Bell Media Radio
Type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Radio broadcasting |
Predecessor | CHUM Limited |
Founded | 1945 (as CHUM Limited) 2007 (as CHUM Radio under CTVglobemedia ownership) 2011 (current name) 2016 (iHeartRadio Canada) |
Headquarters | 250 Richmond Street West, 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 |
Bell Media Radio, G.P., (formerly CHUM Radio) is the radio broadcasting and music events subsidiary of Canadian media conglomerate Bell Media.
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 in 2007). In 2016, Bell Media reached a deal 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.
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 licensee 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, CFRB and CHUM (AM) 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 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. Bell distributes The Breakfast Club, The Bobby Bones Show, Brooke & Jeffrey, and On Air with Ryan Seacrest in Canada via Orbyt Media.[6]
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.[7][8] These brands include.
- Bounce: Adult hits stations. 25 stations adopted the branding upon its launch on May 18, 2021, with the largest being Winnipeg's CFWM-FM and Hamilton's CKLH-FM; the majority of the stations that flipped included adult contemporary, hot adult contemporary, active rock, adult hits, and classic hits stations, including all remaining Bob FM and EZ Rock-branded stations operated by the company.[8]
- Move Radio: Adult contemporary and hot adult contemporary stations. 10 stations adopted the branding upon its launch on December 27, 2020, including CHQM-FM, CJMJ-FM, and CIOO-FM.[9]
- Pure Country: Country stations. 13 stations adopted the branding upon its launch on May 28, 2019, 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.[10][11]
- Virgin Radio: Contemporary hit radio (CHR) stations, using branding licensed from the Virgin Group. The brand was first introduced by Astral Media's CKFM-FM in 2008.
Bell's French-language radio stations in Quebec, inherited from Astral Media, have similarly operated using networked formats:
Bell also operates 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), the majority of this programming is automated with little local content:
- BNN Bloomberg Radio: Business news stations, which feature programming from Bloomberg Radio and audio simulcasts of programs from the BNN Bloomberg television channel.[12][13][14][15]
- Funny: Carries stand-up comedy. Was initially a Canadian licensee of the U.S. radio network 24/7 Comedy.[15][12][16]
- TSN Radio: Sports talk stations, co-branded with Bell's TSN sports channel. Three of the TSN Radio 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.[17]
From its ownership of Astral Media, Bell also owns the Boom FM and EZ Rock brands. Presently Boom FM is used only by two Bell-owned stations, both in Quebec; 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 mandated during Bell's purchase of Astral). The last remaining EZ Rock-branded stations in Canada were phased out with the launch of the Bounce and Move brands.
Stations[]
City | Call Sign | Frequency | Branding | Network | Format |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amqui, Quebec | CFVM-FM | FM 99.9 | 99,9 Rouge | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
Bathurst, New Brunswick | CKBC-FM | FM 104.9 | Bounce 104.9 | Bounce | adult hits |
Brandon, Manitoba | CKX-FM | FM 96.1 | Bounce 96.1 | Bounce | adult hits |
CKXA-FM | FM 101.1 | Pure Country 101 | Pure Country | country | |
Brockville, Ontario | CJPT-FM | FM 103.7 | Bounce 103.7 | Bounce | adult hits |
CFJR-FM | FM 104.9 | Move 104.9 | Move Radio | adult contemporary | |
Calgary, Alberta | CKMX | AM 1060 | Funny 1060 | Funny | comedy |
CIBK-FM | FM 98.5 | 98.5 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
CJAY-FM | FM 92.1 | CJAY 92 | mainstream rock | ||
Dawson Creek, British Columbia | CJDC | AM 890 | Pure Country 890 | Pure Country | country |
Drummondville, Quebec | CHRD-FM | FM 105.3 | 105,3 Rouge | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
