It came close to going quiet, but local radio will remain on the air in Hawkesbury and Clarence-Rockland.
On September 18, in a joint statement GO FM (92.1 CHOD) and Evanov Communications Inc. (ECI) announced an agreement for the transfer of the assets of CHRC 92.5 FM in Clarence-Rockland and CKHK 107.7 FM in Hawkesbury, currently owned by ECI to GO FM. The stations in Hawkesbury and Clarence-Rockland have a Hot Country branding and format.
On September 5, ECI announced that the two radio stations would cease operation on September 20 due to a significant decline in revenue and the number of listeners. The programming for the stations had originated from an ECI studio in Ottawa since 2022 through transmitters licensed to Hawkesbury and Clarence-Rockland, but there is an indication from GO FM that local studio programming may return in some form.
The Hawkesbury and Clarence-Rockland radio stations both provide programming in English, but GO FM itself is a community station which broadcasts in French from studios in Casselman, but is licensed to Cornwall. GO FM has announced both CKHK and CKRC will continue to offer programming in English.
In a press release, GO FM General Manager Mathieu Manning, highlighted the impact of the acquisition of the two stations. “Local, local, local. That’s how we grew GO FM from 5,000 to 50,000 listeners weekly—by focusing on local news and conversations that matter to the community. We’re excited to bring this same approach to these stations, restoring local programming and making them true cornerstones of their communities once again.”
Manning added that GO FM plans to use the stations to build upon its established foundation in the region.
“This acquisition is a unique chance to diversify our revenue, optimize resources, and reinvest in our mission. We’re eager to build initiatives that unite the region’s francophone and anglophone communities, strengthening collaboration and community ties,” he said.
Both GO FM and ECI have begun drafting a purchase/sale agreement for the transfer of assets and will soon submit applications to the Canadian Radio-Television/Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for approval of the transaction.
