Rogers Sports & Media took two Calgary radio stations off-air on Tuesday, July 8, as part of nationwide job cuts [1, 2].
The closures of 660 NewsRadio and Sportsnet 960 The Fan remove significant local news and sports coverage from the Calgary market. This move reflects a broader contraction of traditional broadcast media as companies restructure their operations to meet changing economic demands.
The company shut down a total of six radio stations across Canada [2]. These closures affected multiple cities, including Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, and Kitchener [3].
As part of this restructuring, Rogers eliminated 230 positions across the company [3]. Within the radio division specifically, the company cut 80 jobs [3].
In Calgary, the loss of both 660 NewsRadio and Sportsnet 960 The Fan means the city lost two distinct broadcast voices simultaneously [1]. The stations ceased operations on Tuesday as the company implemented the workforce reductions.
Rogers Communications did not provide further details on the specific financial drivers behind the cuts, though the company said the move was a restructuring effort [1, 3].
“Two Calgary radio stations went off-air as Rogers shut down six stations nationwide.”
The sudden removal of two major stations in a single market suggests a strategic pivot by Rogers away from localized terrestrial radio. By cutting 80 radio-specific jobs and closing six stations, the company is likely consolidating its media footprint to prioritize digital platforms or more profitable urban hubs, leaving a gap in local news and sports broadcasting in Calgary.