CJDM-FM | FM 92.1 | Énergie 92,1 | Énergie | mainstream rock | |
Edmonton, Alberta | CFRN | AM 1260 | TSN 1260 | TSN Radio | sports |
CFBR-FM | FM 100.3 | 100.3 The Bear | active rock | ||
CFMG-FM | FM 104.9 | 104.9 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
Fort Nelson, British Columbia | CKRX-FM | FM 102.3 | Bounce 102.3 | Bounce | adult hits |
Fort St. John, British Columbia | CHRX-FM | FM 98.5 | Move 98.5 | Move Radio | adult contemporary |
CKNL-FM | FM 101.5 | Bounce 101.5 | Bounce | adult hits | |
Fredericton, New Brunswick | CKHJ | AM 1260 | Pure Country 103.5 | Pure Country | country |
CFXY-FM | FM 105.3 | Bounce 105.3 | Bounce | adult hits | |
CIBX-FM | FM 106.9 | Move 106.9 | Move Radio | hot adult contemporary | |
Gatineau, Quebec | CIMF-FM | FM 94.9 | 94,9 Rouge | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
CKTF-FM | FM 104.1 | Énergie 104,1 | Énergie | mainstream rock | |
Golden, British Columbia | CKGR-FM | FM 106.3 | Bounce 106.3 | Bounce | adult hits |
Grand Falls, New Brunswick | CIKX-FM | FM 93.5 | Bounce 93 | Bounce | adult hits |
Halifax, Nova Scotia | CJCH-FM | FM 101.3 | 101.3 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio |
CIOO-FM | FM 100.1 | Move 100 | Move Radio | hot adult contemporary | |
Hamilton, Ontario | CKOC | AM 1150 | BNN Bloomberg Radio 1150 | Bloomberg Radio | news/talk |
CHAM | AM 820 | Funny 820 | Funny | comedy | |
CKLH-FM | FM 102.9 | Bounce 102.9 | Bounce | adult hits | |
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario | CKLY-FM | FM 91.9 | Bounce 91.9 | Bounce | adult hits |
Kelowna, British Columbia | CKFR | AM 1150 | AM 1150 | news/talk | |
CHSU-FM | FM 99.9 | 99.9 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
CILK-FM | FM 101.5 | Move 101.5 | Move Radio | adult contemporary | |
Kingston, Ontario | CFLY-FM | FM 98.3 | Move 98.3 | Move Radio | hot adult contemporary |
CKLC-FM | FM 98.9 | Pure Country 99 | Pure Country | country | |
Kitimat, British Columbia | CKTK-FM | FM 97.7 | Bounce 97.7 | Bounce | adult hits |
London, Ontario | CJBK | AM 1290 | Newstalk 1290 CJBK | news/talk | |
CIQM-FM | FM 97.5 | 97.5 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
CJBX-FM | FM 92.7 | Pure Country 93 | Pure Country | country | |
Magog, Quebec | CIMO-FM | FM 106.1 | Énergie 106,1 | Énergie | mainstream rock |
Midland, Ontario | CICZ-FM | FM 104.1 | Bounce 104.1 | Bounce | adult hits |
Montreal, Quebec | CKGM | AM 690 | TSN 690 | TSN Radio | sports |
CJAD | AM 800 | CJAD 800 AM | news/talk | ||
CHOM-FM | FM 97.7 | CHOM 97.7 | mainstream rock | ||
CJFM-FM | FM 95.9 | 95.9 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
CKMF-FM | FM 94.3 | Énergie 94,3 | Énergie | mainstream rock | |
CITE-FM | FM 107.3 | 107,3 Rouge | Rouge FM | adult contemporary | |
Nelson, British Columbia | CKKC-FM | FM 106.9 | Bounce Radio | Bounce | adult hits |
Orillia, Ontario | CICX-FM | FM 105.9 | Pure Country 106 | Pure Country | country |
Osoyoos, British Columbia | CJOR | AM 1240 | Bounce 1240 | Bounce | adult hits |
Ottawa, Ontario | CFRA | AM 580 | 580 CFRA | news/talk | |
CFGO | AM 1200 | TSN 1200 | TSN Radio | sports | |
CKKL-FM | FM 93.9 | Pure Country 94 | Pure Country | country | |
CJMJ-FM | FM 100.3 | Move 100 | Move Radio | adult contemporary | |
Owen Sound, Ontario | CJOS-FM | FM 92.3 | Bounce 92.3 | Bounce | adult hits |
Pembroke, Ontario | CHVR-FM | FM 96.7 | Pure Country 96.7 | Pure Country | country |
Penticton, British Columbia | CKOR | AM 800 | Bounce 800 | Bounce | adult hits |
CJMG-FM | FM 97.1 | Move 97.1 | Move Radio | adult contemporary | |
Peterborough, Ontario | CKPT-FM | FM 99.7 | Move 99.7 | Move Radio | hot adult contemporary |
CKQM-FM | FM 105.1 | Pure Country 105 | Pure Country | country | |
Prince Rupert, British Columbia | CHTK-FM | FM 99.1 | Bounce 99.1 | Bounce | adult hits |
Quebec City, Quebec | CHIK-FM | FM 98.9 | Énergie 98,9 | Énergie | mainstream rock |
CITF-FM | FM 107.5 | 107,5 Rouge | Rouge FM | adult contemporary | |
Regina, Saskatchewan | CHBD-FM | FM 92.7 | Pure Country 92.7 | Pure Country | country |
Revelstoke, British Columbia | CKCR-FM | FM 106.1 | Bounce 106.1 | Bounce | adult hits |
