Bell Media Radio

Last updated

Bell Media Radio, G.P.
iHeartRadio Canada
FormerlyCHUM Radio (1945–2011)
Company type Subsidiary
Industry Radio broadcasting
Predecessor CHUM Limited
Founded1945;80 years ago (1945) (as CHUM Limited)
2011;14 years ago (2011) (Bell Media Radio)
2016;9 years ago (2016) (iHeartRadio Canada)
Headquarters 250 Richmond Street West, ,
Canada
Key people
Randy Lennox (president of broadcasting) [1]
Parent Bell Media
Divisions Orbyt Media (formerly CHUM Radio Network)
Website bellmedia.ca

Bell Media Radio, G.P. (formerly CHUM Radio), operating as iHeartRadio Canada, is the radio broadcasting and music events subsidiary of Canadian media conglomerate Bell Media, a division of BCE Inc.. The company owns stations across the country, including in most of Canada's largest radio markets. The company's programming is distributed to other stations across Canada via its syndication division, Orbyt Media, and it is also the local licensee of the Virgin Radio brand.

Contents

iHeartRadio Canada's originated in 1945 as CHUM Radio which was then acquired by CTVglobemedia in 2007 and expanded upon the acquisition of Astral Media in 2013. The company operated over 71 radio stations across the country until 2023. Today, it operates 55 stations after a series of sales and closures.

History

The company has its origins in CHUM Limited, which was acquired by CTVglobemedia in 2006. Through subsequent acquisitions, it also subsumed the radio properties of Astral Media in 2013; many of these were former Standard Radio stations that were acquired by Astral in 2007.

In 2016, Bell Media reached a licensing agreement with U.S. radio conglomerate iHeartMedia to operate a localized version of its internet radio platform iHeartRadio, and organize Canadian versions of its event franchises (such as the Jingle Ball). Since this agreement, Bell has primarily promoted its audio content, including radio stations and podcasts, under the public-facing brand iHeartRadio Canada.

In 2023, Bell Media laid off 6% of its workforce and closed nine of its radio stations and sold three as part of a restructuring plan and consolidated newsrooms across its platforms, resulting in its news/talk stations laying off most of their news staff and relying instead on the local and national newsrooms of CTV News. Stations closed included Winnipeg's CFRW, Calgary's CKMX, Edmonton's CFRN, Vancouver's CFTE and CKST and London's CJBK while Hamilton's CKOC and CHAM and Windsor's CKWW were sold [2] to CINA Radio Group for $455,000. [3]

On February 8, 2024, parent company BCE announced a total of cuts across the company, including 4,800 layoffs—with approximately 10% of those jobs being at Bell Media specifically, and the sale of 45 of its 103 radio stations to Vista Radio, Whiteoaks Communications Group, Durham Radio, My Broadcasting Corporation, ZoomerMedia, Arsenal Media and Maritime Broadcasting, pending approval by the CRTC. [4] Bell executive Robert Malcolmson told Canadian Press that the "significant divestiture" of Bell's radio assets occurred "because it's not a viable business anymore". [5]

Operations

Former CHUM Radio logo Chumradio.png
Former CHUM Radio logo

Its head office is currently located at 250 Richmond Street West in Toronto, where the studios of its Toronto flagship stations CHUM-FM, CKFM-FM, CFRB and CHUM-AM are located. CHUM-AM and CHUM-FM moved from their historic location, 1331 Yonge Street, after the property was sold to Aspen Ridge Homes for $21.5 million. [6] [7] Former Standard Radio stations CFRB and CKFM were previously located at the intersection of Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue West until 2013. [8]

The CHUM neon sign in 2010, relocated to 250 Richmond Street West CHUM radio neon signs Toronto.jpg
The CHUM neon sign in 2010, relocated to 250 Richmond Street West

CHUM Radio also previously operated CHUM Satellite Services, a multimedia division which provided programming and production services for corporate clients. This operation was acquired in 2009 by Stingray Digital, [9] which eventually renamed it Stingray360.

