The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Evanov closing stations in three eastern Ontario locations

**Posted by splunge** September 18, 2024 8:02 pm

andysradio wrote:
splunge wrote:
Isn't GO FM the operators of the LPFM community station in Casselman and repeater in St. Albert?
It's no low power stn. The main transmitter is in Dunvegan with 20kWs with a repeater in Cornwall

what's the call sign? is that CHOD?

Last edited by splunge (September 18, 2024 8:22 pm)

**Posted by darcyh** September 19, 2024 12:16 am

Last time I was in Ottawa 98.5 The Jewel sounded muck like CKPC FM Brantford. I believe they ran an evening show called the Lounge. It was quite good and they included significant French language songs content.

Given the size of Ottawa and area and despite the rather lackluster signal there are many car dealerships, restaurants, appliance vendors, funeral homes etc. that fit in the target demo of the station. Given the large number of retired public servants with decent pensions these old folks have money to spend. Ignoring this demo especially in this market is unfortunate. Perhaps the station could have been more aggressive courting potential advertisers.

**Posted by paterson1** September 19, 2024 9:57 am

I wonder if GO FM will flip the Hawkesbury and Rockland Ont. stations to French programming. Both communities have majority French speaking populations. If they just simulcast their Cornwall station on these two low power outlets do they need to apply to broadcast in French? Can't see the CRTC having an issue with this, so could they just start programming in French right away? The Cornwall station seems to do ok for advertisers, just listened to a eight spot cluster . https://gofm.ca/

**Posted by RadioAaron** September 19, 2024 10:07 am

paterson1 wrote:
I wonder if GO FM will flip the Hawkesbury and Rockland Ont. stations to French programming. Both communities have majority French speaking populations. If they just simulcast their Cornwall station on these two low power outlets do they need to apply to broadcast in French? Can't see the CRTC having an issue with this, so could they just start programming in French right away? The Cornwall station seems to do ok for advertisers, just listened to a eight spot cluster . https://gofm.ca/

They'd have to apply to go French. They'd also have to apply for full simulcast.

**Posted by andysradio** September 19, 2024 10:42 am

RadioAaron wrote:
They'd have to apply to go French. They'd also have to apply for full simulcast.

They also have to get approval for ownership change first but yes I suspect they will turn the 2 Evanov outlets into CHOD repeaters so that they cover all of eastern Ontario

**Posted by RadioAaron** September 19, 2024 10:48 am

These stations, and 98.5 Ottawa, may get LMA exceptions so new owners can start operating them ASAP

**Posted by RadioQuiz** September 19, 2024 1:01 pm

It should just be standard that you can immediately LMA when making a purchase.

The current "take unlimited" time is not helpful for the business side of running stations.

**Posted by Radiowiz** September 19, 2024 1:31 pm

RadioQuiz wrote:
It should just be standard that you can immediately LMA when making a purchase.
The current "take unlimited" time is not helpful for the business side of running stations.

The CRTC is what it is. Run against it and risk losing it all, like what happened with 1220 CHSC back in the day...

**Posted by RadioAaron** September 19, 2024 2:07 pm

RadioQuiz wrote:
It should just be standard that you can immediately LMA when making a purchase.

The current "take unlimited" time is not helpful for the business side of running stations.

I've seen good staff leave because a place is in limbo for too long and an offer with more certainty comes along.

**Posted by paterson1** September 19, 2024 2:26 pm

Dan Sys at RadioWest.ca is saying the two stations that Cornwall's French language GO FM want to purchase will remain English stations and for now stay with the Hot Country format. More from Broadcast Dialogue..https://broadcastdialogue.com/go-fm-to-acquire-two-evanov-stations-set-for-closure/

**Posted by andysradio** September 22, 2024 6:58 am

Does anyone know what happened to Lite 98 5 in Ottawa - CJWL? They were suppose to go dark this weekend but everything is still up online as if nothing happened.

**Posted by RadioAaron** September 22, 2024 8:08 am

andysradio wrote:
Does anyone know what happened to Lite 98 5 in Ottawa - CJWL? They were suppose to go dark this weekend but everything is still up online as if nothing happened.

Sold. Announcement soon.

**Posted by paterson1** September 22, 2024 1:30 pm

So all three stations have now been sold and are remaining on air?

**Posted by RadioAaron** September 22, 2024 3:04 pm

Yes.

**Posted by Forward Power** September 23, 2024 2:08 pm

RadioAaron wrote:
Yes.

...to Torres Media, owners of Ottawa's Rebel Rock 101.7.

**Posted by RadioActive** September 23, 2024 2:34 pm

From Broadcast Dialogue:

Torres Media Group to acquire Evanov’s CJWL-FM Ottawa

**Posted by Colin** November 4, 2024 1:25 pm

CJWL-FM is now CITM-FM, MIX 985; "Ottawa's Perfect Music Mix." Typical AC fare. Musically, it's virtually indistinguishable from MOVE 100. Two 80's tracks an hour. I was hoping they would keep LITE's library, as I agreed with Aaron - it fit nicely between Boom and Move. I don't see Move losing anyone to the inferior 98.5 signal, and Boom will gain from Lite's demise.

