LAURIE WEIR

Big changes are happening in the local media scene as Smiths Falls radio station CJET-FM has been sold to MBC, the company behind myFM in Perth. The acquisition is part of MBC’s broader strategic growth initiative, which includes a focus on expanding its presence in both the Ottawa Valley and southwestern Ontario.

On Nov. 21, MBC announced they had entered into an agreement with Rogers Sports & Media to acquire radio stations CKOT-FM, CJDL-FM (Tillsonburg), and CJET-FM (Smiths Falls).

“This acquisition is part of MBC’s strategic growth initiative, solidifying its commitment to providing enhanced regional content and expanding its presence in both the Ottawa Valley and Southwestern Ontario,” said Jon Pole, president of MBC.

Pole went on to explain the significance of the acquisition. 

“The addition of these stations strengthens our regional coverage in both southwestern Ontario and the Ottawa Valley. CKOT-FM and CJDL-FM will fill a void between our St. Thomas and Simcoe operations,” he said, “and CJET-FM will make a perfect combo with 88.1 myFM in Perth.”

MBC sees the acquisition as an opportunity to broaden local content and news coverage. “We’re excited to continue to expand our local news coverage and community involvement in Smiths Falls and Tillsonburg. We appreciate that Rogers Sports & Media shared our vision for these markets and made this deal possible,” Pole said.

Bob Perreault, operations manager and news director at myFM in Perth, shared his excitement about the expansion, emphasizing the positive impact for the Smiths Falls community. “Personally, I’m very excited about this, and as a company, we’re excited too because it’s always fun when you get to work in your own backyard. It’s early days, but we’re looking forward to the growth that this expansion will bring.”

Perreault also spoke about the future of the station and local involvement, confirming that myFM already covers Smiths Falls news and will be able to provide even more coverage with this expansion. “We’re dedicated to serving these markets, and as we expand, we’re looking at how we can integrate more local talent,” he added.

CJET-FM has a long history in Smiths Falls, originally launching as an AM station on October 22, 1955. The station quickly became a staple of the community, offering music, news, and programming that reflected the local vibe. Over the years, CJET transitioned to FM under Rogers Sports & Media’s ownership, and it now enters a new chapter under MBC’s management.

“This acquisition will strengthen MBC’s position as a leading media provider in each region, adding significant value for listeners and advertisers by broadening the range of content, local news coverage, and expanding community involvement,” the company’s release states.

MBC, which currently operates 19 radio stations and digital news sites across Ontario, will see its portfolio grow to 26 stations following the approval of the acquisition by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The deal marks a significant step forward in MBC’s goal to become a dominant player in the regional media landscape.

As the transition takes place, Perreault emphasizes the importance of local engagement and community ties. “We’ve always focused on the smaller markets. We’re not trying to compete with the large cities. Our mentality has been to maintain close community ties, and that’s what we intend to do as we expand into Smiths Falls.”

The transaction is still subject to approval by the CRTC, with further details expected as the process moves forward.