Evanov Communications Inc. (ECI) announced that several radio stations in Clarence-Rockland, Hawkesbury and Ottawa will close for good later this month.
CHRC-FM and CKHK-FM(Hot Country 92.5 FM in Clarence-Rockland and Hawkesbury), and CJWL-FM (Lite 98.5 in Ottawa) will stop broadcasting as of Sept. 20, 2024.
According to a statement released by the Toronto-based company, the ever-evolving media landscape, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, as the cause for closing the radio station, calling it “a drain on cash and personal resources.”
The company’s statement noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, more people worked from home, meaning less people were driving to work and were not listening to the radio on the drive in or drive home.
“I, together with the consensus of my leadership team, have determined that, under the circumstances, our resources and some key employees with these stations would better serve the company if deployed to our other stations,” stated Paul Evanov, chief executive officer of Evanov Communications, in a statement posted on the company’s website. “I regret that the media industry, still regulated and a trusted source of news and information in a quagmire of fake news, misinformation and open social media borders, has not received the necessary support and relief sought during the crises or as a pre-emptive and insurance measure that would have us and our fellow broadcasters at a different place at this point. Nevertheless, we will persevere and are confident in the integrity and capability of our company to remain competitive in the markets we continue to serve along with actively pursuing new strategic opportunities. “
The three stations were launched in 2006.
ECI said the company continues to assess the ongoing impact of increased competition, the media climate and aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, on its operations.
“This was a difficult but necessary decision,” ECI stated on its website. “ECI sincerely thanks employees, businesses and listeners who supported these stations over the years and the residents within those markets we have come to know well.”
Among the employees who were retained were Ted Silver, who will bring programming assistance to the company’s Quebec division with CHSV-FM and CFMB. Danielle Cyr brings her sales expertise to these same stations and Brian Sylvester keeps his duties and responsibilities in the company’s news division.
The Vision reached put to ECI for comment, but no response was given at press time.
