the todd shapiro show

Want to know what's going on with ex-Edge morning cornerstone Todd Shapiro? Dean Blundell's former right hand man has landed a new gig. The Todd Shapiro Show will premier March 3rd  at 9 AM on Sirius XM Canada. He'll be on channel 168 - the spot for uncensored Canadian comedy.

"Todd brings a candid, unique and energetic voice to our airwaves that we're very excited about" shared John Lews, SVP of Programming in the company presser. "He's genuine, incredibly likeable and fun to listen to, something his fans already know. We're confident that will resonate with the new audience - across North America".

To read the full Press Release go Here. 

billie joins the edge

As predicted a few months back, Billie Holiday has replaced Todd Shapiro on the Edge morning show. The former teeny pop jock who teamed up with Madd Dogg to front moring shows on CHFI and Kiss 92.5, officially joined the team this week. She thanked the listeners via Twitter,  this morning  by tweeting, "Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome ! I am thrilled to be the new cohost and look forward to many mornings with you! xoxo"

Meanwhile, Sharpiro appeared on the Humble and Fred Show yesterday. You can listen to it here. 

rest well, "iron" mike bensson

Sad news coming out of St. Catherines today with the news that legendary HTZ-FM rocker,  Mike Bensson has passed away from Cancer. HTZ is currently running an all day tribute to their friend.  Cancer sucks.

Iron Mike Bensson was 60.

indie 88.1 get more power

The big boys network did good on this decision. My favourite music station at the moment, Indie 88.1 has gotten more power. The CRTC has given them an increase from 532 to 2,100 watts. While, most of the stations target listeners would listen online or on their mobile, it's always good to listen to radio the old fashioned way.

Here's the official mumbo jumbo from the big boys.

more cuts at rogers

On the heels of the cuts last week at KISS 92.5, Rogers let more staff go, but this time over at KISS' AM sisters  Fan 590 and 680 News. Sadly the walking papers included two long time Rogers' employees, Fan cornerstone, Barb DiGiulio and Entertainment vet at 680, Gloria Martin.

I  met both of these talented ladies once, very briefly, years ago through Tom Rivers. DiGiulio at River's goodbye party at CJEZ before he headed west. And I was 11 years old at CFTR when I met Gloria Martin when she was working beside Toronto news greats, Evelyn Macko and Dick Smyth.

DiGiulio and Martin are both great at what they do and I'm sure they'll pop up somewhere. It's always sad when talent gets the walking papers. Especially when they served your company for more than a decade.

blezard out at kiss 92.5

Reports are suggesting that Dave Blezard has been let go from KISS 92.5. Blezard arrived at KISS back in February 2011 after spending a decade at Z103.5.  There's no mention of the jock on the KISS website.

Will shoot you more information when it becomes available.

starting from scratch joins 99.9 virgin radio toronto

The award winning cornerstone in the local Hip Hop scene has jumped ship to Virgin 99.9. Most recently with Virgin's sister station, Flow 93.5,  DJ Starting from Scratch begins his run with the CHR station tonight at 5pm.

"Music is my life and Toronto is my home - this is hte perfect oppertunity for me to continue connecting with poeple who love music as much as I do", Scratch stated in the official presser. "Virgin Radio has mde me feel at home, and I'm energized to get back on the air and connect with my fans."

To read the full press release Go Here.

jim lang gone from fan590

Just hearing news that Jim Lang has been let go. Whispers say that the morning show host was axed earlier, and the search for a new FAN590 morning show co-host is on. Lang tweeted earlier,  "All Good. It happens. Part of the business. I leave on good terms". The twitter account, that boasted Fan's frequency, has since been deleted.

I met Jim Lang while visiting with Tom Rivers during his run at AM640. Lang was always professional and open to answer my questions I had about news reporting and sports. He's one of the good guys and i'm sure he'll land somewhere else.

The Team?

newcap broadcasting buys boom, flow.

 Bell announced today an agreement with Newfoundland Capital Corporation where it'll  see Newcap take over five radio stations in Vancouver and Toronto, including locally, Boom 97.3 and Flow 93.5.  

We haven't heard anything of any potential format flips, but it's thought that they might want to flip Boom to Up! - A contemporary hit music format Newcap has in Fredricton - which is similar to Boom's current playlist.

Here's the official company mumbo-jumbo. 

DARTMOUTH, NS, Aug. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Newfoundland Capital Corporation ("NCC" or the "Company") (TSX: NCC.A, NCC.B) and Bell Media (TSX, NYSE: BCE), are pleased to announce that NCC's wholly-owned subsidiary, Newcap Inc. ("Newcap"), has entered into an agreement to acquire from Bell Media Inc. the radio broadcasting licences CHBM-FM (Boom 97.3) and CFXJ-FM (93.5 Flow) in Toronto, Ontario and CKZZ-FM (Virgin Radio 95.3), CHHR-FM (Shore 104.3 FM), and CISL-AM (AM 650) in Vancouver, British Columbia, for a price of $112 million plus the assumption of certain liabilities. The transaction is subject to approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ("CRTC") and the Competition Bureau.

