Some major changes are coming to the broadcasting world in BC, the Northwest is included.
BCE Inc. subsidiary, Bell media, has announced they are selling 45 out of its 102 regional radio station and the local outlets are included.
BCE Inc. is cutting 9 per cent of their workforce including journalists and other workers declaring radio isn’t a viable business for BC anymore.
The announcement came last Thursday in an open letter to Bell employees noting that 4800 jobs at all levels of the company would be eliminated while more jobs will end sometime this spring.
Vista is buying the licenses in BC and some companies include Kitimat, Terrace both CFTK and CJFW, Prince Rupert, Fort Nelson, Dawsons Creek, Fort St. John both CKNL and CHRX.
In total 13 licenses all over BC Are being bought by Vista.
Other stations in Ontario, Quebec and new Brunswick are also being sold to six other buyers.
This is the second major lay-off by BCE Inc. since last spring when six per cent of bell media jobs disappeared and nine other stations went off the air.
BCE Inc. says they will continue to operate stations that are viable. They say they are in the midst of a digital transformation for both entertainment and news and even that transformation is in question when it comes to future revenue.
BCE Inc. blames Ottawa for their predicament. Noting that the government was too slow in providing relief for media companies as well as the Canadian radio and television commission’s decision were also too slow to react to a crisis that is immediate. They single out the legislation that led to news being pulled from a number of social media platforms and allowing platforms like Netflix, YouTube and tik-tok to contribute and promote Canadian content.
Bell media saw a steep decline in ad revenue of $140 million last year while the news division is seeing more than $40 million in annual operating loses.
