By David Farrell
Mélanie Joly puts internet giants on notice
Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly is warning American internet giants to brace for new legislation that will crack down on threats to Canadian culture.
In comments from an interview published on Wednesday by Montreal daily newspaper Le Devoir, Joly said that new legislation could soon force companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon (GAFA) to be more transparent about how their technology, specifically algorithms, is changing society.
"The fundamental problem is that (these companies) don't recognize their responsibilities," the minister was quoted as saying by the newspaper. "They don't recognize the magnitude of their power, due to their size, their reach and the impact that they have in sectors such as journalism and culture. There's a fundamental shift in culture that they have to do because it's (presently) very concerning."
She also noted in the interview that these companies get about 75 per cent of online revenues and that they don't share this with content creators. She said this situation wasn't fair. –National Observer
Zach Sang joins Rogers’ Kiss fleet of stations
Twenty-six-year-old American multimedia star Zack Sang debuts his Zach Sang World Wide Countdown on Rogers Radio-branded KiSS stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa this Saturday (17th) from 5-8 pm (local time).
The deal was brokered through Vancouver-based Shawn Smith’s Momentum Media Networks.
Sang, one of today’s most popular radio voices and multimedia personalities, is one of a small few new generation of radio stars, connecting younger listeners who are constantly tuned into social media. With more than 10,000 interviews under his belt, he has chatted with every major celebrity, from Justin Bieber to Ariana Grande and Harry Styles. Sang is currently heard on 75 US pop stations across the US. He made his debut in Canada on a radio panel last year at CMW where he offered a counterpoint to a panel of traditional radio broadcasters.
“Does the new broken scene still exist and is it still broken?” #5SOSonZSS@5SOS#WantYouBackpic.twitter.com/od5ohPH20l
— Zach Sang Show (@ZachSangShow) February 24, 2018
Classical FM soars in latest Toronto PPMs
The New Classical FM reports that the latest quarter ratings places Toronto’s only all-classical radio station as the second-most-listened-to commercial radio station in the GTA. (Monday to Sunday 5a-1a, Toronto Cntl, Average Minute Audience, Q2/R1 November 27, 2017, to February 25, 2018).
The station claims having had the highest average minute audiences in 10 years, in all key demos – Persons 12+, Adults 25-54, and Adults 35-64 (Monday – Sunday 5a-1a, Toronto Cntl, Average Minute Audience by quarters). Combined, one million listeners tune in to the Zoomer-owned FM every week (Total Canada, Monday to Sunday 5a-1a, average weekly reach, Q2/R1 November 27, 2017, to February 25, 2018). – Source: Press release
iHeartMedia's Chapter 11 Filing: What Happens Next for the Radio Giant
iHeartMedia and some of its subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 protection last night after reaching a pre-packaged agreement with its principle creditors that will apparently see the company cut its debt in half to $10 billion after a debt-to-equity swap with some debt holders; and the spinoff of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, which is not a part of the Chapter 11 proceedings.
According to an announcement on the iHeart website, the prepackaged “agreement reflects widespread support across the capital structure for a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring that will reduce iHeartMedia’s debt by more than $10 billion. iHeartMedia, America’s No. 1 audio company, will continue operating the business in the ordinary course as a leading global multi-platform media, entertainment and data company.” – Ed Christman, Billboard
The real plum in the iHeartMedia pie is Clear Channel Outdoor
For the first nine months of 2017, the most recent figures available, the company reported revenues of $18.6 billion, versus $2.5 billion for radio. More to the point, the outdoor division runs in the black, whereas radio loses money after it pays out interest on debt – Forbes
BBC launches 'fake news' game for young people
The BBC has launched an interactive game to help young people in the UK identify fake news as part of its broader project to tackle declining media trust – Press-Gazette
