ICYMI: Broadcast Dialogue has announced this year’s Canadian Radio Awards winners. Find the full list of winners and listen to the winning audio at CanadianRadioAwards.com.
Many thanks to this year’s jury: Amanda Cupido, Dani Elwell, Dave Cadeau, Matt Berry, Karyn Pugliese and Chris Scheetz.
And our sponsors and supporters, who continue to make entry to the awards program free and accessible to all station groups.
REVOLVING DOOR:
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Tom Cooke has retired after 44 years in radio. Cooke started his career in 1981 with CFPL AM 980 and FM96 (CFPL-FM) London, ON. From there, he joined Telemedia-owned CKSL/CIQM FM as General Sales Manager, going on to hold General Manager roles in London, Hamilton, and St. Catharines with Standard Broadcasting, Astral Media, and Bell Media. Cooke returned to his London roots in 2014 with Corus Entertainment as Revenue Manager, bringing London Knights and Toronto Blue Jays broadcasts back to CFPL. He’d been with Evanov Communications’ Brantford stations for the past nine months as GSM.
Well, here it is! Proud to announce that “Raw Mike Richards” will be back with @Rogers,broadcasting on @citynewscalgary Saturday mornings 9-10am starting in 2025! This is just the beginning… Let’s get this thing back on the rails!! @torontomike @joebartnick pic.twitter.com/ZD04Vr7g1z
— Mike Richards
(@RawMikeRichards) December 9, 2024
Mike Richards is resurrecting “Raw Mike Richards” on Citytv Calgary on Saturday mornings from 9 – 10 a.m. MT, starting in the New Year (as announced on episode 1,595 of Toronto Mike’d). The sports radio veteran was last heard on Sauga 960 (CKNT-AM) Mississauga, where he hosted the morning show for four and a half years.
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Drex is returning to talk radio for the first time since 2020, covering for John Oakley on Corus Entertainment’s AM 640 (CFIQ-AM) Toronto. A former late night host across the Corus talk network, Drex has most recently been hosting evenings on Toronto’s Indie88 (CIND-FM), following the release of the Drex on JACK morning show from JACK FM (CJAX-FM) Vancouver in April.
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Marianna Miniotis has taken on the role of Production Manager at Lead Podcasting, in addition to maintaining her Vice-President title at The Sonar Network. Miniotis is also the co-founder and Production Manager of Sonar Soundlabs, focused on producing podcasts for the Arts & Culture sector.
RADIO & PODCAST:
Numeris’ fall PPM release for Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton, indicates radio is retaining an average weekly reach of 83% for Canadians, A12+. In home represented 49% of tuning, while 51% was out of home. Read David Bray’s breakdown of the top performers here.
Numeris’ latest diary market release covers the period from Sept. 9 to Nov. 3, borrowing sample from previous releases for most markets. AM/FM radio reached 82% of Canadians 25-54 in diary markets, with 38% of Adult 25-54 listening occurring in vehicles, vs. 33% of listening done in the home. Read David Bray’s breakdown here.
The CRTC has issued an order prohibiting Gill Broadcasting from illegally operating a South Asian radio station in Winnipeg. The decision follows numerous complaints from Winnipeg multi-ethnic station CKJS-FM (owned by Evanov Communications), over the past eight years, that a tourist information station was carrying on programming without a broadcast licence. Gill Broadcasting, helmed by Gill and Baldev Gill, had been operating CKYG-FM Winnipeg at 90.5 MHz. Operating as Radio Awaz, Evanov says since Gill Broadcasting was granted an exemption for a low-power tourist station in 2016, the station was promoted and branded as Winnipeg’s first 24/7 South Asian station – exceeding the scope of its exemption and above ECI’s objections, with its licensed ethnic station already serving that community. While continuing to voice its concerns, ECI says Gill Broadcasting went on to launch a second low-power station under another exemption order, initially offering differentiated programming, but later using it as a repeater for its first station before shutting it down. Read more here.
The CRTC has approved Access Communications Co-operative’s application to acquire Regina community radio station 91.3 FM CJTR from non-profit, Radius Communications. The CRTC said the proposed transaction is in the public interest and will ensure the continuation of community-based radio programming for the Regina area. In its application, the telecom service provider – which already operates AccessNowTV – indicated it would invest in equipment upgrades, expand volunteer opportunities, and integrate CJTR-FM into its existing community engagement department, sharing resources with its community television station. It also plans to retain current members of the board of directors of Radius to act as an advisory committee.
