Community decries loss of Kitchener radio station

Playing null of undefined

Listeners stunned by shutdown of 570 News Radio

Radio station cuts hurt communities

The Waterloo Region community is coming to grips with the loss of a radio station that has been a part of their lives for decades.

On Tuesday, 570 NewsRadio in Kitchener, Ont. fell silent as Rogers Sports and Media shut down six radio stations in four markets across the country.

“Like so many people in the community, I was really quite shocked,” Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said on Wednesday. “I think when it really hit me was this morning. I forgot to change the station last night and I woke up to the sound of static this morning. It was sad. It was really sad.”

Rogers has said the decision was made due to declining audience numbers and revenue trends, but they will continue to cover the area through their website and social media accounts.

Kitchener’s mayor said he felt sad, angry and betrayed by the decision.

“It’s been a critical source of reliable, trusted news in the community. A place for good civic discourse on issues that had some controversy in the community and also really a source of community and national pride, whether it was [Kitchener Rangers] games or Blue Jays games that were on the radio,” Vrbanovic said. “I call on all of the communications companies, and I call on people in this community and Canadians in general to really think about the important role that trusted local media plays. Not social media, but trusted local media with good information and good facts plays for a healthy democracy where accountability is a key part of the process.

What will happen to Rangers radio broadcasts?

The Kitchener Rangers said the station has been with them from the start. Games were broadcast on 570 NewsRadio since the 1990s.

In a statement posted to social media on Wednesday, the Rangers said, “Our hearts are with the many talented journalists, broadcasters, producers and staff whose positions were impacted at 570 NewsRadio.”

“For decades, they have served Waterloo Region with professionalism, integrity and passion. Their work has informed our community, shared its stories and helped bring people together. This is a significant loss for our region,” the statement continued.

The team’s chief operating officer and governor Joe Birch said the Rangers will be investigating all possible options for the future, which could include internally produced broadcasts, a radio simulcast and digital streaming or selling to a presenting partner to offset costs.

“Our fans deserve the opportunity to follow us from wherever they can and have done in the past,” he said in an email to CTV News.

“We’re losing that voice”

Rob Wreford worked at 570 CHYM from 1981 until 1987. He is now a voiceover artist, but his thoughts are with his friend Mike Farwell who hosted a popular show on the station.

“Now we’re losing that voice, that voice in the community. For years, Mike, along with old friends that I used to work with – it was the place to go to find out what was going on in your community. Now we don’t have that voice anymore. So where do people go? There’s going to be a big void” Wreford said. “It’s that companion. I’ve always found in radio, radio is companionship and missing a companion that you would listen to every day. Now its not there.”

Meanwhile Vrbanovic worried about what the move means for the industry and for students who are currently studying in hopes of one day working at a radio station.

“We have an outstanding program at Conestoga College. I worry about those young people. Are they still going to think about journalism as a career? If they do, what are the job opportunities that are going to be available to them?

“One less reliable source of local news”

April Lindgren is the co-director of the Local News Research Project out of Toronto Metropolitan University. She said newsroom closures have been on the rise for years.

“Between the decline in listenership and the decline in advertising, it creates real problems on the business model side for commercial radio,” Lindgren said.

According to Lindgren’s research, from 2008 to June 8, 2026, 613 local news outlets closed in 391 communities across the country. That excludes the cuts at Rogers Sports and Media on Tuesday.

Lindgren said the closures are not only a loss for the local communities, but for the industry as a whole.

“It just means there’s one less reliable source of news,” she said. “It creates more space for mis- and dis-information, so there’s just more stuff out there that you don’t know if you can believe or not.”

From community events, to construction, to major council decisions, Lindgren said closures mean there are fewer places for people to find out what’s happening.

Less local news can also pose challenges for local democracy.

“The more pesky reporters you have around, the more pesky questions get asked, and it holds elected officials more to account,” said Lindgren.

For young journalists and those looking to get into the industry, newsroom shutdowns can reduce potential opportunities.

“It just eliminates the training ground for young local journalists.”

As for the future of the industry, Lindgren said it’s not all bleak, but action must be taken by community newsrooms and communities themselves.

“Put your money where your mouth is and support local journalism that matters in your community.”