Canadian Music Week’s Radio Active conference is back following a three-year absence as the event gears up for its 40th anniversary, June 6-11. Radio Active 2022 – The Future of Audio will take place June 7-8 at the Intercontinental Centre Hotel in Toronto, featuring over 20 sessions in a live, in-person event, as well as a virtual, on-demand format. Speakers announced so far include Caroline Beasley, CEO Beasley Broadcast Group, USA; James Cridland, Radio Futurist from Australia; Matt Deegan, Co-Founder of Folder Media, UK; Fred Jacobs, Jacobs Media, USA; Tobias Nielson, Bauer Media, UK; Steve Pratt, Founder, Pacific Content, Vancouver; Roz Weston & Mocha Frap, Kiss 92.5, Toronto; Mark Hunter, Now! Radio Edmonton; and Troy Reeb, Executive VP, Corus Entertainment. Broadcast Dialogue is proud to be the event’s Media Sponsor. Read more here.
The iHeartRadio Canada Talk Network has debuted a new weekend talk show and podcast hosted by chef, food activist, and social-impact entrepreneur, Mark Brand. Better With Mark Brand is airing Saturdays at 7 p.m. local time on 580 CFRA Ottawa, Newstalk 1010 (CFRB-AM) Toronto, CJAD 800 Montreal, CKLW 800 Windsor, CFAX 1070 Victoria, 610 CKTB Niagara, AM 1150 (CKFR-AM) Kelowna, and 1290 CJBK London. Brand, who is based in Vancouver, is best known for taking over the iconic Save On Meats building on the city’s Downtown Eastside, as captured in 2011 reality series Gastown Gamble, which aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in Canada. Among the guests joining Brand in conversations about true purpose and impactful change are entertainer Jann Arden; addiction expert and Order of Canada recipient Dr. Gabor Maté; media personality George Stroumboulopoulos; author and social entrepreneur Rha Goddess; chef and activist Suzanne Barr; and actor and arts activist Tim Daly. Read more here.
Stingray has rebranded CFCB Corner Brook, NL as 590 VOCM as part of a move to consolidate operations out of St. John’s. Steve Jones, Stingray’s Vice-President, Brands & Content, says while continuing to provide local content for all of its Newfoundland markets, including Corner Brook, they’ll do so out of a central location in St. John’s. “With the centralized operation, we are fully capable of providing local content to serve each market and we do not believe the quality of service will diminish whatsoever. This is the same approach we’ve successfully taken in Alberta, where we serve numerous smaller rural markets from our larger central operations,” Jones told Broadcast Dialogue. “For a station like K-Rock (CKXX-FM), that means specific voice tracks, news segments, weather, and public events updates done specifically for Corner Brook. Those elements would air alongside syndicated provincial content.” Local personalities Mike Payne and Lenny Benoit were reportedly casualties of the restructuring.
Stingray Karaoke is powering Cerence Sing, a completely voice-controlled karaoke experience designed for the car that enables drivers and passengers to learn, practice and perform their favourite songs while on the go. In a strategic partnership, Vietnamese automotive startup VinFast will be the first client to integrate Cerence Sing into its Smart Services on the VF 8 and VF 9 electric vehicles. Integrated directly with the car’s headunit and automotive assistant, drivers and passengers have access to Stingray Karaoke’s catalogue of more than 100,000 songs in more than 12 languages.
SiriusXM has launched The Joni Mitchell Channel, a limited engagement channel available through April 14 on the SXM App and on satellite (ch. 105) from March 30 to April 5. The channel’s launch coincides with Mitchell being honoured as the 2022 Person Of The Year recipient at the MusiCares tribute concert April 1, raising funds for vital programs and relief efforts for the music community. The Joni Mitchell Channel will feature the prolific artist’s music, including home recordings, live performances, and other rarities from the recent Joni Mitchell Archives series, as well as interpretations of her music by a wide range of artists including Chaka Khan, Elton John, Norah Jones, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, Bob Dylan, The Byrds, and more. Guest hosts will also share stories about Mitchell’s impact while selecting some of their favourite songs.
LISTEN: Gord Steinke is arguably one of the best known media personalities in Edmonton, but it’s not as well known that he has serious street cred as a musician, starting his career touring with bands out of Saskatchewan and Ontario before deciding to pursue journalism. The RTDNA Lifetime Achievement Award honouree just celebrated his 30th anniversary with Global News. He joins us on this episode of Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast to talk about music, motorcycles, and retaining his passion for telling stories. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:
LISTEN: BJ Shea, the morning show host at the legendary KISW in Seattle, is Matt Cundill’s guest on the latest Sound Off Podcast. The BJ and Migs show has anchored the station since 2005. Shea also co-hosts Geek Nation, a geek-centric podcast about everything from movies and television to tech and comics. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:
