Tillsonburg radio stations sold

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Tillsonburg’s radio stations have a new owner, pending CRTC approval.

MY Broadcasting Corporation announced on Nov. 21 that it reached a deal with Rogers Sports and Media to purchase CKOT Easy 101 and CJDL Country 107.3. My Broadcasting owns two stations in Norfolk County and one in St. Thomas, Strathroy, and Exeter.

“Geographically, the Tillsonburg stations fill a hole and bolster our resources,” said Jon Pole, president of MY Broadcasting Corp.

He and a partner own the company, which they started in 2004. It has grown to 19 stations and will have 26 with the purchase from Rogers and another from Bell.

Pole said there will be an increased focus on local news and advertising people in the community after the change in ownership. There will also be a Tillsonburg presence for the station. After the Lamers family, who started the Tillsonburg stations, sold to Rogers, it was operated from London. There will also be more live broadcasts from community events.

“The same as it used to be and the way it used to be,” Pole said. “We expect our stations to be involved in the community, supporting and reflecting what is happening.”

Doug Cooper, a long-time employee at CKOT, says the sale is a good thing.

“I believe the new owners will put more emphasis on being local,” he said. “I hope they will consider moving the stations back to Tillsonburg. They now say there are a Tillsonburg station, but in reality they are broadcasting out of London.

Although the deal is finalized, changes will not start until it is approved by the CRTC, which Pole said takes at least eight months.