CJMJ-FM

On November 9, Rawlco Communications Ltd. (owner of CFGO-AM) was granted a licence for a new FM station at Ottawa. Rawlco proposed to use the frequency 92.1 MHz but it conflicted with the 91.5 MHz frequency awarded to the CBC for the conversion of CBO-AM to the FM band. Rawlco would have to apply for an alternate frequency. Competing applications by Standard Radio, Robert Redmond and Robert Whyte were denied. CRTC chairman Keith Spicer said Rawlco’s proposal for a new pop and soft rock station was superior to the others considered at the June hearing. The commission was impressed by Rawlco’s strong local programming proposals. 

On April 5, Rawlco’s application to use the 100.3 MHz frequency with an effective radiated power of 80,000 watts for its proposed Ottawa station was approved.

CJMJ “Majic 100” signed on at 6:25 p.m., August 12. Studios were located at 1575 Carling Avenue. The station “officially” launched at 6 a.m., August 13. The station’s morning man was Kevin Nelson, son of the long-time Toronto radio personality, Jay Nelson.

On March 11, CJMJ was granted an increase in power, from 80,000 to 100,000 watts.

Magic 100 personalities 1995-97: Kevin Nelson, Kim Taylor and Bill Parker (mornings), Red Allen (middays), Saul Jacobson (afternoons), Todd Richards and Paul Johnson (swing). The news team included Wayne Parkinson, Don Lane, Gord McDougall, Bill Parker, and Flash Ferguson (sports). 

CHUM Limited announced it had purchased Rawlco’s Ottawa stations, CJMJ-FM (Magic 100) and CFGO (OSR 1200). CHUM Group Radio President Jim Waters said the Rawlco stations were a natural fit, complimenting CHUM’s existing stations, CFRA and CKKL (KOOL-FM). 

Rawlco sold 87.5% of CJMJ and CFGO to CHUM Limited (Rawlco retained a 12.5% interest). CHUM already owned CFRA, CKKL-FM and CHRO-TV in Ottawa.

In October, CHUM Ottawa opened new studios and offices – the 46,000 square foot CHUM Market Media Mall – located in the heart of the Byward Market at 87 George Street. The facility housed CFGO, CHRO-TV, CKKL-FM, CJMJ-FM, and CFRA-AM.

KOOL-FM (CKKL) program director Chris Gordon was promoted to the post of operations manager for CHUM’s Ottawa radio stations – The Team (CFGO), CFRA, KOOL-FM and Majic 100 (CIMJ-FM).
CJMJ personalities 1998-2001: Kevin Nelson, Tracy Hill and Bill Parker (mornings), Red Allen (mid-days), Saul Jacobson (afternoons), Anthony James (evenings – joined in 1999), Cody Jeffries (weekends/swing).

On November 13, CJMJ was granted a licence to operate transitional digital radio undertakings to serve Ottawa. Three transmitters would be used: one would be located at the CBC’s site at Camp Fortune, Quebec. The other two transmitters would be located in Ottawa, one at the CBC’s building on Lanark Avenue and the other at the Time MCI Las Brisas building. All three transmitters would operate in a single frequency network, using 1487.696 MHz (DRB channel 21) with an effective isotropic radiated power of 5,928 watts, 2,850 watts and 2,965 watts, respectively. The transmitters would employ the EUREKA-147 digital audio broadcasting system.

On July 12 it was announced that Bell Globemedia would pay C$1.7 billion for CHUM Ltd., in a deal that would see the company become part of the BCE-owned media conglomerate, subject to CRTC approval.  On August 31, the two companies announced that BGM had been successful in its offer to acquire approximately 6.7 million common shares and approximately 19.2 million non-voting Class B shares of CHUM.  The shares were to be placed in the hands of an independent trustee pursuant to a voting trust agreement approved by the CRTC.

On December 12th, it was announced that Bell Globemedia would henceforth be known as CTVglobemedia.

A CRTC hearing on the CTVglobemedia application to acquire the assets of CHUM Limited was held on April 30th 2007.  On June 8 the CRTC approved the acquisition of CHUM Ltd. by CTVglobemedia, on condition that CTV sell off its five City-TV stations, CITY-TV Toronto, CHMI-TV Portage La Prairie/Winnipeg, CKEM-TV Edmonton, CKAL-TV Calgary and CKVU-TV Vancouver.   Rogers Communications announced on June 25 that a deal had been reached for them to buy these stations from CTV, subject to CRTC approval. Among the CHUM assets acquired by CTVglobemedia in the deal were seven television stations, including CHRO-TV Pembroke, 21 specialty channels and some 33 radio stations, including CJMJ-FM. 

