Acadia Broadcasting Signs Letter Of Intent To Purchase Ontario Radio Station
SAINT JOHN-Acadia Broadcasting Corporation, the parent company of Huddle, has signed a letter of intent to buy classic hits radio station CKQV-FM (Q104) in Kenora, Ontario, from Golden West Broadcasting Ltd.
Chris Pearson, president of the Saint John-based Acadia, says the opportunity to acquire the station and its repeater transmitters increases Acadia’s localized presence in Northwestern Ontario.
“We appreciate Golden West Broadcasting Ltd. providing Acadia with this opportunity in Northwestern Ontario,” said Pearson. “This will enhance our ability to serve these communities with local content.”
Acadia already owns stations in Kenora, Fort Frances, Dryden, and Thunder Bay. It also has stations in New Brunswick (St. Stephen, Saint John, and Moncton) and Nova Scotia (Halifax, Port Hawkesbury, Bridgewater, and Yarmouth).
CKQV-FM first went on air in November 2004. On August 25th, 2010, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved the change in ownership and control of CKQV-FM and Norwesto Communications Inc., through the transfer of all of Norwesto’s shares to Golden West Broadcasting Ltd.
“We have enjoyed serving Kenora with a community-based radio service for the past 10 years,” said Elmer Hildebrand, CEO of Golden West Broadcasting Ltd. “During this time we improved CKQV’s radio service and also launched a community portal KenoraOnline. After 10 years of service in the area, we are pleased to have reached a purchase agreement with Acadia and that pending CRTC approval, Acadia will continue to provide diversity of programming and local content.”
The transfer of CKQV-FM is subject to approval by the CRTC. Upon approval and the satisfaction of all other conditions, it is anticipated that closing of the transaction will occur within 45 days of receipt of CRTC approval.