Evanov Communications Inc. MEDIA STATEMENT
Toronto, ON, Thursday, September 5, 2024 – Evanov Communications (ECI) announced that three of its radio stations will cease operation on September 20, 2024. The stations are in Clarence-Rockland (CHRC-FM), Hawkesbury (CKHK-FM) and Ottawa (CJWL-FM), all in Ontario.
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.
ECI President and CEO, Paul Evanov said: “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. “
Among the retained employees are Ted Silver who will bring programming assistance to our Quebec division with CHSV-FM and CFMB; Danielle Cyr who will bring the necessary expertise and dedication in sales to bring these same stations to the next level; Brian Sylvester who retains duties and responsibilities in the company’s news division.
This was a difficult but necessary decision. 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.
Evanov Communications is an independent private Canadian broadcasting company. A list of stations it operates, and locations can be found at www.evanov.ca
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Media Contact: Shannon Bennett, In-House Legal Counsel; 416-213-1035; ext-109
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