3 full time, 2 part time, and 10 contract staff were relieved of their duties at CHUM Radio stations in Ottawa in November. The changes affected long time employee Dave Mitchell (program director CFRA/TEAM 1200) as well as part time Majic 100 announcer/operator Drew Corley along with CFRA talk show hosts Ron Corbett, Rabbi Reuven Bulka, Professor Gerry Cammy, and hosts of “Middle Aged Bald Guys” Alan Flemming and Jim Hurcomb. At a staff meeting, general manager Richard Gray announced that Al Smith (PD for Majic 100 and 939 BOB FM) would move to operations manager for all four stations, with “JR” John Rodenburg (TEAM 1200 morning co-host) assuming sports director duties, and CFRA news director Steve Winogron looking after CFRA’s on air sound.

As part of the reorganization of CHUM’s four Ottawa stations, Ian March was  named assistant program director for 939 BOB FM and Majic 100. He would also continue as music director for BOB FM, and added MD duties for Majic to his daily routine.

Al Smith, Program Director of 939 BOB FM and Majic 100 was appointed Operations Manager for CHUM Radio Ottawa. Dave Mitchell, PD at CFRA and Team 1200, plus Majic 100 announcer Drew Corley, an engineer and two copy writers were let go. Five other employees had their hours reduced. The move, said Vice President & General Manager Richard Gray, was intended to strengthen the on-air product to face new competition posed by recently licensed FM’ers owned by Astral Media and by Torres Radio. Mitchell had been with the company for 30 years. Other changes included John Rodenburg adding Sports Director for the cluster and Program Coordinator for Team 1200 to his duties as that station’s morning show co-host, Ian March as Assistant Program Director/Music Director at both Majic 100 and BOB FM and Steve Winogron, along with his News Director responsibilities, also focusing on day-to-day programming at CFRA.

Katherine Dynes, most recently at Virgin FM in Ottawa, was the new afternoon news anchor and co-host on Majic 100 (as of November 8). 

In December it was announced that effective January 4, 2011, Brian DePoe would be the new program director of Majic 100 and 93.9 BOB FM. For the past two years, he had been the PD at 92.5 The Q (CFQR) Montreal.

On March 7, the CRTC approved an application by BCE Inc. on behalf of CTVglobemedia Inc., for authority to change the effective control of CTVgm’s licensed broadcasting subsidiaries to BCE. The Commission concluded that the transaction would be beneficial to the Canadian broadcasting system by ensuring the long-term stability of a significant Canadian television network and advancing the Commission’s objective of providing relevant high-quality Canadian programming to Canadians through conventional and new media distribution channels. BCE was a public corporation and controlled by its board of directors. Before this approval, BCE held 15% of the voting interest in the capital of CTVgm. The other shareholders were 1565117 Ontario Limited (a corporation ultimately controlled by Mr. David Kenneth R. Thomson) (40% of the voting interest), Ontario Teacher’s Plan Board (25% of the voting interest) and Torstar Corporation (20% of the voting interest). Under the transaction agreement dated September 10, 2010, BCE would acquire the remaining 85% of the voting interest in the capital of CTVgm and would therefore exercise effective control.

On March 15, CTV Inc., CTV Corp., CTV Limited and CTVglobemedia Inc. amalgamated to continue as CTV Inc.

In March, CHUM Radio President Chris Godon announced that Dave Daigle had been appointed to Vice President, Sales, CHUM Radio. Dave was Sales Manager for CHUM’s Ottawa stations. He would continue to be based in Ottawa. 

BCE Inc. announced on April 1 that it had completed its acquisition of CTV and that it had launched Bell Media (replacing CTVglobemedia), a new business unit that would make CTV programs and other Bell content available on smartphones and computers as well as traditional television. In addition to CTV and its television stations, Bell Media now also operated 29 specialty channels, 33 radio stations, Dome Productions, a mobile broadcast facilities provider, and dozens of high-traffic news, sports and entertainment websites, including the Sympatico.ca portal.

