REVOLVING DOOR:
Joe Bowen is retiring as the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bowen, 74, announced last week that the upcoming 2025-26 season – his 45th – will be his last. Bowen, who will reach the 3,800 game milestone sometime this year, first worked with Harry Neale as his colour commentator. For the last 26 years, he’s called games alongside Jim Ralph. Bowen began his career in his hometown covering the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Sudbury Wolves and serving as sports director for CKSO. He went on to call for the American Hockey League (AHL) Nova Scotia Voyageurs, making his play-by-play debut with the Leafs in 1982. He also handled play-by-play for regional Leafs TV broadcasts from 1989-95 and 1998-2014.
Richard Madan is signing off from CBC News after less than two years as the public broadcaster’s Washington, DC correspondent to pursue an opportunity outside journalism. Madan has been a political correspondent since 2000, starting with CBC as the legislative reporter for CBC Manitoba. He went on to spend six years with Citytv Toronto as a political specialist, before joining CTV News – first as parliamentary correspondent and then as the network’s Washington correspondent, starting in 2016. He rejoined CBC in late 2023 after getting caught up in layoffs at Bell Media.
Jeremy Baker is the new afternoon host at CFOX Vancouver, following last week’s departure of Tyler & Lynch as part of a round of cuts at Corus Entertainment. Baker will also be heard on the Corus Radio network: 7 – 10 p.m. on 102.1 The Edge (CFNY-FM) Toronto, 6 – 9 p.m. on 107.3 The Edge (CFGQ-FM) Calgary; and noon – 4 p.m. Sundays on FM96 (CFPL-FM) London. Baker previously hosted afternoon drive on CFOX from 2016-21, before joining 102.7 The Peak (CKPK-FM) Vancouver in mornings, alongside Charis Hogg. He returned to the station last fall, heard in evenings and weekends, in addition to some network voicetracking.
Gene Valaitis has announced that he’s the new midday host at 610 CKTB St. Catharines, which is now owned by Whiteoaks Communications Group. Valaitis will be heard from 9 a.m. to noon ET. He was last on-air on terrestrial radio on Vancouver’s Roundhouse Radio (CIRH-FM) in mornings from 2017-18. The on-air lineup at 610 CKTB also sees Jon “Gonzo” Mark expand his role as primary host of The Drive, with CKTB News Director Bonnie Heslop contributing to the program weekly. The Drive’s other weekly host Walter Sendzik is shifting into other business, while still contributing to CKTB programming.
Ashleigh Darrach will be returning to Whiteoaks’ 97.7 HTZ-FM St. Catharines in July to host middays (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.), also serving as Music Director for both HTZ-FM and the newly-rebranded Legend 102.9 FM (CKLH-FM, formerly Bounce Radio).
Taylor Kaye will host middays on Legend 102.9. She was formerly heard on the station as a fill-in host on midday and drive, in addition to hosting a weekend show. Tom Park, a 102.9 K-Lite alum and formerly the morning show producer for Sunni & Hayes, is the station’s new weekend host and will lend his imaging voice talent to Whiteoaks’ Hamilton and Niagara stations.
Kayla joins Whiteoaks’ dream 105.7 (CHRE-FM, previously MOVE Radio) as Music Director and midday host. She formerly hosted Rogers Sports & Media national radio show, Canada’s Most Requested, and contributed to social media and digital engagement for KiSS 92.5 (CKIS-FM) Toronto. All other current hosts and dayparts remain unchanged on Whiteoaks’ new stations.
Robyn Metcalfe joins Whiteoaks as Traffic Coordinator, arriving from the Canadian Traffic Network (CTN). Elana Kennedy is Traffic Manager, previously the Traffic Coordinator at CKLH-FM for eight years. Erin MacGillivary joins as Group Creative Director, marking a return to CKLH-FM, while Jeff Kirkwood is the company’s new Imaging Producer. He formerly spent 24 years with CHUM Radio in Toronto and another 12 with Bell Media.
