RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST:
Google has released a dedicated Google Podcasts app that includes access to a library of over two million podcasts and will sync across Google Assistant, Home speakers and search. Multiple AI-driven features, including listening suggestions and transcribed episodes, are also set to be introduced. The move is significant in that Google will have the ability to drive podcasts into search returns and increase podcaster integration of programmatic audio advertising.
Canadian Broadcast Sales research indicates radio is outperforming television and digital in delivering encoding and memorability. Conducted in partnership with neuro-marketing measurement firm Brainsights, the study looked at the way the human brain hears and processes radio commercials. While radio performs at comparable levels to TV and digital in delivering awareness and connection in advertising, radio’s core competency is in memorability. Conducted in April, respondents were exposed to 32 commercials across a variety of categories ranging from automotive and finance, to entertainment and personal care.
APTN is set to soft-launch new Indigenous radio brand ELMNT.FM in Toronto on 106.5 FM and in Ottawa on 95.7 FM later this summer. Corus Radio will provide space to the stations in its Toronto and Ottawa studios. Aimed at adults 25-to-45, the station will play 25 per cent Indigenous-created music, alongside non-Indigenous pop, R&B and rock. ELMNT.FM will also air talk programming including Moment Of Truth with David Moses and weekday evening show Panic In The Night, hosted by bohemian Métis pop artist Janet Panic.
The CRTC has turned down a request from Indie 88 (CIND-FM) Toronto to increase the station’s power from 4,000 to 12,000 watts and increase its antenna height. The commission says CIND-FM failed to demonstrate a compelling economic or technical need. The CRTC also had concerns the technical changes could interfere with the signal of First Peoples Radio Inc. (FPR), for which the commission recently approved an application for a broadcasting licence to operate a new English- and Indigenous-language Type B Native FM station to serve Toronto’s urban Indigenous community.
The CRTC has renewed the broadcast licences for Jim Pattison Broadcast Group radio stations Wild 95.3 (CKWD-FM) Calgary and 102.3 NOW! (CKNO-FM) Edmonton. The commission has renewed the licences for a full seven years through Aug. 2025.
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) has concluded that an Oct. 12 episode of open-line program Doc Mailloux et Josey broadcast on 106.9 FM (CKOB-FM) Mauricie did not contravene the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) Code of Ethics or Equitable Portrayal Code. Hosted by psychiatrist Pierre Mailloux and Josey Arsenault, during the episode in question, Mailloux commented that people of an older generation “lie to themselves cheerfully, daily, copiously, abundantly” and expressed frustration with older callers. He also discussed sexual issues with some callers. A listener complained that Mailloux made disparaging and discriminatory comments about old people, and that the program had contained sexually explicit material. The French-language Panel concluded the comments about old people did not reach the level of abusive or discriminatory material and any of Mailloux’s comments were counter-balanced by his co-host who emphasized that he should not generalize.
Giant FM (CIXL-FM) and Country 89 (CKYY-FM) Niagara, ON are recipients of a 2018 Ontario Fire Marshal’s Public Safety Council Award, presented in Toronto recently. The awards recognize individuals and organizations who go over and above to support fire and carbon monoxide safety in their community. Giant FM and Country 89 were recognized for their tireless efforts in getting the safety message out through contesting, public service announcements, interviews and announcer segments. The Country 89 morning crew has also done home ride-alongs with the fire department to ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were properly installed.
Civilized, the cannabis culture media brand with offices in both Saint John, NB and California, has announced it will produce and distribute a new weekly podcast hosted by Ricardo Baca, former editor of The Denver Post’s award-winning marijuana news site The Cannabist. Cannabis & Main marks Baca’s first return to podcasting since resigning from the Post in 2016. Cannabis & Main will tackle subjects from PTSD and social justice to pesticides and impaired driving.
SOCAN says a record $352-million in total royalties was collected in fiscal 2017 from the use of music by its songwriter, composer, and music publisher members. Year-over-year, royalties were up eight per cent over 2016. Internet revenues increased 44 per cent to just under $49-million, while there was a 13 per cent surge ($76-million) in royalties from countries outside of Canada. A record $295-million was distributed to music creators and publishers.
Nielsen Music Canada’s recently released Canada Music 360 Report explores trends within traditional and online radio, with its findings offering some encouraging insights into radio’s role in music discovery and engagement. Based on a survey conducted between Mar. 29 and Apr. 10, the report notes that the majority of Canadians (66 per cent) use radio to discover new music. It also finds streaming and radio to be complementary formats with 95 per cent of music listeners streaming music and/or listening to the radio. Streamers have a particular fondness for radio DJs, with 41 per cent of paying streamers indicating that DJs are one of the things they like most about listening to traditional radio. Nielsen is offering a 40 per cent discount on the M360 Report to the Broadcast Dialogue community. Learn more about this limited discount offer here.
