advertisement
FYI

Media Beat: June 15, 2018

Media Beat: June 15, 2018

By David Farrell

Can Corus find a wealthy savior?

Corus Entertainment Inc. CEO Doug Murphy took the stage on Wednesday to talk up his vision of the media company of the future. It was a pitch targeted at both investors and potential buyers of the TV and radio station owner, which has been put in play by major shareholder Shaw Communications Inc. – Andrew Willis, Globe & Mail ROB (subscription)


Ottawa orders regulator to investigate sales practices by big telecom companies

The Government of Canada has ordered the federal telecom regulator to investigate Canada’s largest telecommunications companies for high-pressure sales tactics, demanding a public inquiry into the issue after a series of media reports revealed “misleading and aggressive” practices. – Emily Jackson, Financial Post

advertisement

Rogers Media axes 75 jobs

Rogers Media Inc. has slashed one-third of its digital content and publishing department, laying off 75 full-time staff members from legacy titles including Maclean’s and Chatelaine in the face of widespread challenges in the print media industry. – Emily Jackson, Financial Post

APTN to launch new Indigenous radio station ELMNT.FM in Toronto

Pronounced “element,” the station is helmed by Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) and will soft-launch later this summer in Toronto on 106.5FM (and in Ottawa on 95.7FM in mid-July). – Chaka V. Grier, Now

An interview with JJ Johnston

On this week’s Broadcast Dialogue podcast, publisher Shawn Smith talks to JJ Johnston, the man that everybody knows. From his early days as a radio jock town to town and up and down the dial, to his days at the programming helm of CFOX in Vancouver and then running the show at Corus in Toronto, JJ has made friends everywhere he’s been. And for the past five years he’s been the principal of his own company, JJ International Media and Management Solutions.

More changes at JAZZ.FM91?

A week following Charlie Cutts replacing Ross Porter as (interim) CEO of JAZZ.FM91, Porter remains on the air with his Saturday morning show as a number of other notables have seemingly disappeared from regular air shifts. No official word at the time of writing earlier this a.m., but it appears that Jaymz Bee, David Basskin, Walter Venafro and several others may have been cut from official duties at the not-for-profit that has just wrapped a successful funding drive bringing that brought in $250K. We will report either way when official confirmation is received. 

advertisement

advertisement
Owen Riegling
Courtesy Photo

Owen Riegling

Country

Owen Riegling, The Washboard Union, MacKenzie Porter to play CCMA House in Kelowna

The lineup for the two-day event that is part of Country Music Week 2025 is crammed with past CCMA Award winners and many of this year's top nominees.

The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has announced CCMA House: Live at Waterfront Park, a two-day all-ages event set for Sept. 12 and 13 that appears poised to be a highlight of Country Music Week 2025, in Kelowna, B.C. A truckload full of established and emerging Canadian country stars will perform, including Jade Eagleson, Andrew Hyatt, James Barker Band, Alexandra Kay, JoJo Mason, Madeline Merlo, Tyler Joe Miller, Jess Moskaluke, Meghan Patrick, MacKenzie Porter, Restless Road, Owen Riegling, SACHA, Thelma & James, The Washboard Union and more.

Introducing the event (produced by Thick as Thieves Entertainment), Amy Jeninga, president of the CCMA, states that "Kelowna’s stunning waterfront provides the perfect backdrop for a celebration of community, connection, and the incredible depth of talent in country music." A vendor market, food trucks and a fully licensed area are also features of CCMA House.

keep readingShow less
advertisement