(Vernon Matters photo)

By Vernon Matters Staff

broadcasting

Pattison Media buys third Kelowna radio station

Aug 30, 2023 | 3:10 PM

Pattison Media Ltd. (PML) has expanded its radio holdings in Kelowna.

The B.C.-based company has announced the purchase of CKOV-FM — 103.9 The Lake — from Paul Larsen of Radius Holdings Inc. (Radius). This sale is subject to CRTC approval.

After a more than 30-year career in broadcasting, Larsen decided to sell his last station to PML. His long-term relationship with PML president Rod Schween assured him that this property would be in good hands.

“Rescuing CKOV-FM after it went off air at the start of the pandemic has been one of the most fulfilling accomplishments of my career” Larsen said. “I am proud that together with my talented staff, we were able to save this valuable community resource. It’s been an honour to serve our listeners and clients but as I look to the future, I know the radio station will be in a stronger position long-term as part of a larger media organization. To be able to transition the ownership of CKOV-FM to Pattison Media ensures the station will remain owned by an independent, innovative British Columbia company, with the reputation and resources to take it to new heights.”

“With the evolving broadcasting landscape across the country, the CRTC reached a decision in the recent radio review to allow for one entity to own up to three radio stations on the AM or FM band in a single market,” PML president Rod Schween said. “We are acting on that decision by positioning ourselves to compete strongly for listenership and to emerge as the first choice for listeners and advertisers in the Kelowna market.”

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Schween added PML is proud to be able to have the opportunity to continue the valuable service that Larsen and the staff at CKOV-FM have provided to Kelowna residents.

The acquisition for PML strengthens their position in the highly competitive radio market of Kelowna and enables them to further expand synergies with their current stations, CKLZ-FM — The Lizard; CKQQ-FM — Beach Radio; and the award-winning news portal, Kelowna10.

Pattison Media is headquartered in Kamloops, and is Canada’s largest, private, western-based media company. Their operations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba include 50 radio stations, three television stations, 21 online news portals, podcasting, and digital marketing agencies in 30 different markets.

Vernon Matters is one of the news portals owned by Pattison Media.