Torstar names new editorial SVP

Fredric Karen (pictured) has been named SVP of editorial at Torstar, set to begin leading the company’s digital news initiatives in the new year. In his role, Karen will develop and execute Torstar’s editorial content strategy across the company’s major daily newspapers (the Toronto Star, the Hamilton Spectator and Waterloo Region Record), StarMetro and Ontario-based community publications. He is tasked with the goal of boosting subscription revenue and “leading the digital transformation in the company’s newsroom across Canada,” according to the company’s release.

Fire TV launches in Canada

Amazon is expanding its Fire TV devices to Canada. The expansion includes Toshiba Fire TV Edition TVs (smart TVs made by Toshiba and sold exclusively at Best Buy), and the Fire TV Stick 4K, a connected device which enables content streaming from a range of providers including Netflix, Crave TV and HBO Now. In addition, the Alexa Voice Remote, which operates by voice control is being made available in Canada alongside the roll out of Alexa Voice Service – which enables Alexa on Fire TV devices. Fire TV was first launched in the U.S. in 2014 and had since evolved to include multiple offerings including the Fire TV Stick and Cube.

Election podcast hits Toronto

Toronto-based urban affairs publication, Spacing, has launched a new podcast centred around the upcoming municipal election. Hosted by Glyn Bowerman, Election Panel will feature weekly discussions with journalists and experts such as Spacing senior editor, John Lorinc, and Toronto Star city hall reporter Jennifer Pagliaro, who were featured on the first episode Oct. 1. Running until election day Oct. 22, the podcast aims to make sense of the city’s current political climate, which was upturned last month when a provincial bill shrunk city council from 47 wards to 25.

Correction: This story previously stated that Karen would replace Marie Beyette.  MiC regrets the error.