ROGERS PULLS THE PLUG ON 570 NEWS

The region is feeling the loss of local 570 NewsRadio, which permanently closed on July 7, 2026. 

The decision to close the station was made by Rogers Sports & Media due to declining audience numbers and revenue trends. 

570 NewsRadio has been a staple of the region since 1929. In 1949, the station launched on the FM dial at 96.7 MHz under the call sign CKCR-FM and provided nearly a century of live news across KW. 

570 NewsRadio kept people informed about what was happening in the community, whether it was traffic, weather, municipal politics, emergencies or local events. The station also had the benefit of direct connection with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). 

570 NewsRadio offered local, live radio providing continuous updates throughout the day. Radio is a democratic medium, providing access for everyone. Radio provides a more accessible experience, especially while driving. 

Lauren Dale, a Kitchener-Waterloo resident and listener of the station, said its closure is part of broader changes affecting local media across Canada, noting its effect on the community. 

“I’ve always seen 570 NewsRadio as one of the few local media outlets in Waterloo Region,” Dale said. “It felt reliable, familiar and connected to the people who live here. You knew that when something significant happened in KW, 570 would be covering it.” 

Josh Goeree worked as a multimedia journalist, producer and news anchor from August 2022 until February 2026. He said that despite being aware of looming changes, the closure was gut-wrenching. 

“I knew that layoffs were coming—you could see the writing on the wall—but I didn’t think Rogers was going to shut down the station this year,” Goeree said. 

After checking which of his colleagues were staying, Goeree discovered only three employees remained, along with two contractors. He explained that many of his coworkers were shocked by the news. 

“Everybody else was gone. We’re talking morning anchors, evening anchors, reporters—all of these people I’d grown up with and seen as a family, seeing them lose their jobs and now they don’t know what to do—it’s heartbreaking,” Goeree said. 

Goeree went on to say that radio is massively important, noting the rise of artificial intelligence in journalism.   

“AM [radio]…still keeps the community informed. It tells people’s stories and, with less coverage, not a lot of people will know what’s happening in their community,” Goeree said. 

The station was also known for hosting live radio broadcasts for the Kitchener Rangers Ontario Hockey League Team for over three decades starting in 1995. This loss leaves Rangers fans without TV or internet unsure of where to turn. 

The Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club released a statement on July 8, 2026, expressing their sadness over the closure, thanking the staff for decades of partnership and announcing that they are actively searching for alternative broadcasting options for fans. 

“Every time a local newsroom closes, there are fewer journalists dedicated to telling local stories and holding local institutions accountable,” Dale said.