VIRGIN Radio To Launch In Vancouver, Montreal & Ottawa
Toronto ON from CNW

Astral Media Inc. (TSX: ACM.A/ACM.B), Canada's largest radio broadcaster, today announced that it will roll out the Virgin Radio brand across Canada. In early January 2009, the stations now known as 95 Crave (95.3 FM) in Vancouver, The Bear (106.9 FM) in Ottawa and Mix 96 (95.9 FM) in Montreal will become part of Astral Media's Virgin Radio branded group.

The groundbreaking partnership between Astral Media and Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Radio International was launched earlier this year with the introduction of Virgin Radio 999 in Toronto, which was the first Virgin Radio station in North America.

"This is a milestone announcement, building a solid Canadian presence for the Virgin Radio brand across Canada with four stations in the Astral Media Radio portfolio," said Jacques Parisien, Group President, Astral Media Radio and Astral Media Outdoor. "With Virgin Radio 999 in Toronto surpassing 1,000,000 listeners in the recent BBM survey, the first since its launch in August of this year, the excitement and enthusiasm generated among listeners and advertisers is unprecedented. Astral Media is excited to bring the dynamic and innovative sounds of the Virgin Radio brand to three new Canadian markets.

We are confident that the Virgin Radio brand will invigorate our stations, while offering an entirely new and rejuvenated promise to our clients." Astral Media Radio (AMR) is the largest radio broadcaster in Canada and is increasingly known for introducing innovative new ideas to the radio industry. With the launch of the Virgin Radio brand in three new markets, AMR is challenging the norms of conventional stations and shaking up the radio landscape with a fresh sound and unique new programming formats; delivering a new voice with first class entertainment value to each market.

The Vancouver and Montreal Virgin Radio stations that will launch early in January 2009 will focus on the Hot AC format with a target of 25-49 year-old adults. Virgin Radio Ottawa, also launching in January 2009, will build on its heritage to feature a re-energized rock format aimed at 25-54 year-old men.

Virgin Radio stations are known for dynamic on-air talent, exciting guest hosts and international celebrities. Virgin is the record company that signed the Rolling Stones and countless other bands. The Rock history that is part of the brand will also be a big part of the Ottawa radio station.

More details of exciting additions to the line ups of each Virgin Radio station will be announced on launch day in each market.

Q104 Celebrates 25th In A Big Way
Halifax NS from JC Douglas

Halifax's legendary rocker, Q104, rocked the town all this past weekend in celebration of 25 years of rock radio in the Maritimes. The "Rock of the Atlantic" signed on November 28, 1983, and Nova Scotians never knew what hit them. Metal in the morning, controversy over sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll.

It was a truly rebellious beginning and an incredible story of passion, talent, and mischief-making that over 25 years has evolved into the "station of record" in Halifax, recently celebrating a second straight book at #1 in the ever growing market, 12+ and 25 - 54.

To mark the Silver Anniversary, Q104 put on their "Quarter Century Concert & Clambake" on Friday, November 28, featuring Matt Mays + El Torpedo, The Sam Roberts Band, 54.40, and The Joel Plaskett Emergency before a packed house of 4,000 at the Cunard Centre. Special guests Mike Trask and Charlie A'Court contributed songs in a musical tribute to April Wine, the inaugural inductees to Q104's "Rock of the Atlantic WALL OF FAME". The plan had been to surprise Myles Goodwyn by reuniting him with the other three original members of April Wine for the first time in public since 1971, but due to a last minute medical emergency Myles had to cancel and April Wine was not able to perform. Those original members, however, David, Ritchie, and Jim Henman, were all on hand to receive the accolades from an adoring hometown crowd, as the Mighty Q paid tribute to the east coast's most successful rock band ever through live music and rare early video.

Among the other highlights of the weekend, Brother Jake Edwards - flying in from Vancouver's Rock 101 - revved up his chain saw, reprising his method of cutting the birthday cake that he employed at the station's first anniversary party in 1984, when he was Program Director and Morning Show host.

Over the weekend, the Q put on a 15 hour "Radio Reunion" in which the acurrent air staff and alumni (including all six of the lead morning hosts in the station's history) played music from their eras of Q104 history and reminisced over the wildness and behind-the-scenes antics that fuelled the spirit of one of the country's most intriguing radio stations. Bro' Jake, Q107's Jeff Woods, Virgin Radio's Jay "Maddog" Michaels, XL 103 Calgary's BJ Wilson, and many other well-known alumni shared the mic over two days, and left 'Q Nation' breathless from laughing so hard.

A fitting celebration for a quarter century of trailblazing radio in Atlantic Canada.

PHOTO: The Q Crew c. 1990's/2000's

Lobster Claws Is Coming To Town
Liverpool, Bridgewater, Shelburne NS from Sheldon MacLeod

Radio station CKBW serving Nova Scotia's South Shore is doing what it can to help lobster fishermen concerned over low market prices this season.

As part of a pre-Christmas promotion, listeners are invited to call in whenever they hear their favourite holiday song sprinkled with crustacean. The station has "replaced" Santa Claus in some of the seasonal songs with "lobster claws".

Each Friday until Christmas CKBW is giving away 20 pounds of the tasty sea critters. Response has been overwhelming and Morning Man Mike Richards says the crusty morning show is happy to be making this a crustacean Christmas for residents on the south shore.

K-97 Christmas Rig
Edmonton AB from Jason Almeida

With Christmas soon approaching, Edmonton's less fortunate will need all the help they can get. Therefore, K-97 is asking Edmonton to pull together once again in support of Edmonton's Food Bank over the holidays.

K-97 understands how families all over our city are going to have a not-so Merry Christmas, and that's why Terry Evans will be living inside a Rig provided by Rosenau Transport starting on Monday, December 8th. Our goal is to raise enough non-perishable food donations to push Terry right out of the K-97 Christmas Rig, and he's not budging until this goal is met!

Join K-97's Terry Evans and Phil Aubrey at Beaumaris Sobeys located at 15367 Castledowns Road from 5:30 am - 9:00 am starting December 8th until the K-97 Christmas Rig is completely full. Donations will also be accepted at all Sobeys across Edmonton and monetary donations will be accepted online at www.k97.ca

Help Terry Evans and Edmonton's Food Bank feed thousands of Edmontonians this Christmas!

What: K-97 Christmas Rig

Why: Gather donations for Edmonton's Food Bank

Who: Terry Evans and K-97

When: Monday, December 8th up until K-97's Christmas Rig is FULL

Where: Beaumaris Sobeys, 15367 Castledowns Road

www.k97.ca

New Addition to the Free FM Team
Grande Prairie AB from Pete Montana

With Free FM's Jessica Gray taking a new position with Edmonton news giant 630 CHED and Stephanie Brennan doing the same with CITY-TV in Edmonton, we were off to find the next talented, young news hound. Our search ended the minute we spoke with Amy Arts, who graduates this week from the Atlantic Media Institute in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Amy's joining the Free FM News Team on January 12th.

Program Director Pete Montana would like to thank all of the applicants for this position and wish them all good luck in finding their next "big thing", and he would like to thank both Jessica and Stephanie for their hard work and team spirit. They were great members of our crew and Free FM and Vista Radio wish them the very best with their new positions in one of the most competitive media markets in the country.

Ted Farr Launches Ted Farr Media
Kelowna BC from Corbet Rutzer

Ted Farr, the former Vice President of News/Talk Programming for Rawlco Radio, has announced his latest venture-the formation of Ted Farr Media.

Ted Farr Media is a full-service media consultancy that specializes in programming development, product design, talent coaching and marketing solutions for News, News/Talk and Sports radio.

Ted brings over 30 years experience in medium and major Canadian markets. He has spent time on the managerial teams for broadcast heavyweights such as Rogers, Rawlco, Corus, WIC and Moffat. Ted was a key developer of programming strategies for stations such as CJOB Winnipeg, CHQR Calgary and CHED Edmonton. As National Program Coordinator for WIC-owned AM stations, Ted was heavily involved in all aspects of News, Talk and Sports format development across the company. He was also the architect for News/Talk radio in Saskatchewan at CKOM Saskatoon and CJME Regina.

MBS Radio On PEI Kicks Off Annual Christmas Miracle
Charlottetown PEI from Al Baldwin

Tuesday morning Magic 93.1, Charlottetown, was broadcasting live on location at McDonalds on University Avenue for the kick-off to the 2008 edition of the Christmas Miracle.

Together with Island radio affiliates 95.1 FM CFCY and 102.1 Spud FM, along with McDonalds Restaurants of Prince Edward Island and Salvation Army Family Services we're doing our part to ensure that every island child finds something special waiting for them on Christmas morning.

Toys are being dropped off at the Christmas Miracle boxes at McDonalds and will be distributed in time for the big day by the Salvation Army.

This year the need will be greater than ever and with the largest group of listeners on the Island the MBS stations and our partners are set to meet that need.

Picture: (L-R)Anne MacRae and Paul Alan the Magic 93.1 morning team with Lori Lund and Mike McKenna of McDonalds.

The Bear Fort St. John "Guitar Hero for Metallica Tickets Anyone?"
Fort St. John BC from Shaun Briltz

Bear afternoon drive host Derrick Hand hosted an evening of fun and competition as a large crowd of curious on lookers watched as Fort St. John's Best Rock 101.5 The Bear gave away two tickets for Metallica's sold out show in Edmonton during their Guitar Hero Metallica contest at On the Rocks nightclub on Friday November 28 2008.

Five qualifiers were selected on air during George Shantz's morning show to duke it guitar hero tournament knock out style playing songs off of Metallica's new album "Death Magnetic " with the top score taking home two tickets to the show on December 7th in Edmonton plus an X Box 360.

