The Weekly Briefing

REVOLVING DOOR:

Jeremy Baker has returned to CFOX, hosting evenings Wednesday to Friday, along with weekends. Baker has most recently been heard on Pattison Media’s 91.3 The Zone (CJZN-FM) Victoria in middays. He previously hosted afternoon drive on CFOX from 2016-21, before joining 102.7 The Peak (CKPK-FM) Vancouver in mornings, alongside Charis Hogg. 

Russ Byth has officially retired from his fill-in gig on Pattison Media’s 103.1 Beach Radio (CKQQ-FM) Kelowna, capping a 45-year broadcast career that began in 1979 as an operator and producer at CKNW and CFMI Vancouver. Byth did a total of three tours of duty at CKNW, in addition to on-air stints in Creston, Williams Lake, Duncan, Terrace, Kitimat, CISL Vancouver, Standard Broadcast News, and served as a Business Editor at 1130 NewsRadio (CKWX-AM) from 1996-2010. He also spent two years as a writer and associate producer on Global National.

Matt Cullen has joined the Ottawa Senators play-by-play broadcast team on TSN 5 this season, joining host Claire Hanna and analyst Marc Methot. Cullen, who got his start calling women’s hockey at St. F-X in Nova Scotia, has most recently been handling play-by-play for the Ontario Hockey League’s Mississauga Steelheads, the NBA G-League’s Raptors 905, and been a contributor to CBC Sports. 

Robert Hardy is the new Executive Director of SMPIA, the Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association. A 25-year executive producer, director and writer, Hardy formerly served as President, Canada for Fireworks Media Group; Senior Vice President of Development at Force Four Entertainment; Development Manager, Western Production with Bell Media; and Director of Development at National Screen Institute (NSI), among other roles. Hardy succeeds Ken Alecxe, who leaves SMPIA after five years. 

Diane Rankin has been elevated at Blue Ant Studios to EVP, Content Development & Commercial Strategy, responsible for development strategy across Blue Ant Studios with a focus on creating and financing multi-genre unscripted and scripted originals. She’ll also oversee marketing and initiatives to build brand awareness for the studio’s original production slate, with development and marketing teams now reporting to her. Rankin will continue to operate from the Blue Ant Studios’ London, UK office, reporting to Co-Presidents, Matthew Hornburg and Mark Bishop. Rankin joined Blue Ant Media in August 2023 after the company acquired marblemedia, where she served as EVP International & Executive Producer leading the company’s content commercialization strategy.

Nick Pemberton has been appointed Lawo’s new Global Partner Business Development Director, responsible for leading the strategic and commercial development of Lawo’s Global Partner ecosystem. He’ll report to Lawo’s Deputy CEO Jamie Dunn. Pemberton previously held international leadership roles at Sennheiser, Harman, and most recently Avid, where he led the EMEA Channel Partner Management team.

RADIO & PODCAST:

Numeris has released insights looking at weekly format share throughout the 2023-24 broadcast year. Radio reached an average of 84% of Canadians, 18+, each week. The data release indicates no significant changes in format listening throughout the year with News/Talk and Adult Contemporary formats, holding the #1 and #2 spots consistently. Those were followed in the English markets (Montreal Anglo, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver) by Top 40/CHR/Urban, Classic Rock, and Mainstream Rock. For Franco Montreal, the News/Talk, Hot AC and AC formats were followed by Multi/Variety/Comedy, Classic Hits and Mainstream Rock in popularity. In terms of demographics, listeners in the five English CMs are comprised of 49.8% women with an average weighted age of 55, while Franco Montreal listeners are 48.2% women.

CKUA Radio says that while it hasn’t been able to meet a $3 million dollar fundraising target, it’s found ways to “bridge the gap” to keep the 96-year-old Alberta institution from going silent. Back in April, the community radio station – which has a presence in both Edmonton and Calgary – made an urgent listener appeal for donations, citing a perfect storm of rising inflationary pressures, limited government funding, the devaluation of its downtown Edmonton office space, and post-pandemic realities. While that initial fundraising effort saw $1.8 million raised in the first 10 days, the station found itself still half a million dollars short of its goal by the end of September. Another round of fundraising launches this Friday. Read more here.

UCB Radio (United Christian Broadcasters) raised more than $380,000 during its Fall fundraiser, Oct. 8-11. Heard on its 15-station network across the country, UCB says the event exceeded expectations, surpassing goals thanks to the incredible support from UCB listeners.

