Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:
- This was the “big flip” weekend as 790 CFCW, Canada’s first country station, is now 840 CFCW! They made the switch to 840 on the AM dial at 8:40 pm on August 1 from the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose. Why the switch? “The 790 AM signal has deteriorated over the years. The ‘flip’ to the 840 AM dial position will be a much clearer and better signal and be able to serve our thousands of listeners throughout north/central Alberta.” Here’s a rundown of CFCW’s history at PSR.
- Congratulations to Ryan Jespersen and Kari Skelton on the birth of baby Wyatt Rudy!
- Remember the $500,000 defamation lawsuit that the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees filed against Twitter personality Kathleen Smith? Well she has now filed a $1.15 million counterclaim, saying the lawsuit damaged her credibility.
- CBC Edmonton’s Hidden Gems show on Friday featured food bloggers Cindy Ngyuen and Brittney Le Blanc, not to mention a selection of blogs and podcasts from Karen Unland.
- Here’s an interview with Sharon Mallon, author of The Gift of Adultery. Before becoming an author she was a broadcaster with CFCW and K-97.
- Linda’s blog is sporting an updated look this week! Check out her weekly social media notes here. I’m totally on board for a Facebook Events app.
- Here’s the latest local blog roundup from Seen and Heard in Edmonton. It’s a big long-weekend edition!
- Episode 4 of the Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast features Andrea Beça, “a filmmaker, blogger and ukulele aficionado who loves to set herself challenges that she has to do out loud.”
- If you haven’t already done so, be sure to check out this awesome reality TV music video for 925 by R.J. Cui featuring local media celebs Omar Mouallem and Josh Classen. Who knew Josh could rap?!
- As previously mentioned, rates for Shaw’s Internet & TV, as well as Business TV, offerings increased as of August 1.
- The Aga Khan Foundation Canada and the Canadian Association of Journalists have launched the second cycle of the Fellowship for International Development Reporting, which offers recipients $25,000 “to undertake a substantial overseas reporting project that helps Canadians develop a greater understanding of the complex issues facing the developing world.”
- Came across this link on Twitter for a research study on freelancing called JournoLancing. You can fill out the survey until August 21.
- NBCUniversal is apparently close to a deal to invest $250 million in BuzzFeed and is negotiating a separate deal to make an investment in Vox Media. They’re eager to get into digital in a big way, it seems. Vox Media is being called “the modern-day Condé Nast” as a result.
- Here’s a blast from the past: 17 investors raised $2 million to buy and revamp Tiger Beat magazine.
- With declining ratings, cable networks are putting more commercials into their broadcasting. AMC has increased ad time by 10%, for instance.
- Twitter is testing a “news” tab inside its new Android and iOS apps in the US. Seems like a no-brainer.
100.3 The Bear had a big setup at Heritage Festival
You can follow Edmonton media news on Twitter using the hashtag #yegmedia. For a great overview of the global media landscape, check out Mediagazer.
So, what have I missed? What’s new and interesting in the world of Edmonton media? Let me know!
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