Christensen passed away Thursday afternoon, according to a Facebook post from his partner of 43 years, Ingrid, who worked alongside him on Broadcast Dialogue for almost three decades – growing its reputation as “the broadcast industry publication of record.”

Christensen’s career as an anchor, editor and reporter started at CHAM Hamilton in 1972, with stops at CKJD Sarnia, CHYM Kitchener, CHUM Toronto, CJAD Montreal, and CKVR-TV Barrie to follow. He joined the Broadcast News (BN) wire service in Toronto as a reporter/editor in 1977. When network newscasts were launched, Christensen was one of the six original newscasters who helped take BN into a new era of Canadian news audio delivery. In 1981, he was promoted to General Executive – Eastern Canada with responsibility for all Canadian radio and TV stations east of the Ontario/Manitoba border.

In 1989, the entrepreneurial bug bit. He started by writing, producing, and voicing corporate videos and writing and designing company newsletters, including one for BN.

Recognizing a lack of timeliness in the dissemination of broadcast industry news, Christensen launched Broadcast Dialogue in May 1992. Sent out weekly by fax, before long the Canadian broadcast community couldn’t live without their Thursday morning “fix.”

In 1998, Broadcast Dialogue was expanded to a monthly magazine. Together with editor Barry Hamelin, a colleague from his time at BN, they reimagined the publication.

In 2013, anticipating the tectonic changes about to take place within the broadcast industry, Christensen combined the weekly Broadcast Dialogue with the monthly magazine. Following the announcement of his retirement in 2016, the publication was acquired by publisher Shawn Smith, President of Vancouver-based Momentum Media Marketing.

“Howard Christensen was the north star for all of us who work in the Canadian broadcast industry,” said Smith. “Through Broadcast Dialogue, he kept us informed and current, fostering a community of professionals from coast-to-coast, starting at a time before the internet, FaceTime, and social media. Meticulous, passionate, and endlessly funny, Howard will be greatly missed. His legacy will last long into the future. Our love and condolences go out to Ingrid and family.”

Over the years, Christensen was honoured with “Friend of the Industry” awards from the Atlantic Association of Broadcasters, the Central Canada Broadcasters Association (now the OAB), the Western Association of Broadcasters (WAB) and the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters (BCAB), Radio-Television News Directors Association (now RTDNA), Central Canada Broadcast Engineers (CCBE) and the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers (WABE). In 2020, Broadcast Dialogue dubbed its new Canadian Radio Awards program “The Howards” to honour the publication’s founder. Broadcast Dialogue celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022.

Following their retirement, the Christensens spent the majority of the last decade near the shore of Lake Simcoe at Lagoon City, ON.

Howard Christensen was a guest on Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast back in 2016. Listen to that episode here:

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It was on May 28, 1992 that founding publisher Howard Christensen sent out the first Weekly Briefing to radio and television stations and vendors by fax.

Christensen – a radio news veteran of CHAM-AM Hamilton, CHYM-AM Kitchener, CHUM-AM Toronto, CFRB-AM Toronto and CJAD-AM Montreal, and one of the original Broadcast News network anchors – started Broadcast Dialogue to respond to what he saw as a need for a Canadian broadcast industry trade publication that published on a more frequent basis.

Broadcast Dialogue quickly established itself as an industry must-read offering a credible source for regulatory news, people moves and trends. Over the years, it evolved into the publication of a monthly magazine and the team grew to a staff of six. Barry Hamelin, one of Howard’s Broadcast News colleagues, assumed the role of Executive Editor. Ingrid Christensen signed on in the part-time role of administrator, while radio executive John Gorman consulted with an industry perspective. Jane (Inglis) Rusch joined as sales director and Chantal Eden as the publication’s first graphic designer, who was succeeded by Su Wahay. Feature writer Daphne Lavers was also on board in the magazine’s early years.

The first magazine was distributed in June 1998. In March 2009, the publication’s initial digital versions were launched – one a “flip the pages” version and the other a straight .pdf – with readers still given the choice to receive the print version. After a two-year transition period, BD was digital-only by January 2011. In 2013, the magazine was merged with The Weekly Briefing to include timely and relevant in-depth articles, in addition to news.

Among the magazine’s contributors were former Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) President Michael McCabe, North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) Director-General Michael McEwen, broadcast executive Nancy Smith, veteran TV programmer Bill Roberts, and telecom executive Janet Yale.

Approaching the publication’s 25th anniversary and the Christensen’s retirement, Broadcast Dialogue was acquired in 2016 by current publisher Shawn Smith, President of Vancouver-based Momentum Media Marketing. Momentum has continued publication of The Weekly Briefing, in addition to launching BroadcastDialogue.com and Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast.

