Rogers Shuts Down Six Stations

[fordranger797]

I’m going to play the devil’s advocate here as the 30 year old luddite.

These CarPlay systems and infotainment confuse the hell out of me. It’s one of the most frustrating parts about going anywhere else to rent a car (because I can never figure it out). My parents recently bought a new car, and they asked me to help them figure out how to use the infotainment. None of us could figure it out.

 

[davideduardo]

David, your phone connects to your car's entertainment system via Apple Carplay or Android Auto, depending on what kind of phone you have.

And what percentage of U.S. vehicles have new enough systems to do that

The navigation apps on your phone, such as Google Maps and Waze, will then get mirrored onto your car's built-in touchscreen and the verbal directions will play through your car's speakers, ducking the music temporarily when it makes the announcements. This is exactly the feature you said you'd like to have. Well, you already have it.

On some vehicles. I am speaking of universal availability that would keep people whose car does not have that generation of systems.

You'll also have access to most of the entertainment apps on your phone, such as Spotify, iHeart, TuneIn, Pandora, etc., which will play through your car speakers and can be controlled through your car's "big screen." You can make hands-free phone calls and your notifications can also be set to pop up on your screen.

Again, only if you have the more recent vehicles. The average age of them in the U.S. is about 11 years, meaning that a huge number of them likely can't do those things. The 2016 vehicle I had up until three years ago could not do much of that, and what it could do was more difficult than in the new one. We have an automobile expert here and perhaps he can give a timetable on when various features became common.

This is the technology the younger generations use in their cars,

If their car is new enough. Many younger persons as well as members of groups like Hispanics don't have those newest cars and buy older vehicles

and one of the reasons AM/FM radio has become so much less relevant. Once you've set up the phone connection -- especially if the car supports it wirelessly -- the phone reconnects automatically whenever you get in and resumes playing the last thing you were listening to. No need to turn on the radio. Your navigation app automatically appears on your screen ready for you you to enter, or speak, your destination. You don't even need to look at your phone. It can stay in your pocket or a cubby in the car. Everything works seamlessly.y

Again, what percentage of the roughly 250 million American vehicles have all those systems?

IIRC you drive a BMW so here's how to set it up in your car

My point is that if your vehicle is older, that won't work.

 

[davideduardo]

I’m going to play the devil’s advocate here as the 30 year old luddite.

These CarPlay systems and infotainment confuse the hell out of me. It’s one of the most frustrating parts about going anywhere else to rent a car (because I can never figure it out). My parents recently bought a new car, and they asked me to help them figure out how to use the infotainment. None of us could figure it out.

My issue is that, where I live, there are so many cellular bad spots (caused by NIMBY) that all the in-vehicle services are erratic.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

And what percentage of U.S. vehicles have new enough systems to do that

About 40 percent as of last year.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Ownership & Usage

The 2025 Infinite Dial measures how many Americans 13+ own and use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto while driving or riding in a car.

www.edisonresearch.com

I am speaking of universal availability that would keep people whose car does not have that generation of systems.

I gave you the instructions on how to use the feature that you stated you would like, and that you already have access to, that's all. Try it, you might like it.

My point is that if your vehicle is older, that won't work.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto may not work, but you can still mount your phone to the dash and use the same features on your phone screen in an older vehicle.

If you choose to be in denial about the way things are going, or have already gone, that's up to you.

 

[mimo]

Smartphone apps to check traffic *while* you are driving? Isn't that what the authorities call 'distracted driving'?
The poster above mentioned moving all-news to FM. I think that would be a good idea. Also, see if there can be a new FM home for the Calgary Flames...or if CHQR could become the new home.

The Calgary Herald is not pleased either:

Shuttering of Sportsnet 960 a devastating blow for Calgary sports

The decision to shutter Sportsnet 960 The Fan leaves a huge hole in Calgary's sports landscape.

calgaryherald.com

That would be a return home for the Flames. in the 80's and well into the 90's they were on CHQR.

 

[mimo]

Smartphone apps to check traffic *while* you are driving? Isn't that what the authorities call 'distracted driving'?

In Canada, that would absolutely counts as distracted driving.

 

[davideduardo]

About 40 percent as of last year.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Ownership & Usage

The 2025 Infinite Dial measures how many Americans 13+ own and use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto while driving or riding in a car.

www.edisonresearch.com

I gave you the instructions on how to use the feature that you stated you would like, and that you already have access to, that's all. Try it, you might like it.



Apple Carplay and Android Auto may not work, but you can still mount your phone to the dash and use the same features on your phone screen in an older vehicle.

If you choose to be in denial about the way things are going, or have already gone, that's up to you.

I am not in denial. Both of our cars have that capability as one is 3 years old and the other was bought this year. But my point is those services are not available to everyone.

About 40 percent as of last year.

And that means that the majority can't do those things, which is my point.

I gave you the instructions on how to use the feature that you stated you would like, and that you already have access to, that's all. Try it, you might like it.

I have used the feature when occasionally in LA. However, in LA, most of the time, there is no solution to bad traffic so the systems are useless. And where I live, we don't have traffic issues that last long enough to be reported.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto may not work, but you can still mount your phone to the dash and use the same features on your phone screen in an older vehicle.

And that is, by the opinion of nearly everyone, a distraction and using it in some jurisdictions, illegal unless totally hands free.

If you choose to be in denial about the way things are going, or have already gone, that's up to you.

You do not understand that my point is that two thirds of people do not have such equipped vehicles, according to your stats.

 

[The New Chico]

I would suggest that Rogers is just bad at radio. And that makes sense, as radio is about 10th (and dropping?) on their list of corporate priorities. My evidence?

In Vancouver, one of the three biggest markets in the country:

104.9 has had an absolutely dizzying array of formats, branding, personalities, calls. If you ever want your head to spin, look up their Wiki

96.9 also has quite a mix of second rate and low rated formats until they stumbled across the original "Jack" format. Which was actually programmed by a third party company and did very well for some time. Then they dumped the third party, and now 96.9 is an extremely generic sounding "80s, 90s and more" station that is just awful. And from what I gather is prety meek in the ratings as well.

650 and 1130 were simulcast on 96.9HD2/3...as of a few minutes ago those channels were still on the air, but just blasting dead air.

There are some actual professional operators in the market, but Rogers just uses the stations to sell Fido Wireless (owned by Rogers) and a bunch of repackaged US cable staitons (owned by Rogers.) Pattison, Corus, Stingray, Bell and even the CBC are not too worried about the competition I would think.

 

[radiofan2023]

I’m one of the people @davideduardo is talking about that has an old (2011) car. I’ve got a phone mount, and no Apple CarPlay, but I’m not into fiddling with my phone when I’m driving, even though there aren’t hands free laws in my state. I have used the Mapquest phone app with audio directions via my infotainment system’s Bluetooth, so I don’t need to fiddle with the phone or take my eyes off the road. I’ve driven cars with CarPlay, but haven’t tried to cast/link MapQuest to it, only for playing station streams or podcasts from my phone.

 

[crainbebo]

CJAX was #5 in the 2025 ratings. Their playlist used to be very similar to KJAQ. I guess it's the evolution of the demographics, but I find the KJAQ and KJOT (Boise) Jack FMs unlistenable nowadays. The Boise station had a lot of active rock and '90s/'00s rap music mixed with the '80s/'90s hits. The syndicated Jack still has more of a classic rock/hits/alternative sound that I much prefer.

I'm guessing KTNN will be the nightly regular all over the Northwest with the loss of CFFR. As for 960...probably Klamath Falls, Richland, and Provo. 1130 will be the most interesting channel of them all, as everyone has directional power to protect what is now a defunct CKWX (and KWKH). KTLK and WBBR would be great additions to the logbook this winter, albeit WBBR points much of their pattern towards the Atlantic (and it can be quite strong in western Europe at night).

 

[KilowattKat]

Numeris ceased publishing any local ratings data in 2022. At that point in time CKNW had been #1 in the teens, followed by CBU around a 10 share, and then CKWX in the 5 range. Since then, CBU has skyrocketed into the high teens.

I found a summary from May 2025 that just had the #1's in all the demos. CBU in 12+ had a 17.9 share! That is astonishing...

 

[fordranger797]

I would suggest that Rogers is just bad at radio. And that makes sense, as radio is about 10th (and dropping?) on their list of corporate priorities. My evidence?