Joanne Gurney is Whiteoaks’ new Senior Engineering Manager reporting to Director of Engineering & IT, Summer Dent. Gurney was formerly Chief Engineer at Bell Media’s Niagara stations for three decades. Also new to the company is Senior Staff Accountant Rebecca Wilson, while Catherine Carr was promoted earlier this year from Financial Controller to VP of Finance. Read more here.
Mike Kelly, VP, Radio & TV station operations, at Corus Entertainment, is the new board chair of Radioplayer Canada, replacing outgoing Rogers Sports & Media representative Paul Kaye as he departs the company. Al Ford, Senior Manager, National Content Operations, becomes Rogers new representative on the board.
Scott Steele has left Anthem Entertainment and joined music tech company, Boost Collective as their new Head of Fulfillment. Steele had been with Anthem as its Music Distribution Coordinator since September 2023, arriving from Play MPE where he helmed Music Industry Relations. He formerly had a career in radio promotions, working with Rogers Sports & Media, Newcap and Harvard Media in Ontario and Alberta.
Dylen Postnikoff has joined Blink49 Studios as Vice President, Marketing and Communications. Based in the company’s L.A. office, Postnikoff will report to Nelson Kuo-Lee, Chief Operating Officer. Most recently, Postnikoff served as VP of Brand Marketing and Communications at Shaftesbury, where she led cross-platform marketing initiatives for Murdoch Mysteries, Hudson & Rex, and Departure. Prior to that, she held the role of Head of TV Entertainment and Content Marketing at CBC.
RADIO & PODCAST:
Whiteoaks Communications Group has completed its acquisition of four radio stations from Bell Media, expanding its footprint across Hamilton and Niagara. As of Monday, 97.7 HTZ FM (CHTZ-FM) and 610 CKTB St. Catharines are part of the Whiteoaks group of stations, alongside newly-rebranded Hamilton stations, Legend 102.9 (CKLH-FM, which formerly carried Bell’s Bounce branding), and dream 105.7 (CHRE-FM, previously a MOVE Radio station). Legend 102.9 will deliver an Adult Hits format, featuring “an iconic mix of songs that have stood the test of time.” dream 105.7 will maintain an Adult Contemporary format, playing a mix of modern pop and upbeat favourites. Read more here.
The Saskatchewan Day of Caring for Wildfire Evacuees on June 12 brought together more than 60 radio stations and media portals, raising $680,000. The federal government has committed to matching donations, with details of the program still being finalized. The matching opportunity, in support of the Canadian Red Cross 2025 Saskatchewan Wildfires Appeal, remains in effect through June 27. Among the station groups taking part were Golden West Broadcasting, Harvard Media, and Rawlco Radio. Read more here.
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KiSS 103.5 (CJMX-FM) Sudbury host Jamie Johnston went live for 24 hours, from 9 a.m. on June 12 to 9 a.m. on June 13 in support of Meals on Wheels Sudbury. Jamie’s Longest Broadcast Ever raised $6,500, equivalent to 1,300 hundred meals for the community.
99.3 County FM (CJPE-FM) Prince Edward County, ON, raised $75,521 against a goal of $74,000, during its County FM Wellings of Picton Radiothon with donations still coming in. Donations included major support from The Elderberry Fund (Sarah and David) and 400+ donors across the county. “Donations are a significant part of what keeps the station alive and well,” said Craig Mills, General Manager, 99.3 County FM. “Thanks to your support over the past 10.5 years, we have entertained, informed, and served as your essential service. 99.3 County FM exists through the collective effort of the entire community.”
LISTEN: “Tarzan Dan” Freeman has announced he’ll be taking another leave of absence from his Bounce Radio midday show to undergo a stem cell bone marrow transplant. Freeman, who went public with his cancer diagnosis last September, has been undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma. Broadcast Dialogue caught up with Dan this week as he underwent a plasma transfusion to boost his immune system ahead of the transplant. He candidly shares the ups and downs of his cancer journey, which includes willing himself to come back physically. Read more here.
