Rogers News Radio Stations have been shut down outside Toronto as Rogers Sports & Media closed six stations and eliminated 230 jobs across the company. The closures affect Calgary, Halifax, Kitchener, and Vancouver, along with two sports radio stations in Western Canada, marking one of the most significant shake-ups to Canada’s local radio landscape in recent years as the company shifts its focus toward digital growth.
Table of Contents
- Why Rogers Closed the Stations
- Which Radio Stations Are Closing?
- What Services Will Continue?
- How Many Jobs Were Lost?
- Why This Matters to Canada
- What’s Next for Rogers Sports & Media
- Conclusion
Why Rogers Closed the Stations
Rogers Sports & Media pointed to declining advertising revenue and shifting listener habits as the driving forces behind the closures. In a statement, a company spokesperson said the changes reflect “a plan to focus our investment in areas that will drive growth long-term,” adding that the decision followed a detailed review of the radio division’s performance in each market.
The company said the affected stations had seen falling audience numbers alongside weaker ad sales, a pattern that has been reshaping traditional radio across North America as listeners increasingly turn to streaming and digital platforms for news.
Which Radio Stations Are Closing?
The following stations went off the air this week:
- 660 NewsRadio Calgary
- 95.7 News Radio Halifax
- 570 NewsRadio Kitchener
- 1130 NewsRadio Vancouver
- Sportsnet 650 (Vancouver)
- Sportsnet 960 (Calgary)
Key Highlights
- Six radio stations closing across four Canadian markets
- 230 jobs eliminated company-wide
- 80 employees directly affected within the radio division
- Toronto stations remain open
- CityNews continues online
What Services Will Continue?
Not all of Rogers’ radio and news operations are affected. In Toronto, 680 NewsRadio and Sportsnet 590 The Fan will continue broadcasting as usual. CityNews 24/7 will keep streaming in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver, and Rogers said TV newscasts will carry on in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Montreal. The websites tied to the four closed news stations will also stay online, continuing to publish local news content even without a radio signal behind them.
How Many Jobs Were Lost?
Rogers confirmed 230 positions were eliminated across Rogers Sports & Media as part of this round of cuts, with 80 of those roles tied directly to the radio stations that closed. The company has not detailed a breakdown by city, but the losses span editorial, on-air, and production roles in each of the four affected markets.
Why This Matters to Canada
The closures leave a gap in local radio news coverage for communities in Calgary, Halifax, Kitchener, and Vancouver, cities where residents had relied on dedicated news-radio signals for decades. For many listeners, especially those who tune in during commutes or emergencies, the loss of a local AM news station changes how they access real-time updates on weather, traffic, and breaking news.
The move also reflects a wider trend across Canada’s media industry, as advertising dollars continue to migrate from traditional broadcast to digital and streaming platforms. As Canadian companies face growing scrutiny over how they manage workforce transitions and corporate responsibility, it’s worth noting how such decisions are increasingly weighed alongside broader governance standards.
Also Read: UST Most Ethical Companies 2026: Ethisphere Honors Firm
Going forward, Canadians in the affected cities may find themselves relying more heavily on digital news platforms, apps, and social media for the kind of local coverage radio once provided.
What’s Next for Rogers Sports & Media
Despite the cuts, Rogers Sports & Media says it remains committed to radio as a business. The company continues to own and operate 44 radio stations in nearly 30 communities across Canada, and it says it will keep investing in local news coverage in the markets affected by this week’s closures. Rogers has framed the restructuring as a reallocation of resources toward areas it expects to drive long-term growth, rather than a retreat from local media altogether.
Conclusion
Rogers’ decision to close six news and sports radio stations outside Toronto marks a significant moment for Canada’s broadcast industry, cutting 230 jobs and ending local radio signals in Calgary, Halifax, Kitchener, and Vancouver. While TV newscasts, CityNews streaming, and station websites will continue serving these markets, the shift underscores how far Canadian media companies are moving away from traditional radio and toward digital-first strategies. For now, Rogers says it remains invested in its remaining 44 stations nationwide, even as the industry’s advertising and audience patterns keep evolving.
Official Source: Rogers Sports & Media (Official)
I am Rukaiya Kadiwala, an experienced News Content Writer with 6+ years of expertise in hospitality, travel, hotel, restaurant, business, and lifestyle news. Skilled in writing, research, fact-checking, headline creation, and digital publishing, I create accurate, engaging, and high-quality content that informs and attracts readers worldwide.
