The CRTC has approved the transfer of ownership and control of six Bell Media radio stations to Maritime Broadcasting System (MBS). The deal encompasses English-language commercial radio stations CKTO-FM and CKTY-FM Truro, NS and CKBC-FM Bathurst, NB, CJCJ-FM Woodstock, NB, and CIKX-FM Grand Falls, NB and its transmitter CIKX-FM-1 Plaster Rock. The purchase price for the assets of the stations is $4 million.
The CRTC has approved Bay of Islands Radio’s application for a broadcasting licence to allow the Corner Brook, NL community broadcaster to operate a full-power station to replace existing low-power station, CKVB-FM. The station will continue to operate at 100.1 MHz (channel 261A) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 2,760 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of the antenna above average terrain [EHAAT] of 14.6 metres). The station will maintain its adult contemporary format and serve the same community and the same target audience of Corner Brook.
Arsenal Media has rebranded its Plaisir and WOW radio stations in Quebec as VIVA, a format combining an Adult Contemporary sound with New Country. Launched on Jan. 7, the new VIVA stations include CHRM-FM 105.3 Matane, CFDA-FM 101.9 Victoriaville, CKLD-FM 105.5/107.1 Thetford, CKCN-FM 94.1 Sept-Îles, and CHOA-FM 96.5/103.5/103.9 Abitibi.
CBC/Radio-Canada has crunched the numbers following the Numeris fall 2024 radio diary release, indicating the public broadcaster has the #1-ranked morning show in 14 out of 17 markets. The broadcaster says 12 of the network’s 17 stations are the most listened-to each week in Victoria, Kelowna, Regina, Winnipeg, London, Ottawa-Gatineau (both English and French), Sherbrooke, Québec City, Trois-Rivières, Moncton, and Halifax. CBC/Radio-Canada stations in three communities — Ottawa-Gatineau, London, and Sherbrooke — recorded their highest audiences ever. ICI PREMIÈRE and ICI MUSIQUE saw their second-highest shares ever (17.2% and 7.2%, respectively).
SiriusXM Canada has announced that electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has launched SiriusXM’s audio entertainment experience to all new and existing Rivian R1T and R1S models. The collaboration directly integrates SiriusXM into Rivian’s in-vehicle software. New and existing Rivian owners will be able to opt in and activate a three-month SiriusXM trial subscription directly on their vehicle’s centre display.
The “On Air for Healthcare” Radiothon, hosted by Evanov Communications’ Lite 99.3FM (CJGB-FM) Meaford, ON on Saturday, Dec. 21, raised an incredible $90,000 in support of the Meaford Hospital Foundation. Funds will be used to purchase a new ventilator for the hospital, enhancing critical care services for the community. Listeners and community members contributed through phone-in, online, and in-person donations, responding enthusiastically to special challenges and matching donation opportunities throughout the event.
Stingray’s New Country 105.7 (CIBQ-FM) and boom 101.1 (CIXF-FM) in Brooks, AB teamed up in late November for a six-hour radiothon in support of the local Adopt-A-Family and Food Bank programs. Nearly $52,000 was raised during the annual “Turkey Drive,“ totalling over $475,000 raised in the stations’ history. The weekend prior, they also raised $20,000 for the Brooks Rotary Club through their annual auction.
Stingray’s New Country 98.1 (CFCW-FM) Camrose, AB hosted the 70th Annual Camrose Kinsmen Radio Auction in late November. Originally started on sister station 840 CFCW in its inaugural year in 1954 with nine items, the auction has moved over the years to its current home. A record-breaking $90,000 in retail value was donated by local businesses, totalling 500 items, and at the end of the night, over $60,000 (also a record) was on the board.
The Canadian Podcast Awards has announced the winners of its 7th annual competition, led by story-driven, play podcast, No Quest for the Wicked. No Quest for the Wicked was a winner in both Outstanding Artwork for a Series and Outstanding Leisure Series, while Niall Spain was named Best Host in a Series. Among other multiple award winners was Erika Casupanan, the first Canadian winner of CBS’ Survivor, whose podcast Happy to See Me with Erika Casupanan, took home two awards in the Debut and Television & Film categories. Paranormal exploration pod, Geist, also claimed two awards – Outstanding Arts Series and Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for a Series, while Lullaby: The Fear Podcast took home the People’s Choice Award and Outstanding Production for a Series. Find the full list of winners here.
PodSummit YYC 2025 is set to return to Calgary’s The Grand, Sept. 19-20. This year’s PodSummit Advisory Board includes Jeff Humphreys, Jeremie Saunders, Jess Schmidt, Brian Stever, Fede Vargas, Tchadas Leo, Meg Wilcox, and student advisor Ava Free.
Kortney Wilson is debuting new podcast, The Shit Stick of Life, on the Women in Media podcast network, inspired by the end of the reality television star’s “perfect” 20-year marriage. The podcast is about those who have used the proverbial “shit stick of life” to launch vibrant, fulfilling, and meaningful next chapters, with each episode promising honest conversations about resilience as Kortney shares her story. New episodes drop every other Thursday, starting in February,
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Chris Scheetz has announced plans to launch a podcast this month with his daughter, Baillie. The former CISN Country Edmonton morning show host, who stepped away from radio last May after 35 years, will launch Talking Scheetz on Jan. 13.
LISTEN: On the latest Sound Off Podcast, Matt Cundill discusses the challenges and outlook for radio and podcasting in 2025. He criticizes the current state of radio, advocates for a CRTC-led consultation to enhance radio for listeners – not record companies, and he warns podcasters against adopting every new trend, particularly the shift to video, which can dilute the audio experience and complicate monetization. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:
