British Columbia Association of Broadcasters

Congratulations to 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97FM!

Watch virtual presentation | Hear award winning creative from 94.3 the GOAT / Country 97FM:

As one of the most enduring and essential communications industries, the private broadcasters of BC have a long and productive history of serving the citizens of this province. A commitment to the delivery of timely and useful information as well as diverse programming is the collective goal of the radio and television broadcasting industry. The emergence of new media platforms – online and mobile – present even greater opportunities for our members to connect with the audience we serve. The BCAB actively works at strengthening our voice in the wider business community and contributing to the positive growth of our province.

Best Commercial Creative Award recognizes the excellence in writing, production and talent.

Keep an eye on our social media platforms for winner announcements starting Thursday October 28th!

www.facebook.com/BCBroadcasters

www.twitter.com/BCABinfo

www.instagram.com/bc_association_of_broadcasters

The British Columbia Association of Broadcasters (BCAB) has announced a new executive and board of directors.

Rob Germain – CHEK Media Group – has been named President for a two-year term.

Rob Bye of Pattison Media, Vancouver Island will serve on the board executive as Past President.

Jasmin Doobay – Program Director at Pattison Media, Prince George – has been named Vice President.

New elected directors are:
Shusma Datt, i.t. Media Broadcasting; and Megan Milne, Vista Radio.

Continuing as directors are:
Devon Tshritter, Stingray Digital Media Group; Rob Brimacombe, Corus Entertainment; Manish Verma, Joy TV; and Dustin Collins, Pattison Media, Vancouver.

Broadcasters across British Columbia have delivered an essential public service throughout the COVID pandemic, providing local programming and information in times of high need – and supporting local businesses despite broadcasters themselves facing challenges of declining revenues and economic uncertainty.

In 2020 the BCAB did not hold its annual conference due to COVID and presented its broadcast awards virtually. The 2021 BCAB Awards will again be presented virtually this October. The board is hopeful the BCAB can hold an in-person conference in the spring of 2022.

About the BCAB:
Since 1947, the BCAB has been the voice for private broadcasters in British Columbia. There are more than 100 television and radio stations from Cranbrook to Port Hardy and Penticton to Prince Rupert. Collectively, local broadcasters directly employ more than 1,100 British Columbians and generate $687 million in economic activity in B.C.

The British Columbia Association of Broadcasters (BCAB) is excited to announce that its members have chosen CH.I.L.D Foundation as the 2020 Humanitarian Award recipient.

“The Humanitarian Award is an opportunity for a non-profit organization to gain significant exposure for the important work they do at no cost to them for the airtime,” says BCAB president Rob Bye. “The campaign will allow broadcasters to inform listeners and viewers about the invaluable services of the CH.I.L.D. Foundation in British Columbia.”

On acceptance of the BCAB Humanitarian Award to the CH.I.L.D. Foundation, Chief Executive Officer Mary McCarthy Parsons stated that “the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters provides a truly remarkable service for worthwhile charities across our Province.  The CH.I.L.D. Foundation is very honoured and grateful to be chosen as this year’s Humanitarian Award recipient.”

“This prestigious Award will shine a light on our important mission to find a cure for Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and liver disorders in children.   Our volunteer Board of Directors and Governors, and our many dedicated volunteers join with me in thanking the BCAB for bringing such invaluable awareness to helping extremely ill children and their families.”

The value of the airtime donated by BCAB member stations is in excess of $2.0 million over the course of the 12 months – January 2021 to December 2021.  Bye says: “Every member station of the BCAB is asked to run the prepared PSA campaign a minimum of 10 times per week. Many stations offer well over the weekly amount over the course of the 52-week campaign.”

This year’s campaign will begin in January and continue running on member stations throughout the province for one full year.

Information, criteria and process for applying for the BCAB Humanitarian Award can be found at the following link: www.bcab.ca/awards/humanitarian.

Visit the CH.I.L.D. Foundation Website: click here

About the BCAB:

The British Columbia Association of Broadcasters represents private television and radio broadcasters with the mandate to combine the resources and strength of our industry in three key areas: to promote and contribute to community enhancing programs throughout our province, to present a unified and credible voice in matters that affect our growing industry, and to provide our members with information and inspiration through our annual BCAB Conference.

As one of the most enduring and essential communications industries, the private broadcasters of BC have a long and productive history of serving the citizens of this province. A commitment to the delivery of timely and useful information as well as diverse programming is the collective goal of the radio and television broadcasting industry. The emergence of new media platforms – online and mobile – present even greater opportunities for our members to connect with the audience we serve. The BCAB actively works at strengthening our voice in the wider business community and contributing to the positive growth of our province.