Initially, Halifax radio veteran Lisa Blackburn took the helm of the publication as its new Editor, but when she was elected to Halifax City Council in the fall of 2016, current Editor Connie Thiessen took over the role. Michael Olstrom continues to handle sales, joined by Janet Burley and David Rusch; James Wallace served as Digital Director (now succeeded by Jeff Lush); and Christian Lind was art director. Agnes Nkundabagenzi remains our CFO.

In 2020, Broadcast Dialogue launched the Canadian Radio Awards, affectionately dubbed “The Howards” in honour of our Publisher Emeritus, upholding the publication’s legacy of creating a sense of community within the industry.

Throughout the remainder of 2022, we’ll be sharing columns from the Broadcast Dialogue archives, in addition to other initiatives reflecting on the history of Canadian broadcast media. That includes a 30th anniversary Facebook group we’ve set up where our broadcast and media community are encouraged to share memories and photos of their own career journeys through the industry.

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When Howard, a radio veteran and one of the original Broadcast News anchors, founded Broadcast Dialogue in 1992, he saw a need for both timely delivery of Canadian broadcast industry news, but also recognized the importance of creating a sense of community.

The Howards, founded in a particularly challenging year for radio, honour that legacy.

Howard, who served as one of this year’s jury members, told us “I heard outstanding sound from the smallest of markets to the largest.”

We hope you hear the same thing as we recognize the efforts of stations and their teams in an especially challenging year.

Find the complete winners list below. To hear the winning audio submissions and read more about our jury, visit CanadianRadioAwards.com.

Station Of The Year

Recognizing overall excellence in radio broadcasting, this award goes to a local station demonstrating its ability to impact and engage with its target audience; including but not limited to personality strength, client effectiveness, community involvement, promotions and marketing, as well as creativity and innovation.

Major Market

Station of the Year – Major Market (Media Results Inc.)
boom 97.3, Stingray Radio, Toronto

Runners-up:
980 CKNW, Corus Entertainment, Vancouver
Sonic 102, Rogers Sports & Media, Edmonton
Q107, Corus Entertainment, Toronto

Medium Market

Station of the Year – Medium Market (Media Results Inc.)
680 CJOB, Corus Entertainment, Winnipeg

Runners-up:
Rebel 101.7, Torres Media, Ottawa
96.3 Cruz FM, Harvard Broadcasting, Saskatoon

Small Market

Station of the Year – Small Market (Media Results Inc.)
989 XFM, Atlantic Broadcasters Ltd., Antigonish, NS

Runner-up:
Cat Country 98, Huber Radio, Assiniboia, SK

Program Director Of The Year

Awarded to a Program Director who demonstrates leadership, while promoting positive workplace culture, creativity, and the conception of unique programming that engages the station’s target audience. PD of the Year nominees may also be judged on community involvement, innovation, talent development, and efforts to promote the station’s identity and core values.

Major Market

Program Director of the Year – Major Market (NLogic)
Ronnie Stanton, CFOX/Rock 101, Corus Entertainment, Vancouver

Runner-up:
Dustin Collins, 102.7 The Peak & JR Country, Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Vancouver

Medium Market

Program Director of the Year – Medium Market (NLogic)
Andy Ross, 104.9 The Wolf & Play 92 Regina, 96.3 Cruz FM Saskatoon, Harvard Broadcasting

Runner-up:
Mark Cameron, Regional Program Director, Central Ontario (Barrie, Peterborough), Corus Entertainment

Small Market

Program Director of the Year – Small Market (NLogic)
Bill Hallman, 104.5 Fresh Radio & boom 101.9, Corus Entertainment, Cornwall, ON

Music Director of the Year

The Music Director of the Year honour reflects excellence in tastemaking in the curation of station playlists. Nominees will be judged on their demonstrated ability to assess what will resonate with listeners, including the addition/discovery of new releases and new local talent if applicable to station format. Nominees may also be judged on conception of music-related station contests, giveaways, and other initiatives.

Major Market

Music Director of the Year – Major Market (MusicMaster)
Wayne Webster, Boom 97.3, Stingray Radio, Toronto

Runners-up:
Jeremy Slattery, KiSS 92.5/National Music Director, CHR, Rogers Sports & Media, Toronto
Matt Berry, X929, Harvard Broadcasting, Calgary

Medium Market

Music Director of the Year – Medium Market (MusicMaster)
Amy “Race” Ballard, The New Hot 88.9, Stingray, Ottawa

Runner-up:
Kendra Helm, 96.3 Cruz FM, Harvard Broadcasting, Saskatoon

Small Market

Music Director of the Year – Small Market (MusicMaster)
Tim Black, Cat Country 98, Huber Radio, Assiniboia, SK

Best On-Air Team Or Host (Music)

Awarded to an individual or on-air team who display an outstanding ability to engage, inform and entertain their target audience, judged on originality, presentation, and co-host synergy, as well as community involvement and ability to convey station brand and identity.