On January 6, 2016, iHeartMedia announced that Bell Media would enter into a licensing deal to launch a Canadian version of its radio streaming service iHeartRadio. Bell will handle Canadian licensing, marketing, and distribution of the service, contribute its content to the venture, and also gain rights to produce iHeartRadio-branded events. The service launched in October 2016. [10]

Since then, Bell has downplayed the branding "Bell Media Radio" in reference to its stations, and has referred to the collective platform, including the terrestrial stations, online outlets (which were all consolidated under iHeartRadio.ca) and podcasts from Bell Media properties that are distributed under the platform, under the name iHeartRadio Canada. The MuchMusic Video Awards were also re-branded as the iHeartRadio MMVAs.

Programming

Bell's stations broadcast under various formats, although hot adult contemporary and adult hits are particularly common. The stations typically air locally produced or voice-tracked programming for the majority of their schedules, although some national network programming also airs. In 2007 and part of 2008, the hot adult contemporary radio stations also aired the national evening program The Sound Lounge . [11]

As of 2021, the majority of Bell Media's music radio stations operate under standard, networked formats with a mix of local and/or common national programming. [12] [13] These brands include.

Bell's French-language radio stations in Quebec, inherited from Astral Media, have similarly operated using networked formats:

Bell inherited Astral's Boom FM (classic hits) and EZ Rock (adult contemporary) brands during the acquisition as well: presently, Boom FM is used only by two Bell-owned stations, both in Quebec, and the majority of English-language stations using the brand are owned by Stingray Radio (who had acquired the flagship outlet in Toronto, CHBM-FM, as part of divestments during the acquisition). The last remaining EZ Rock-branded stations in Canada were phased out with the launch of the Bounce and Move brands.

Until 2024, Bell also operated three networked brands featuring talk and spoken word programming. Except for TSN Radio (which features a mix of local programming and other acquired sports talk programs and event broadcasts, often syndicated from ESPN Radio and Westwood One), the majority of this programming was automated with little local content:

Following the sale or closure of numerous Bell stations in 2023 and 2024, the BNN Bloomberg and Funny radio brands were no longer in use. Aside from three TSN Radio stations, Bell's remaining news/talk stations carry local programming with some regionally or nationally-syndicated shows, and audio simulcasts of CTV News programs, under the iHeartRadio Talk Network [23] branding.

Bell distributes The Breakfast Club , The Bobby Bones Show , Brooke & Jeffrey , On Air with Ryan Seacrest , and the American Top 40 in Canada via the syndication arm Orbyt Media. [24] Bell began to introduce in-house evening programming for its news/talk stations in 2017 with The Evan Solomon Show (until Solomon's departure in 2023). [25] In 2020, Bell dropped Coast to Coast AM from its stations and replaced it with The Late Shift with Jason Agnew , [26] later replaced in 2021 by the new overnight show The Late Showgram with Jim Richards ; he would later move to an evening show, Newstalk Tonight, in 2022. [26] [27] As of 2024, other Bell Media Radio-syndicated shows include The Vassy Kapelos Show, The Richard Crouse Show, The Jerry Agar Show, and the CTV National News .

In November 2024, Bell Media announced new programming in collaboration with Canadian musician Bryan Adams (in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of his album Reckless ), including a "Bryan Adams Radio" channel on iHeartRadio, and a new syndicated radio show presented by Adams that will launch in January 2025. [28]