On this week’s Broadcast Dialogue podcast, publisher Shawn Smith talks to Zach Sang in Los Angeles, the fresh-faced host of the Zach Sang Worldwide Countdown, which made its debut on Rogers Radio stations earlier this year. Sang is being credited with paving the way for the next generation of radio personalities.
SIGN-OFFS:
Ellie Tevan, on June 12. Tevan, wife of late Montreal radio sports host Ted Tevan, was one of the first women to do sports editorials on radio and in her early career was the only woman in North America covering major league baseball on a regular basis. Featured in a June 1973 article in The Jewish Post and Opinion, Ellie was working at CFOX Montreal when she explained to the paper that women were not allowed on the playing field, even as working reporters. “They’re banned from the press box by a ruling of the all-male Baseball Writers’ Association, and are forced to sit in the stands with the paying customers. I think it’s archaic, but I haven’t made any fuss about it. I probably should, but I haven’t the strength to fight it. The players are very nice to deal with, for one thing. I never have any problems getting interviews, no matter who the players are. So even without the dressing room, I do all right, especially as I’m usually doing a human interest rather than a hard news story.” Ellie and Ted Tevan were married for 52 years, up until his death in 2011.
John Anthony Hello, 64, on June 10. Hello spent many years working in radio with his career culminating at CJFX Antigonish as news and sports director. Hello went on to return to his hometown of Campbellton, NB where he served as a city councillor from 2001-04 and deputy mayor from 2004-08. He eventually retired to Point Michaud, Cape Breton, where he continued to pursue music and photography.
Rodney “Rod” French, 73, suddenly on June 18 at his home in Mount Pearl, NL. French was a news reporter and hockey broadcaster with VOCM Newfoundland in the 1970s and 80s. He’s also remembered for his involvement in the Newfoundland & Labrador music scene as a member of both The Bellaires and The Ravens. The Ravens were a pioneering 1960s rhythm and blues group and the first Newfoundland band to appear on national television on CBC-TV Halifax’s Frank’s Bandstand in 1965. They were also among the first to cut and release a single on Arc Records, a subsidiary of London Records. The foursome was regularly featured on CJON-TV’s biweekly Dance Party and CBC-TV’s High Teens.
TV/FILM/VIDEO:
APTN is creating a database of Indigenous film and television talent from actors and directors to producers, set designers and other behind-the-scenes crew. Those who want to participate, can download and complete the Indigenous Contributor Form and return it to [email protected] by June 22.
Trina McQueen has been inducted into the CBC News Hall of Fame. The former journalist and broadcast executive was a true trailblazer as W5’s first female co-host, the first female reporter to appear on CBC’s The National and the first woman to head a TV news organization in North America as president and COO of CTV from 1999-2001. Read more here.
The CRTC has sent a procedural letter to The Bell Fund, asking executive director Nancy Chapelle to comment on how it meets the criteria for a Certified Independent Production Fund (CIPF) because three of its eight board members are Bell employees. The commission’s letter was sparked by a complaint from CBC/Radio-Canada, the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), Groupe V Média, TVO, Groupe Média TFO, OUTtv, Télé-Québec and TV5 Québec Canada.
Stingray and l’Association québécoise de l’industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo (ADISQ) have announced the launch of PalmarèsADISQ par Stingray, a unique specialty music video TV channel primarily dedicated to French-language Quebec and Canadian music videos. A portion of the profits generated by the channel will be reinvested in local music video production through existing third-party funds. PalmarèsADISQ par Stingray has already added to Videotron’s channel offering and will be available soon to Bell Fibe TV, TELUS and Cogeco subscribers.
Serinda Swan (Inhumans, Ballers) will star in new CBC original drama Coroner, created by Morwyn Brebner (Saving Hope). Inspired by the book series by M. R. Hall, the one-hour series centres on a newly-appointed coroner investigating suspicious deaths in Toronto. Production will begin late this summer in and around Toronto with the series set to premiere on CBC in winter 2019.
Global Edmonton’s is starting a new fan-focused movement set to launch this Friday, June 22 with the Edmonton Eskimos home opener game. The station is inviting fans, wherever they are, to record their game experience and share it to social media using the #GNALLIN and #ONEEMPIRE hashtags. The crowdsourced fan experience will then be aired in a 30-minute special on Saturday, July 7, hosted by Global Edmonton sports anchor Kevin Karius.
ONLINE/DIGITAL:
YouTube Music and YouTube Premium have launched in Canada. YouTube Premium (formerly YouTube Red) is being offered free for three months ($11.99/mo. after that, $17.99/mo. for Family Plans). In addition to no ads, YouTube Premium members can access the full slate of YouTube Originals shows and movies. Google Play Music subscribers in Canada will automatically receive access to YouTube Music Premium at their current price with Google Play Music remaining unchanged.
