Stroumboulopoulos starts Canada’s Beats takeover
Canadians are invading Apple Music’s Beats 1 online streaming radio station during the month of July, and former Hockey Night in Canada host George Stroumboulopoulos is kicking off the global party.
Apple Inc.’s Beats 1 has held what it calls “takeovers” in the past from both Australia and Japan. Part entertainment, part education, these hour-long sessions are a chance for local talent to shine a light on a particular country’s artists for people around the world, or even someone unaware down the street. Now it is Canada’s turn to take the stage for the first time.
“People have spent decades trying to discuss who Canadians are, so it’s impossible to accomplish such a big task in one hour,” said Stroumboulopoulos, a popular voice in the country’s music scene thanks to his work at CBC Radio and MuchMusic.
“What I worry about is if I can create a show that gives you an idea globally about what’s cool and what’s happening here ... reflecting the coast-to-coast-to-coast of this country.”
The music industry is in an interesting place. Physical media sales are dwindling, but music is more prevalent than ever, with fans having access to a nearly bottomless catalogue of songs for about $10 a month on various streaming services.
Global music streaming revenue increased 45.2 per cent to US$2.9 billion in 2015, accounting for 43 per cent of the industry’s digital dollars, according to a report by the not-for-profit industry group IFPI. Meanwhile, physical music sales continue to fall and totalled just 39 per cent of the market last year.
When it comes to Apple Music’s current 15 million paid subscriber base, the 24/7 radio station Beats 1 is included in the $10 price tag and can be found in the mobile and computer apps.
“One of the great things about the democratization of access to music is that, for a long time, there were no gatekeepers,” Stroumboulopoulos said, referring to past DJs or station managers choosing music based on business decisions.
Starting July 2, the Canadian takeover will take place for five successive Saturdays at 2 p.m. ET with a recognizable name at the controls.
After Stroumboulopoulos’s kickoff, Toronto radio personality Josie Dye will host on July 9 with artists from Dine Alone Records followed by Coeur de Pirate and Dare To Care Records (July 16), Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew representing Arts & Crafts Productions (July 23) and finally Metric’s Emily Haines with Last Gang Records (July 30).