Bell Media Radio
Bell Media Radio, G.P. (doing business as Bell Media Radio and branding itself as iHeartRadio Canada in its mobile apps and on its websites; formerly known as CHUM Radio) is the radio broadcasting and music events subsidiary of Canadian media conglomerate Bell Media.
Subsidiary | |
Industry | Radio broadcasting |
Predecessor | CHUM Limited |
Founded | 1945 (as CHUM Limited) 2007 (as CHUM Radio under CTVglobemedia ownership) 2011 (current name) |
Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Key people | Randy Lennox, president of broadcasting[1] |
Owner | BCE Inc. |
Parent | Bell Media |
Divisions | Orbyt Media (formerly CHUM Radio Network) |
Website | bellmedia |
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. In 2016, Bell Media reached a deal with U.S. radio conglomorate iHeartMedia to operate a localized version of its internet radio platform (iHeartRadio) and organize live events in Canada under iHeartMedia brands, such as the Jingle Ball.
Bell Media currently owns over 100 radio stations across Canada, including 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 licencee of the Virgin Radio brand.
Operations
As of August 2009, 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, and CFRB are located. The stations moved from their historic location, 1331 Yonge Street, after the property was sold to Aspen Ridge Homes for $21.5 million.[2][3]
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,[4] 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.[5]
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 other original audio content from Bell Media properties that are distributed under the platform (including podcasts), under the name iHeartRadio Canada. The MuchMusic Video Awards were also re-branded as the iHeartRadio MMVAs.
Programming
Bell's stations broadcast in a variety of formats, although hot adult contemporary and adult hits are particularly common. Its hot AC stations use a variety of brand names, but are all patterned to an extent after flagship CHUM-FM, while its adult hits stations are all branded as Bob FM. The company is the largest private-sector radio operator in Canada with 106 radio stations across the country.
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.
The company also operates eight sports radio stations, all branded as TSN Radio. Three of these stations were formerly part of a larger but short-lived national sports radio network known as The Team, which was launched by CHUM Limited in 2001 on virtually all of the company's AM radio stations across Canada, but was dissolved in 2002 due to poor ratings. The stations that did not remain AM sports radio stations are either oldies or news/talk formats.[6]
On May 28, 2019, Bell launched Pure Country as a standard branding for its country music stations, including 12 existing stations and newly-flipped CKLC-FM in Kingston. All stations carry a midday show hosted by Shannon Ella, and The Bobby Bones Show on evenings.[7][8]
Bell distributes The Breakfast Club, The Bobby Bones Show, Brooke & Jubal, and On Air with Ryan Seacrest in Canada via Orbyt Media.[9]
Stations
City | Call Sign | Frequency | Branding | Network | Format |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amqui, Quebec | CFVM | FM 99.9 | 99,9 Rouge FM | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
Bathurst, New Brunswick | CKBC | FM 104.9 | MAX 104.9 | adult contemporary | |
Brandon, Manitoba | CKX | FM 96.1 | 96.1 Bob FM | Bob FM | adult hits |
CKXA | FM 101.1 | Pure Country 101 | Pure Country | country | |
Brockville, Ontario | CJPT | FM 103.7 | Bob FM | Bob FM | adult hits |
CFJR | FM 104.9 | JR FM | adult contemporary | ||
Calgary, Alberta | CKMX | AM 1060 | Funny 1060AM | 24/7 Comedy | comedy |
CIBK | FM 98.5 | 98.5 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
CJAY | FM 92.1 | CJAY 92 | mainstream rock | ||
Dawson Creek, British Columbia | CJDC | AM 890 | Pure Country 890 | Pure Country | country |
Drummondville, Quebec | CHRD | FM 105.3 | 105,3 Rouge FM | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
CJDM | FM 92.1 | Énergie Drummondville 92,1 | Énergie | contemporary hit radio | |
