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. “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.”
Manning said while it’s expected the stations will share some similarities to the current GO FM format under their ownership, the organization wants to do it right and move forward by listening to what the community has to say.
“The main mission of those new radio stations will be to air as much local content as we can,” said Manning, who took over GO FM in 2016 when the station was on the verge of bankruptcy and running on automation following the morning show.
“We’re now live from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m., with all local announcers, local news on the hour…that’s kind of the same thing we have in mind,” said Manning.
He said GO FM will incorporate a new commercial division that the new stations would operate under, which in turn would offset some of the expenses on the not-for-profit side of the operation. Manning believes the trio of stations could together offer a unique opportunity for businesses interested in advertising in both French and English.
“I think it’s time to re-think how things get done,” said Manning. “We’re not there to return profit to shareholders or owners, any profit will be put back into the stations in the way of more content, more news, good equipment.”
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.
For now, CHRC-FM and CKHK-FM will remain on-air, maintaining their Hot Country format, as details of the ownership transition are worked out. In the short term, Manning said the stations and their studios, which currently share space with Lite 98.5 in Ottawa, will be relocated to their studio in Casselman.
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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