Radio Connects President Caroline Gianias told the recent Western Association of Broadcasters (WAB) conference that radio is far from dead, however, convincing a new generation of advertising planners of that is commercial broadcasters’ biggest challenge right now. Gianias asserted that common misconceptions about commercial radio need to be debunked, including challenging the belief that remote work has eliminated commutes, noting that 83% of Canadians still work from the office at some point, making in-car listening a crucial advertising touchpoint. She also strongly refuted the idea that Spotify is replacing radio. Read more here.
The Pro Bono Group has produced a Pro Canada “Canada Day” PSA. With the endorsement and support of Radio Connects, Canadian radio stations are being asked to air the special one-day-only message once per hour — or as often as possible — beginning at midnight on July 1. The spot, voiced by Ruth Marshall, celebrates the success of the “Shop as if your country depends on it” campaign thus far. Learn more about the Pro Canada Project here.
Canadaland has introduced supporter-exclusive podcast, Off the Record. In the first episode, host Sam Konnert sits down with Cenk Uygur and then Jesse Brown to unpack previously killed unaired Duly Noted segments for The Big Scary Canada-US Border and What Canada’s Left Must Learn from Bernie and AOC, including what they thought went wrong, and why the episode is available now.
CBC Radio is marking National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous History Month by featuring Indigenous writers across its CBC Books programs, including Bookends with Mattea Roach, in conversation with David A. Robertson about his book 52 Ways to Reconcile and a panel about memoirs featuring Tanya Talaga, author of The Knowing (June 22). The Next Chapter also discusses Christian Allaire’s memoir, From the Rez to the Runway. Additionally, CBC Music’s Indigenous Playlists are available to stream on CBC Listen, featuring everything from traditional beats to hip hop and electric powwow.
LISTEN: The Sound Off Podcast is marking nine years. Matt Cundill takes a moment to reflect on how far the podcast has come—and where it’s going as the shows evolves alongside the media landscape. In this episode, Cundill digs into what’s broken in radio: a system that stretches talent like Stretch Armstrong—asking for more with less—and a stubborn over-reliance on music in an era where listeners can get any song, any time. He also discusses recent radio layoffs, a nostalgic Winnipeg radio reunion, and why spoken word content is more valuable than ever.
TV & FILM:
Dini Petty, 80, is making a return to television with Trailblazing Talks. The one-hour special will launch nationally on The News Forum this summer. Created by filmmaker Kate Campbell, the special features candid conversations with Canadian Senator, former rower and three-time Olympian gold-medalist Marnie McBean, alongside actor, award-winning producer and Reelworld Screen Institute Founder & Executive Director, Tonya Williams. Petty will also share highlights of memorable moments from her original interviews with both guests, who first appeared on The Dini Petty Show.
CBC Arts Original series CBC on Design premieres July 4, with a new episode weekly. In five 15-minute episodes, the series explores how an industrial designer’s idea evolves to become a product in your home; from idea, to concept and creation. Featuring homegrown products, those featured include Montreal-based designers Matt and Shawna Heide; Edmonton-based Nehiyaw Iskwew multidisciplinary designer Rashelle Campbell; Edmonton’s Brendan Gallagher and Nick Kazakoff; furniture designer, maker and entrepreneur Geof Lilge; and Toronto-based lighting and product design studio Anony run by Christian Lo.
Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) has announced its 2025-26 production slate for AMI-tv and AMI+. AMI is currently in production on new scripted and docuseries, including Adapting (6 x 30), a scripted comedy that takes a raw look at disability, adolescence and the minefield of family dynamics, based on a concept by father-daughter writing duo Garner and Rachael Ransom, inspired by Rachael’s real-life experiences with cerebral palsy. Breaking Boundaries (8 x 30) is a docuseries featuring Paralympic champion Tyler Turner as he immerses himself in unfamiliar adaptive sports, learning from elite athletes. History in 60 (6 x 30) is a docuseries telling the stories of Canada’s evolving disability history, told by journalist and author John Loeppky, taking on the challenge of fitting it all into one minute. Mirror Image Media is also working on an untitled, one-hour documentary on April Hubbard, an advocate with a tethered spinal cord and chronic pain, sharing her Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) journey.
