Vista Radio has launched Country 90.5 FM (CFCH-FM) North Bay, which officially signed on Tuesday, June 15 at 7:30 am. with “Outlaws and Outsiders” from North Bay’s Cory Marks. The launch marks the return of the CFCH call letters to North Bay, one of the first stations in the region, established by Roy Thomson in 1930. Thomson’s granddaughter Sherry Brydson now owns Vista Radio. Fresh off a 20+ year stint with Rogers in North Bay, Kevin Oschefski takes on the role of Program Director, in addition to morning show duties with “The Kevin O Show,” while Lindsay Cooper hosts middays. Drew Ferris returns to North Bay in afternoon drive after hosting mornings at Moose 99.3 FM (CFSF-FM) West Nipissing.
The CRTC has approved a new broadcasting licence for Mohawk Multi Media Inc., initiating a power increase for its English and Kanien’ke:ha (Mohawk) language Indigenous ration station in Kanesatake/Oka, Que. The applicant currently operates low-power Indigenous radio station CKHQ-FM Kanesatake and is transitioning the station’s status to protect its frequency. The station will operate at 101.7 MHz (channel 269A1) with an effective radiated power of 51 watts (omni-directional antenna with an effective height of the antenna above average terrain of 55.9 metres). The station will broadcast 126 hours of programming a week, 119 hours of which will be local. The remaining seven hours will consist of wrap-around programming originating from Indigenous radio station CKRK-FM Kahnawake.
StatsRadio has added more stations to its audience measurement service, which is now serving 107 stations across Canada and the U.S. This summer, the Quebec-based startup will begin servicing eight new stations, including Jewel 98.5 (CJWL-FM), ELMNT FM 95.7 (CFPO-FM), CKCU-FM 93.1 and CHUO-FM 89.1 in Ottawa, as well as PROUD-FM (CIRR-FM), ELMNT FM 106.5 (CFPT-FM), CJRU 1280 AM and CHOQ-FM 105.3 in Toronto.
MRC Data says the Alt Rock genre continues to grow with the support of its hardcore fans. MRC says 30% of U.S. music listeners tune into Alt Rock monthly with a majority of those listeners considering themselves fans (listening at least weekly). In addition to growth in streaming, they’re also buying the genre more (+20% vs. 2020). The uptick in genre consumption has led to Alt Rock album success on the Billboard 200 with albums like “OK Orchestra” by AJR, “Scaled and Icy” by twenty one pilots, “Delta Kream” by The Black Keys, “Chemtrails Over the Country” by Lana Del Rey, and “Medicine at Midnight” by Foo Fighters, debuting in the Top 10.
Spotify has launched its live audio product, the Spotify Greenroom app, in 135 markets for both iOS and Android, following its acquisition of Betty Labs in March, the company behind sports-focused audio app Locker Room. Spotify says the Greenroom offering will continue to evolve as new programming hits the platform spanning music, culture, entertainment and sports topics. It will also launch a Spotify Creator Fund, which will help live audio creators monetize their work. Interested creators can sign up to find out more about participation when the fund opens later this summer.
Amazon Music has launched DJ Mode for its U.S. customers to bring the feel of live radio to music streaming. DJ mode will serve up personalized, hosted stations, supported right now on four playlists: Rap Rotation, Country Heat, All Hits and Billie Eilish Takeover. The service is bundled as part of Amazon Music Unlimited.
The DGC (Directors Guild of Canada) Podcast officially launched this week with each episode featuring a conversation between filmmakers that takes listeners behind the scenes into the technique and process behind their work. Hosted by DGC Directors Aubrey Arnason and Katia Café-Fébrissy, among those featured in creative conversations are Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Yung Chang, John Fawcett, Tatiana Maslany, Sarah Polley and Garrett Bradley.
LISTEN: On the latest Sound Off Podcast, Matt Cundill catches up with Christian Zyp, a host on University of Alberta campus and community station, CJSR 88.5 FM Edmonton where he helms the show “Moving Radio.” This episode does not have any discussion of breaks, bits, PPM numbers, digital anything, or workforce reductions. This is the story of community, friendship and gratitude. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:
