Classic hits???
What??
Say it ain't so
I'm getting tired of waiting.
I've been taking Tamil language classes & have become quite proficient.
In fact I'm so fluent that I could drive cab in Toronto full time if I wanted to.
I don't want to.  
Get the God damn thing open will you so I can show you all 
 

 

 

Radio Dhun? More like Radio Done, if you ask me. I'm not convinced we'll ever actually get to hear this station. But I could be wrong. It took CKNT seven years, but they finally hit the air. (Think of how many more greatest hits there will be to play by then!)  

By the way, their Facebook page consists almost entirely of ads for immigration services. But not a single word about the coming Grapevine Radio.

They also list themselves as being at 100.7, which I'm guessing means they're leasing time from CHIN FM. Why they would try for a classics hits format is beyond me, but it's possible the CRTC didn't think there was room for another ethnic outlet in the area.

According to Canadian Radio News, the latest delay centres on getting their transmitter equipment, which is taking longer than expected. And it ends with this: "The station should be on the air by late Spring/early summer 2019."

That would put them on the air sometime in the next few months. We'll see if that happens or if there will be another excuse for a delay. Meanwhile, monitor 1220 every now and then just to see if anything actually turns up. 

Chuck99 wrote:

If the application involved an FM frequency, there would be no extensions granted by the CRTC.  But there is little demand for available AM frequencies in small to medium markets, such as St. Catharines.

I have never considered this proposal to be viable from a business perspective for two reasons.  1) the transmitter is nearly 40 years old and likely requires expensive repairs and upgrades.  2) the original CHSC went into receivership in 1990 and under new ownership in 2008, the bank foreclosed on its Queenston St. studios and sold the equipment at auction.  The CRTC declined to renew the stations license in 2010 after repeated programming violations and the fact that the station was broadcasting from multiple undisclosed locations.

This track record does not bode well for a successful relaunch of the station.

 

The History of Canadian Broadcasting site indicates CHSC and a sister FM went in the air in 1967. In 1990 the FM was split and sold and the AM operation was left to stand on its own. By 1994 CHSC was seeking bankruptcy protection.

It appears things took a turn for the worse from 1990 to 1994, the point where they sought protection. Although AM radio generally continued to decline in the 90's, I'm surprised how quickly the station transitioned from a presumably profitable operation when it was sold in 1990 to potential bankruptcy in 1994. It had a fairly new transmitter and site so no major expenses there. What the heck happened?

Given that CHSC struggled through receivership and owners for the last 20 years of its existence, was the station ever really successful?

With all the challenges to return to the air, in today's broadcast environment is there any business plan / format that would comply with all the rules and generate a small profit to sustain its operation. You guys have far more expertise than I. What do you think? Possible, or is this doomed?

Thanks for your thoughts.


 

I read they should be up on the air later this year. Guess we'll see...

Just for the record, they should do oldies music.

Last edited by DOPEfm (March 27, 2019 12:18 am)

DOPEfm wrote:

Just for the record, they should do oldies music.

Years ago I would have agreed that if it was recorded in mono it belongs on AM radio. 
However, things change, times change.
With the internet, HD radio & other possible sources for AM to be heard (including a Rogers digital cable box)
I think my point has gone moot...

Tim Brown 2016 wrote:

There's also the new station coming to 88.5 in Grimsby/Beamsville.

Will it interfere with Jewel 88.5  Newmarket?

markow202 wrote:

Tim Brown 2016 wrote:

There's also the new station coming to 88.5 in Grimsby/Beamsville.

Will it interfere with Jewel 88.5  Newmarket?

 that grimsby signal won't even hit the western portion of hamilton.  it's limited to the west due to the Jewel and others.  It doesn't even place a 3mV anywhere close to st. kitts in the east.  but it does get a lot of fish in lake ontario....

DOPEfm wrote:

1220 AM - St Catharines - assigned ISED broadcast call sign CFAJ AM.

Where do they get call letters like that from?
Are they still sticking with the Grapevine 1220 name?
Why not CFGV? 


 

DOPEfm wrote:

Good Point!

I'm just waiting to see if this station actually goes to air. I'm supportive of the format and want to see it make it on AM.

Sure, but they need to dig deep into the format so they don't get stuck playing the same can con songs over and over just to fill the can con regs.
It amazes me they have not launched an internet station ready to go AM at the flick of a switch. 
That would be both smart and show that they are very serious...can con regs and all. 

When I saw the title of the thread "1220 AM St Catharines, ON" I have to admit I thought it meant that 1220 was On!

I'm beginning to think this is another CKNT in the making and I wonder if we'll ever actually hear this station in 2020.

Their licence was awarded in 2016, now almost four years ago. According to the CRTC decision, they were supposed to be up and running by April 20, 2018 to start their best of the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s format.

I'm sure they've applied for an extension since then and normally I'd ask 'how long is too long?' But given Sauga 960's seven year plus odyssey to launch, I suppose anything is possible.