In Vancouver, one of the three biggest markets in the country:

104.9 has had an absolutely dizzying array of formats, branding, personalities, calls. If you ever want your head to spin, look up their Wiki

96.9 also has quite a mix of second rate and low rated formats until they stumbled across the original "Jack" format. Which was actually programmed by a third party company and did very well for some time. Then they dumped the third party, and now 96.9 is an extremely generic sounding "80s, 90s and more" station that is just awful. And from what I gather is prety meek in the ratings as well.

650 and 1130 were simulcast on 96.9HD2/3...as of a few minutes ago those channels were still on the air, but just blasting dead air.

There are some actual professional operators in the market, but Rogers just uses the stations to sell Fido Wireless (owned by Rogers) and a bunch of repackaged US cable staitons (owned by Rogers.) Pattison, Corus, Stingray, Bell and even the CBC are not too worried about the competition I would think.

Jack doesn’t do too badly in the ratings (on the contrary, they get respectable numbers). With that being said, it’s definitely more of an “adult hits” radio station that masquerades as a source for classic hits in the Vancouver market.

The Vancouver radio market is a bit strange, because there’s no separation between classic rock, classic hits, and adult hits. Rock 101 is a bit of a hybrid between classic rock and classic hits. I listen to this station from time to time, but the approach is a bit odd.

On the other hand, “Jack” is the only outlet if you’re looking for pop-leaning classic hits. But of course, those tracks are mixed in with a playlist that is significantly more modern than anything you’d see in an American market. I find it pretty off putting, but there’s nowhere else to go if you’re looking for music like Madonna, Ace of Base, etc.

 

[Bongwater]

I'm guessing KTNN will be the nightly regular all over the Northwest with the loss of CFFR.

There is also possibly KAPS. But their array is specifically designed to reduce skywave to protect CFFR. If you catch KAPS at night outside of Skagit County, you're a radio god. No one else can.

 

[FreddyE1977]

Not unlike Comcast's decision to spin off its broadcasting assets.

Surprised they're turning in the licenses rather than selling them. I guess there are no buyers.

That's a much more complicated process than it is here. The CRTC typically attaches all sorts of strings regarding the station's permitted content, etc. I guess there are few who are willing to undergo that hassle for a relatively small (if any) return.

 

[kevtronics]

Again, only if you have the more recent vehicles. The average age of them in the U.S. is about 11 years, meaning that a huge number of them likely can't do those things.

The average age of cars on the road in the U.S. is actually now closer to 15 years old:

What is the Average Age of a Vehicle in the United States? - AAPEX

The average age of U.S. vehicles, including light trucks, rose to 12.8 years in 2025, according to a new analysis from S&P Global Mobility.

www.aapexshow.com

 

[RF101]

The big winner in the Lower Mainland turns out to be KRPA 1110 Oak Harbor, Washington USA. With CKWX 1130 gone, reception in places like Surrey should be much better. This is a big win for the Punjabi-language borderblaster.

On the DX front, with semi-local 1130 gone, last night I was hearing KSDO via skywave around 2100 PDT. Border to border I guess. (KAPS does not run a spectrally pure signal so I can't hear anything on 650 without going to a remote receiver.)

Oh yes, CJAX 96.9 seems to have turned off their HD2, HD3 as expected.

 

[Briancook451]