Rogers Media has launched KitchenerToday.com, led by its newstalk station 570 NEWS (CKGL-AM) and featuring live stream video from the Rogers tv community channel. The digital news site is Rogers’ third collaboration with Village Media following the launch of HalifaxToday.ca and OttawaMatters.com.
The Logic, a new Canadian subscription news outlet focused on the innovation economy, has been soft-launched by former Toronto Star and Boston Globe digital editor David Skok. Modeled in part after Silicon Valley news site The Information, The Logic’s initial offering includes a free, weekday afternoon email briefing and two paywalled feature stories per week.
GENERAL:
The CRTC has been ordered to investigate and report on sales tactics used by the country’s largest internet, television and wireless providers. The federal government’s action comes following a series of media reports raising questions about misleading advertising and aggressive upselling. The report resulting from the public inquiry must also include potential solutions to ensure consumers are adequately protected and fairly treated. Back in February, the CRTC rejected a call for a public inquiry from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) saying “Canadians already have a variety of options available to them to seek redress depending on the nature of the issue.”
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Min. Navdeep Bains has launched a national consultation on digital and data transformation. Over the summer, roundtable consultations will take place across Canada with business, academia, and others including under-represented groups, women and Indigenous peoples. All Canadians can participate in the Digital and Data Consultations online.
Adrienne Arsenault, senior correspondent for CBC’s The National, has accepted an honorary degree from Humber College and offered up some encouraging words for aspiring journalists. Arsenault told graduates “the media world that’s waiting for you is not shrinking. It is overflowing with different types of platforms to be filled with good stories told in ways we can’t even comprehend now…we need your skills to call out the lies and those who tell them.”
Cogeco Media and Quebecor have made a joint $100,000 donation over five years to help secure the future of the Bourse d’excellence Jean-Lapierre, a scholarship created in 2017 in memory of the Magdalen Islands native, who was a commentator and political analyst on TVA and LCN, as well as Cogeco radio stations 98.5 Montréal, FM 93 Québec City and 106.9 Trois-Rivières. Scholarships are awarded to young Magdalen Islands residents who wish to leave home to continue their studies, as Jean-Lapierre did at age 16.
Concordia University is launching the Institute for Investigative Journalism, led by Patti Sonntag, a former managing editor in The New York Times’ News Services division. Sontag is billing the institute as a new model of journalism that serves the public interest through cooperation, rather than competition. Concordia’s Department of Journalism is already the host institution for the National Student Investigative Reporting Network (NSIRN), which connects major media outlets with journalism students and faculty from across Canada to investigate and report on large-scale public interest stories. Global News, The National Observer and the Toronto Star are among the institute’s media partners with Carleton, Humber College, Mount Royal University, Ryerson University, University of King’s College, the University of Regina and the University of British Columbia on board for the Fall 2018-19 project.
Radio-Canada was the winner of the inaugural CJF-Facebook Journalism Project News Literacy Award for its weekly program Corde sensible, which confronts misinformation and false stories on social media networks. Other winners at this year’s Canadian Journalism Foundation Awards included The Globe and Mail, this year’s recipient of the CJF Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism in the large-media category, for its Unfounded investigation exposing systemic flaws in the way police handle sexual assault complaints. As previously announced, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner was former The National anchor Peter Mansbridge.
Videotron is conducting a large-scale campaign to raise its profile in the Ottawa area. While the company has been in the Ottawa market for several years, it now has its sight set on accelerating its business development in the region. Offering the same plans and prices in Ontario and Québec, most include Club Illico Mobile1, and features like its family discount which allows parents to activate up to two free phones with unlimited calling and texting for their children.
Nanos Research has conducted a survey for Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) that indicates a strong majority of Canadians are concerned fake news is making it more difficult to find accurate sources of information, and they want government to do something about it. More than eight in ten Canadians agree (51 per cent) or somewhat agree (31 per cent) that the prevalence of false information designed to appear legitimate is making it more difficult to find accurate news. Seven in ten Canadians (38 per cent) believe government regulation is needed to prevent the proliferation of fake news. The online/phone survey of 1,000 Canadians, 18+, was conducted between Apr. 28 and May 4.
Stingray has acquired a minority stake in Nextologies Limited, an Ontario-based provider of technological solutions for broadcasters. Stingray says the investment will provide it with access to Nextologies’ secure signal IP distribution network at competitive rates.
SUPPLY LINES:
Are you a current or former broadcast engineer who likes to write about emerging tech as it relates to the broadcast industry? Broadcast Dialogue is looking for content contributors. Contact our editor Connie Thiessen at [email protected].
