Bell Media to Acquire Four Ontario Radio Stations from Larche Communications Inc.

– Bell Media to expand iHeartRadio Canada's industry-leading radio network with acquisition of award-winning FM radio brands The Dock and KICX Country –

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TORONTO, Aug. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Bell Media announced today it has signed an agreement to acquire four FM radio stations in Ontario from Larche Communications Inc. (LCI) The addition of The Dock and KICX Country-branded stations to Bell Media's existing 105 iHeartRadio Canada stations helps broaden the network's industry-leading reach across the country, allowing further connection with listeners in Sudbury, Midland, Orillia, and Owen Sound.

Subject to CRTC approval, Bell Media will acquire the following four stations from LCI:

104.1 The Dock (CICZ-FM) – Classic hits format in Midland
92.3 The Dock (CJOS-FM) – Classic hits format in Owen Sound
KICX Country 91.7 (CICS-FM) – Country format in Sudbury
KICX Country 106 (CICX-FM) – Country format in Orillia

"We look forward to welcoming these award-winning stations and their teams to Bell Media, and to building on the strong legacies they've created," said Nikki Moffat, President, Local Radio and TV and Senior Vice-President, Finance, Bell Media. "Each station has loyal listeners and is a strong performer in its market, and this acquisition will further strengthen iHeartRadio Canada's cross-country radio network. We are proud to continue to make significant investments in local radio and deliver the highest-quality experience for our listeners on multiple platforms."

"I believe Bell Media is uniquely positioned to build on our strong brands and reputation," said Paul Larche, President & CEO, LCI. "They are committed to maintaining the strong relationship our team has cultivated with our community, listeners, and advertisers. This can only be enhanced by their television stations in two of our markets."

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Twitter:
@1041TheDock
@923TheDock
@KICX917
@KICX106

Facebook:
Facebook.com/BellMediaInc

About Larche Communications Inc.
Larche Communications Inc. (LCI) is a Canadian media company which currently operates four radio stations and a digital agency in the province of Ontario. Based in Simcoe County, the company began in 1996. LCI's stations include 104.1 The Dock (Simcoe County), KICX 106 (Simcoe County), 92.3 The Dock (Owen Sound) and KICX 91.7 (Sudbury). Larche also owns Larche Digital Agency, based in Barrie. LCI stations have won over 25 industry awards, including being named the Canadian Country Music Association's (CCMA) Station of the year eight times. LCI has also been recognized with community awards in Midland, Orillia, Barrie, Owen Sound, and Sudbury. In the past nine years, LCI stations have raised over $2.5 million in their "radio for…" campaigns for advanced local health care.

About Bell Media
Bell Media creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada's leading content creation company with premier assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada's highest-rated television network; 30 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, and four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran. Bell Media is also Canada's largest radio broadcaster, with 215 music channels including 105 licensed radio stations in 54 markets across the country, all part of the iHeartRadio brand and streaming service. Bell Media owns Astral Out of Home with a network of more than 30,000 advertising faces in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec, and Nova Scotia. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites; delivers TV Everywhere with its CraveTV and GO video streaming services; operates multi-channel network Much Digital Studios; produces live theatrical shows via its partnership with Iconic Entertainment Studios; and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.

SOURCE Bell Media

Rob Duffy, Bell Media, 416.384.5717 or [email protected]; Renee Dupuis, Bell Media, 416.384.3154 or [email protected]