Rogers Sports & Media announced Friday that its news radio stations – including Toronto’s CFTR 680 NEWS – will be rebranded under CityNews to “become a powerhouse local news offering in each market.”
The communications and media company says the change is strictly in brand identity only, as loyal listeners will continue to receive the same content from 680 NEWS, CKWX NEWS 1130 (Vancouver), CFFR 660 NEWS (Calgary), CJNI NEWS 95.7 (Halifax), and CKGL 570 NEWS (Kitchener).
“Putting our incredible team and all of our resources behind one brand will help to strongly convey who we are to audiences and advertisers, plus it gives us the opportunity to produce more content for social and digital to better serve each community,” said Julie Adam, Senior Vice President of News and Entertainment at Rogers Sports & Media.
The rebranding for each station will be taking place in the fall of 2021. Additional details will be shared with each specific market at that time.
In December 2020, Rogers announced a similar rebrand of 1310 NEWS in Ottawa, which became CityNews Ottawa & The Valley, as two local news websites merged into one.
Rogers says the move had a positive effect in the local market, pointing to a 31 percent increase in audience digital listening year-over-year as well as a 37 percent increase in “first preference” choice by local listeners.
“Combining our award-winning news teams builds on the strength and reputation of stations like 680 NEWS and shows our deep commitment to continue delivering the best news to audiences, on any platform, simplifying the choice for consumers with one brand offer,” said Dave Budge, Vice President of News and Information at Rogers Sports & Media.
680 NEWS in Toronto first launched in 1993. To distinguish itself from CHFI-FM, 680 NEWS changed its call letters to CFTR with the “TR” as a tribute to radio pioneer Ted Rogers Sr.
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