MONTREAL – Cogeco Inc. is buying 10 regional radio stations in Quebec and Ontario for $18.5 million from RNC Média.
Cogeco Media already owns and operates 13 radio stations, including talk network stations 98.5 FM in Montreal, 106.9 FM in Mauricie, 107.7 FM in Estrie and 104.7 FM in Outaouais; Rhythm FM network stations 105.7 in Montreal, 100.1 in Mauricie and 93.7 in Estrie, CIME 103.9 in the Laurentians, 96.9 CKOI, The Beat 92.5 and Radio Circulation 730 AM in Montreal, as well as FM93 and M102.9 in Quebec City.
The new stations are located in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (Planète 104.5 in Alma, Planète 93.5 in Chibougamau, Planète 99.5 in Roberval, Planète 100.3 in Dolbeau-Mistassini, and Radio X 95.7 in Saguenay), in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (Capitale Rock 104.3 in Val-d’Or, Capitale Rock 102.1 in La Sarre, and WOW 96.5, in Val-d’Or), in Lachute (Pop 104.9) and in Hawkesbury (Pop 102.1).
RNC Media’s five stations in Montreal, Quebec City and Gatineau are not part of the deal, which remains subject to the usual closing conditions, including CRTC approval.
“We are pleased to seize this opportunity to strengthen our position in the Québec broadcasting industry,” said Cogeco president and CEO Louis Audet, in a statement. “Radio is more than ever a relevant and connected local medium that is part of the daily lives of millions of listeners in Québec. We will welcome these stations to the Cogeco family with great enthusiasm, and we look forward to further developing them for the benefit of these three regions.”
