Krok Radio, which had been operating in Zhytomyr since 2002, has officially ceased broadcasting. The station’s co-founder, former oblast council deputy Tetyana Ivanytska reported this to the Institute of Mass Information representative in Zhytomyr oblast. She says the closure was mainly caused by financial difficulties and understaffing, which were exacerbated by the beginning of the full-scale war.

“The situation changed a few months ago. For the last 10 years, since the station’s original founder Ihor Ivanytskyi passed away, the radio station has been running on money from other businesses. We never had stable ad revenues because local radio stations are rarely of interest to advertisers. So we have been supporting the station with our own money. However, the war has exacerbated the challenges: some journalists left, and we have been running as a music station. Ahead of us were the required investments in licensing, technical equipment, but the resources are limited. And we know that regional radio stations are not supported by the state or the authorities,” said Tetyana Ivanytska.

She added that the decision to close operations was not easy.

“It was a big part of our lives, we created the team, trained the journalists, had literature segments, organized music programs and believed in what we were doing. There was even a moment once when there was no money, and I sold my fur coat to pay the journalists’ salaries. Closing Krok Radio down was a difficult decision. I loved our radio station very much, but the time had come to do it. Now a new company will broadcast on these frequencies, with a different music format and approach,” said Tetyana Ivanytska.

Yuriy Kamyshnyi, Honored Artist of Ukraine and a fan of Krok Radio, shared his thoughts in the comment of the IMI representative.

“I adored Ihor Ivanytskyi, who created this radio, I adore his programs, his perspective, views on life, his programs on culture and art, philosophy, history. And music. There was no such music on any other channel. I enjoyed this wave all the time, and it’s a pity that it closed down. We really lack quality content – on artists, on culture, on art, as well as good, high-quality music,” said Yuriy Kamyshnyi.

As reported by the National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine, the Zhytomyr city radio company Krok Radio will now operate under the name NewDayFM – New Day’s Mood.