Stations

CityCall SignFrequencyBrandingNetworkFormat
Brandon, Manitoba CKX-FM FM 96.1Bounce 96.1 Bounce adult hits
CKXA-FM FM 101.1Pure Country 101 Pure Country country
Calgary, Alberta CIBK-FM FM 98.598.5 Virgin Radio Virgin Radio contemporary hit radio
CJAY-FM FM 92.1CJAY 92 mainstream rock
Edmonton, Alberta CFBR-FM FM 100.3100.3 The Bear active rock
CFMG-FM FM 104.9104.9 Virgin Radio Virgin Radio contemporary hit radio
Fredericton, New Brunswick CKHJ AM 1260Pure Country 103.5 Pure Country country
CFXY-FM FM 105.3Bounce 105.3 Bounce adult hits
CIBX-FM FM 106.9Move 106.9 Move Radio adult contemporary
Gatineau, Quebec CIMF-FM FM 94.994,9 Rouge Rouge FM adult contemporary
CKTF-FM FM 104.1Énergie 104,1 Énergie mainstream rock
Halifax, Nova Scotia CJCH-FM FM 101.3101.3 Virgin Radio Virgin Radio contemporary hit radio
CIOO-FM FM 100.1Move 100 Move Radio adult contemporary
Kitchener, Ontario CKKW-FM FM 99.5Bounce 99.5 Bounce adult hits
CFCA-FM FM 105.3105.3 Virgin Radio Virgin Radio contemporary hit radio
London, Ontario CIQM-FM FM 97.597.5 Virgin Radio Virgin Radio contemporary hit radio
CJBX-FM FM 92.7Pure Country 93 Pure Country country
Magog, Quebec CIMO-FM FM 106.1Énergie 106,1 Énergie mainstream rock
Midland, Ontario CICZ-FM FM 104.1Bounce 104.1 Bounce adult hits
Montreal, Quebec CKGM AM 690TSN 690 TSN Radio sports
CJAD AM 800CJAD 800 AMiHeart Radio Talk Network news/talk
CHOM-FM FM 97.7CHOM 97.7 mainstream rock
CJFM-FM FM 95.995.9 Virgin Radio Virgin Radio contemporary hit radio
CKMF-FM FM 94.3Énergie 94,3 Énergie mainstream rock
CITE-FM FM 107.3107,3 Rouge Rouge FM adult contemporary
Orillia, Ontario CICX-FM FM 105.9Pure Country 106 Pure Country country
Ottawa, Ontario CFRA AM 580580 CFRAiHeart Radio Talk Network news/talk
CFGO AM 1200TSN 1200 TSN Radio sports
CKKL-FM FM 93.9Pure Country 94 Pure Country country
CJMJ-FM FM 100.3Move 100 Move Radio adult contemporary
Pembroke, Ontario CHVR-FM FM 96.7Pure Country 96.7 Pure Country country
Quebec City, Quebec CHIK-FM FM 98.9Énergie 98,9 Énergie mainstream rock
CITF-FM FM 107.5107,5 Rouge Rouge FM adult contemporary
Regina, Saskatchewan CHBD-FM FM 92.7Pure Country 92.7 Pure Country country
Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec CJMM-FM FM 99.1Énergie 99,1 Énergie mainstream rock
Saguenay, Quebec CFIX-FM FM 96.996,9 Rouge Rouge FM adult contemporary
CJAB-FM FM 94.5Énergie 94,5 Énergie mainstream rock
Sherbrooke, Quebec CITE-FM-1 FM 102.7102,7 Rouge Rouge FM adult contemporary
Sudbury, Ontario CICS-FM FM 91.7Pure Country 91.7 Pure Country country
Toronto, Ontario CFRB AM 1010Newstalk 1010iHeart Radio Talk Network news/talk
CHUM AM 1050TSN 1050 TSN Radio sports
CHUM-FM FM 104.5CHUM 104.5 hot adult contemporary
CKFM-FM FM 99.999.9 Virgin Radio Virgin Radio contemporary hit radio
Trois-Rivières, Quebec CHEY-FM FM 94.794,7 Rouge Rouge FM adult contemporary
CIGB-FM FM 102.3Énergie 102,3 Énergie mainstream rock
Val-d'Or, Quebec CJMV-FM FM 102.7Énergie 102,7 Énergie mainstream rock
Vancouver, British Columbia CFBT-FM FM 94.594.5 Virgin Radio Virgin Radio contemporary hit radio
CHQM-FM FM 103.5Move 103.5 Move Radio adult contemporary
Victoria, British Columbia CFAX AM 1070CFAX 1070iHeart Radio Talk Network news/talk
CHBE-FM FM 107.3107.3 Virgin Radio Virgin Radio contemporary hit radio
Windsor, Ontario CKLW AM 800AM 800 CKLWiHeart Radio Talk Network news/talk
CIDR-FM FM 93.993.9 Virgin Radio Virgin Radio contemporary hit radio
CIMX-FM FM 88.7Pure Country 89 Pure Country country
Winnipeg, Manitoba CFWM-FM FM 99.9Bounce 99.9 Bounce adult hits
CKMM-FM FM 103.1103.1 Virgin Radio Virgin Radio contemporary hit radio