Major Market

Best On-Air Team or Host (Music) – Major Market – (HD Radio)
Heather Bambrick, Jazz.FM91, Toronto

Runners-up:
Stu Jeffries, boom 97.3, Stingray, Toronto
Virgin Mornings with Adam Wylde, TJ & Jax, 99.9 Virgin Radio, Bell Media, Toronto
The Jeff O’Neill Show, CFOX, Corus Entertainment, Vancouver
The Pepper & Dylan Show, KiSS 91.7, Rogers Sports & Media, Edmonton

Medium Market

Best On-Air Team or Host (Music) – Medium Market – (HD Radio)
BJ & The Q Morning Crew, Q104, Stingray, Halifax

Runner-up:
Power Mornings with Philly, Joe & Kirby, Power 97, Corus Entertainment, Winnipeg

Small Market

Best On-Air Team or Host (Music) – Small Market – (HD Radio)
Mitch & Lauren, Big Dog 100.9, Bell Media, Truro, NS

Runner-up:
Mix Morning Show with J.C. & Sara, Mix 106.5, Bayshore Broadcasting, Owen Sound

Best On-Air Team Or Host (News/Talk/Sports)

Awarded to an individual or on-air team who display an outstanding ability to engage, inform and entertain their audience, judged on originality, presentation, and co-host synergy, as well as credibility, relevance, and ability to approach complex topics with clarity and balance.

Major Market

Best On-Air Team or Host (News/Talk/Sports) – Major Market (Signal Hill Insights)
Simi Sara, 980 CKNW, Corus Entertainment, Vancouver

Runner-up:
John Moore, Moore in the Morning, Newstalk 1010, Bell Media, Toronto

Medium Market

Best On-Air Team or Host (News/Talk/Sports) – Medium Market (Signal Hill Insights)
Brett Megarry, Greg Mackling & Lauren McNabb, The Start, CJOB, Corus Entertainment, Winnipeg

Runner-up:
Andrew Paterson & Rick Ralph, Afternoon Ride, TSN 1290, Bell Media, Winnipeg

Best Anchor / Reporter

Awarded to an individual who demonstrates excellence in their ability to present news with clarity and credibility, including but not limited to live, breaking news, special events, and continuing coverage.  Nominees will be judged on presentation, creativity, ingenuity, and demonstrated ability to respond and pivot to bring emerging stories to air.

Major Market

Best Anchor or Reporter – Major Market (Momentum Media Networks)

David McKee, News/Talk 1010, Bell Media Radio, Toronto

Runner-up:
Tony King, 770 CHQR, Corus Entertainment, Calgary

Medium Market

Best Anchor or Reporter – Medium Market (Momentum Media Networks)
Jeff Braun, 680 CJOB, Corus Entertainment, Winnipeg

Small Market

Best Anchor or Reporter – Small Market (Momentum Media Networks)
Victor Krasowski, 99.9 The Bay, Acadia Broadcasting, Thunder Bay

Best Broadcast To Podcast

Awarded to the producer, and on-air personality or team, who demonstrate creativity and originality in their approach to transitioning/re-imagining their radio broadcast for a podcast audience. 

Major Market

Best Broadcast to Podcast – Major Market (Pippin Technical | Telos Alliance)
The Jeremy White Podcast, The Beat 92.5, Cogeco Media, Montreal

Runner-up:
Outbreak: The Fact and Fiction of the Coronavirus, Newstalk 1010, Bell Media, Toronto

Medium Market

Best Broadcast to Podcast – Medium Market (Pippin Technical | Telos Alliance)
Scott & Kat After 9, 91.5 The Beat, Corus Entertainment, Kitchener

Best On-Air Promotion

Awarded to a station for excellence in contesting or station promotion. Nominations will be judged on audience engagement, creativity, programming integration, production value and on-air execution.

Major Market

Best On-Air Promotion – Major Market (vcreative)
Champions of Rec League Cup, Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Rogers Sports & Media, Toronto

Runner-up:
Junior Traffic Reporter Contest, 680 News, Rogers Sports & Media, Toronto

Medium Market

Best On-Air Promotion – Medium Market (vcreative)
Connecting Virtually with QX Nation, QX104, Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Winnipeg

Runners-up:
Father’s Day Dad Bod Tournament, Y108, Corus Entertainment, Hamilton
Country Cookouts, 620 CKRM, Harvard Broadcasting, Regina

Small Market

Best On-Air Promotion – Small Market (vcreative)
Appetite for Construction, 101.5 The Wolf, Corus Entertainment, Peterborough

Runner-up:
Pick Your Pizza, 100.5 Fresh Radio, Corus Entertainment, Peterborough

Best Sales Promotion

Awarded to a station that demonstrates excellence in executing a local sales campaign or promotion for a client, demonstrating creativity, target audience engagement, and results.

