CKFM-FM

Last updated • 5 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
CKFM-FM
Broadcast area Greater Toronto Area
Frequency 99.9 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding99.9 Virgin Radio
Programming
Languages English
Format Top 40/CHR
Subchannels
Affiliations Premiere Networks
Ownership
Owner Bell Media
History
First air date
1947(78 years ago) (1947)
Call sign meaning
Frequency Modulation (broadcast band)
Technical information
Licensing authority
 CRTC
Class C1
ERP 40,000 watts
HAAT 420.5 metres (1,380 ft)
Links
Webcast Listen live (via iHeartRadio)
Website www.virginradio.ca/toronto.html

CKFM-FM (99.9  FM 99.9 Virgin Radio ) is a Canadian radio station in Toronto, Ontario. The station is owned by Bell Media. The station airs a contemporary hit radio format, and is the flagship of Canada's "Virgin Radio" stations. CKFM's studios are located at 250 Richmond Street West in the Entertainment District, while its transmitter is located at the top of the CN Tower.

Contents

History

Early years

CKFM's former studios at 2 St. Clair West until May 2014, when CKFM moved to Bell Media's 250 Richmond Street West, adjacent to 299 Queen Street West Building Of Newstalk 1010 CFRB, CHBM-FM (Boom 97-3) & CKFM-FM (99-9 Virgin Radio).jpg
CKFM's former studios at 2 St. Clair West until May 2014, when CKFM moved to Bell Media's 250 Richmond Street West, adjacent to 299 Queen Street West

The station was launched in 1938, by the Rogers Radio Broadcasting Co. Ltd. (operated by Ted Rogers Sr., the father of the founder of Rogers Communications, as experimental FM station VE9AK. [1] The station went off the air between 1942 and 1945, due to the war. It began broadcasting at 99.9 FM in 1947, as CFRB-FM, a simulcast of CFRB. Rogers Radio Broadcasting eventually became known as Standard Broadcasting, which was acquired by Argus Corporation in 1948.

In April 1961, the complete simulcast was dropped, in favour of some unique programming.

In April 1963, the station changed its call letters to CKFM-FM. All CFRB programming was discontinued. The station adopted an easy listening and MOR format, which lasted for many years and was very successful in ratings (a 1974 Billboard magazine article claimed the station had the most listeners in the 25-to-34-year-old age group of any Canadian radio station, AM or FM). During this time period, CKFM carried a few specialty shows, including a Sunday evening reggae program. Towards the latter part of the 1980s, CKFM transitioned towards a more younger-targeting adult contemporary format.

Mix/Mix FM (1991–2008)

Mix 99.9 logo, used from 1992-2006. Mix99.9 FM logo.PNG
Mix 99.9 logo, used from 1992–2006.

The station adopted the brand name Mix 99.9, on September 2, 1991, and adopted a hot adult contemporary format to compete with CHUM-FM. The first song on "Mix" was "Changes" by David Bowie. [2] The brand name was changed slightly to 99.9 Mix FM on August 8, 2006, and the branding was phased in throughout the day. This coincided with the return of former Kiss 92 and CHFI-FM morning show hosts Mad Dog and Billie to Toronto radio.

A Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decision from May 31, 2007, stated that the station's call sign was changed to CFMX-FM. [3] Within weeks, the station reverted to CKFM-FM, due to both potential confusion with CFMZ-FM as that station, licensed to Cobourg but also heard in Toronto because of a rebroadcaster, was previously known as CFMX-FM; and because [4] as of November 14, 2007, according to Industry Canada databases, the Toronto rebroadcaster of CFMZ was actually still known as CFMX-FM-1 (not CFMZ-FM-1). [5]

On October 28, 2007, CKFM was purchased by Astral Media as part of its purchase of Standard Broadcasting. Since its purchase by Astral, the hot adult contemporary format went in a more rhythmic-leaning direction, patterned after sister stations CJFM-FM in Montreal and CKZZ-FM in Vancouver, which both carried rhythmic-leaning hot AC formats. It also began airing the American Top 40 , which usually airs on Top 40/CHR stations across the U.S. and Canada.

