The sale of 21 B.C. radio stations, including 10 in the Okanagan, owned by Bell Media to Vista Radio has been approved.
A Feb. 13 decision by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) also approved Vista鈥檚 request for new broadcasting licences to continue the operation of the stations.
The Okanagan stations are:
- CHSU Virgin Radio 麻豆精选
- CILK Move 101.5, 麻豆精选
- CKFR AM 1150, 麻豆精选
- CHOR Bounce 98.5, Summerland
- CKXR Bounce 91.5, Salmon Arm
- CJMG Move 97.1, Penticton
- CKOR Bounce 800 Penticton
- CJOR Bounce 1240, Osoyoos
- CICF Pure Country 105.7, Vernon
- CKCR Bounce 106.1, Revelstoke
The other stations located in the Kootenays include CJAT in Trail and CKKC in Nelson, both known as BOUNCE Radio.
The Northwest B.C. stations are:
CFTK, Terrace
CHRX-FM, Fort St. John
CHTK-FM, Prince Rupert
CJDC, Dawson Creek
CJFW-FM, Terrace
CKGR-FM, Golden
CKNL-FM, Fort St. John
CKRX-FM, Fort Nelson
CKTK-FM, Kitimat
In February 2024, Bell announced it was cutting nine per cent of its workforce across the country, and selling off 45 of its 103 regional radio stations. Stations in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada were also sold. Vista Radio operates 49 radio stations in three provinces and the Northwest Territories.
In its decision, the CRTC stated that approving the transaction is 鈥渋n the public interest, as it will help ensure that the stations continue to serve the various communities in B.C.鈥�
Vista and Bell agreed to a purchase price of $3 million for the B.C. assets in February last year, according to the CRTC decision.
