Declining ad revenues force Rogers to restructure, maintaining operations but reducing roles nationwide
Rogers Sports and Media has announced the elimination of a “few dozen” positions within its audio business.
The company attributes the decision to a volatile advertising market that has led to declining revenue, according to BNN Bloomberg.
In a statement released Wednesday, Rogers said the move reflects the need to adapt to these conditions and adjust operating expenses to remain competitive in a shifting environment.
“With the radio industry continuing to feel the pressure of an uncertain advertising market, we made some difficult but necessary changes in our audio business impacting roles in several markets,” said Rogers spokesperson Charmaine Khan.
She also expressed gratitude to the departing team members for their dedication to the company’s listeners and advertisers.
Rogers, which operates 56 radio stations across Canada alongside a podcast and streaming audio network, confirmed there would be no closures as part of the layoffs.
All existing radio stations, programming, and podcasts will continue to operate.
Despite the job cuts, Rogers Sports and Media reported an 11 per cent year-over-year increase in media revenue for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023.
Chief executive Tony Staffieri described the period as a “strong quarter” during a conference call with financial analysts. However, the company clarified that the revenue growth was primarily due to higher sports-related revenue.
This latest development follows a series of operational changes within Rogers.
In October 2023, the company closed its CityNews Ottawa radio station, formerly known as 1310NEWS, citing shrinking audiences and regulatory challenges.
Fewer than 10 newsroom staff were affected, though the station maintained an online presence supported by two digital reporters.
Rogers has also made other workforce adjustments following its $26bn acquisition of Shaw Communications Inc. last year.
The company offered voluntary departure packages to eligible employees, excluding media staff, on-air talent, and most customer-facing roles.
A small percentage of employees also left involuntarily after the merger, though Rogers did not disclose specific numbers.
The media industry has faced widespread job cuts in recent months, with Rogers’ competitors making similar moves.
In February, BCE Inc. announced layoffs affecting 4,800 positions, including cuts at its Bell Media subsidiary. The restructuring led to the cancellation of several television newscasts and programming changes, as well as the sale of 45 of its 103 regional radio stations.
In November 2023, Quebecor Inc.’s TVA Group announced a major restructuring that resulted in the layoff of 547 employees, representing 31 per cent of its workforce.
The changes included a significant overhaul of its news division, the cessation of in-house entertainment content production, and the optimisation of real estate assets.
The media industry continues to navigate financial challenges, with companies like Rogers adjusting operations and staffing to address shifting market dynamics.
While Rogers has indicated that its audio operations will remain intact, the layoffs underscore the mounting pressures facing traditional media businesses amid a rapidly evolving advertising landscape.