For more information:

Rob Bye
President
British Columbia Association of Broadcasters

This spring, without warning, Kelowna radio station Soft 103.9 went off the air in what was described as Canada’s first broadcasting casualty linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the microphones fell silent, journalists lost their jobs, businesses lost an advertising vehicle and a community lost an important voice.

In the months ahead, I fear this story will repeat itself in communities across British Columbia.

COVID-19 wasn’t the only reason for the closure of this station. But the pandemic delivered the death knell – and it is threatening to do the same to other private radio and television stations British Columbians depend upon.

It is a difficult position for broadcasters, especially considering our role during the COVID-19 crisis. Our stations have played a vital role for British Columbians, providing a trusted source of news, public health information and acting as a community hub for fundraising efforts. Many stations have used their traditional and social media platforms to broadcast live coverage of the daily health briefings from provincial and federal officials keeping citizens informed during this unprecedented time.

Viewership and listenership of our radio, television and digital platforms are strong. But at the same time, advertising revenues have fallen by up to 70 per cent. Stations that have always been considered the lifeblood of their communities are now fighting for survival. Many newspapers are facing similar troubles.

In a small town, the loss of a media outlet can be devastating. For many B.C. communities, local broadcasters are the only mainstream communications tool. Want to buy a car, find the best deal on groceries or advertise a community fundraiser? Turn to your local radio station or television broadcaster. Even more important is the immediacy broadcasters offer during a crisis whether it is a flood, wildfire or an Amber Alert.

In a large urban centre like Vancouver, where there are many broadcasting choices, the loss of a single station may not seem like a big deal. But what if that station broadcasts to an ethnic audience? In a multicultural province like British Columbia, where 30 per cent of the population immigrated from another country, ethnic radio and television stations act as a cultural lifeline broadcasting in Punjabi, Mandarin, Cantonese and a host of other languages. If one of these broadcasters is displaced, an entire ethnic community will be affected.

Last month, a sobering economic report issued by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters predicted a wave of cuts and station closures over the next three years.

The report, compiled by Communications Management Inc., projects the closure of 50 Canadian radio stations in the next four to six months followed by many others. In addition, it suggests 40 or more private television stations will fade to black in the next 12 to 36 months.

If these projections are realized, thousands of Canadians will lose their jobs, further eroding Canadian journalism.

Reduced advertising revenue sparked by COVID is a significant reason for the economic decline of this industry. But inequitable taxation and the regulatory treatment of online media giants also plays a role.

Those giants – such as Google and YouTube – are eating up a larger share of advertising budgets and yet they don’t pay provincial taxes, they don’t employ British Columbians and they won’t be sponsoring your child’s sports team.

Broadcasters have a number of proposed solutions including regulatory reforms and a tax credit for the creation of made-in-B.C. content. But even more basic, we are asking government, Crowns and other public agencies to dedicate more of their advertising budgets to local media and make longer-term commitments.

And we are encouraging consumers to shop local. If you spend your money in the local sports store rather than on Amazon, that store is more likely to stay in business, employ people in the community and yes, advertise. This is how we can help our communities rebound.

There are more than 100 television and radio stations from Cranbrook to Port Hardy and Penticton to Prince Rupert directly employing more than 1,100 British Columbians who bring us the news, promote local businesses and host community events.

Those jobs, and the diversity of editorial voices, strengthen our communities. If they are lost now, they will be lost forever.

Rob Bye
Rob Bye is President of the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters, the voice of private radio and television broadcasters across B.C.

The BCAB is pleased to provide the following video of the focus group and panel session – “Move Over Millennials’, Here Comes Gen Z”. This session was presented at the BCABs 71st Annual Conference on Thursday, May 17th. The video includes the focus group recorded session and the Q&A follow-up. Subtitles have been provided where the audio quality was poor.

For more than 50 years, the BCAB has been recognizing the “Best in Province” for radio and television commercials, station imaging, community service and news reporting. Awards are presented to both large and small/medium market stations.

Here are the nominees for the “Best in Province” awards for Radio and Television:

Industry and Performer Awards:

• Broadcaster of the Year – Gerry Belec – Global BC
• Broadcast Performer of Tomorrow – Neetu Garcha – Global BC
• Broadcast Performer of the Year – The Jeff O’Neil Show – Jeff O’Neil, Karen K and Scott Lowrey
• Humanitarian Award Recipient – BC Society of Transition Houses

Click Here to see and hear the 2016 Award winners (presented at the 70th Annual Conference in May 2017).