Virgin Radio (2008–present)

Former "Virgin" logo (2008-2019) CKFM-FM.png
Former "Virgin" logo (2008–2019)

Astral announced a partnership with the Virgin Group to rebrand the station 99.9 Virgin Radio (pronounced, "nine-nine-nine Virgin Radio") on August 25, 2008, taking effect at 4 pm that day. [6] The final song on "Mix" was Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)", while the first song on "Virgin" was Madonna's "Like a Virgin". The change came just before the original British Virgin station was slated to lose its licence to the "Virgin" name and rebrand as Absolute Radio. [7]

Astral officials indicated at the time that, if the rebranding was successful, the "Virgin" brand would eventually be rolled out to other markets nationwide. [8] Barely three months later, on December 4, Astral deemed the new brand a success, and announced that stations in Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver will be rebranded as "Virgin" stations effective early January 2009. [9] All three stations will retain essentially the same formats (rock at the Ottawa station, hot AC in Montreal and Vancouver). In addition to the aforementioned three stations, the "Virgin" branding has since been expanded to Calgary, Edmonton, London, Winnipeg, Kitchener, Halifax, Victoria, Kelowna and Windsor.

By September 2009, CKFM shifted to a Top 40/CHR format.

In June 2010, CKFM slightly changed its branding 99.9 Virgin Radio (pronounced, "ninety-nine-nine Virgin Radio"). A week after the change, the station held a contest called "Say it & Win!", where the 99th caller gets 10 seconds to say their new branding, "ninety-nine-nine Virgin Radio" for as many times as they can. For each time the contestant read out their new name, $100 would be given to them. [10]

On June 27, 2013, Bell Media completed its acquisition of Astral Media, making CKFM a sister station to sports talk-formatted CHUM and hot AC-formatted CHUM-FM. Due to CRTC ownership limits, Bell and Astral's fellow FM stations CFXJ-FM and CHBM-FM were sold to Newcap Radio (now as Stingray Radio).

Morning show

When the station rebranded as "Virgin", mornings were hosted by Mad Dog and Billie. In July 2011, Billie was let go from the station, with midday host Maura being moved to mornings. In March 2015, Mad Dog was let go, with Scott Tucker from sister station CIQM succeeding him in mornings. [11] [12] Shortly after, Bell announced that former "Virgin" host Adam Wylde and afternoon host TJ would host mornings beginning January 1. A few weeks later, Jax Irwin, formerly of CKIS, would join as a co-host. [13]

In June 2023, Wylde and Irwin announced they would both leave the station. [14] After a temporary morning show hosted by Chris Kelly and Deepa Prashad, Bell announced that Daryn Jones would join the station for mornings, alongside Prashad, in December. [15]

HD Radio

On July 4, 2017, CKFM launched HD Radio multi-casting services. The HD1 sub-channel carries the same programming as the standard analog frequency. As of mid-2018, the HD2 sub-channel carries a simulcast of sister station CFRB, the HD3 sub-channel carries a simulcast of CHUM, and the HD4 channel carries a country format branded as Pure Country.

Controversies

After Virgin posters featuring a kitchen radio poised at the edge of a TTC subway platform with the caption "give your radio a reason to live," [16] had appeared in Toronto, [17] Toronto Public Space Committee criticized poster ad was "in poor taste". The city's transportation department later ordered the removal of the posters. According to TTC chair Adam Giambrone, the TTC had allowed the photo for the poster to be taken at a subway station based on a request to photograph various radios on TTC platforms. Although a supervisor was on site, there was no indication on how the photos would be used in the ad. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CFRB</span> Radio station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

CFRB is a commercial radio station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is owned by Bell Media and carries a News/Talk radio format. Its studios and offices are in the Entertainment District at 250 Richmond Street West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CFXJ-FM</span> Country music radio station in Toronto

CFXJ-FM is a radio station in Toronto, Ontario. Owned by Stingray Radio, it broadcasts a country music format. Its studios are located on Yonge Street at St. Clair Avenue in Toronto's Deer Park neighbourhood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CHUM (AM)</span> Sports radio station in Toronto

