RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST:
Susan Marjetti is the winner of the 2017 Rosalie award which annually recognizes a woman who has blazed new trails in radio. Marjetti was appointed executive director of CBC Radio and Audio in June 2015 and has been with the public broadcaster in various roles over the past three decades, including serving as senior managing director of CBC Toronto and the Ontario Region. The Rosalie award, to be presented during Canadian Music Week, was inspired by the legendary Rosalie Trombley who, between 1967 and 1984, was one of the most powerful women in North American radio as music director of the legendary Big 8 (CKLW-AM) Windsor.
The fourth annual Care from the Heart Day radiothon, hosted by Mix 107.9 (CKFT-FM) Fort Saskatchewan raised $25,600 for the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital Foundation on Mar. 9, double last year’s amount. The focus of this year’s fundraising effort was on supporting women’s health initiatives at the hospital.
Newcap has asked the CRTC for the removal of a condition of licence for LG 104.3 (CHLG-FM) Vancouver that requires the station to play 15% Category 3 (special Interest music). Newcap says the potential audience for the genre is limited and Category 3 selections have alienated listeners, thus affecting the station’s market share and revenue. LG 104.3 has operated at a loss since its 2009 launch initially with a Triple A format. It converted to Classic Hits in 2015.
Newfoundland Capital Corporation, the parent of Newcap Radio, says revenue for the fourth quarter, ended Dec. 31, was $47 million, a $1.5 million or three per cent increase over the fourth quarter of 2015. Annual revenue of $169.5 million was $4.9 million or three per cent higher than last year. Growth was primarily related to higher revenue at the Toronto and Ottawa operations, as a result of strong listener ratings in those markets. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization in the fourth quarter of $16.7 million was $2.2 million or 15 per cent higher than the same period last year as a result of higher revenue and reduced operating costs in the broadcasting segment. The company also recognized a recovery of $0.5 million in operating expenses as a result of reduced copyright fees.
Bell Media’s TSN 1040 (CKST-AM) Vancouver will no longer broadcast Vancouver Canucks games. Rogers has acquired the rights with a new five-year agreement which will see Sportsnet deliver Canucks broadcasts on Rogers Radio beginning with the 2017/18 NHL season. TSN 1040 obtained the radio broadcast rights 11 years ago from Corus-owned CKNW NewsTalk 980.
NASCAR and SiriusXM Canada have extended their broadcasting agreement through 2022 for live broadcasts of every NASCAR National Series race. SiriusXM will also carry daily NASCAR talk and interviews on its NASCAR Radio channel.
iHeartRadio Canada’s talent line-up for iHeartRadio Fest during Canadian Music Week in Toronto will include performances by hip hop artist Big Sean, UK singer-songwriter James Arthur, Canadian reggae-pop artists MAGIC!, Toronto indie-rock group The Strumbellas, pop artist Massari, singer-songwriter Scott Helman, and performers Alyssa Reid, Mia Martina and Michelle Treacy.
