CFPS-FM

CHYM in Kitchener had been searching for a new frequency for a long time. They had approached CFOS about using 560 kHz and then finding another channel for the Owen Sound station to use. In the end, they came up with a plan that would allow CHYM to move from 1490 kHz to 570 kHz and allow CFOS to remain at 560, but increase daytime power to help fend off interference from CHYM on 570. It would also enable CFOS to open a rebroadcast station at Port Elgin, using CHYM’s old 1490 frequency. CFOS would have to add two towers to the existing array and acquired six acres of land for the Port Elgin station. The latest state of the art equipment would be provided to CFOS at CHYM’s expense.

On June 21, CFOS opened CFPS at Port Elgin. CFPS operated on a frequency of 1490 kHz and had a power of 1,000 watts day and 250 watts night (non-directional). One 75 foot top loaded tower was used. Studios were located in Maple Leaf Square Mall, Port Elgin. CFPS rebroadcast all and only the programming of CFOS at this time. CFPS extended the CFOS service to residents of the town of Port Elgin and Central Bruce County. Until now, these residents could only receive the night-time signal of CFOS. They could not hear the station during the day.

W.N. Hawkins was president of Grey & Bruce Broadcasting Ltd., and manager (for 30 years) of CFOS. Ralph Snelgrove (founder-owner of CKBB-CKCB and founder of CKVR-TV) was vice-president of the company. Donald T. Fleming was treasurer. He was the former president and circulation manager of the Owen Sound Daily Sun Times. Harold L. VanWyck was secretary of Grey & Bruce. He headed a local law firm. Miller Christie and Margaret L. Hawkins were G&B directors. Christie recently retired as general manager of a local printing & publishing firm. Grey & Bruce Broadcasting was controlled by William Hawkins Limited whose shareholders were RoyNat Ltd. 5%, Fleming Investments & Management Limited 41%, Ralph T. Snelgrove 4% and W. N. Hawkins 50%.

CFPS was granted an increase in night-time power on December 13, from 250 to 1,000 watts.

On October 25, the sale of CFOS and CFPS by Grey and Bruce Broadcasting Co. Ltd. to Bayshore Broadcasting Corp. was approved by the CRTC. Bayshore was controlled 100% by C. Douglas Caldwell, a successful businessman with extensive experience in the management consulting field.

Bayshore took over operation of CFPS and CFOS. William N. Hawkins, President and General Manager of Grey and Bruce, became Chairman of Bayshore.

On February 17, CFPS was given approval to convert to the FM band, operating on 97.9 MHz with an average effective radiated power of 3,800 watts (7,600 watts maximum) and antenna height of 137.5 metres. The new station would have an Adult Contemporary format with a target audience of 18 and 54 years of age.

CFPS-FM “98 The Beach” (Light hits for the Lighthouse Coast) began testing in early May and officially signed on the air at 6:00 a.m. on May 20. CFPS 1490 was shut down on the same day.

At this time, the CFPS studios and offices are located in Unit 5, 281 Goderich Street. 

Rob Brignell, the Director of Marketing and Development at Bayshore Broadcasting and Bayshore’s Station Manager at both The Beach Port Elgin and The Beach Goderich, was no longer with the company. Don Vail now carried the title of Operations Manager at the two stations, along with being Program Director.

Mike Brough was named Operations Manager for Bayshore Broadcasting stations 98 The Beach Port Elgin and 104.9The Beach Goderich. Brough’s more recent experience included the launch of MY FM Kincardine. The two Beach stations were stand-alones with distinctive staffs, programs and News Directors. Former Port Elgin/Goderich Operations Manager Don Vail joined Owen Sound’s new station owned by Larche Communications (not yet on the air).

John Divinski, the former News Director at 98 The Beach Port Elgin and 45-year broadcast veteran, went into semi-retirement. He remained with the station as a part-time reporter.

On August 31, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CFPS-FM until March 31, 2012.

On March 20, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CFPS-FM to August 31, 2012. On August 28, the licence was administratively renewed to December 31, 2012. On December 21, the CRTC renewed CFPS-FM’s licence to August 31, 2017.

98 The Beach morning host Paul Hill left the station to take over the same show at sister station CFOS. Brian Longmire took over the Port Elgin morning show. His broadcast experience was with local cable programming.