Evanov Communications (ECI) has found a buyer for CHRC-FM Clarence-Rockland and CKHK-FM Hawkesbury, two of the three Ontario FM stations it had slated for closure this month.
GO FM, which operates non-profit, community French-language station 92.1 GO FM (CHOD-FM) – licensed to Cornwall, ON, but operating out of studios in Casselman – is set to acquire the assets of the stations, pending CRTC approval. GO FM is owned and operated by the Radio communautaire Cornwall-Alexandria cooperative.
“After thorough consideration and analysis earlier this month, ECI had expressed its intent to close these stations if a suitable buyer could not be found,” the company said in a press release. “Following a comprehensive evaluation of potential buyers capable of ensuring operational continuity, ECI chose GO FM. Both CHRC-FM and CKHK-FM stations will continue to serve the anglophone communities.”
Terms of the transaction have not been divulged. ECI President Paul Evanov said the agreement ensures the two stations, which both carried Hot Country formats, continue to serve their respective communities without interruption.
GO FM General Manager Mathieu Manning said they’ll operate the stations with a focus on “local news and conversations that matter to the community.”
“We’re excited to bring this same approach to these stations, restoring local programming and making them true cornerstones of their communities once again,” said Manning, in the joint announcement. “This acquisition is a unique chance to diversify our revenue, optimize resources, and reinvest in our mission. We’re eager to build initiatives that unite the region’s francophone and anglophone communities, strengthening collaboration and community ties.”
Evanov announced the station closures earlier this month, citing a difficult media climate and the residual impact of the pandemic.
The three stations, including Lite 98.5 (CJWL-FM) Ottawa, were set to be shuttered this Friday, Sept. 20.
ECI told Broadcast Dialogue that for the time being, CJWL-FM will remain on-air past this Friday, with the company promising an update next week.
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