As the sales of 45 stations across Canada to new owners have begun closing, format changes and rebrands have taken place across the country.
The sales, announced in February 2024, saw seven groups purchase former Bell Media stations.
The changes that have taken place so far are:
ZoomerMedia flipped the former Variety Hits “Bounce Radio 92.3” CJOS-FM Owen Sound ON to Soft Oldies “Zoomer FM” matching the format and branding of 740 CFZM/96.7 CFZM-1-FM Toronto. CJOS-FM will feature local morning and afternoon shows with the remainder of its weekday lineup duplicating Toronto’s programming.
Maritime Broadcasting flipped four of the five stations it acquired to Classic Hits under the name “The Wave“. Those were the former Variety Hits “Bounce 104.9” CKBC-FM Bathurst NB, “Bounce Radio 93.5” CIKX-FM Grand Falls NB, “Bounce 100.9” CKTO-FM Truro NS, and Country “Pure Country 104.1” CJCJ-FM Woodstock NB matching the branding used by the company in Halifox and Sydney NS.
The fifth station, “Pure Country 99.5” CKTY-FM Truro NS returned to its heritage “Cat Country 99.5” identity.
Vista Radio today announced revamps at the 21 stations it acquired in British Columbia.
A new 90s/2000s Hits brand “Go-FM” has debuted on the former AC “Move 101.5” CILK-FM Kelowna, Move 97.1” CJMG-FM Penicton, and “Move 98.5” CHRX-FM Fort St. John.
Classic Hits “Summit Radio” debuts on the former Variety Hits “Bounce 102.3” CKRX-FM Fort Nelson, “Bounce 106.3” CKGR-FM Golden, Variety Hits “Bounce 97.7” CKTK-FM Kitimat, “Bounce Radio 106.9” CKKC-FM Nelson, “Bounce Radio 1240” CJOR Osoyoos, “Bounce Radio 800” CKOR Penicton, “Bounce 106.1” CKCR-FM Revelstoke, “Bounce 91.5” CKXR-FM Salmon Arm, “Bounce 98.5” CHOR-FM Summerland, “Bounce 590” CFTK Terrace, and Bounce Radio 95.7” CJAT-FM Trail.
Variety Hits “Bounce 99.1” CHTK-FM Prince Rupert flips to a similar Classic Hits format, but under the name “99.1 Coast-FM” joining five other Vista stations under that brand.
CHR “Virgin Radio 99.9” CHSU-FM Kelowna returns to its heritage “99.9 Sun-FM” identity.
“Pure Country 890” CJDC Dawson Creek and “Pure Country 105.7” CICF-FM Vernon retain their Country formats under the name “The Ranch“.
“Pure Country 103.1” CJFW-FM Terrace rebrands as “103.1 The River“.
Variety Hits “Bounce Radio 101.5” CKNL-FM joins Vista’s Rock “The Goat” brand heard on nine other signals in the province.
News/Talk “AM 1150” CKFR Kelowna retains its existing identity.
My Broadcasting Corporation completed its changes in late March after its acquisition of four stations in Brockville and Kingston ON that saw AC “Move 98.3” CFLY-FM Kingston return to its heritage Hot AC “98.3 Fly-FM” identity, “Pure Country 99” CKLC-FM Kingston rebrand as “New Country 98.9“, Variety Hits “Bounce 103.7” CJPT-FM Brockville flip to Classic Rock “103.7 Giant-FM“, and AC “Move 104.9” CFJR-FM take on the company’s flagship brand as “104.9 myFM“.
Still to close are Arsenal Media’s purchase of seven stations in Quebec, Whiteoaks Communications Group’s purchase of four stations in Hamilton and St. Catherines ON, and Durham Radio’s acquisition of three stations in Lindsay and Peterborough ON.