Xperi DTS has released a new report, “Vehicle Ownership and its Role as a Third Space,” looking at how consumers view their personal vehicles, beyond transportation. Based on a survey of over 3,200 American car owners, audio remains the top entertainment priority, with 88% of respondents using their car for listening, and 62% indicating they would immediately rule out buying a vehicle without AM/FM reception. When it comes to the kinds of audio consumers want, 71% cited music as essential to the driving experience.
The Bob McCown Podcast has aired its final episode. The podcast comes to a close after more than 1,000 episodes, with McCown continuing to work to improve his speech since suffering a series of strokes in June 2023. In a post to Facebook, McCown teased “another project which will garner my attention.” The former Sportsnet host launched The Bob McCown Podcast in May 2020 after parting ways with the network a year earlier. Co-host John Shannon announced his departure from the podcast in September.
The Pro Bono Group is releasing new creative that can begin as soon as Dec. 25 for its three current causes:
THE PRO RADIO PROJECT – “WINTER”
Radio advertising sales after the holidays can be as cold as the Grinch’s heart. New PSA “Winter” is a reminder to advertisers that radio is here to heat up retail sales year-round. To be run on its own or in rotation with existing Pro Radio Project creative, “Winter” can replace “Christmas Shopping” from Dec. 25 until March 16.
Audio PlayerTHE CANADIAN ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS – “SIGN”
Our campaign for CAEH is reaching Canadians everywhere – including government officials making important decisions. The new PSA “Sign” is a startling message about Canada’s devastating homelessness crisis. It can replace “Christmas Tree” from Dec. 25 until March 16.
Audio PlayerFEED ONTARIO – “DIMES 60”
We believe it takes 60 seconds to properly demonstrate aurally the mind-boggling number of ordinary Ontarians who require food banks. We hope radio stations will embrace this longer-form storytelling by providing airtime in the New Year when commercial loads are at their lightest. “Dimes 60” can replace “Jingle Change” from Dec. 25 until March 16.
Audio Player The 2025 CRABOs, the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC) Community Radio Awards in Broadcast and Online, are now open for submissions. The deadline to submit is May 1, 2025.
LISTEN: Annalise Nielsen is the Head of Podcast Strategy and Development at Lower Street. She and Matt Cundill discuss her time with Rogers Sports & Media and Pacific Content, the importance of newsletters, and targeted social media for podcast promotion. Nielsen also discusses the shift from video-heavy podcasts to clips and the potential for independent creators to thrive in the future.
SIGN OFFS:
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Bruce Marshall on Dec. 9. After graduating from Seneca Polytechnic in 1984, Marshall went on to a 20-year run on-air at CHUM Toronto, working on both the AM and FM stations. Stints at 97.3 EZ Rock followed, in addition to CKOC, CJJD and K-Lite FM in Hamilton. Marshall also served as the network imaging voice for TSN from 2001-03, among other commercial voice work. Off-air, he was a firefighter, a radio professor in the School of Communication at Seneca, and made an unsuccessful bid for regional council in Brampton in 2018.
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Ken Gibson, 92, on Nov. 30. An inductee of the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, Gibson joined CBC-TV in Vancouver in 1961 after emigrating to Canada from England. Gibson moved up from Props Specialist to Production Assistant and by 1967 held the title of Producer/Director in Variety Programming. Among other shows he worked on were pop music showcase “Let’s Go” (later renamed “Where It’s At”), 1968’s “Hits-a-Poppin” featuring Terry David Mulligan as host, and “The Irish Rovers,” for which he produced several series and 11 specials over 18 years, earning him a Genie Award. By the 1970s, he was working as a freelance producer/writer, producing shows like “It’s a Musical World” with Tommy Common, Red Robinson game show vehicle “TRIVIA,” talent search series “Fame Game,” and 1985’s “Rock Wars.” He was also behind early video series “Good Rockin’ Tonite” that ran nationally for 10 years and is credited with creating the first seven Canadian Country Music Awards specials, starting in 1987. He retired from television in 1997.
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Gilles Landry, 60, on Nov. 29. Landry started his career as a photographer at independent French newspaper L’Acadie Nouvelle in Caraquet, NB. While he continued to freelance as a photographer, he eventually landed a job as a videographer and editor with CBC/Radio-Canada – a role he most recently held in Moncton.
TV & FILM:
The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) Local 411 have announced the successful conclusion of negotiations on a new craft service and honeywagon agreement. The tentative deal establishes the terms, conditions and rates for operators engaged on productions in Ontario. Details of the new agreement in principle will be presented to the CMPA Board of Directors and IATSE Local 411 membership for ratification in the coming weeks. The current agreement expires Dec. 31.