    Former stations

    City of licenceCall signFrequencyBandYears ownedFate
    Amqui, QC CFVM-FM 99.9FM2013–2025Sold to Arsenal Media in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Bathurst, NB CKBC-FM 104.9FM2013–2024Sold to Maritime Broadcasting System in 2024
    Brockville, ON CJPT-FM 103.7FM1996–2025Sold to My Broadcasting Corporation in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    CFJR-FM 104.9FM1997–2025Sold to My Broadcasting Corporation in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Calgary, AB CKMX 1060AM2013–2023Defunct, ceased operations in 2023
    CFVP6.03SW2013-2023Defunct shortwave relay of CKMX
    Dawson Creek, BC CJDC 890AM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Drummondville, QC CHRD-FM 105.3FM2013–2025Sold to Arsenal Media in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    CJDM-FM 92.1FM2013–2025Sold to Arsenal Media in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Edmonton, AB CFRN 1260AM2013–2023Defunct, ceased operations in 2023
    CHBN-FM 91.7FM2005–2010Sold to Rogers Sports & Media in 2010
    Fort Nelson, BC CKRX-FM 102.3FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Fort St. John, BC CHRX-FM 98.5FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    CKNL-FM 101.5FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Golden, BC CKGR-FM 106.3FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Grand Falls, NB CIKX-FM 93.5FM2013–2024Sold to Maritime Broadcasting in 2024
    Hamilton, ON CHAM 820AM2013–2024Sold to CINA Radio Group in 2023, CRTC approved sale in 2024
    CKOC 1150AM2013–2024Sold to CINA Radio Group in 2023, CRTC approved sale in 2024
    CKLH-FM 102.9FM2007–2024Sold to Golden Horseshoe Broadcasting in 2024.
    Kawartha Lakes, ON CKLY-FM 91.9FM2000–2025Sold to Durham Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025.
    Kelowna, BC CKFR 1150AM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    CHSU-FM 99.9FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    CILK-FM 101.5FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Kingston, ON CFLY-FM 98.3FM1997–2025Sold to My Broadcasting Corporation in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    CKLC-FM 98.9FM1997–2025Sold to My Broadcasting Corporation in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Kitimat, BC CKTK-FM 97.7FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    London, ON CKSL 1410AM2013–2016Defunct, ceased operations in 2016
    CJBK 1290AM2013–2023Defunct, ceased operations in 2023
    CHST-FM 102.3FM2000–2010Sold to Rogers Sports & Media in 2010
    Nelson, BC CKKC-FM 106.9FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Osoyoos, BC CJOR 1240AM2007–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Owen Sound, ON CJOS-FM 92.3FM2018–2024Sold to ZoomerMedia in 2024
    Penticton, BC CKOR 800AM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    CJMG-FM 97.1FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Peterborough, ON CKPT-FM 99.7FM1977–2025Sold to Durham Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025.
    CKQM-FM 105.1FM1977–2025Sold to Durham Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025.
    Prince Rupert, BC CHTK-FM 99.1FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Revelstoke, BC CKCR-FM 106.1FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Rimouski, QC CIKI-FM 98.7FM2013–2025Sold to Arsenal Media in 2024
    CJOI-FM 102.9FM2013–2025Sold to Arsenal Media in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Saint-Hyacinthe, QC CFEI-FM 106.5FM2013–2025Sold to Arsenal Media in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC CFZZ-FM 104.1FM2013–2025Sold to Arsenal Media in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    St. Catharines, ON CKTB 610AM2013–2024Sold to Golden Horseshoe Broadcasting in 2024
    CHRE-FM 105.7FM2013–2024Sold to Golden Horseshoe Broadcasting in 2024
    CHTZ-FM 97.7FM2013–2024Sold to Golden Horseshoe Broadcasting in 2024
    Salmon Arm, BC CKXR-FM 91.5FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Summerland, BC CHOR-FM 98.5FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Terrace, BC CFTK 590AM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    CJFW-FM 103.1FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Toronto, ON CFXJ-FM 93.5FM2010–2013Sold to Stingray Radio in 2013
    Trail, BC CJAT-FM 95.7FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Truro, NS CKTO-FM 100.9FM2013–2024Sold to Maritime Broadcasting in 2024
    CKTY-FM 99.5FM2013–2024Sold to Maritime Broadcasting in 2024
    Vancouver, BC CKST 1040AM1992–2023Defunct, ceased operations in 2023
    CFTE 1410AM1973–2023Defunct, ceased operations in 2023
    Vernon, BC CICF-FM 105.7FM2013–2025Sold to Vista Radio in 2024, CRTC approved sale in 2025
    Windsor, ON CKWW 580AM1985–2024Sold to CINA Radio Group in 2023, CRTC approved sale in 2024
    Winnipeg, MB CFRW 1290AM1974–2023Defunct, ceased operations in 2023
    Woodstock, NB CJCJ-FM 104.1FM2013–2024Sold to Maritime Broadcasting in 2024