I grew up in Vancouver, and the 104.9 signal is licensed to Chilliwack, its a repeater signal just like 92.5 Abbotsford. Over the years the trio have had many formats. The Kiss throwbacks seems to be the only one that they have poured very little money into and it seems to be ok. As for ratings it is hard to tell because in Chilliwack, Sonic (previous format) was number 1 for almost the entire existence, in Abbotsford it was a top 3 station the whole time, but in Vancouver it was near the bottom.
Another thing I find strange about the shut downs of stations, is one is an FM station. I am surprised they didn't take it to the CRTC and get permission to turn it into a music station.
This void of sports is sad now, but its not surprising considering that Rogers now owns all the sports teams in Toronto. So with that I am sure they don't really care about a mediocre sports station in Vancouver or Calgary. It just means one of Canada's top 5 markets has zero sports stations, and zero news stations. I don't expect a 24 hour news station but I would have expected that there would be a station with a big mix of news and talk with traffic. CKNW kind of does that but in small doses. If I recall news is limited to once an hour. Traffic I think is every 30 minutes (someone correct me if I am wrong). If I were Rogers and I was worried about the cost of keeping AM stations on the air, I would have at least kept 1130 and just put it online and HD only and run it with news from 6-10 and 2-7 Monday to Friday similar to the old style. Between 10-2 and after 7, just ran a talk show. Maybe even a national show that ran on all the news talk stations that were shut down. As for the sports, I would have done the same, online and HD, kept morning and afternoon shows only, ran midday programming from Westwood sports or Fan 590 Toronto, and then evenings would be games if needed and then Westwood sports at other times.
Radio companies need to think outside the box. Especially because some stations can still do well if done right or different such as online and HD.
Pattison did it. On July 25, 2022 they moved the Peak exclusively to HD and online. Kept the morning show for a while and the afternoon host as well. Eventually all were let go after about 6 months, but they still ran contests, had callers on air, so they were still focused on listeners. When The Peak was moved to HD and online it was replaced by Now Radio, which was modeled after the Edmonton station, so it was a conversation based station with music. Listener interaction all the time. When that station didn't perform to expectations it was later replaced by The Peak, because the listener base was still there. In fact it's doing better now in the ratings than it ever had.
I hope that there is no major changes like this again in Canada. Lets hope that companies that don't know how to run or can't run radio sell to smaller companies. The 45 stations Bell sold off a couple years ago are all doing well with the new owners. In fact a lot of them have hired more staff and are doing so much better. Changing playlists to include different music and actually doing more to provide a more local feel to the stations.

 

[Goldilocks94941]

Google Maps or Waze announce the live traffic so you don't even have to take your eyes off the road. Otherwise, glance at the screen and the traffic is shown on the map in red. Do you really not know this?



So do I. Those were established all-news stations that would have almost certainly been moved to FM in any American market. It's possible CBC was too strong for Rogers to compete with in those Canadian markets, though.



There will surely be a new radio home for the Flames.

Not every car can put a current traffic website onto its screen. And CKWX had an excellent team of reporters mentioning all of the major issues on roads in metro Vancouver - not just what's two block ahead of where you happen to be at the time. They'd mention events that might add traffic to specific routes. And offered alternatives for getting around obstructions. Plus updates on border crossing delays.
What you're suggesting is just shutting off broadcast radio altogether, since you can technically find some info that a reporter would have given you in real time, if you just know where to look, and have a reliable connection. I take it you were not a regular listener to either station?

Just shutting down the transmitters with no warning yesterday morning and firing more than 100 employees was a cruel and irresponsible move for a licensed broadcaster. Surprised the CRTC is OK with this. Apparently Rogers doesn't want to be a broadcaster anymore and just wants the easier money from owning sports franchises. And, evidently, didn't have a sales team capable of bringing in enough advertising. But to leave all of metro Vancouver with just two English-language AM stations, one commercial and one non-commercial, is ridiculous.

 

[Gregg.]

Google Maps or Waze announce the live traffic so you don't even have to take your eyes off the road. Otherwise, glance at the screen and the traffic is shown on the map in red. Do you really not know this?

I know we go over this every time someone asks, why does radio still have traffic reports or weather reports? Your phone can give you everything a radio station gives you and it does it instantly. News, weather, traffic, sports.

But radio gives the info to you in a way your app won't. Let's say Interstate 10 has a traffic jam and that's your route. Your app tells you don't take I-10. But is it caused by an accident? Is the accident going to be cleared by the time you get there? Is it an overturned truck or a giant pothole or a fallen tree?

Tomorrow it will be sunny and 78. May app told me. But will it be windy? Very humid? Are we still in a drought? Is there a cold front for later this week? Any hurricanes developing in the South Atlantic?

Maybe you're a baseball fan and you want your local team's score. But if you like sports, a radio sports updates tells you more about the game than just who won. And it tells you more about sports you may only have a passing interest in and wouldn't check on. You're not going to look up who won the U.S. Open but it's good to know when you talk with your friend who's into tennis.

We are human. We like to hear stories. Facts are cold. A traffic reporter, weather forecaster and sportscaster adds personality and insight to make the info relatable.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

Canada seems to be much faster than the U.S. in realizing AM radio doesn’t have much of a future.

Ironically, it was the CRTC way back in the day that actually bent over backwards to protect AM radio by forcing a 49% non hit rule for FM.
Thankfully, by the early 90's this rule was scrapped. It was a silly rule.