Second place didn't leave empty handed though, as they picked up a copy of the new Guitar Hero World Tour game with two wireless guitars for the Playstation 3 thanks to Wal Mart in Fort St. John. Third and fourth place picked up the new "Death Magnetic" cd from Metallica, while fifth grabbed a Bear prize pack.

Congratulations goes out to Cody who's top score of over 200,000 points on expert level grabbed him the two tickets to Metallica plus a new X Box 360.

Picture's of the event can be seen online at the Bear's website www.1015thebear.com

Astral Media is a leading Canadian media company, active in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor advertising and iMedia. Astral Media’s solid and dynamic presence in the country’s major markets rests on its commitment to offer a unique combination of high-quality, targeted media for all its audiences.

Ted Rogers Dead At 75
Toronto ON

MMU is sad to learn this morning that Rogers Communications founder Ted Rogers, has passed away.

Rogers had recently been admitted to hospital for treatment of an existing heart condition. He was 75.

Statement from Board of Directors of Rogers Communications Inc.

Layoffs @ Rogers
Toronto ON

CP reports that Rogers Communications Inc. has announced that they are laying off up to 100 employees.

The layoffs, blamed on a decline in advertising revenue, will affect their radio and TV operations. MMU has learned that D'arcy Magee at Y101 Ottawa has been affected and the position of CKBY Music Director has been eliminated. We'll update this list as more info becomes available.

About 20 staff of the Toronto Blue Jays (owned by Rogers) were also laid off today.

CMW Nominations For Industry & Broadcast Awards Now Open
Toronto ON from CNW

NOMINATIONS FOR INDUSTRY & BROADCAST CATEGORIES FOR THE CANADIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY AWARDS NOW OPEN
Industry trailblazers and outstanding professionals are celebrated annually at the Canadian Music Industry Awards. To be considered for the awards, companies are encouraged to submit their nominations online at www.cmw.net.

Broadcast categories include:

Program Director of the year (Major, Medium & Small Markets)
Music Director of the year (Major, Medium & Small Markets)
On-Air Talent of the year
Station of the year - All Formats (Medium & Small Markets)
Station of the year (CHR, A/C, Classic Gold, Country, Rock, Multicultural,
News/Talk/Sports)
Promotion of the year

Industry categories include:

• Live Touring
Peforming arts centre of the year (capacity over 1,500)
Peforming arts centre of the year (capacity under 1,500)
Major facility of the year (capacity over 8,000)
Major facility of the year (capacity under 8,000)
Management company of the year
Booking agency of the year
Promoter of the year
Casino/Specialty Venue of the year

• Retail
Independent record store of the year
Rack jobber of the year
Mass merchant/specialty retailer of the year
Retail chain of the year

• Recording Industry
Recording studio of the year
Canadian independent label of the year
Independent distributor of the year
Music publisher of the year
Major label of the year
Deadline for submissions: Sunday, December 28, 2008.
The Canadian Music Industry Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in more than 30
different categories and are decided upon by industry vote. The awards will be
presented at a gala ceremony set for Thursday March 12, 2009 at the Fairmont Royal
York Hotel in Toronto as part of CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK.


LAWRENCE GOWAN TO HOST THE CANADIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY AWARDS PLUS A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY BURTON CUMMINGS
Lawrence Gowan is set to host the Canadian Music Industry Awards taking place Thursday, March 12, 2009 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. This red-letter event, a perennially sold-out gala brings out the biggest players in the industry. The Awards reception has become a must-see and must-be-seen destination at Canadian Music Week (CMW). The gala will feature a special performance by none other than Burton Cummings in honour of Chuck McCoy, this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, commemorating his induction into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame.

Tickets for The Canadian Music Industry Awards may be purchased on the Canadian Music Week website at www.cmw.net or by calling 905.858.4747.

KG Country & ZED 99 Sleep Off Stuff A Bus 2008
Red Deer AB from Matthew Bradford Tuesday, December 2, 2008 5:04 PM

3 days, 35 hours, 115 cups of black coffee, 4 red-eyed jocks and a ton of volunteers later and Red Deer's Stuff a Bus 2008 is officially a wrap.

This year's 3 day donate-a-thon was hosted by KG Country and Zed 99 morning hosts at Parkland Mall and raised over $47,000 in cash and $50,000 in toys, essential supplies and food for both the Red Deer Food Bank and Christmas Bureau.

A special thanks to everyone who donated their time, money and gifts to this amazing community event. Records were broken, lives were helped and KG and Zed listeners were treated to the best sleep-deprived radio of the season.

Bounce PD Sets Out On His Own
Edmonton AB

CHUM Radio Alberta VP/GM James Stuart announced today that BOUNCE Edmonton Program Director Dan Tucek is returning home to southern Ontario where he will focus on growing his voice over and production company, Ear Candy Productions.

Rogers Ottawa Snowsuit Fund Radiothon