    See also

    References

    1. "Executive Directory – Bell Media".
    2. "BCE laying off 1,300 people, closing foreign news bureaus and 9 radio stations across Canada". CBC News. June 14, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
    3. Connie Thiessen, "Neeti P. Ray makes bid to buy Bell Media AM stations in Hamilton, Windsor". Broadcast Dialogue, November 20, 2023.
    4. "Bell Media planning cuts to CTV, BNN Bloomberg following BCE layoffs, sale of 45 radio stations". CTV News. February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
    5. "'Not a viable business anymore': Bell Media selling 45 radio stations amid layoffs". CityNews. February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
    6. "CHUM site slated for luxury condos". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
    7. "The CHUM sign's new home". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
    8. "CFRB to leave landmark St. Clair offices for Queen West". Toronto Star. July 30, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
    9. Stingray Digital (August 5, 2009). "Stingray Digital acquires CHUM Satellite Services Limited from CTV Limited". Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
    10. "iHeartRadio joins Canada's streaming market through partnership with Bell". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
    11. Thiessen, Connie (December 28, 2020). "Bell Media rebrands 10 stations under 'MOVE Radio' banner". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
    12. "Nationalization Takes Hold In Two Nations: Looking At Today's Three Station Format Shuffle In Detroit/Windsor". RadioInsight. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
    13. 1 2 "Bell Media Bounces 25 Stations Across Canada To New Variety Hits Brand". RadioInsight. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
    14. "Bell Media Moves Ten Stations To New Branding". RadioInsight. December 27, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
    15. "Pure Country: Nationwide rebrand gives new name to Big Dog 92.7". CTV News Regina. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
    16. "Bell Media Rebrands 13 Canadian Country Stations As Pure Country". RadioInsight. May 28, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
    17. 1 2 "Bell cancels all-sports radio format on channels in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Hamilton". CBC News. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
    18. Faguy, Steve (February 2, 2021). "Larger wave of cuts coming at Bell Media this week; UPDATE: 210 positions eliminated in Toronto". Cartt.ca. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
    19. Lorinc, Jacob (February 2, 2021). "Bell Media cuts more than 200 jobs at stations including Newstalk 1010 and CJAD 800". Toronto Star . Retrieved February 2, 2021.
    20. 1 2 Faguy, Steve (February 9, 2021). "Ongoing Bell Media cuts see three TSN radio stations pulled today; Oosterman memo says changes are "now complete" (UPDATED)" . Retrieved February 9, 2021.
    21. "Humble And Fred Return To Radio Via Astral Media, CFRB". All Access. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
    22. "TSN Radio a reality". The Globe and Mail , January 21, 2011.
    23. Thiessen, Connie (March 11, 2022). "Mark Brand to debut new show on iHeartRadio talk network". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
    24. "The Breakfast Club Crosses The Border Into Toronto". RadioInsight. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
    25. "Bell Media Radio Launches New National Talk Radio Program THE EVAN SOLOMON SHOW Beginning September 5". CTV News. August 30, 2017.
    26. 1 2 Thiessen, Connie (March 1, 2021). "Jim Richards helms new national iHeartRadio overnight show". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
    27. Dialogue, Broadcast (November 3, 2022). "Revolving Door". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
    28. Thiessen, Connie (November 5, 2024). "iHeartRadio Canada launches Bryan Adams streaming channel". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved November 9, 2024.