94.9 The Rock (CKGE-FM) Oshawa and Ed the Sock’s All-Night Show will stage Socktoberfest 2024 on Oct. 24 at the Biltmore Theatre, an audience appreciation event to benefit the homeless. Hosted by Ed, attendees of Socktoberfest and members of the “Nighttime Neighbourhood” (Ed’s overnight audience) will participate in on-stage games, performances and contests, with music provided by special guests Blamethrower and rising radio rockers Highteens. Admission to this 19+ event is free, but attendees are strongly encouraged to bring new socks for the homeless, as well as gently used winter clothing and boots. Socktoberfest is supported by Durham Region’s Street Outreach Program, which will be collecting and distributing all donations.

Silken Laumann is the host of Inflection Time, a new weekly podcast featuring firsthand accounts of triumphs, setbacks, and surprising events that redefined her guests’ lives. Launched on World Mental Health Day, the Canadian Olympic medallist and founder of youth mental health organization Unsinkable, aims to explore the pivotal moments that shape human lives and spark meaningful change. Guests include comedian Colin Mochrie, musician Bif Naked, mental health advocate Michael Landsberg, hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser, celebrity chef Joe Friday, and media personality Erica Ehm.

Sounds Profitable has released insights from The Podcast Landscape 2024, its survey of more than 5,000 American consumers, 18+, diving into their podcast consumption habits. It finds that while some of the medium’s newest hits are primarily consumed on video platforms, the majority of podcast consumers are listening to mainly audio, noting specifically that the percentage of those that watch less than 25% of their podcasts is over three times larger than the percentage who watch 75% or more. Those primarily consuming video podcasts tend to lean male (60%) and slightly younger.

LISTEN: Donna Reed, a former radio host, podcast creator, and voiceover talent is on the Sound Off Podcast, discussing  her career in radio, including her time at WQDR and WRDU in Raleigh, NC; KLOL and KODA in Houston, and WCXR in Washington, D.C. She eventually transitioned to voice acting and curated the “Leopard Print Lounge Chair” channel for AccuRadio during the pandemic.

SIGN OFFS:

Mike Bullard, 67, on Oct. 11. Born in Etobicoke, ON, but raised in Mississauga from his teens on, Bullard started out taking emcee spots at Yuk Yuk’s, going on to become a headliner and eventually landing a regular television spot in 1993 on Friday Night! With Ralph Benmergui. He went on to host late-night talk shows “Open Mike with Mike Bullard” on CTV (from 1997 to 2003), and “The Mike Bullard Show” on Global (from 2003-04). Bullard had a brief run hosting a morning show on satellite radio, and an evening show on Talk 820 (CHAM-AM) Hamilton, in addition to hosting TV reality series HouseCapades. From 2010-16, he hosted “Beyond the Mic with Mike Bullard” on NewsTalk 1010 (CFRB-AM) Toronto, but parted ways with the station in the fall of 2016 following allegations he later pleaded guilty to of harassing ex-girlfriend and CityNews reporter Cynthia Mulligan. Bullard had more recently been part of the launch lineup at News Talk Sauga 960 AM (CKNT-AM) Mississauga, starting in the fall of 2018, and had hosted the “You Too with Mike Bullard” podcast. In 2022, he travelled to Ukraine to volunteer with several humanitarian organizations, following the Russian invasion. Bullard was the recipient of two Gemini Awards for “Open Mike” – Best Talk Information Series in 1999 and Best Music Variety Program Series in 2001. The show also won the Gold Hugo Award for Best Talk Show at the Chicago International Television Festival in 2000. 

Floyd Patterson, 90, on Sept. 30. Patterson reported for Kingston media outlets for four decades, starting in the 1950s, including The Telegraph, The Globe and Mail, The Whig Standard, and CKWS Radio and Television. Among other programs, Patterson is remembered for hosting “Hotline,” his radio call-in show that featured guests from Prime Ministers Pierre Trudeau and John Diefenbaker to Willie Nelson and Bob Hope. In addition to serving as news and public affairs director, anchoring, and shooting his own material, Patterson hosted “Community Journal,” sharing editorial commentary and local human interest stories. He retired from CKWS in 1999, following his 65th birthday. He went on to serve as a City Councillor for the Sydenham District from 2003-06.

TV & FILM:

Canada Post has unveiled its latest stamp set which celebrates the early years of MuchMusic and MusiquePlus. Depicting the iconic buildings that housed MuchMusic at 299 Queen St. West in Toronto and MusiquePlus at 355 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest in Montréal, the stamps are drawn from the perspective of the crowds that regularly gathered outside the stations. Read more here.

