By David Farrell
Bell Media to air ‘One World: Together at Home’
Bell Media is the Canadian partner of the international TV event ‘One World: Together at Home’ announced by Global Citizen and the WHO. The global event is intended as a unifier during the pandemic, and honour healthcare workers on the front lines. The April 18 virtual concert is to be hosted by Lady Gaga with appearances from Chris Martin, David Beckham, Elton John, Kelly Clarkson, Paul McCartney, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Andrea Bocelli, Keith Urban, Eddie Vedder, Lizzo, Alanis Morrissette and several others.
The two-hour event airs April 18 at 8 pm ET on CTV, CTV2, TSN, CP24, MUCH, MTV and in french on VRAK. It will also be live-streamed on the iHeartRadio Canada app and radio stations.
Canada’s news media in trouble as ad revenues plunge
The federal government needs to move quickly to support the Canadian news industry amid the economic downturn brought about by the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, an industry spokesman said Monday.
Bob Cox, who is the publisher of the Winnipeg Free Press as well as chairman of the News Media Canada industry association, says the situation is dire because advertising revenue has plunged and continues to fall rapidly.
“We have to have cash in the bank to meet our obligations, and that includes paying employees and other bills.” – David Paddon, Canadian Press
Torstar to eliminate 85 positions, reduce executive pay as ad revenue drops due to pandemic
In an interview Torstar CEO John Boynton stated Monday that digital advertising has been hit by a double whammy: Businesses which have been forced to close aren’t advertising at all, while some advertising is being directed away from media websites, including some run by Torstar, by ad-placing software.
“Some of the drop in advertising has happened because some of the big digital media companies and ad agencies are blocking ads from appearing on sites with the word COVID-19 on them. Shame on them,” said Boynton. – Josh Rubin, The Star
The Canadian Jewish News closes after 60 years
Considered the national voice of Canada’s Jewish community, the independently owned publication had a weekly circulation of nearly 32,000 copies. In a letter to CJN readers, the newspaper’s president, Elizabeth Wolfe, said she had hoped the publication could “inform, console and distract” readers isolated at home. “It is with great regret that we have realized that we will be unable to do so.”
The newspaper’s staff was informed of the decision over a video conference call. – Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail
Broadcasting legend Bob Layton celebrates 50 years in the industry
Under his leadership, 630 CHED — and now Global News Radio 880 Edmonton — has won awards for best documentary, best newscast, best website and best radio feature. – Kirby Bourne, Global News
This is how to apply for CERB online in Canada
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is a taxable benefit for Canadians that have lost their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides Canadians with $2,000 a month for up to four months.
If that sounds like what you're looking for, proceed to the first step. – Jody Brimacombe, freshdaily
RBC and Sirius XM add support to relief fund for Canadian performers
Initial support for the NAC-co-ordinated endeavour came from Facebook Canada, whose $100,000 gift was subsequently matched by Slaight Music. Now RBC and Sirius XM Canada have each contributed sponsorships worth $200,000.
The live-streamed performance series was originally expected to run through the month of March. With the added support, it has been extended into May. – Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail
Survival strategies for Radio Advertisers with B. Eric Rhoads and Jay Abraham
n the most recent recession, many businesses did not survive. You’re about to learn what they did that drove them out of business faster. – Radio Ink
How Covid-19 has impacted media consumption, by generation
Trust in information shared on social media is higher than word of mouth from friends and family, and even foreign government websites. That said, it is lower than information shared on the radio or news websites. – Katie Jones, Visual Capitalist
To Quib or not to Quib: Quibi isn’t TV. It’s fancy YouTube
Quibi seems like it might be able to create a niche in unscripted comedy programming. The best content Quartz watched on the app was in this category: Chrissy’s Court, in which Chrissy Teigen presides over real small claims court disputes, and Punk’d, in which hip hop star Chance the Rapper hosts the revival of the popular MTV series where celebrities get pranked. (One of the victims is Addison Rae, a 19-year-old TikTok star with 31 million followers, showing Quibi knows its audience.) Those shows, and a few others of this ilk, are exactly the kind of breezy, enjoyably snackable content Quibi executives promised they’d deliver.
So far, the app’s attempt to mimic serious, prestige television is less successful. – Adam Epstein, Quartz
