Image Credit: Q-101 FM

By Michael Reeve / Q-101 Merritt / James Peters

CRTC Approval

Kamloops-based Jim Pattison Broadcast Group purchases Merritt’s Q-101

Dec 22, 2020 | 10:34 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — The CRTC has approved the application by the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group (JPBG) to take over ownership of Merritt Broadcasting Ltd CKMQ-FM, Q-101.

Owner of Merritt Broadcasting Elizabeth Laird began the process of selling the corporation earlier this year with the hopes of moving towards retirement.

“We’re excited that the decision from the CRTC is now approved, allowing us to complete the sale of Q-101 Merritt Broadcasting Ltd,” said Laird. “It has been an honour to serve Merritt and the Nicola Valley for 26 years as a family business and we’re extremely happy to be able to turn the reins over to another family company that believes in the importance of serving their communities.”

The Kamloops-based Jim Pattison Broadcast Group owns and operates 47 radio stations across Western Canada as well as three television stations, including CFJC TV based out of Kamloops.

“We’re very excited to have this opportunity to grow into another market that complements our other Western Canadian radio and television stations,” said JPBG President Rod Schween in the release. “It will be our Broadcast division’s focus to continue to super serve the advertisers, listeners and community in Merritt, just as they have come to expect and enjoy from the Laird family. We appreciate that in making this decision, the Commission recognizes our commitment to community and locally focused programming.”

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The CRTC lists the transaction value as $678,030.

In the release, Pattison stated its intention to offer continued employment to all of Q101’s current employees and keep the station offices based in Merritt.

In total 48 interventions were filed with the CRTC, all in support of the application.

The sale closes on December 31, 2020.

(Disclosure: Jim Pattison Broadcast Group owns CFJC Today.)