Apple TV+ will be available via Prime Video in Canada, Australia and the UK as an add-on subscription for $12.99/month in Canada (CA$) and Australia (AU$), and £8.99/month in the UK. Prime members who subscribe to Apple TV+ via Prime Video will have access to premium entertainment including Severance, Bad Sisters, Silo, Slow Horses, The Morning Show, Presumed Innocent, Shrinking, Hijack, Loot, and Palm Royale, as well as Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball sporting events. Apple TV+ launched in the U.S. as an add-on subscription via Prime Video in October.
The Roku Channel is now offering Canadian viewers more than 150 FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channels. Recently added channels include: Corner Gas Channel, CTV @ Home, CTV Laughs, Noovo Cinéma, TSN The Ocho, and Wicked Tuna. The Roku Channel will also add three new CBC News local channels (Manitoba, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, joining BC, Toronto, and the national CBC News channel) in the coming weeks, as well as Zoomer Television, EarthDay 365, and channels dedicated to Heartland and Murdoch Mysteries, as well as The Graham Norton Show and The Ed Sullivan Show.
Rogers is stacking Citytv+ with thousands of hours of new and returning shows from Discovery, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Cooking Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, and MotorTrend, starting Jan. 1, as it becomes the home of Warner Bros. Discovery’s brands and content in Canada. Rogers has unveiled the winter schedule highlights for Discovery, HGTV, The Food Network, ID, and the Magnolia Network.
Global has announced its winter 2025 programming lineup. Kicking off the New Year is Global original Family Law, returning for a third season on Sunday, Jan. 5. Joining the network’s slate of procedurals is new medical drama Doc, inspired by a true story and starring Canadian Molly Parker, debuting Tuesday, Jan. 7 and Watson, a modern Sherlock Holmes medical mystery series, starring Morris Chestnut, premiering Sunday, Jan. 26. Also joining the Global lineup is reimagined classic game show Hollywood Squares, featuring Drew Barrymore as the centre square, hosted by Nate Burleson, starting Thursday, Jan. 9. Saturday Night Live also continues to celebrate its 50th season with a live primetime special on Sunday, Feb. 16.
Crave Original series, Slaycation, will be available for a New Year’s Eve binge-watch on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Slaycation follows six larger-than-life queens from across the international Drag Race family – BOA, Jada Shada Hudson, Kandy Muse, Kerri Colby, Lawrence Chaney, and Luxx Noir London – as they vacation together at a Canadian winter cabin. Available to Canadian audiences in English and French, the series launches simultaneously on World of Wonder’s SVOD platform WOW Presents Plus in the U.S. and in 190 territories worldwide.
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Now You Know BC is a new show from content creator and former Vancouver is Awesome (VIA) publisher Bob Kronbauer that will air on Victoria’s CHEK-TV, starting in the New Year. The weekly, half-hour show will feature interviews, travel stories, and history.
Whistler Film Festival (WFF) has announced the winners of its film competition awards. The top prize, the $35,000 Borsos Award for Best Canadian Feature, was presented to Really Happy Someday, directed by J Steven. The Best BC Director Award went to Resident Orca, directed by Simon Schneider and Sarah Sharkey Pearce. The 24th edition of WFF featured a total of 118 films: 47 features and 71 shorts. There were 27 world premieres, 20 Canadian premieres, 24 Western Canadian premieres, and 23 Whistler premieres. A total of $188,500 in cash and production prizes were presented this year, across a total of 15 awards in seven juried film competitions.
ONLINE & DIGITAL MEDIA:
TikTok has filed a notice of application in federal court to challenge a government order to shutdown TikTok Canada’s operations. The order, while not impacting Canadians’ ability to use the app, would require the subsidiary of Beijing-headquartered ByteDance to wind-up its business and cease all operations in Canada based on national security concerns. TikTok Canada says that means eliminating “the jobs and livelihoods of our hundreds of dedicated local employees – who support the community of more than 14 million monthly Canadian users on TikTok, including businesses, advertisers, creators, and initiatives developed especially for Canada.” The company says it believes “it’s in the best interest of Canadians to find a meaningful solution and ensure that a local team remains in place, alongside the TikTok platform.”
ZoomerMedia shareholders have approved a proposed “Go Private” transaction. At a special meeting of shareholders, the resolution was approved by 99.52% of votes cast by shareholders present or represented by proxy at the meeting. The arrangement is expected to become effective this week, with common shares of ZoomerMedia expected to be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange shortly.
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Vancouver Broadcasters is winding down after over 22 years providing radio and TV news and information to Southwest BC. While the site will remain online, publisher Gord Lansdell will cease publishing new updates on Dec. 31. Lansdell, who is about to celebrate his 82nd birthday, tells Broadcast Dialogue that “it’s time to hang up his keyboard” after previously shuttering his other two sites, Northwest Broadcasters and Okanagan Broadcasters.
