Kitchener’s 570 NewsRadio Shut Down, Leaving Community Shocked

Local leaders are responding to the news about the permanent shutdown of 570 News Radio in Kitchener.

“It’s not often I feel speechless, but tonight is one of those nights. I’m feeling sad, angry and betrayed,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic in a post on X on Tuesday.

“Your trusted journalists & team members deserved better, the [Kitchener] community deserved better and our country that you [Rogers Sports & Media] have made billions in profits from deserved better.”

The news and talk radio station was among six stations across four Canadian cities that were closed down as part of cutbacks by Rogers Sports & Media. A total of 230 jobs were lost.

A spokesperson from Rogers told that 80 people at the closed stations will directly lose their jobs. The other 150 job losses include corporate roles in areas like sales and marketing, along with a small number of positions in TV and radio, plus an unspecified but small number from outside the media division.

“Today is a reminder that local journalism isn’t something we should take for granted,” said Region of Waterloo Coun. Colleen James in a Facebook post Tuesday.

She expressed gratitude to the workers affected by these closures for their contributions to local news.

“When local news vanishes, our communities lose a vital connection to each other and to democracy,” she wrote in her post.

LISTEN | Rogers shuts down 570 News Radio in Kitchener:

The Morning Edition – K-W8:12Rogers shutters 570 News in Kitchener

Local journalism faced a blow yesterday when it was announced that Rogers would be laying off over 200 employees nationwide and closing six radio stations, including 570 News in Kitchener. Simon Kiss from Wilfrid Laurier University discusses how this could affect local media.

Kitchener Centre MP Kelly De Ridder also released a statement on Wednesday reacting to the closure news, stating that the region “lost an essential platform for local journalism.”

She highlighted that Rogers receives millions through taxpayer-funded programs intended to support local journalism while benefiting from limited competition within Canada’s telecom industry.

“Despite these advantages, and despite promises to maintain local media, Rogers has opted to close stations anyway,” De Ridder stated. “This highlights how the current federal government’s approach to protecting local news and jobs simply isn’t effective.”

Where will Rangers games be broadcast?

The station had been broadcasting Kitchener Rangers hockey games for around thirty years.

Mike Farwell, a talk show host at 570 News Radio, served as the OHL team’s play-by-play announcer.

In a public statement Wednesday, the team remarked that 570 News Radio was “an incredible partner to the Rangers. We are incredibly grateful to the entire staff.”

“We understand how important our game broadcasts are for fans throughout the region and beyond. We’re actively looking into alternative options so our dedicated fans can keep following the team, and we look forward to sharing more details as plans develop.”

Mike Farwell was a host on 570 News Radio in Kitchener and was also the play-by-play announcer for the Kitchener Rangers. The Rangers are now searching for a new broadcaster after Rogers announced it was shutting down the radio station on Tuesday. (Mike Farwell/Twitter)

In a statement given to , Luca Lombardi, speaking for the Rangers said they’re considering options such as producing all broadcasts internally or pursuing radio simulcasts while launching digital streaming alongside selling partnerships to help cover costs.

Rogers cuts hundreds of jobs, closes radio stations across Canada | Hanomansing Tonight

Rogers Sports & Media disclosed it’s closing six radio stations across multiple Canadian cities – Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax and Kitchener – as part of layoffs resulting in eliminating 230 jobs.

‘Journalism is a public service’: advocacy group

Mirko Petricevic founded Ink-stained Wretches-a group focused on promoting local journalism-and says this closure hits hard for community members.

“First off, journalism serves as a public service,” Petricevic mentioned.

“As residents living in democratic societies we have rights concerning what’s happening around us along with access verified information. Fewer sources adhering strictly journalistic standards lead more room for rumors and misinformation spreading within communities which isn’t healthy.”

Petricevic encouraged people to consider broader implications here.

“Many will hear about this closure today without realizing there’s much bigger issues at play here-this kind gradual decline has been ongoing now close two decades.”

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