Today is World Radio Day and also, it turns out, an extra special day at Vista.
President Bryan Edwards announced this afternoon that the company has officially acquired 21 new stations in British Columbia.
We spoke to some people behind the scenes at our local Moose Stations to hear about their experiences in radio and their insight into why the local radio stations of Vista (including Barry’s Bay and Bancroft) are able to gain ground while other media outlets struggle.
You might not hear from them on-air but they are the ones who help keep local content up and running in our region.
Tracy Lamoureux, Ontario South manager, went to elementary school in Whitney and says both sides of her family are from the area.
She believes the number one priority at the Moose and its sister stations is to keep it local.
“The 21 stations that Vista purchased from Bell, they are smaller market radio stations and that’s something that Vista does really well, like our station in Bancroft…because the stations are managed locally and the staff are local.”
Lamoureux says local content can be even more important on days like today, as people navigate the after-effects of last nights snowstorm.
“When things are closing and everyone needs to know whats happening–we can get it out there. I think we’ve seen recently with the fires in L.A. , their only source of communication was radio. We’ve seen floods in Barry’s Bay, where radio was relied on heavily as a kind of a command station. The ice storm that happened in previous years, radio was the source for that. And we still are. You know, we don’t want to have disasters, but when we do, radio’s still around for it.”
“It is a very big day for Vista but also for Canadian radio focusing on local communities.” added Bancroft’s Program Director and show host, Joel Lamoureux.
MooseFM Bancroft’s Mike McAlpine has worked at the Moose for over two decades and says he loves being part of keeping things local.
“I’ve been selling radio in Bancroft at this station for just over 23 years and I’m proud to say that we’ve helped a lot of small and local businesses grow into much larger businesses and expand over the years.”
Mike says radio has given him great opportunities to help out in the community.
“I’ve really enjoyed being involved in all the fundraising we’ve been doing over the years like the local hospital, food bank, kids in need, we’ve been helping them out, doing radiothons, it’s been fun.”
Edwards says the acquisition represents a great opportunity for those in radio and that he is looking forward to what’s next.
“In coming together, we create an even stronger, more vibrant network of local radio stations and news portals serving, informing, and entertaining listeners across British Columbia and Canada.”