President and Chief Executive Officer Rob Steele comments: "The acquisition of these stations in Canada's two largest radio markets is a rare opportunity and is a transformational move for Newcap. This provides an excellent opportunity for us going forward - greatly expanding our listener base and increasing the size of our business. We specialize exclusively in radio and all of our focus and expertise is dedicated to creating successful radio stations which benefits our employees, listeners and advertising clients."

"Parting with valued and dynamic assets is never easy," said Jacques Parisien President, National Speciality and Pay TV, Radio, and Out-of-Home, Bell Media. "However, Newcap's acquisition of CHBM-FM, CFXJ-FM, CKZZ-FM, CHHR-FM, and CISL-AM is tremendous news for the stations' employees, listeners, and clients, as well as the Canadian radio industry. Newcap is a well-respected company and we know that their strong management team will help these stations grow."

The transaction is structured as an acquisition of shares and will be paid in cash at closing, subject to certain working capital adjustments as well as other customary conditions. The acquisition will be financed with the Company's existing $90 million revolving credit facility along with a newly committed, non-revolving credit facility of $90 million. Scotiabank is the lead lender with increased participation from TD Bank as well as the addition of the Royal Bank of Canada to the Company's banking syndicate.

For the twelve month period ending May 31, 2013 the stations had revenues of approximately $40 million. The Company expects the acquisition to be accretive to earnings per share and the free cash flow generation from the combined business should allow the Company to reduce its debt leverage on a timely basis.

Newcap's acquisition of these radio stations is a result of Bell's acquisition of Astral. Astral and Bell are divesting certain radio stations to comply with the CRTC's Common Ownership Policy, which limits the number of stations a company can own in a single market.

billie on edge? todd on virgin?

We might have a winner for the new co-host of the Edge morning show. On the heels of the departure of long time Dean Blundell tag partner, Todd Shapiro  in July, the station has been doing on-air auditions for the new Blundell sidekick. But it's been former member of the Madd Dogg and Billie show, Billie Holiday who has been winning all the rounds. 

Is she the next host? 

Looks like she will be. This is interesting. 

When her show with Jay "Madd Dogg" Michaels were at their peak, Blundell took daily jabs at the duo and claimed they stole his show material. Guessing all has been forgotten as the two seem to be getting along fabulously. 

The addition of the tame Billie (nee Amanda Dunn) could satisfy the big boys who recently give Dean Blundell and his show stern warnings about his show topics. However, would it satisfy Blundell listeners? The show has since been criticised of being too boring since Shapiro packed up. 

Where's Todd? Check Virgin. Industry whispers say he's set to become the next drive-home guy. 99.9 has been taking out ads in radio papers and even job sites looking for a new drive host, so it won't be too far fetched that Todd takes over that seat come fall.  

Stay tuned.

dominik diamond leaves q

Dominik Diamond has left Q107. .The announcer for the Toronto rock staple wrote his goodbye note to his listeners on his Facebook and Twitter, Thursday evening while praising the rock leader.. Q  has since removed anything to do with the jock from their site.

No word yet on who will take over Diamond's 6-11 spot.

friend of mine - d-sisive

This video is cuter than my belly button. When I first heard the track a few months ago, it reminded me of those days in elementary school. The days when your stomach was in tangles because you had sent a special note to that special someone. When you finally get the reply, she wrote that she liked you. Only as a friend. Biz sang about it before, But D-Sisive busts out a story with a cute video to match - speaking for a whole new generation of `friends'.  

indie 88.1 launches today at noon

In a busy couple of weeks in radioland, this is the best story to come out from our fairyland. Based in Liberty Village, Indie 88.1 FM is hitting the airwaves at Noon today. The station slogan is set at "Giving great music a Home".

Industry insiders are calling it the rebirth of the Spirit of Radio, (that same line Rush made popular and EDGE 102 once used when they were known as CFNY),. Promises to take "the form of communication with its listeners, a core local audience of adults ages 18 to 34".  as stated by, Program Director Adam Thompson. "This is very much a Toronto radio station" he told the Toronto Star. . "We serve our constituents. They'll tell us what they want to hear".

Same old blabber most PD's mutter when a station hits the air or flips format, but I'm really hoping Thompson is right on this one. This is a very cool and needed direction Toronto radio needs to go in and I'm really looking forward to it.

Tune in.

1010, 99.9 get new digs.

The studios will be missed. After 48 years at the St. Clair address, CFRB 1010 will be getting a new home. Along with Virgin 99.9, the two stations will join the rest of their family at the Queen West building.  The address change was announced yesterday in a memo from Bell Media president, Kevin Crull. The move is set for March. 

