The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council says use of the English F-Word in French-language programming is acceptable, if it’s used infrequently and not as an insult towards a particular person. The CBSC decision examined broadcasts on 96.9 FM (CKOI-FM) Montreal from Jan. and Mar. 2017, concluding the station did not violate the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) Code of Ethics when it broadcast an excerpt in English of a speech by Madonna at the Women’s March on Washington in which she used the f-word. On Mar. 25, the station also broadcast an English clip from a Green Day concert in which the band’s lead singer, Billie Joe Armstrong, used the f-word. Both broadcasts occurred during the afternoon, and a listener complained about the coarse language. The CBSC French-Language Panel determined “using the word ‘fuck’ in French does not have the same vulgar connotation as it does in English.”
The Mill St. Mixtape with Human Kebab premiered Nov. 4 on Toronto’s 102.1 The Edge (CFNY-FM). The hour-long Saturday night alt rock remix show, featuring DJ Human Kebab from Toronto band USS, will also air on Live 105 (CKHY-FM) Halifax and 98.9 The Drive (CKLC-FM) Kingston.
The CRTC has approved a new rebroadcast transmitter in McAdam, NB to improve the signal of CBC Radio One (CBZF-FM) Fredericton in the region. The new transmitter will operate at 95.5 MHz (channel 238LP) with an effective radiated power of 50 watts and an effective height of antenna of 29.4 metres. It will replace the low-power AM transmitter CBAX McAdam, and will be installed on the same tower.
Harvard Broadcasting’s 15th Annual Children’s Hospital Radiothon raised $450,578 over Nov. 1-2, bringing the running total close to $5-million raised for the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon, which is set to open in 2019.
93.1 RED FM (CKYE-FM) Gurupurab Radiothon raised $625,000 for Surrey Memorial Hospital on Nov. 3. The funds will support Surrey Memorial’s newly-expanded Coronary Care Unit.
CKSW 570 Radio (CKSW-AM) Swift Current broadcast the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation Pharmasave Radiothon on Nov. 2-3, raising a total of $82,815. CKSW was joined by hospital staff, a dozen local bands/artists and Premier Brad Wall, among other special guests.
Don, Bas and Colin Jamieson, a group of brothers who left their mark on broadcasting, media and politics in Newfoundland and Labrador, are being honoured with a scholarship in their memory. The project is being spearheaded by the grandson of Don Jamieson, a CJON-TV broadcaster and minister in Pierre Trudeau’s cabinet in the 1960s and 70s. The $1,500 scholarship would be offered to post-secondary students focusing on communications, journalism and political science. The family hopes to raise $42,000 through sales of Jamieson’s memoirs, Christmas album, and donations.
Newcap Radio has evolved its 93-5 The Move (CFXJ-FM) Toronto brand to include the tagline “Toronto’s Hits. Toronto’s Throwbacks.” The station’s revamped playlist will reflect music dominating streaming service charts like Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, Yo Gotti, Khalid, Post Malone and French Montana. Home-grown acts like Drake, The Weeknd, Tory Lanez, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Jessie Reyez and Alessia Cara will also be prominently featured. Since its launch in 2016, The Move had featured 90s to now selections, which Newcap says will continue to complement the contemporary playlist.
Benztown has issued its annual call for voiceover talent as it gets set to release the fourth annual Benztown 50 List of Radio’s Biggest Imaging Voices in the U.S. and Canada. The Benztown 50 list will be based on several criteria, including number of radio station affiliates, station size and market. Benztown has partnered with P1 Media Group to compile and analyze industry data that will be the foundation for the distinction. The list is currently in development and will be released to the industry in early February. Voice talent can apply for the Benztown 50 from now through Dec. 1 at: benztown.com/50.