REGULATORY, TELECOM & MEDIA:
Mohawk College has suspended over a dozen programs, including Broadcasting – Radio & Creative, Broadcasting – Television & Media Communications, and Pre-Media, as the college makes cost-saving moves. Encompassing a 20% reduction in administrative staff, among the positions cut is the Dean of Creative Industries. The college tells Broadcast Dialogue that any students currently in these programs will be supported as they continue their studies until the completion of their programs.
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CTV Montreal anchor Mutsumi Takahashi has been named a Citizen of Honour by the City of Montreal, recognizing those who have improved the well-being of Montrealers through their actions, art and commitment. Takahashi, who has been with CFCF 12 (now CTV Montreal) since 1982, was previously named to the Order of Canada in 2018.
The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF), in partnership with The Canadian Press (CP), has launched the new CJF-CP News Creator Fellowship dedicated to nurturing video storytelling talent. Supported as well by the Google News Initiative (GNI) and YouTube in Canada, recent graduates of Canadian post-secondary journalism programs can apply for the six-week fellowship, offered to six emerging news-content creators. It includes training and mentorship from CP editors and journalists, focusing on the creation of engaging local news videos for publication on CP’s and the creator’s YouTube and social channels. Fellows will receive a $5,500 stipend. The application deadline is Jan. 24.
The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) has announced the CJF Indigenous Health Journalism Fellowship, in partnership with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). The new year-long fellowship is aimed at fostering expert reporting on critical health issues affecting Indigenous communities in Canada. Open to Indigenous journalists with a minimum of five years of professional experience, the Fellowship provides a one-year research stipend of $100,000, up to $20,000 for expenses and up to $30,000 additional funding to support an early career journalist support and/or travel to remote communities. Fellows will collaborate with a national media partner to produce stories in broadcast documentary, podcast, or a series of published articles with a national publication partner or media distributor by the end of 2026. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 24.
Stingray Group has successfully completed the increase and extension of its existing credit facility, providing additional liquidity for operations and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities. The refinancing consists of a $500 million revolving credit facility maturing in December 2028. The credit facility is provided by a syndicate of banks, led by National Bank Financial Markets.
Rogers has announced the launch of Rogers Xfinity Storm-Ready WiFi, a new product designed to keep customers connected when there is an outage. It brings Rogers advanced network technology together with a device that automatically switches to a cellular backup connection when there’s a network or power outage. The launch follows the company’s recent introduction of Rogers Xfinity, a suite of in-home services that leverage Comcast’s product and technology platform. Now available for customers in B.C., it will roll out across the country in February.
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Taylor Swift fans on the Rogers 5G network used over 11 terabytes (TB) of mobile data in just a few hours at BC Place to share and stream the last concert of The Eras Tour, setting a new Canadian record. That shatters the record set at the Taylor Swift concert at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Nov. 21, when fans used 7.4 TB of data on the Rogers 5G network. The data used on Dec. 8 is the equivalent of uploading 307,000 photos and 2,180 hours of video streaming. As presenting sponsor of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour in Canada, Rogers invested $10 million to enhance 5G connectivity at BC Place ahead of Swift’s last stop on her global tour, including a full network redesign and installation of a new in-stadium network system to bring fans the best experience across her three nights in Vancouver. Teams spent 10,000 hours of planning and installation took 10,000 hours with a crew of over 40. The upgrades increase 5G network capacity by 38 times throughout the stadium – the equivalent to coverage provided by 20 towers in Vancouver. Over the three Vancouver performances, fans on the Rogers 5G network used 32TB of data.
BROADCAST TECH & ENGINEERING:
vCreative has partnered with Orbyt Media for exclusive ad sales and affiliate representation in Canada. Orbyt Media will now serve as the exclusive market development partner for vCreative’s comprehensive suite of tools, including vPPO, vProMedia, vPromotions, PromoSuite Next, PromoSuite Mail, and more. vCreative says the partnership will expand its footprint in Canada.
Pacific Media Group (PMG), which owns 21 radio stations across the Hawaiian Islands, has entered into a partnership with Toronto-based CreativeReady, bringing AI tool, Spec-Mate, to its stations. Since its launch in August 2023, Creative Ready says the AI-driven spot builder tool has generated over 40,000 custom radio spots. In addition to PMG, NRG Media and West Virginia Radio Corp have also inked group-wide deals with CreativeReady, putting Spec-Mate into the hands of a combined 83 radio stations in various U.S. markets.