Major Market

Best Sales Promotion – Major Market (Matrix)
Win a Home From Roz & Mocha, KiSS 92.5, Rogers Sports & Media, Toronto

Medium Market

Best Sales Promotion – Medium Market (Matrix)
Hallo-Wheels Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treating, 96.3 Cruz FM, Harvard Broadcasting, Saskatoon

Runner-up:
The Biggs and Barr Brew, CHEZ 106, Rogers Sports & Media, Ottawa

Small Market

Best Sales Promotion – Small Market (Matrix)
Community Voice Fund, 93.1 Moose FM, Vista Radio, Timmins, ON

Best Commercial Production

Recognizing creative and technical excellence in commercial production, consisting of either an individual spot or client campaign.

Major Market

Best Commercial Production – Major Market (David Kaye) 
Revita Medical, Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Rogers Sports & Media, Toronto

Runners-up:
Vancouver Young Actors School, Virgin Radio 94.5, Bell Media, Vancouver
Westside Pest Control, 102.1 The Peak & JR Country, Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Vancouver

Medium Market

Best Commercial Production – Medium Market (David Kaye) 
Wetzone Leisure Pool & Spa, Power 104/Beach Radio 103.1, Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Kelowna

Runners-up:
Blue Collar Plumbing, Country 104, Corus Entertainment, Woodstock/London
Dust Knights, Y108/Fresh Radio 95.3/AM 900 Corus Entertainment, Hamilton

Small Market

Best Commercial Production – Small Market (David Kaye) 
Frank Dunn Trailer Sales, 900 CKBI/Beach Radio 101.5/Power 99, Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Prince Albert

Runner-up:
Hansen’s Classic Pizza, New Country 100.7, Stingray, Penticton

Best Imaging Production

Recognizing creative and technical excellence in station i.d. imaging. Entry may be for a single station or network brand.

Major Market

Best Imaging Production – Major Market (Benztown)
CHOM 97.7, Bell Media, Montreal

Runner-up:
Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Rogers Sports & Media, Toronto

Medium Market

Best Imaging Production – Medium Market (Benztown)
Power 97, Corus Entertainment, Winnipeg

Runner-up:
Power 104, Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Kelowna

Small Market

Best Imaging Production – Small Market (Benztown)
2day FM 99.7, Vista Radio, Campbell River

Runners-up:
Freq 90.5, My Broadcasting Corporation, Peterborough
106.1 The Goat, Vista Radio, Lloydminster

Best Achievement In Engineering

Awarded to an individual or station engineering/IT team that demonstrates excellence in technical problem-solving. Nominees are judged on their ability to navigate technical challenges, whether individual events or as part of a station build, transition or ongoing project, as well as ingenuity, knowledge, and adaptability.

Major Market

Best Achievement in Engineering – Major Market (Momentum Media Marketing)
980 CKNW, Corus Entertainment, Vancouver

Medium Market

Best Achievement in Engineering – Medium Market (Momentum Media Marketing)
680 CJOB, Corus Entertainment, Winnipeg

Runner-up:
Fresh Radio 93.1, Corus Entertainment, Barrie

Small Market

Best Achievement in Engineering – Small Market (Momentum Media Marketing)
boom 101.9 & Fresh Radio 104.5, Corus Entertainment, Cornwall

Best Community Service Initiative

Awarded to a station that demonstrates creativity, engagement, and impact in the execution of a community service initiative. Nominees will be judged on programming integration, station creative and production values, and on-air and street team execution.

Major Market

Best Community Service Initiative – Major Market (Broadcast Dialogue)
DJs United Against Racism, Flow 93.5, Stingray Radio, Toronto

Runners-up:
Power Panel, Where Toronto Gets Answers, Newstalk 1010, Bell Media, Toronto
Operation Period, 98.5 Virgin Radio & Funny 1060 AM, Bell Media, Calgary

Medium Market

Best Community Service Initiative – Medium Market (Broadcast Dialogue)
CHEZ Stafe, CHEZ 106, Rogers Sports & Media, Ottawa

Small Market

Best Community Service Initiative – Small Market (Broadcast Dialogue)
Corus Caring Hearts Radiothon, Fresh Radio 104.5/boom 101.9, Corus Entertainment Cornwall

Runner-up:
Heat the Barn, 97.5 Juice FM, Vista Radio, Kemptville, ON

For more information, contact Broadcast Dialogue at info@broadcastdialogue.com.

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