To read the full article from today's Toronto Star, go Here. 

bell gets astral

After rejecting their initial bid of $3.4 billion, CRTC have given the nod to Bell to take over Astral Media. In its second bid, Bell has promised to sell some of Astral's speciality TV channels and radio stations (ie locally,  Boom 97.3). This is to satisfy CRTC concerns that the deal would make Bell too dominant in the Canadian market.

Here's more of the complicated mumbo-jumbo from the big boys:

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, June 27, 2013 — Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved an application by Astral Media Inc. to sell its pay and specialty television channels, conventional television stations and radio stations to BCE Inc. The CRTC’s approval comes with a number of conditions that are necessary to uphold the public interest.

“Astral’s application put forward a different approach and responded to many of our concerns” said Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman of the CRTC. “Yet there remained a significant risk that BCE could exert its market power to limit choice and competition. To ensure the public interest is served, we are requiring BCE to invest in new Canadian programming and sell more than a dozen services, and we are putting in place a number of competitive safeguards. This will maintain a healthy and competitive broadcasting system that offers more programming choices to Canadian consumers and citizens and more opportunities for Canadian creators.”

paradise - city and colour

Spent the good part of my Sunday fixing my dish washer and realizing that my dryer might be my next opponent. In  the background, keeping my ears ringing and my head forming great mental visuals, was the new City and Colour album, The Hurry and the Ham. Now on his  forth project, Dallas returns with a sensible album with tracks like Thirst, The Lonely Life and the diddy below, Paradise - my favorite song on the 15 track release. Cop it and check out iTunes for the deluxe version. It's not only background music while doing your weekend chores, it's good Canadian music.

notes to self shoot latest video in windsor

While our homies Notes to Self continue to drop top notch material, they've also done some impressive work on their videos. The new video for the single, Recoil does not disappoint. Shot in Windsor, Ontario, they group almost got arrested while shooting the robbing scene. They blame the masks.

alan cross goes indie

When I first heard that 88.1 Indie got the nod to take over the Toronto staple CKLN frequency, I was worried on how Indie it'll be. After hearing the news today that local music teach and media icon, Alan Cross has joined the stations programming helm, I'm not too worried. 

  For the full version of the presser read below or click here.

Broadcaster, Writer, Public Speaker, and now… Guidance Counsellor! Toronto’s soon to be launched radio station – Indie88 welcomes Alan Cross to our growing team. Known for his approachable style and near encyclopaedic knowledge of music, Alan Cross has been inspiring music fans all over the world with music documentaries like The Ongoing History of New Music and The Secret History of Rock. Now, as the Indie88 in-house music Guidance Counsellor,

Alan will be part of the team that is bringing a brand new genre of music to the Toronto airwaves. “How cool is it to be involved in a brand new radio station in Toronto? And one that plays all the music that I love? I mean, are you kidding me? It doesn’t get any better than this, frankly. I’m SO looking forward to this.” Alan said. The CRTC awarded the last Toronto FM frequency to Central Ontario Broadcasting on September 11, 2012. Since that time, the company has been developing plans for Toronto’s First Indie radio station. The station will focus on emerging (Indie) artists, with a format that is unavailable anywhere else in Canada. Cross will help develop the musical and programming direction of the station.

“Indie88 will be an oasis for music fans in the city of Toronto, and there’s no one who has been more dedicated to the Toronto music scene than Alan Cross. I’m thrilled to welcome him to our community,” said Megan Bingley, General Manager of Indie88. “Alan’s legend in Toronto is undeniable. With over 25 years of experience in Toronto, he brings a trusted perspective to the ever-changing musical landscape. This is going to be huge.” Adam Thompson, Program Director @ Indie88

jay and dan leaving tsn

Local sports heads might not like this too much. The popular TSN team of Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole are heading to Los Angeles to join Fox Sports.

“It is with mixed emotions that all of us at TSN and Bell Media bid farewell to Jay and Dan.  They have made remarkable contributions to TSN and have helped solidify Sportscenter as Canada’s clear choice for sports news,” noted Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports in the official station presser. “I’ve been working with Jay and Dan since the beginning, and their success is a testament to the exceptional talent and original productions that have become a hallmark of Bell Media. I’m sure Jay and Dan will thrive on U.S. television and endear themselves to a whole new legion of fans.”

The team will be sticking around TSN till late June.

vinyl turns fresh

In an unexpected turn, Hamilton's Vinyl 95.3-FM flipped formats today and became Fresh-FM. Life's Short, Have Fun reads the new station line. The new beat is hyping Fresh to be Contemporary Hit Radio.

 From what I've seen on the stations website, they're keeping the morning show of Darrin and Colleen. One of the two good things about the change. .

For the other positive, fans of the Humble and Fred podcast and CBC would be interested in knowing that Kelly Cutrara has landed the Weekday afternoon gig. She starts Monday at 3pm.

Shame an unique station that had a good sound had to be replaced by an overdone format. Corus has made better flips in the past.