Evanov Communications (ECI) has announced it’s shuttering three of its FM radio stations in Ontario, citing the difficult media climate and residual impact of the pandemic. Set to cease operations on Sept. 20 are Hot Country 92.5 (CHRC-FM) Clarence-Rockland. Hot Country 107.7 (CKHK-FM) Hawkesbury, and Lite 98.5 (CJWL-FM) Ottawa. CJWL-FM signed on-air in 2006, while CKHK-FM went to air in 2008, and CHRC-FM in 2013. The company says since then, the media landscape has evolved with new outlets and platforms eroding traditional radio revenues, and the COVID-19 pandemic leading traditional radio listeners to park the car for a few years, the number one source of radio listening. Read more here.
Numeris’ summer PPM release completes the 13-week period covering May 27 – Aug. 25, 2024. According to Numeris, radio remains consistently popular with an average weekly reach of 83% for Canadians, A12+. Find David Bray’s breakdown of the top performers in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Calgary here.
Media Technology Monitor (MTM) has released new data suggesting that in an increasingly crowded entertainment landscape, Albertans and those 50+ are listening to radio more than other demographics. Looking at radio listenership among adults 18+, the Station To Station – Radio in Canada report found that interest in radio peaks among those aged 50-64, accounting for 83% of listeners. The study found those residing in Alberta (78%) are more interested in the medium, as are households earning more than $75K (78-80%), and those with children in their household (77-78%). Among French speakers, interest in radio peaks among those aged 35-64 (85%), households with incomes over $75K (86-89%), and households with children (87%). Read more here.
Rogers Sports & Media has launched the Seekr app for both Android and iOS, rolling its radio, sports, news and podcast offerings into one app. Seekr offers access to Rogers Sports & Media’s 50+ radio and digital audio brands, including KiSS and JACK FM, network shows like Roz & Mocha, and podcasts like The Big Story and Island Crime. The new platform will feature digital and audio sponsorship and integration opportunities for advertisers, including co-branded contests, customized giveaway experiences, and prizing opportunities. Rogers Sports & Media stations will also continue to be available on the Radioplayer Canada streaming app. Read more here.
Rogers Sports & Media has announced an exclusive ad sales collaboration that will see it represent the Wondery podcast network in Canada. Rogers Sports & Media will handle all ad sales in Canada for Wondery’s portfolio that boasts shows like Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Business Wars, New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, true crime podcast 48 Hours, and Scamfluencers. Wondery has previously had ad sales arrangements in Canada with Dax Canada and Toronto-based TPX (The Podcast Exchange). Read more here.
John Donabie is being inducted into the Oshawa Walk of Fame. Donabie, an alum of Toronto’s CHUM, CKFH, CFRB CKFM-FM; CKLG-FM Vancouver; CFGM-FM Caledon; CKYC-FM Owen Sound; and CISS-FM Ottawa, will be among those receiving plaques set into the sidewalks at the Four Corners in downtown Oshawa. A gala dinner and induction ceremony will take place at the Jubilee Pavilion at Lakeview Park on Nov. 7.
Chris Ash and Chris Steffler have made it into the Top 10 in On-Air Coach’s Radio Star 2024 competition. Ash parted ways with Pattison Media’s NOW! Radio (CHNW-FM) Winnipeg last year where he’d been the host of middays, arriving from afternoon drive on Kool FM (CKMB-FM) Barrie. Steffler is a 2022 Conestoga College grad and weekend host at The Grand @ 101 (CICW-FM) Centre Wellington, ON.
The CRTC will hold a hearing in November, following a complaint from Dufferin Communications’ Winnipeg multi-ethnic station CKJS-FM that a tourist information station was carrying on programming without a broadcast licence. Gill Broadcasting operates CKYG-FM Winnipeg at 90.5 MHz as an exempt low-power tourist information radio station. Following commission monitoring, the station was found to be in non-compliance. Baldev Gill will be required to show cause why a mandatory order should not be issued to cease and desist. Comments are being received until Sept. 16.
The Pro Bono Group has released another PSA for the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH). “Lucky” can replace the current spot, “Camping.”
LISTEN: Over a year after Matt Cundill recorded his Sound Off Podcast episode “Summer of Discontent,” he reflects on a second summer of discontent which featured more radio stations closures on AM, small FM size stations and one FM station in Canada’s #4 market. Also layoffs in Kingston and London, and across iHeart in the U.S. He also ponders why no one in radio seems to talk much about the audience.