Crossroad Springs makes its series debut on Super Channel Heart & Home on Sunday, Sept. 7. The new six-part, hour-long drama stars Jonathan Stoddard (A Royal Christmas Ballet), Emily Alalato (Christmas In Maple Hills), Shaun Johnston (Heartland), Kate Drummond (Heartland/Wynona Earp), Brittany Underwood (A Royal Christmas Ballet), Jesse Hutch (A Little Women’s Christmas), Jon McLaren (“When Hope Calls”), Erin Agostino (The Jingle Bell Jubilee), and Franco Lo Presti (Bad Blood).
New Metric Media, in association with Bay Mills Studios, has announced that original comedic miniseries Hate The Player: The Ben Johnson Story will start principal photography this week at Dark Slope Studios in Toronto. Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s GameTV has commissioned the six-episode series and will be its cable home in Canada, while Paramount+ in Canada, which developed the series with New Metric, will serve as its exclusive streaming platform. Shamier Anderson (John Wick 4, Invasion) stars as Johnson and will also serve as an Executive Producer for Bay Mills Studios. Set to debut in early 2026, the series is being produced with participation from Johnson and inspired by extensive research conducted by Canadian author and journalist, Mary Ormsby.
Jovanna Burke (Supernatural) and Chelsea Hobbs (Lords of Dogtown) have partnered to launch Grand Boulevard Entertainment, a Vancouver-based prodco with a mission to amplify under-represented voices in film and television. The actors turned creators officially launched their new venture at the Banff World Media Festival. The first project under the partnership is the Creative Sisterhood Podcast, set to launch this summer, spotlighting female creatives. Read more here.
Telefilm Canada has announced its investment in 27 feature-length films in the English market with a commitment of over $14.4 million, under the Production Program’s low budget stream, including international co-productions. Last month, the funding agency announced 12 big-budget feature films for the English market.
The National Directors Division (NDD) of the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) has announced its selections for the latest program under the NDD’s Career Pipeline initiative – the Director Market Accelerator delegation at the inaugural Access Canada Summit, running Sept. 8-10, alongside TIFF. Selected directors all have TV or feature film projects in active development, for which they are seeking financing or a producing partnership. Learn more about each director’s project here.
The Canadian Academy has announced the fifth iteration of the Women in Post program, designed to provide higher-level industry access and professional development for women-identifying and non-binary creatives interested in working in all areas of post production. Applications close July 16. Learn more here.
ONLINE & DIGITAL MEDIA:
The Digital Publishing Awards saw Gold and Silver winners presented in 26 categories. The Globe and Mail was the top winner, receiving six Gold Awards. Hazlitt also stood out with four Silver Awards and two Honourable Mentions. IndigiNews, CBC and Radio-Canada also claimed multiple honours.
Reuters Institute and the University of Oxford have released the 2025 Digital News Report. It highlights an accelerating shift towards consumption via social media and video platforms that’s “supercharging a fragmented alternative media environment containing an array of podcasters, YouTubers, and TikTokers.” This year’s survey also highlights emerging challenges in the form of AI platforms and chatbots. With growing numbers of people avoiding the news, it also considers the potential benefits of using new generative AI technologies to personalize content.
REGULATORY, TELECOM & MEDIA:
The CRTC’s public hearing on market dynamics between small, medium and large broadcasters, television service providers and online streaming services got underway Wednesday with presentations from Ethnic Channels Group, TLN and BCE, among others. Bell urged the commission to allow more flexibility surrounding how broadcasters and programmers are allowed to negotiate the packaging and payment of content. Read more coverage from our sister publication, CARTT.ca (paywalled).
