Vista Radio officially becomes the country’s second largest commercial radio broadcaster today as its complete the acquisition of 21 former Bell Media stations in B.C.
Now operating over 70 stations and digital portals, Vista has undertaken a major rebrand effort away from Bell Media brands like Virgin Radio, MOVE Radio and Bounce Radio, marking one of the largest simultaneous brand refreshes in Canadian radio.
The company said each station “retains local voices, builds on strong community roots, and is paired with a digital news portal to ensure 24/7 access to timely, trusted local content.”
GO FM, will be heard on former MOVE-branded stations 101.5 FM (CILK-FM) Kelowna, 97.1 FM (CJMG-FM) Penticton and 98.5 FM (CHRX-FM) Fort St. John, billed as “Feel Good Pop” featuring hits from the ’90s and 2000s.
Summit Radio, featuring a mix of rock-leaning and pop classic hits from the 1970s to 2000s, will be heard on former BOUNCE stations 800AM (CKOR-AM) Penticton, 1240AM (CJOR-AM) Osoyoos, 98.5 FM (CHOR-AM) Summerland, 106.9 FM (CKKC-FM) Nelson, 95.7 FM (CJAT-FM) Trail, 106.1 FM (CKCR-FM) Revelstoke, 106.3 FM (CKGR-FM) Golden, 91.5 FM (CKXR-FM) Salmon Arm, 590 AM (CFTK-AM) Terrace, 102.3 FM (CKRX-FM) Fort Nelson, and 97.7 (CKTK-FM) Kitimat.
Prince Rupert’s CHTK-FM is the exception, which moves from BOUNCE Radio to its own dedicated format, Coast FM, promising Classic Hits with “coastal vibes.”
On Kelowna’s CHSU-FM, Vista has restored Top 40 heritage brand 99.9 SUN FM, which the station formerly carried from 1997 to 2019, prior to its rebrand as Virgin Radio. Vista is also retaining Kelowna’s voice for News, Talk, Sports on AM 1150 (CKFR-AM), saying in its announcement that “we weren’t going to mess with a good thing.”
Vista Radio’s The Ranch Country format, already well-established in Alberta, also expands into B.C., in place of Bell’s Pure Country brand, now heard on 105.7 FM (CICF-FM) Vernon and 980 AM (CJDC-AM) Dawson Creek. Meanwhile, The River 103.1FM launches on (CJFW-FM) Terrace, serving the Skeena region.
On CKNL-FM Fort St John, the introduction of Vista brand 101.5 The Goat, will mark the return of a Rock station to the community. CKNL-FM had carried Bell’s BOUNCE format since 2021.
“This is an important undertaking for broadcasting in British Columbia and the simultaneous launching of this many new brands is a milestone in Canadian media,” the company said. “Vista Radio is proud to have taken this challenge on and reinvigorate an important service to so many communities. We are also very proud to bring the very talented people of these incredible stations with us to become part of the new Vista Radio.”
That includes Okanagan General Manager and newly-appointed Vista Vice-President of Talent, Ken Kilcullen; Regional Cluster Program Directors Amy Gilbert and Chanine Carr; and Director of Engineering Larry King.
“They, with all our Vista team members, share our commitment to local programming, news, economy, and community service. We invite any other broadcasting and media leaders, visionaries, and up and comers to join us,” the company announcement continued. “We are growing, we are a viable business, and we look forward to a prosperous media future in Canada.”
