Sherbrooke, Que., radio station CJTS-FM was to go off the air Tuesday, a casualty of realignment in the Quebec market after Cogeco acquired a number of other stations in the province.
CJTS-FM was one of three stations Cogeco subsidiary Cogeco Diffusion was ordered to divest after the federal broadcast regulator approved the company’s purchase of the Quebec stations of Corus Entertainment.
The Canadian Radio-television and Communications Commission ordered Cogeco to sell CJTS-FM, along with CJEC-FM and CFEL-FM in the Quebec City market, in order to comply with the common ownership policy in the Quebec City and Sherbrooke markets.
“While takers were found for the two Quebec City stations, no offer that met the criteria set forth with the trustee and approved by the CRTC was filed for CJTS-FM within the prescribed time frame,” Cogeco said in a statement Tuesday.
“Cogeco Diffusion regrets having to proceed with the closing of the station, in particular with respect to CJTS-FM employees who worked so hard until the end,” the company said, without specifying the number of workers being displaced.
Cogeco Diffusion operates directly, or through Cogeco Diffusion Acquisitions, 13 radio stations across Quebec, It also operates Cogeco News, one of Quebec’s largest news agencies, feeding close to 30 independent and community radio stations across the province.