Listen live on their website: mix985fm.com

**Posted by brian451** November 4, 2024 1:42 pm

I am wondering if this is a placeholder format for now. I have heard in the past that Rebel has had a lot of signal issues and they wanted a stronger frequency. So I believe at some point that 98.5 will most likely become Rebel and then this Mix format will move up to 101.7
Also this is pretty fast for a full on sale. I am wondering if Torres is just operating the station on behalf of Evanov until the sale is fully approved through the CRTC

**Posted by Big Doug** November 4, 2024 2:36 pm

brian451 wrote:
I am wondering if this is a placeholder format for now. I have heard in the past that Rebel has had a lot of signal issues and they wanted a stronger frequency. So I believe at some point that 98.5 will most likely become Rebel and then this Mix format will move up to 101.7
Also this is pretty fast for a full on sale. I am wondering if Torres is just operating the station on behalf of Evanov until the sale is fully approved through the CRTC

I sure hope it's a placeholder, because the imaging and overall flow of the station is amateur sounding at best.

**Posted by brian451** November 4, 2024 3:41 pm

Big Doug wrote:
brian451 wrote:
I am wondering if this is a placeholder format for now. I have heard in the past that Rebel has had a lot of signal issues and they wanted a stronger frequency. So I believe at some point that 98.5 will most likely become Rebel and then this Mix format will move up to 101.7
Also this is pretty fast for a full on sale. I am wondering if Torres is just operating the station on behalf of Evanov until the sale is fully approved through the CRTC
I sure hope it's a placeholder, because the imaging and overall flow of the station is amateur sounding at best.

It sounded terrible when I listened earlier. Not what I would expect from Torres.

**Posted by haydenmatthews14** November 4, 2024 3:42 pm

Colin wrote:
CJWL-FM is now CITM-FM, MIX 985; "Ottawa's Perfect Music Mix." Typical AC fare. Musically, it's virtually indistinguishable from MOVE 100. Two 80's tracks an hour. I was hoping they would keep LITE's library, as I agreed with Aaron - it fit nicely between Boom and Move. I don't see Move losing anyone to the inferior 98.5 signal, and Boom will gain from Lite's demise.

Listen live on their website: mix985fm.com

I like how they used CHFI's slogan.

**Posted by Radiowiz** November 4, 2024 4:03 pm

Big Doug wrote:
I sure hope it's a placeholder, because the imaging and overall flow of the station is amateur sounding at best.

Thank-you! I was kinda thinking the same thing. Glad I'm not alone on that opinion...

**Posted by km93** November 4, 2024 4:27 pm

brian451 wrote:
Big Doug wrote:
brian451 wrote:
I am wondering if this is a placeholder format for now. I have heard in the past that Rebel has had a lot of signal issues and they wanted a stronger frequency. So I believe at some point that 98.5 will most likely become Rebel and then this Mix format will move up to 101.7
Also this is pretty fast for a full on sale. I am wondering if Torres is just operating the station on behalf of Evanov until the sale is fully approved through the CRTC
I sure hope it's a placeholder, because the imaging and overall flow of the station is amateur sounding at best.
It sounded terrible when I listened earlier. Not what I would expect from Torres.

The other Torres station "Rebel" plays Phil Collins era Genesis (how utterly rebellious)!

Last edited by km93 (November 4, 2024 4:27 pm)

**Posted by splunge** November 4, 2024 4:55 pm

torres would require pre-approval from the Commission before taking control of the station... even during the transfer period. i haven't seen that yet.

**Posted by RadioAaron** November 4, 2024 8:26 pm

splunge wrote:
torres would require pre-approval from the Commission before taking control of the station... even during the transfer period. i haven't seen that yet.

Correct, but they definitely are.

**Posted by RadioAaron** November 4, 2024 8:27 pm

So they launched an underdog AC….in Ottawa…in November….and it’s not All-Christmas?

Ok.

**Posted by Colin** November 7, 2024 2:47 pm

Big Doug wrote:
brian451 wrote:
I am wondering if this is a placeholder format for now. I have heard in the past that Rebel has had a lot of signal issues and they wanted a stronger frequency. So I believe at some point that 98.5 will most likely become Rebel and then this Mix format will move up to 101.7
Also this is pretty fast for a full on sale. I am wondering if Torres is just operating the station on behalf of Evanov until the sale is fully approved through the CRTC
I sure hope it's a placeholder, because the imaging and overall flow of the station is amateur sounding at best.

Songs cutting off, sloppy segues, and now promoting they are on RadioPlayer and iHeart, which they aren't (as of 1pm Thursday.) The whole thing sounds like it was rushed to get on air.

**Posted by Radiowiz** November 9, 2024 3:07 pm

Colin wrote:
CJWL-FM is now CITM-FM, MIX 985; "Ottawa's Perfect Music Mix." Typical AC fare. Musically, it's virtually indistinguishable from MOVE 100. Two 80's tracks an hour. I was hoping they would keep LITE's library, as I agreed with Aaron - it fit nicely between Boom and Move. I don't see Move losing anyone to the inferior 98.5 signal, and Boom will gain from Lite's demise.

Listen live on their website: mix985fm.com

Hey! I've got a GREAT idea!
Let's repeat this message in a fresh new thread!
Oh crap someone beat me to it! https://gta.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=13312

**Posted by markow202** November 11, 2024 11:10 am

I wonder how their 88.5 newmarket station is doing in the country format. I liked it when it was Jewel.

**Posted by RadioAaron** November 11, 2024 11:50 am

markow202 wrote:
I wonder how their 88.5 newmarket station is doing in the country format. I liked it when it was Jewel.

Terribly