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Telefilm Canada have announced plans to develop a three-year joint strategy to foster growth and inclusion in the Canadian audiovisual industry, with a focus on supporting creators who are Black and People of Colour through training initiatives, partnerships, and structured approaches to data collection. Development will take place in collaboration with other federal audiovisual institutions, and in consultation with BPOC communities and key members of the industry.

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and Telefilm Canada will be sharing the downtown Halifax office space currently occupied by the NFB production team at 5475 Spring Garden Road, starting Nov. 4. The organizations say sharing space will promote synergy between them and benefit Atlantic Canadian filmmakers, partners and producers, who will be able to meet with Canada’s two main federal film agencies under one roof.

CBC will broadcast the 2024 Canadian Premier League Final live. The preeminent match of the 2024 CPL calendar will be played on Saturday, Nov. 9, with broadcast coverage beginning at 3 p.m. ET (noon PT) on CBC, CBC Gem and cbcsports.ca. Coverage of the CPL Final will feature CBC Sports’ Andi Petrillo leading an on-site panel alongside analysts Gareth Wheeler and Kristian Jack, who will also report pitch-side, and former York United FC defender Jordan Wilson. The 2024 CPL Awards will be streamed live on CBC Gem and cbcsports.ca on Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. ET, also hosted by Petrillo. The 2024 CPL Final is also available to subscribers of OneSoccer.

W Network is airing Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas, starting Friday, Oct. 18, featuring 10 weeks of back-to-back holiday movies every day, along with three festive series. The limited series include Finding Mr. Christmas, hosted by Jonathan Bennett and featuring Melissa Peterman as lead judge. The reality competition show pits 10 Hallmark hunk hopefuls against each other in a series of festive challenges, to prove the most heart, talent, authenticity and charisma to be the next Hallmark superstar, with the winner to make his debut this year in Hallmark Channel original Happy Howlidays. Holidazed is an eight-episode series following six families from different backgrounds, cultures and generations, all living on the same cul-de-sac, as they gather for the holiday season. W Network also presents Mistletoe Murders, from Lionsgate Canada and Headspinner Productions, based on the Audible podcast of the same name. Created by Ken Cuperus, Mistletoe Murders follows Emily Lane (Sarah Drew), the owner of a year-round Christmas store, who finds herself investigating not-so-quaint local murders. W Network is available on National Free Preview, Nov. 1-30. 

Super Channel’s annual Heart & Home Christmas holiday movie event kicks off on Friday, Nov. 1 and features 21 new movies including 12 Canadian broadcast premieres and 17 Canadian productions. Super Channel’s Teri Hart also returns with a series of Instagram Live interviews with this season’s stars to take viewers behind the Christmas movie magic.

XITE is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Canadian music label Nettwerk Music Group with dedicated programming featuring some of the label’s most iconic music videos on XITE Celebrates, as well as exclusive shows available in the XITE TV app. Founded in 1984, Nettwerk initially focused on electronic genres, expanding into pop and rock in the late ’80s and ’90s, working with acts like Skinny Puppy, Sarah McLachlan, Passenger, and Paris Paloma, while maintaining a commitment to nurturing creative talent.

Sinking Ship Entertainment (SSE) and Australia’s Cheeky Little Media are co-producing new animated series, Flower & Flour, for children aged 4-7. Created by Dan Mansour, the 39 x 7-minute series is inspired by Mansour and his wife Romy’s childhood experiences, with many of the adventures drawing from Romy’s upbringing in her family’s restaurant, which serves as the inspiration for the show’s central setting, “The Dumpling House.” Flower & Flour is scheduled to debut in 2026 with broadcast partners including ABC in Australia, and TVOkids, SRC and Knowledge Network in Canada. 

WildBrain and Cloudco Entertainment are bringing together 1980s kids’ brands Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake for an all-new “retro-forward” 44-minute animated preschool special called The Care Berry Switch (working title), being co-developed by the creative teams at both companies. WildBrain Studios is poised to lead animation production. The special is an homage to the 40+ year history of each brand, full of iconic memes like “The Care Bear Stare,” and other nostalgic “best ofs” for both brands in a contemporary production.

