Rogers Sports & Media has announced the closure of six radio stations in Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, and Kitchener, resulting in the loss of 230 jobs. The company stated that the decision, affecting both on-air and corporate roles, was made following a comprehensive evaluation of its radio stations nationwide. Stations like Sportsnet 650, News 1130, 660 NewsRadio Calgary, and Sportsnet 960 will be impacted by the closures.
Listeners in Vancouver were greeted with pre-recorded messages on News 1130 and reruns on Sportsnet 650. The closure news came unexpectedly for many employees, including Alexander Carrigan, a traffic reporter at News 1130, who learned about the shutdown while driving to work.
The move has sparked reactions from figures like B.C. Premier David Eby, who expressed sadness over losing the local news outlets. The decision to shut down these stations is attributed to declining audience and revenue trends, with recent data showing low listener numbers for over-the-air sports radio in Vancouver and Calgary.
According to experts like Jeffrey Dvorkin and April Lindgren, these closures are part of a broader trend of media organizations seeking ways to address financial challenges and changing audience behaviors. Lindgren highlighted the impact of diminishing local news outlets on democracy, emphasizing the importance of diverse news sources to combat misinformation.
Despite the closures, Rogers reassured the continuation of broadcasting Vancouver Canucks games on one of its remaining stations. The company also affirmed its commitment to operating other radio stations across various Canadian communities. These developments follow Rogers Communications’ recent acquisition of full ownership of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, marking a significant corporate move in the sports industry.