After announcing plans to cease operations of its Ottawa businesses including AC “Lite 98.5” CJWL-FM Ottawa, “Hot Country 92.5” CHRC-FM Rockland and “Hot Country 107.7” CKHK-FM Hawkesbury ON, Evanov Communications has reached agreements to sell the stations and continue operating them until closing.
Torres Media Group, owner of Rock “Rebel 101.7” CIDG-FM Ottawa, will acquire CJWL-FM. Torres Media Group CEO Ed Torres said, “The acquisition of a second station in Ottawa is an exciting opportunity for our company that will give us a more competitive offering for our advertisers. Our SkyWords Division has operated in Ottawa since 1995, we started our first radio station here in 2010. We know the market well and our local ownership will continue to drive our business. This opportunity in Ottawa represents a significant milestone for our company.”
Evanov President/CEO Paul Evanov added, “I am so thrilled that Torres and ECI agreed to keep the station on the air. As an incumbent with a stand-alone station in the Ottawa market, like we have been, we know that a sister station for Torres’ Rebel 101.7 will provide a better competitive environment and efficiencies for the success of both stations. We also know that as a smaller, more locally-focused broadcaster, Torres is well equipped to succeed from day one”.
La Radio Communautaire Cornwall-Alexandria announced last week it would acquire CHRC-FM and CKHK-FM and will continue to operate with English language programming. GO FM owns French Variety “92.1 GO FM” CHOD-FM Cornwall ON. General Manager Mathieu Manning said, “Local, local, local. That’s how we grew GO FM from 5,000 to 50,000 listeners weekly—by focusing 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. 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.”
