TV/FILM/VIDEO:
CTV has announced its replacement for Canada AM will begin August 22. Your Morning will feature hosts Ben Mulroney and Anne-Marie Mediwake, late morning anchor Melissa Grelo, news anchor Lindsey Deluce and weather anchor Kelsey McEwen. The show will air from 6:00-9:00 a.m. weekdays on CTV and nationally on CTV News Channel.
Claire Martin, former meteorologist for CBC The National, has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The melanoma was discovered on the heel of her foot and she was scheduled for surgery July 22. She plans to blog about the experience and provide regular updates via the Steele and Drex Show on CKNW 980 Vancouver. Martin is also a breast cancer survivor after a 2009 diagnosis.
Don Cherry and Ron MacLean were on hand as their star was unveiled on Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto on Monday. They have appeared together as a duo on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada for more than 30 years. They were honoured with the distinction last November.
CTV Vancouver reporter Sarah MacDonald has filed a complaint with police after an incident on July 21 that saw a man interrupt her live report with some vulgar language. The man allegedly recorded the incident on his cellphone for Snapchat. He ripped the earpiece off MacDonald’s blazer and out of her ear in the process of running from the scene.
DHX Media is teaming up with the BBC’s children’s network CBBC to produce 30 episodes of a program called The Zoo starring animals at the UK’s Paignton Zoo. Due to start airing in 2017, the network promises an observational documentary about real life at a zoo with a comedic spin. DHX will take on distribution outside the UK.
TVA had announced in April that it would close francophone business channel Argent because industry changes made it impossible for it to be profitable. Most of the dozen employees were transferred to other parts of the organization. As a result of TVA’s request, the CRTC has revoked the broadcasting license.
Asian Television Network (ATN), Canada’s largest South Asian Broadcaster, is now the home for cricket in Canada. The network has acquired the rights to broadcast games from the leagues in Australia, England, Ireland and the Caribbean. The network says cricket is the second most watched sport in the world.
Roger Ailes has resigned from his role as CEO of Fox News and Fox Business Network following harassment accusations. Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch will take on his role at both networks until a replacement is found.
Dish continues to lose subscribers according to the satcaster’s latest report. A net of 281,000 subscribers were lost in the second quarter. Same quarter report from last year saw a loss of 81,000 subscribers. Dish blames the losses on increased competition, discounted promotional offers and customer cord-cutting.
GENERAL:
Rogers Communications has posted its 2016 second quarter results. The company reported revenue up two per cent driven by wireless growth. Media revenue is up six per cent thanks to higher revenue from Sportsnet and the success of the Toronto Blue Jays.
SOCAN has purchased 100% of New York-based Audiam, a music royalty collection agency specializing in licensing digital services and royalty payment for songwriters, composers and music publishers.
RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST:
T’is the season for format stunts and changes. Bell Media’s KOOL FM (CFCA-FM) Kitchener is stunting with Christmas music with a new format to bow Friday at noon. Bell Media’s 101.3 The Bounce (CJCH-FM) in Halifax is also promising something big at 1 p.m. Friday.
It’s official with the CRTC. Effective ownership and control of Coast Broadcasting Ltd, which operates Coast 101.1 (CKSJ-FM) St. John’s, transfers solely to Andrew Bell. Former founding partner Andrew Newman will hit the reset button and remain in Atlantic Canada to take on other projects.
ONLINE CHANNELS:
Verizon acquires Yahoo for $4.8 billion. By combining Yahoo with its current online property AOL, Verizon has the potential to become a large scale programmatic advertising platform. It is hoped that the acquisition will also boost revenue to offset the loss of 41,000 subscribers from Verizon’s FiOS TV service in the second quarter.
Twitter has signed a deal with MLB and the NHL to live stream free once-a-week baseball and hockey games. It’s part of an effort to remake social media as a place where fans watch live sports on the same screen where they talk about them. However, exclusive rights agreements already in place in Canada, most notably with Rogers, will prohibit Twitter from streaming NHL games and Blue Jays games north of the 49th.
Canadian and international music companies have settled their lawsuit with isoHunt Web Technologies Inc. and founder Gary Fung. isoHunt was one of the largest unauthorized BitTorrent sites in the world, offering access to music and films for instant download. Fung and isoHunt agreed not to be associated with any service that makes the to be associated with any service that makes the music companies’ recordings available without authorization.
REVOLVING DOOR:
Vancouver-based journalist Duncan McCue has been named permanent host of CBC Radio’s Cross Country Checkup. He’s guest-hosted several times since long time host Rex Murphy left the show last fall. McCue has been in the Vancouver market for two decades.
Kirstine Stewart, Twitter’s vice president for media in North America is leaving the company. Twitter confirms the two are parting ways, but spokesman Cam Gordon said Twitter is “not sharing any other details at this time.” Before joining Twitter three years ago, Stewart was executive vice-president of English services at CBC.
Gary James, afternoon drive at Harvard Broadcasting’s 95.7 CRUZ FM in Edmonton, has retired (again) after 37 years on air. Gary emerged from retirement to join the station three years ago. He heads back to the links after his last shift on Aug 12. Starting Aug 16, Shirley McQueen moves from middays to afternoon drive. Derek Allen will be moving into middays and Shannon Medaglia will be hosting weekends.
Josie Fenech, Program Director for The New Hot 89.9 Ottawa, has been awarded additional responsibilities as National Director of Talent Development for Newcap Radio.
Taylor Galvin has joined CFWE Edmonton as morning show host, partnering with Wally Desjarlais. In addition, Galvin takes on the role of Internet radio coordinator for Raven which is a companion Internet station. She previously worked in Winnipeg with NCI and Rhythm 104.7 and CTN (Canadian Traffic Network) in Edmonton. Her first day was Monday July 25, 2016.
Jennifer Smith has joined Business in Vancouver Media Group /Glacier Media Group as Vice President of Strategy and Sales. Smith brings 25 years of experience in sales and marketing to the position. She was involved in last year’s launch of Roundhouse Radio, Vancouver’s newest FM station, where she continues to provide consulting services.
Corus’ Boom 99.7, Ottawa, has unveiled its new morning show. Host Tim Morgan started July 25, teaming up with Heather Ray. Morgan spent the last nine years as program director/music director/afternoon drive at Q107 in Calgary. He takes over from fill-in host Gonzo who will slip into afternoon drive.
Gabriel Dunlop has been tapped by programmatic advertising company Varick Media Management to lead its development and growth in Canada and establish new client and agency relationships. Gabe was most recently with Bell Media’s client strategy team.
Karen Steele joined the Bell Media programming team in Kitchener this week. Steele had been PD at KiSS 92.5 Toronto until February. She has won numerous awards during her career, including CMW’s Station of the Year award for three successive years.
SIGN-OFFS:
Doug Freeman, 84, on August 2 in New Glasgow, NS. Freeman’s career in radio and television spanned 69 years and at the age of 19 he was the youngest program director in Canada at CKTO-FM radio in Truro. In 1964 he purchased Hector Broadcasting, becoming owner of CKEC-FM Radio in New Glasgow and making public service a key priority for the company over the years.
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