Evesdropped over beers that a friend heard from a gal that "knows" that The Goat in Alberta's east is going to Vista.  Makes three for Vista now in AB...Free-Fm in Grande Prairie and 2 The Goats, in Lloydminster and Bonnyville (pending CRTC stamps).  

Management aggreements with Newcap on the way?  More indie buyouts to come?  Is Vista that bad of an employer if unions aren't involved?

Shania: "Mann, I feel like a Vista.  OW"

Stew Dent is the owner of the Goat. If true, sad to see another creative indy sold off. I'm sure it won't dent his pocket book. Website recently updated as well. Any idea the value of the station?
http://www.borderrock.com/ Vista has deep pockets plus debts.

It could end up the way of a company growing to fast.

I understand they were all told of the sale over the weekend.  This really can't be seen as a good thing especially if you go back and look at "Vista" threads on this site.

See...

Vista should really be carefull on who they let slip thru their fingers.  A while back they let Terry Sheppard go.  

Now they don't have a Sheppard for their Goats!!!!!

Thank you people!!! I'm here all week...and don't forget to tip your waitress!

Quoted from Gotobreak

Vista has deep pockets plus debts.

It could end up the way of a company growing to fast.

It's not very often that I do, but I have to add my two cents here.

I know for a fact that there are former Vista Employees who are still waiting for settlements in wrongful dismissal suits, yet Vista continues to spend thousands even millions of dollars on new licence applications, radio station aquisitions and the start up costs associated with getting a new licence. I'm not privy to the amount that each of the former employees is asking for, but I'll bet that it doesn't even come remotely close to what Vista has spent in the last year or so. I've been in this business for 30 years and have worked for some really great stations and some really crappy ones (haven't we all) I know some of these people who are in litigation with Vista and they deserve every penny they're asking for, but Vista's answer to them is to stall and spend thousands of dollars on thier own lawyer only to put off the inevitable and the sad part is that the former Vista employee probably won't see much of the settlement once they've paid for thier lawyer. What kind of company is that to work for? and tell me that's good business?

Vista preaches the fact that they are a "people first" company, I put it to them to put their money where their mouth is and give these former employees their setlements and MOVE ON.

Nice one again Zane, but you know I have to ask you this one...do you think that a shepherd would have a real tough time staying awake during inventory?????

this is the story you don't like to read about... unless, of course, you're a vista exec.

especially if you're some other conglomerate who's offered to buy the stations (well, the brand) previously and been turned down.

there is quite a bit of vista "bashing" here, but i think if nothing to little changes in lloyd/bonnyville, then nothing or little will be complained about either *crosses fingers*

OR you are a current Vista employee and proud to see the company expanding & know there is much more yet to come.

Some of the management at Vista are old school Okanagan Skeena Group. They have plenty of accalaids and credentials from kissing everyone in the industry's ass, and held little respect for most of their own employees. One guy, who will remain nameless here, but did suffer from small mans syndrome, actually wanted me to can everyone that was doing their job, and hang on to those that kissed his ass. He was so out of touch it was comical.    

I was also a victim of the "Okanagan Skeena-Nor Net" Axis of Evil  back about 10 years ago.  Where oh where have all the good radio companies gone???

I heard 7 million was the price, can anyone confirm?

I managed to survive both OSG and Vista!  Still got that twitch though

Anyone have any news on how these take-overs are going?  Have they happened yet?  And if so did they keep the "GOAT" or has it been changed to something less...er...goaty...?  Did they go in a shake things up or keep everything the same?

Just wondering.

All sales need CRTC approval, so there will be something gazetted at some point prior to the official "sale" happening.  Nothing on the CRTC site yet, which leads me to believe that it's business as usual.

Well being in Bonnyville myself on the competing station, as far as I know it's still in the process. I think this might be a good thing for us though, it'll keep us on our toes when we see what Vista brings to the Goat.