source in their primary car; 55% listen to online audio and 32% listen to podcasts.
Spotify is rolling out audiobooks to its Premium users in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. Beginning April 9, Spotify Premium users in those markets will have access to up to 15 hours of audiobooks per month. The streamer’s Premium audiobook catalog, already available in the U.S., UK, and Australia, includes 250,000 titles and growing. Canada’s Carley Fortune (Meet Me At The Lake) is among the authors recruited to share some of their favourites.
LISTEN: Yellowknife online radio station Cabin Radio was denied an FM licence last year. But then, last summer’s wildfires threatened the community of roughly 20,000. That’s prompted the CRTC to announce that it is re-opening applications to serve the market after an appeal for an exception. Ollie Williams, the editor of Cabin Radio, joins Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast to talk about the twists and turns of the regulatory process over the last five years, perseverance, and the enduring impact of local journalism.
LISTEN: Sarah Christie has been in radio for well over a decade, currently serving as the National Music Manager for Virgin Radio Canada. She’s on the latest Sound Off Podcast discussing the changing state of radio programming, adapting to new technology to stay on top of current music trends, and her podcast, Earth Care, which provides listeners with tips on how to reduce their carbon footprint.