CHUM is a Canadian AM radio station in Toronto, Ontario. The station is owned and operated by Bell Media. CHUM's studios are co-located with TSN at 9 Channel Nine Court in the Agincourt neighbourhood of Scarborough, with its transmitter array located in the Clarkson neighbourhood of Mississauga. TSN 1050 is simulcast on Bell Satellite TV channel 989, and on Shaw Direct channel 867. The station is also carried on the 3rd HD digital subchannel of CKFM-FM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CIOO-FM</span> Radio station in Halifax, Nova Scotia

CIOO-FM is a Canadian adult contemporary formatted radio station, broadcasting at 100.1 FM in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The station uses the on-air brand name Move 100. It was originally owned by Toronto based CHUM Limited until the company's buy-out by CTVglobemedia in 2007, and then Bell Media in 2011. CIOO's studios are located at the intersection of Russell and Agricola Streets in Halifax, with its transmitter located on Washmill Lake Drive in Clayton Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CHFI-FM</span> Radio station in Toronto

CHFI-FM is a commercial radio station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Owned and operated by Rogers Radio, a division of Rogers Sports & Media, it broadcasts an Adult contemporary format. The studios are in the Rogers Building on the northwest corner of Bloor and Jarvis Streets in Downtown Toronto. CHFI is often the most listened-to commercial radio station in Greater Toronto, according to the Numeris ratings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CJAD</span> News/talk radio station in Montreal

CJAD is a commercial radio station operating in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The station has an English language news/talk radio format and identifies itself on-air as CJAD 800. Owned and operated by Bell Media, it has a daytime power of 50,000 watts but reduces power to 10,000 watts at night to avoid interfering with other stations on AM 800. The transmitter is located near Saint-Édouard, while studios and offices are located on René-Lévesque Boulevard East in Downtown Montreal. CJAD can be heard across Canada on Bell Satellite TV channel 953.

CHUM-FM (104.5 FM) is a Canadian radio station in Toronto, Ontario. Owned by Bell Media, the station airs a hot adult contemporary format. CHUM-FM's studios are located at 250 Richmond Street West in the Entertainment District, while its transmitter is located atop the CN Tower. The station is simulcast on Shaw Direct channel 872, and on Bell Satellite TV channel 990. CHUM-FM is consistently one of Toronto's most popular stations according to Numeris' radio ratings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CKZZ-FM</span> Radio station in Vancouver

CKZZ-FMZ95.3 is a commercial FM radio station in Vancouver, British Columbia. The station airs a hot adult contemporary format, and is owned by Stingray Group. The studios are on Horseshoe Way in Richmond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CKGM</span> Radio station in Montreal

CKGM is an English-language AM radio station in Montreal, Quebec, owned by Bell Media Radio. Formerly an affiliate of sports radio network "The Team," it was one of three stations to retain the sports format after the network folded in 2002 until it switched to the TSN Radio branding in October 2011. CKGM has been an all-sports station since May 2001. Its studios and offices are located on René Lévesque Boulevard East in Downtown Montreal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CFMZ-FM</span> Classical music radio station in Toronto

CFMZ-FM is an FM radio station that is licensed to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Broadcasting on 96.3 MHz, the station is owned by ZoomerMedia and airs a classical music radio format. CFMZ's studios are located on Jefferson Avenue in Liberty Village, while its transmitter is located atop First Canadian Place in downtown Toronto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CING-FM</span> Radio station in Hamilton, Ontario

CING-FM is a Canadian radio station in Hamilton, Ontario. The station airs a hot adult contemporary format. CING's studios are located on Main Street West in Hamilton, while its transmitter is located near Hwy 5 and Millgrove Side Rd in Flamborough. CING is owned by Corus Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CFMG-FM</span> Radio station in Edmonton, Alberta

CFMG-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting from Edmonton, Alberta. Branded as 104.9 Virgin Radio, the station airs a Top 40/CHR format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CKSL</span> Former radio station in London, Ontario

CKSL was a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 1410 AM in London, Ontario, Canada. The station aired a comedy radio format branded as Funny 1410. The station broadcast with a power of 10,000 watts from its transmitter site located on Scotland Drive in South London. The station's coverage area was directional to the north and south during the day, and towards the north at night to protect WDOE in Dunkirk, New York, located across Lake Erie from CKSL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CHJX-FM</span> Radio station in Ontario, Canada

CHJX-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting 24 hours a day on 99.9 FM in London, Ontario. The station airs a Contemporary Christian music format branded as Faith 99.9 . CHJX-FM broadcasts several evangelistic teaching programs, Christian music in the morning and mid-day, with Christian contemporary music during the evening and overnight.

