ZoomerMedia Limitedis a Canadianmediacompany controlled byMoses Znaimer,the founder of theCitytvnetwork.[1]Originally focusing on properties targeting what the company calls "zoomers", or the 45+ demographic, in 2022, the company began expanding the company's target audience by acquiring youth-focused properties BlogTO andDaily Hive.
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| TSX-V:ZUM | |
| Industry | Media |
| Founded | Toronto,Ontario(2007) |
| Founder | Moses Znaimer |
| Headquarters | Toronto,Ontario |
| Products | Broadcasting,Advertising,Publishing,Television production |
| Website | zoomermedia.ca |
History
editZoomerMedia was formed in December 2007 following Znaimer's acquisition and merger of Kemur Publishing, publishers of CARP Magazine, and website operator Fifty-Plus.Net International.[2]It provides marketing, membership, and other services toCARP(formerly the Canadian Association of Retired Persons), of which Znaimer serves as executive director, and publishes Zoomer Magazine (the renamed CARP Magazine). The company also operates several Internet properties including a portal and a social networking site, all targeted to older adult audiences.
In addition, Znaimer previously personally owned a variety of other assets through his privately held company, MZ Media, that were also unofficially considered part of the "ZoomerMedia" group. These included southern Ontario classical music radio stationsCFMZ-FMandCFMX-FM(Classical 96.3andClassical 103.1respectively),adult standardsstationCFZMToronto (AM 740), and the annual IdeaCity conference.
In June 2009, ZoomerMedia Limited announced a deal to acquire the broadcasting assets ofS-VOX,which includes conventional stationsCHNU-TVandCIIT-TValong with specialty channelsVisionTVandOne: the Body, Mind & Spirit channel,for $25 million.[3]As part of the transaction and a relatedprivate placement,Znaimer also merged MZ Media into ZoomerMedia.
Following the transactions (which required the approval of minority shareholders and theCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission(CRTC), Znaimer owns 66% of the combined company, and insurance companyFairfax Financialowns 28%.[4]All of these transactions were completed on June 30, 2010.[5]Later, on September 28, 2010, ZoomerMedia relocated its headquarters to 64 Jefferson Avenue.
In 2022, ZoomerMedia began acquiring more youth-focused online properties, includingBlogTO[6]andDaily Hive.[7]
On February 8, 2024,Bell Mediaannounced that it would sell its Owen Sound adult hits stationCJOS-FMto ZoomerMedia.[8]
Assets
editConventional television stations
editZoomerMedia's two conventional stations were part of a television system known asJoytvuntil August 2013 when CIIT was rebranded as "Hope TV" and dropped all non-religious programming. As Joytv, they were licensed as religious television stations that air religious-based programs in addition to other family friendly and entertainment programs. Both were previously owned by S-VOX. They had previously been a part of theOmni Televisionsystem, having been previously owned by Trinity Television before the sale to Rogers. Rogers sold the two stations to S-VOX on March 31, 2008.
Specialty channels
editRadio
edit- CFMZ-FM,Toronto,Ontario(The New Classical 96.3 FM)
- CFZM,Toronto, Ontario (Zoomer Radio)
- CFMX-FM,Cobourg,Ontario (Classical 103.1)
- CFMO-FM,Collingwood,Ontario (Classical 102.9)[11]
Magazines
edit- On the Bay Magazine
- Tonic Magazine
- Zoomer Magazine
Digital
edit- EverythingZoomer
- Buzz Connected Media
- blogTO
- Ludwig-Van
Other assets
editSee also
edit- CHUM Limited– Moses Znaimer managed its television division from 1981 to 2003.
References
edit- ^ZoomerMedia - Our properties
- ^Media Innovator Moses Znaimer Consolidates Voice For Zoomer Generation[permanent dead link],Moses Znaimer press release, February 28, 2008
- ^"Spiritual TV fits Moses' Zoomer visionArchived2009-06-19 at theWayback Machine.The Globe and Mail,June 15, 2009.
- ^ZoomerMedia Limited Agrees to Purchase all Television Assets of VisionTV and $17.6 Million Private Placement with Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited,ZoomerMedia press release viaMarketwire,June 15, 2009
- ^ZoomerMedia Limited Completes Acquisitions and Financing
- ^abKrewen, Nick."Zoomer's big plans for BlogTO are already underway".Media of Canada.Retrieved2024-02-10.
- ^Josh Rubin,"ZoomerMedia goes after the younger generation with deal to buy Daily Hive publisher for $16.4 million".Toronto Star,September 14, 2022.
- ^"Bell Media planning cuts to CTV, BNN Bloomberg following BCE layoffs, sale of 45 radio stations".CTV News.February 8, 2024.RetrievedFebruary 8,2024.
- ^"FaithTV – ZoomerMedia Limited".Retrieved2020-10-23.
- ^"FaithTV - The Nation's Faith Station".FaithTV.Retrieved2020-10-23.
- ^Government of Canada, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) (2012-02-29)."ARCHIVED - Licensing of new radio stations to serve Shelburne and Collingwood, Ontario".crtc.gc.ca.Retrieved2020-10-23.