Evanov Communications will cease operations on three of their FMs in Ontario on Friday, September 20.
AC “Lite 98.5” CJWL-FM Ottawa, “Hot Country 92.5” CHRC-FM Rockland and “Hot Country 107.7” CKHK-FM Hawkesbury, which all operate out of Evanov’s Ottawa offices will shut down. The company states, “The media landscape has evolved significantly since CJWL-FM, and subsequently the other two stations, went on the air in 2006. The past 18 years have not only seen new outlets and platforms emerge that have eroded traditional radio revenues, but the long Covid 19 Global Pandemic was also extremely consequential in contributing to traditional radio listeners forming new habits including parking the car, the number one source of radio listening, for a few years. The situation has proven a drain on cash and personnel resources. All broadcasters are now contending with the challenges of increased competition, a difficult media climate, and the residual effects of the pandemic. Like them, ECI is continuing to assess the ongoing impact of these factors on our business, and is readjusting, realigning and reinventing itself as necessary.”
Evanov President/CEO Paul Evanov commented, “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. 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 company will retain some of the employees at the stations. Ted Silver will move to the company’s Quebec division to oversee AC “Lite 106.7” CHSV-FM Hudson/Saint-Lazare and Multicultural 1280 CFMB Montreal. Regional Sales Manager Danielle Cyr will continue to oversee those two in Quebec. Brian Sylvester will retain his duties in the company’s news division.