Rogers Communications has received CRTC approval to acquire Bell’s interest in Toronto Raptors Network Ltd. (NBA TV Canada). Rogers previously received approvals from the NHL, NBA, CFL, Major League Soccer (MLS), and the American Hockey League (AHL) to become 75% owners of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), in addition to clearance from the Competition Bureau. The C$4.7 billion deal is expected to close in July.
RTDNA Canada has announced the finalists for its National Awards of Excellence in digital and broadcast journalism. Honouring the best journalists, programs, platforms, stations, and news-gathering organizations across audio, digital, and video, National Award winners will be announced Nov. 1. Among those already earmarked for awards are CTV News and CBC News. Find the full list of finalists here.
Global News is this year’s recipient of the CJF Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism (Large Media) at the annual Canadian Journalism Foundation Awards. Global News was recognized for The New Reality: The Business of Indigenous Kids in Care, an investigation into the treatment of Indigenous youth in the child-welfare system. In the Small Media category, Toronto-based online magazine The Local captured its first CJF Jackman Award for Divided City, its neighbourhood-level analysis of life expectancy in Toronto. Read more here.
Global News and former MP Han Dong have settled their lawsuit. The former Don Valley North MP stepped away from the Liberal caucus in March 2023, after Global, citing confidential sources, published alleged details about his interactions with the Chinese consulate in Toronto. In a statement, Global said it “recognizes the findings of the Final Report of the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference, including that the classified information reviewed by Justice Marie Josee Hogue corroborates that Mr. Dong did not suggest that the PRC extend the detention of Michael Kovrig and Micheal Spavor.”
CBC/Radio-Canada has released a progress report on its National Indigenous Strategy, Strengthening Relations, Walking Together. Since the launch of the strategy in February 2024, the public broadcaster says it has partnered with organizers at more than 50 Indigenous-led events; created new opportunities for Indigenous artists and creators through programs like the Reverie Music Residency and Early Stage Scripted Development; invited more Indigenous people to work with CBC through the new Indigenous Talent Community; and launched Indigenous programming, including North of North and Sur les traces d’Anachnid.
BROADCAST TECH & ENGINEERING:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has opened submissions for the 2026 Scientific and Technical Awards, honouring individuals and companies whose discoveries and innovations have contributed in significant and lasting ways to motion pictures. Eligible submissions include devices, methods, formulas, discoveries and inventions of outstanding value to moviemaking. The deadline is July 24. The awards presentation will be held April 28.
Dome Productions was awarded the contract to provide Host Broadcast and Media services at the G7 Summit, June 15-17, in Kananaskis, AB. Headquartered in Toronto, and with operations in Montréal, Oakville, Ottawa, and Calgary, Dome Productions has provided G7 Host Broadcast services since 1995, producing the very first High Definition pictures of the leaders of the G8 Muskoka and G20 Toronto in 2010.
tonzauber and the Lawo mc²36 MkII have launched Johann Strauss’ Blue Danube Waltz into deep space. On May 31, the composition was performed at Vienna’s Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) and transmitted live towards Voyager 1 – currently more than 24 billion kilometres from Earth. The feat was the centrepiece of the “Waltz into Space” initiative, celebrating both the 200th birthday of the “Waltz King” and the 50th anniversary of the European Space Agency (ESA). The audio production was entrusted to Vienna-based tonzauber, led by owner Georg Burdicek, who deployed a mobile production studio centered around a Lawo mc²36 MkII audio production console.
Tuned Global is expanding its Social Radio platform with the launch of real-time tipping, letting fans support artists, DJs, and creators live. Inspired by creator economy giants like Twitch and TikTok, the plug-and-play monetization layer lets DSPs roll out direct rewards for anyone curating a livestream. Social Radio lets listeners join virtual rooms where artists or audio influencers go live, play tracks, talk to fans, and get instant feedback. Fans can cheer with emojis, respond in the chat, and starting in Q3 2025, tip their favourite hosts directly.