Edmonton, Alberta | CFRN | AM 1260 | TSN 1260 | TSN Radio | sports radio |
CFBR | FM 100.3 | 100.3 The Bear | active rock | ||
CFMG | FM 104.9 | 104.9 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
Fort Nelson, British Columbia | CKRX | FM 102.3 | 102.3 The Bear | active rock | |
Fort St. John, British Columbia | CHRX | FM 98.5 | Sun FM | hot adult contemporary | |
CKNL | FM 101.5 | 101.5 The Bear | mainstream rock | ||
Fredericton, New Brunswick | CKHJ | AM 1260 | Pure Country 103.5 | Pure Country | country |
CFXY | FM 105.3 | 105.3 The Fox | active rock | ||
CIBX | FM 106.9 | 106.9 Capital FM | contemporary hit radio | ||
Gatineau, Quebec | CIMF | FM 94.9 | 94,9 Rouge FM | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
CKTF | FM 104.1 | Énergie Gatineau-Ottawa 104,1 | Énergie | contemporary hit radio | |
Golden, British Columbia | CKGR | FM 106.3 | 106.3 EZ Rock | EZ Rock | adult contemporary |
Grand Falls, New Brunswick | CIKX | FM 93.5 | K93 | hot adult contemporary | |
Halifax, Nova Scotia | CJCH | FM 101.3 | 101.3 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio |
CIOO | FM 100.1 | C100 | hot adult contemporary | ||
Hamilton, Ontario | CKOC | AM 1150 | TSN 1150 | TSN Radio | sports radio |
CHAM | AM 820 | Funny 820 | 24/7 Comedy | comedy | |
CKLH | FM 102.9 | 102.9 K-Lite | adult contemporary | ||
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario | CKLY | FM 91.9 | 91.9 Bob FM | Bob FM | adult hits |
Kelowna, British Columbia | CKFR | AM 1150 | AM 1150 News, Talk, Sports | news/talk | |
CHSU | FM 99.9 | 99.9 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
CILK | FM 101.5 | 101.5 EZ Rock | EZ Rock | adult contemporary | |
Kingston, Ontario | CFLY | FM 98.3 | FLY-FM | hot adult contemporary | |
CKLC | FM 98.9 | Pure Country 99 | Pure Country | country | |
Kitimat, British Columbia | CKTK | FM 97.7 | EZ Rock 97.7 | EZ Rock | hot adult contemporary |
London, Ontario | CJBK | AM 1290 | Newstalk 1290 CJBK | news/talk | |
CIQM | FM 97.5 | 97.5 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
CJBX | FM 92.7 | Pure Country 93 | Pure Country | country | |
Magog, Quebec | CIMO | FM 106.1 | Énergie Estrie 106,1 | Énergie | contemporary hit radio |
Midland, Ontario | CICZ | FM 104.1 | 104.1 The Dock | classic rock | |
Montreal, Quebec | CKGM | AM 690 | TSN 690 | TSN Radio | sports radio |
CJAD | AM 800 | CJAD 800 AM | news/talk | ||
CHOM | FM 97.7 | CHOM 977 | mainstream rock | ||
CJFM | FM 95.9 | 95.9 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
CKMF | FM 94.3 | Énergie Montréal 94,3 | Énergie | contemporary hit radio | |
CITE | FM 107.3 | 107,3 Rouge FM | Rouge FM | adult contemporary | |
Nelson, British Columbia | CKKC | FM 106.9 | EZ Rock 106.9 | EZ Rock | adult contemporary |
Orillia, Ontario | CICX | FM 105.9 | Pure Country 106 | Pure Country | country |
Osoyoos, British Columbia | CJOR | AM 1240 | EZ Rock 1240 | EZ Rock | adult contemporary |
Ottawa, Ontario | CFRA | AM 580 | 580 CFRA | news/talk | |
CFGO | AM 1200 | TSN 1200 | TSN Radio | sports radio | |
CKKL | FM 93.9 | Pure Country 94 | Pure Country | country | |
CJMJ | FM 100.3 | Majic 100.3 | adult contemporary | ||
Owen Sound, Ontario | CJOS | FM 92.3 | 92.3 The Dock | classic hits | |
Pembroke, Ontario | CHVR | FM 96.7 | Pure Country 96.7 | Pure Country | country |
Penticton, British Columbia | CKOR | AM 800 | EZ Rock AM 800 | EZ Rock | adult contemporary |
CJMG | FM 97.1 | 97.1 Sun FM | contemporary hit radio | ||
Peterborough, Ontario | CKPT | FM 99.7 | Energy 99.7 | hot adult contemporary | |
CKQM | FM 105.1 | Pure Country 105 | Pure Country | country | |
Prince Rupert, British Columbia | CHTK | FM 99.1 | EZ Rock | EZ Rock | hot adult contemporary |
Quebec City, Quebec | CHIK | FM 98.9 | Énergie Québec 98,9 | Énergie | contemporary hit radio |
CITF | FM 107.5 | 107,5 Rouge FM | Rouge FM | adult contemporary | |
Regina, Saskatchewan | CHBD | FM 92.7 | Pure Country 92.7 | Pure Country | country |
Revelstoke, British Columbia | CKCR | FM 106.1 | EZ Rock 106.1 | EZ Rock | adult contemporary |
Rimouski, Quebec | CIKI | FM 98.7 | Énergie Est du Québec 98,7 | Énergie | contemporary hit radio |
CJOI | FM 102.9 | 102,9 Rouge FM | Rouge FM | adult contemporary | |
Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec | CJMM | FM 99.1 | Énergie Rouyn-Noranda 99,1 | Énergie | contemporary hit radio |
Saguenay, Quebec | CFIX | FM 96.9 | 96,9 Rouge FM | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
CJAB | FM 94.5 | Énergie Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean 94,5 | Énergie | contemporary hit radio | |
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec | CFEI | FM 106.5 | 106,5 Boom FM | Boom FM | oldies |
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec | CFZZ | FM 104.1 | 104,1 Boom FM | Boom FM | oldies |
Salmon Arm, British Columbia | CKXR | FM 91.5 | EZ Rock 91.5 | EZ Rock | adult contemporary |
Sherbrooke, Quebec | CITE-1 | FM 102.7 | 102,7 Rouge FM | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
St. Catharines, Ontario | CKTB | AM 610 | Newstalk 610 CKTB | news/talk | |
CHRE | FM 105.7 | 105.7 EZ Rock | EZ Rock | adult contemporary | |
CHTZ | FM 97.7 | CHTZ - 97.7 HTZ-FM | active rock | ||
Sudbury, Ontario | CICS | FM 91.7 | Pure Country 91.7 | Pure Country | country |
Summerland, British Columbia | CHOR | FM 98.5 | EZ Rock 98.5 | EZ Rock | adult contemporary |
Terrace, British Columbia | CFTK | AM 590 | EZ Rock 590 | EZ Rock | adult contemporary |
CJFW | FM 103.1 | Pure Country 103.1 | Pure Country | country | |
Toronto, Ontario | CFRB | AM 1010 | Newstalk 1010 | news/talk | |
CHUM | AM 1050 | TSN 1050 | TSN Radio | sports radio | |
CHUM | FM 104.5 | CHUM 104.5 | hot adult contemporary | ||
CKFM | FM 99.9 | 99.9 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
Trail, British Columbia | CJAT | FM 95.7 | EZ Rock 95.7 | EZ Rock | adult contemporary |
Trois-Rivières, Quebec | CHEY | FM 94.7 | 94,7 Rouge FM | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
CIGB | FM 102.3 | Énergie Mauricie 102,3 | Énergie | contemporary hit radio | |
Truro, Nova Scotia | CKTO | FM 100.9 | 100.9 BIG DOG ROCKS | active rock | |
CKTY | FM 99.5 | Pure Country 99.5 | Pure Country | country | |
Val-d'Or, Quebec | CJMV | FM 102.7 | Énergie Val-d'Or 102,7 | Énergie | contemporary hit radio |
Vancouver, British Columbia | CKST | AM 1040 | TSN 1040 | TSN Radio | sports radio |
CFTE | AM 1410 | BNN Bloomberg Radio 1410 | Bloomberg Radio | news/talk | |
CFBT | FM 94.5 | 94.5 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
CHQM | FM 103.5 | 103.5 QMFM | adult contemporary | ||
Vernon, British Columbia | CICF | FM 105.7 | 105.7 Sun FM | adult contemporary | |
Victoria, British Columbia | CFAX | AM 1070 | CFAX 1070 | news/talk | |
CHBE | FM 107.3 | 107.3 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
Waterloo, Ontario | CKKW | FM 99.5 | KFUN 99.5 | adult hits | |
CFCA | FM 105.3 | 105.3 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
Windsor, Ontario | CKWW | AM 580 | AM 580, Motor City Favorites | oldies | |
CKLW | AM 800 | AM 800 CKLW | news/talk | ||
CIDR | FM 93.9 | 93-9 The River | adult album alternative | ||
CIMX | FM 88.7 | New Rock 89X | active rock | ||
Winnipeg, Manitoba | CFRW | AM 1290 | TSN 1290 | TSN Radio | sports radio |
CFWM | FM 99.9 | 99.9 Bob FM | Bob FM | adult hits | |
CKMM | FM 103.1 | 103.1 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
Woodstock, New Brunswick | CJCJ | FM 104.1 | CJ-104 FM | hot adult contemporary |
See also
References
- "Executive Directory – Bell Media".
- "CHUM site slated for luxury condos". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- "The CHUM sign's new home". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- 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.
- "iHeartRadio joins Canada's streaming market through partnership with Bell". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
- "TSN Radio a reality". The Globe and Mail, January 21, 2011.
- "Pure Country: Nationwide rebrand gives new name to Big Dog 92.7". CTV News Regina. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- "Bell Media Rebrands 13 Canadian Country Stations As Pure Country". RadioInsight. May 28, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- "The Breakfast Club Crosses The Border Into Toronto". RadioInsight. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.