Unifor announced late Wednesday that 45 of its members working at the network in Alberta and B.C. had been subjected to layoffs, with an additional member impacted in the Eastern bargaining unit. Of the 46 jobs affected, the union said 26 are journalists.

A Corus spokesperson told Broadcast Dialogue on Thursday that the new round of layoffs is just the latest measure taken as part of an ongoing efficiency review process.

“As part of our efficiency review process across Corus, we have made some difficult but necessary changes to create a more sustainable future for the company and our News division,” the spokesperson said, in an emailed statement. “We are applying new workflows and ways of working, using the latest technology that will enable us to pave the way forward for the future of Global News. As a result, certain roles within some stations have been impacted.”

“Corus’ commitment to serving our audience across the country remains stronger than ever, and we will continue to tell important local news stories that matter to Canadians,” she added. “Corus is committed to providing information to our audiences and remain dedicated to upholding our responsibility as a trusted new source.”

In its Q3 earnings report in June, the company said it was anticipating a further year-over-year TV advertising revenue decline of 20% in Q4, citing geopolitical and economic uncertainty and an over-supply of premium digital video inventory from foreign competitors.

Corus slashed employee costs by seven per cent in the third quarter. The company last undertook major layoffs in the Global News division in August 2024 that resulted in more resource-sharing between the Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge TV newsrooms, among other changes. The company reorganized its Audio division in August 2023, and this past June made a sweeping round of layoffs that primarily impacted its Ottawa radio properties. The company has also paused new productions at its children’s content studio, Nelvana.

Corus shares on the TSX on Thursday morning were trading down slightly, hovering around nine cents.

The post Corus confirms layoffs at Global News as it eyes sustainability appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

More than one year later, Vista is now operating those stations, officially becoming the second largest radio group in the country.

We welcome Bryan Edwards back to the podcast to talk about the ownership transition and major rebrand effort as those stations and their employees join Vista, as well as his continued optimism about radio’s viability.

The post LISTEN: Vista Radio President Bryan Edwards on the company’s simultaneous 21-station rebrand appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

Now operating over 70 stations and digital portals, Vista has undertaken a major rebrand effort away from Bell Media brands like Virgin Radio, MOVE Radio and Bounce Radio, marking one of the largest simultaneous brand refreshes in Canadian radio.

The company said each station “retains local voices, builds on strong community roots, and is paired with a digital news portal to ensure 24/7 access to timely, trusted local content.”

GO FM, will be heard on former MOVE-branded stations 101.5 FM (CILK-FM) Kelowna, 97.1 FM (CJMG-FM) Penticton and 98.5 FM (CHRX-FM) Fort St. John, billed as “Feel Good Pop” featuring hits from the ’90s and 2000s.

Summit Radio, featuring a mix of rock-leaning and pop classic hits from the 1970s to 2000s, will be heard on former BOUNCE stations 800AM (CKOR-AM) Penticton, 1240AM (CJOR-AM) Osoyoos, 98.5 FM (CHOR-AM) Summerland, 106.9 FM (CKKC-FM) Nelson, 95.7 FM (CJAT-FM) Trail, 106.1 FM (CKCR-FM) Revelstoke, 106.3 FM (CKGR-FM) Golden, 91.5 FM (CKXR-FM) Salmon Arm, 590 AM (CFTK-AM) Terrace, 102.3 FM (CKRX-FM) Fort Nelson, and 97.7 (CKTK-FM) Kitimat.

Prince Rupert’s CHTK-FM is the exception, which moves from BOUNCE Radio to its own dedicated format, Coast FM, promising Classic Hits with “coastal vibes.”

On Kelowna’s CHSU-FM, Vista has restored Top 40 heritage brand 99.9 SUN FM, which the station formerly carried from 1997 to 2019, prior to its rebrand as Virgin Radio. Vista is also retaining Kelowna’s voice for News, Talk, Sports on AM 1150 (CKFR-AM), saying in its announcement that “we weren’t going to mess with a good thing.”  

Vista Radio’s The Ranch Country format, already well-established in Alberta, also expands into B.C., in place of Bell’s Pure Country brand, now heard on 105.7 FM (CICF-FM) Vernon and 980 AM (CJDC-AM) Dawson Creek. Meanwhile, The River 103.1FM launches on (CJFW-FM) Terrace, serving the Skeena region.  

On CKNL-FM Fort St  John, the introduction of Vista brand 101.5 The Goat, will mark the return of a Rock station to the community. CKNL-FM had carried Bell’s BOUNCE format since 2021.

“This is an important undertaking for broadcasting in British Columbia and the simultaneous  launching of this many new brands is a milestone in Canadian media,” the company said. “Vista Radio is proud to have  taken this challenge on and reinvigorate an important service to so many communities. We are also very proud to bring the very talented people of these incredible stations with us to become part of the new Vista Radio.”

That includes Okanagan General Manager and newly-appointed Vista Vice-President of Talent, Ken Kilcullen; Regional Cluster Program Directors Amy Gilbert and Chanine Carr; and Director of Engineering Larry King.

“They, with all our Vista team members, share our commitment to local programming, news, economy, and community service. We invite any other broadcasting and media leaders, visionaries, and up and  comers to join us,” the company announcement continued. “We are growing, we are a viable business, and we look forward to a prosperous media future in Canada.”  

The post Vista Radio launches simultaneous rebrand of 21 former Bell Media stations appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.