Bell Media Radio, G.P., 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.

CKLC-FM is a commercial radio station in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It broadcasts a country format and is branded on-air as Pure Country 99. It is owned and operated by Bell Media which also owns sister station CFLY-FM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CHSU-FM</span> Radio station in Kelowna, British Columbia

CHSU-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 99.9 FM in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. The station currently broadcasts a CHR/Top 40 format branded as 99.9 Virgin Radio.

CFMX-FM is a commercial radio station in Cobourg, Ontario, and serving the Peterborough area. It is owned by ZoomerMedia and airs a classical music format branded as Classical 103.1. It is a semi-satellite of Toronto's 96.3 CFMZ-FM. All music programming originates from Toronto, although 24 hours per week of locally oriented talk, news and spoken word programming broadcasts from radio studios in Cobourg. During the simulcast music shows, CFMX-FM inserts local commercials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CJCH-FM</span> Radio station in Halifax, Nova Scotia

CJCH-FM is a commercial radio station in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The station broadcasts a Top 40/CHR format branded on-air as 101.3 Virgin Radio, and is owned by Bell Media. CJCH's studios and offices are located at the intersection of Russell and Agricola streets in Halifax. The transmitter is located on Washmill Lake Drive in Clayton Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">250 Richmond Street West</span> Headquarters of iHeartRadio Canada in Toronto

250 Richmond Street West is a studio complex in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The building now serves as the headquarters of iHeartRadio Canada's national radio operations of Bell Media, and as the studios of the company's Toronto radio stations, CHUM-FM, CFRB and CKFM-FM.

References

  1. ↑ "CKFM-FM". Canadian Communications Foundation. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  2. ↑ The ultimate FM turn-on Greg Quill, Toronto Star, September 3, 1991
  3. ↑ "ARCHIVED - Acquisition of assets". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. www.crtc.gc.ca. Government of Canada. 28 September 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  4. ↑ Fybush, Scott (2007-10-22). "NorthEast Radio Watch" . Retrieved 2007-11-14.
  5. ↑ Call sign search and Broadcasting database (ZIP file) Archived 2013-12-07 at the Wayback Machine (using the file fmstatio.dbf) from Industry Canada. Retrieved on November 14, 2007.
  6. ↑ "Astral Media and Virgin launch North America's first Virgin radio station in Toronto". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  7. ↑ SMG sells Virgin Radio for £53m, Kate Allen, The Guardian , May 31, 2008
  8. ↑ Astral tests Virgin branding, Grant Robertson, The Globe and Mail , August 26, 2008
  9. ↑ Astral press release, December 4, 2008
  10. ↑ Say it & Win Contest, June 21, 2010
  11. ↑ https://globalnews.ca/news/1863468/veteran-radio-personality-jay-mad-dog-michaels-let-go-from-virgin-radio/ In November 2018, Tucker and Maura were let go from the station.
  12. ↑ Virgin Radio Toronto Lays Off On-Air Staff Amidst Speculation of Brand Flip
  13. ↑ Jax Irwin Joins Adam Wylde and TJ on Virgin Radio Toronto Mornings
  14. ↑ Adam Wylde and Jax Irwin announce departure from Virgin Radio Toronto
  15. ↑ Connie Thiessen (December 4, 2023). "Daryn Jones and Deepa Prashad take over mornings at Virgin Radio Toronto". Broadcast Dialogue.
  16. ↑ "Ads of the World™". adsoftheworld.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  17. ↑ TTC Kills the Radio Star. Torontoist , April 16, 2009.
  18. ↑ City pulls ad posters with suicide theme. Toronto Star , April 17, 2009.

43°38′33″N79°23′14″W / 43.64250°N 79.38722°W / 43.64250; -79.38722

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.