ONLINE & DIGITAL MEDIA:

ZoomerMedia has announced that founder Moses Znaimer, together with several other shareholders, have entered into a definitive agreement to privatize the company. Founded by Znaimer in 2008, ZoomerMedia currently operates five TV channels, three radio stations, two print and 21 digital properties, from its 2.6-acre complex in Toronto’s Liberty Village. In an announcement Friday, the company said based on the unanimous recommendation of an independent committee of its board of directors, ZoomerMedia has entered into a definitive agreement with members of the shareholder group to acquire all issued and outstanding common shares they don’t currently own. The group currently holds approximately 75.83% of company stock, of which 60.26% is owned by Znaimer. Subject to certain conditions, more than $5.69M in funding for the acquisition of the minority shares will be provided by Fairfax Financial Holdings, with another $1M provided by a company controlled by ZoomerMedia Chief Operating Officer, Omri Tintpulver. Read more here.

MTM’s latest report dives into the use of generative AI tools, including ChatGPT, among online Canadians. It finds over one-fifth of online Canadians (22%) are using generative AI tools. Usage is notably higher among Gen Zs (age 18-26, 38%) students (38%) and those from more affluent households, with incomes exceeding $200K (35%). As one of the first to market, ChatGPT holds a significant lead over its competitors, with 20% of online Canadians using it specifically. Its closest rival, Microsoft Co-Pilot, has a smaller user base at 6%.

REGULATORY, TELECOM & MEDIA:

Canadian Heritage says a decision has yet to be finalized on who will succeed CBC/Radio-Canada President Catherine Tait. Several Quebec media outlets, including Radio-Canada, reported this week that TV5 Québec Canada CEO Marie-Philippe Bouchard will replace Tait in January, citing unnamed sources. In an email to Broadcast Dialogue, the office of Min. Pascale St-Onge said a candidate has yet to be confirmed for the position. The department said formal steps that must take place before a candidate is selected, have not yet been completed. Read more here.

Robina Aryubwal, a women’s rights activist, and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) have jointly won PEN Canada’s 2024 Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize. The prize recognizes a Canadian individual or organization that has provided significant help to a writer or journalist outside Canada who has faced threats, violence, harassment, or imprisonment for reporting or commenting on issues of public interest. When the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021, JHR launched an emergency evacuation effort. Within seven days, JHR had $600,000 in its emergency evacuation fund, which eventually grew to over $2 million. Aryubwal was recruited by JHR to help with evacuation, resettlement and integration efforts. Since 2021, JHR and its partner organizations have relocated, referred, and resettled more than 500 at-risk journalists, human rights defenders, fixers, interpreters, educators and their families from Afghanistan, many of them to Canada.

Shree Paradkar has won PEN Canada’s 2024 Ken Filkow Prize, recognizing her for advancing freedom of expression in Canada. A race and social justice columnist at the Toronto Star – where she also served as the first internal ombud in a newsroom in Canada – Paradkar has worked as a journalist in Toronto, Singapore, Bangalore and Mumbai, and received two Amnesty Awards for human rights reporting as well as an Atkinson Fellowship, during which she travelled the world and reported on success stories of education systems tackling oppression. Paradkar is one of Massey College’s William Southam Journalism Fellows for the 2024-25 cohort. 

BROADCAST TECH & ENGINEERING:

NAB Show New York 2024 attracted more than 12,000 attendees, some 250 exhibitors (50 of which were first-timers), and 20 new product launches.  Preliminary data shows roughly 64% of attendees were first-timers. As the show wraps up, organizers say looking ahead to 2025, Generative AI, the creator economy and live production as well as radio, television and sports broadcasting trends are expected to continue shaping the media landscape. The National Association of Broadcasters is already planning the 2025 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 5-9 (Exhibits 6-9) and the 2025 NAB Show New York, Oct. 22-23. 

Pelmorex has introduced Gaia Energy, a predictive weather forecasting solution developed for energy traders, that the company says is poised to revolutionize weather predictions and analysis within the natural gas, electricity, agriculture and weather derivatives space. Powered by Gaia, Pelmorex’s proprietary Deep Learning Numerical Weather Prediction (DLNWP) model, it provides advanced predictive modeling, real-time weather insights, historical weather data, and customizable data visualizations. Leveraging the latest advancements in AI, Chief Meteorologist Chris Scott says the technology is a revolution in how weather forecasts are made, with models learning from observed weather data, producing more accurate forecasts and eliminating consistent errors found in traditional models. Among its touted advantages are its speed, purportedly delivering forecasts 18X faster and more accurately than the world’s top conventional models, allowing energy traders to receive weather insights an hour ahead of the market.