Rimouski, Quebec | CIKI-FM | FM 98.7 | Énergie 98,7 | Énergie | mainstream rock |
CJOI-FM | FM 102.9 | 102,9 Rouge | Rouge FM | adult contemporary | |
Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec | CJMM-FM | FM 99.1 | Énergie 99,1 | Énergie | mainstream rock |
Saguenay, Quebec | CFIX-FM | FM 96.9 | 96,9 Rouge | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
CJAB-FM | FM 94.5 | Énergie 94,5 | Énergie | mainstream rock | |
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec | CFEI-FM | FM 106.5 | Boom 106,5 | Boom FM | oldies |
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec | CFZZ-FM | FM 104.1 | Boom 104,1 | Boom FM | oldies |
Salmon Arm, British Columbia | CKXR-FM | FM 91.5 | Bounce 91.5 | Bounce | adult hits |
Sherbrooke, Quebec | CITE-FM-1 | FM 102.7 | 102,7 Rouge | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
St. Catharines, Ontario | CKTB | AM 610 | Newstalk 610 CKTB | news/talk | |
CHRE-FM | FM 105.7 | Move 105.7 | Move Radio | adult contemporary | |
CHTZ-FM | FM 97.7 | 97.7 HTZ-FM | active rock | ||
Sudbury, Ontario | CICS-FM | FM 91.7 | Pure Country 91.7 | Pure Country | country |
Summerland, British Columbia | CHOR-FM | FM 98.5 | Bounce 98.5 | Bounce | adult hits |
Terrace, British Columbia | CFTK | AM 590 | Bounce 590 | Bounce | adult hits |
CJFW-FM | 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 | |
CHUM-FM | FM 104.5 | CHUM 104.5 | hot adult contemporary | ||
CKFM-FM | FM 99.9 | 99.9 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
Trail, British Columbia | CJAT-FM | FM 95.7 | Bounce Radio | Bounce | adult hits |
Trois-Rivières, Quebec | CHEY-FM | FM 94.7 | 94,7 Rouge | Rouge FM | adult contemporary |
CIGB-FM | FM 102.3 | Énergie 102,3 | Énergie | mainstream rock | |
Truro, Nova Scotia | CKTO-FM | FM 100.9 | Bounce 100.9 | Bounce | adult hits |
CKTY-FM | FM 99.5 | Pure Country 99.5 | Pure Country | country | |
Val-d'Or, Quebec | CJMV-FM | FM 102.7 | Énergie 102,7 | Énergie | mainstream rock |
Vancouver, British Columbia | CKST | AM 1040 | Funny 1040 | Funny | comedy |
CFTE | AM 1410 | BNN Bloomberg Radio 1410 | Bloomberg Radio | news/talk | |
CFBT-FM | FM 94.5 | 94.5 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
CHQM-FM | FM 103.5 | Move 103.5 | Move Radio | adult contemporary | |
Vernon, British Columbia | CICF-FM | FM 105.7 | Pure Country 105.7 | Pure Country | country |
Victoria, British Columbia | CFAX | AM 1070 | CFAX 1070 | news/talk | |
CHBE-FM | FM 107.3 | 107.3 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
Waterloo, Ontario | CKKW-FM | FM 99.5 | Bounce 99.5 | Bounce | adult hits |
CFCA-FM | 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 | FM 93.9 | 93.9 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
CIMX-FM | FM 88.7 | Pure Country 89 | Pure Country | country | |
Winnipeg, Manitoba | CFRW | AM 1290 | Funny 1290 | Funny | comedy |
CFWM-FM | FM 99.9 | Bounce 99.9 | Bounce | adult hits | |
CKMM-FM | FM 103.1 | 103.1 Virgin Radio | Virgin Radio | contemporary hit radio | |
Woodstock, New Brunswick | CJCJ-FM | FM 104.1 | Pure Country 104 | Pure Country | country |
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.
- ^ "The Breakfast Club Crosses The Border Into Toronto". RadioInsight. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "Nationalization Takes Hold In Two Nations: Looking At Today's Three Station Format Shuffle In Detroit/Windsor". RadioInsight. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ a b "Bell Media Bounces 25 Stations Across Canada To New Variety Hits Brand". RadioInsight. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ "Bell Media Moves Ten Stations To New Branding". RadioInsight. December 27, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "Bell cancels all-sports radio format on channels in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Hamilton". CBC News. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Humble And Fred Return To Radio Via Astral Media, CFRB". All Access. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
- ^ "TSN Radio a reality". The Globe and Mail, January 21, 2011.
External links[]
- Bell Media
- Radio broadcasting companies of Canada