The CRTC approved a change to the ownership of Bell Media Inc., from BCE Inc. to Bell Canada. This transaction would not affect effective control of Bell Media Inc. and of its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, which continued to be exercised by BCE Inc. Bell Media Inc. held, directly and through its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, various radio and television programming undertakings as well as specialty and pay-per-view television services.

On August 22, the CRTC approved the applications by BCE Inc., on behalf of Bell Media Inc. and 7550413 Canada Inc., carrying on business as Bell Media Ottawa Radio Partnership, for authority to acquire, as part of a corporate reorganization, CFRA, CFGO, CKKL-FM and CJMJ-FM Ottawa. Bell Media, the managing partner holding 99.99% of the voting interest in the general partnership, is wholly owned by Bell Canada and controlled by BCE. 7550413, the other partner holding the remaining 0.01% of the voting interest in the general partnership, is wholly owned by Bell Media and is also controlled by BCE. BCE submitted that the purpose of this corporate reorganization was to realize tax efficiencies. The Commission noted that this transaction would not affect the effective control of the undertakings which would continue to be exercised by BCE. 

Ian March, the Assistant Program Director at Bell Media Ottawa (Magic/Bob FM), became PD at Bell ‘s Kingston cluster (Fly FM/The Drive) September 19. 

Brad Ronald was appointed general sales manager for Bell Media Radio Ottawa. He began his career with CHUM Ottawa in 1976. Carolyne Desnoyers was named sales supervisor Bell Media Radio Ottawa. Codi Jeffreys moved from MAJIC to BOB FM as afternoon co-host with Steve Gregory. Codi would also host evenings on BOB as well as weekends (2-6 p.m.). Kristin Marand would continue to be heard weekends (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) as well as Monday-Wednesday evenings. On MAJIC, Steve Boyton was now handling early evenings (6-8 p.m.) as well as Saturday evenings (6-midnight). Connie B would now be heard 12-4 p.m. Saturday and 10-4 Sunday as well as Thursday/Friday evenings. Canada’s Top 20 Countdown would air on MAJIC Saturday mornings from 10-Noon and Sundays from 4-6 p.m.

Brian DePoe became program director of Majic 100 and BOB FM on January 4. He had been PD at Q92 Montreal. Robert Edgley became director of engineering, IT and building maintenance at CTV Ottawa, succeeding Art Clarke, the manager, engineering and IT, who retired at 49. Edgley would direct the CTV Ottawa, /A Ottawa and CHUM Radio Ottawa engineering teams and the building/security team. He joined Baton Broadcasting (now CTV) in 1991. Dave Daigle, general sales manager of CHUM Ottawa, was appointed to the newly created position of VP Sales CHUM Radio. He would remain in Ottawa. Daigle had been promoted to the GSM position in 2008 from his sales supervisor position. 939 BOB-FM and Majic 100 put new morning teams in place. On Majic, Stuntman Stu and Angie Poirier were teamed up. Stu was the morning co-host at BOB FM. Poirier moved over from the /A Ottawa morning show. Poirier would remain on /A Morning’s weekend show. At BOB-FM, Vinney White and Sandy Sharkey shared host duties in the morning.

Former Majic 100 morning man Kevin Nelson passed away December 13 at the age of 52. He was the son of the late Jungle Jay Nelson, long-time Toronto radio and TV personality. Kevin joined CJMJ Majic 100 as morning man when the station launched in August of 1991. Due to illness, Nelson left the air in September of 2010.

Brad Ronald, a 35-year veteran with Bell Media Radio Ottawa, was promoted from retail sales manager to general sales manager. Bill Parker, who had been on the air for close to 20 years on Majic 100 (from its beginning), left for Valley Heritage Radio in Renfrew where he would be Operations Manager.

J.R. Ello was named promotions manger at Bell Media Ottawa. He would be responsible for all promotional and community relations activity for Majic 100, 93.9 BOB FM, CFRA, Team 1200, CTV Ottawa and CTV Two Ottawa.

Sixteen Bell Media Ottawa staffers, on-air and a manager, were let go in what was described as a corporate restructuring at CTV Ottawa, CFRA, Majic 100, Bob FM and Team 1200. Among those dismissed were CFRA talk show Host Michael Harris and reporter Gord McDougall; Team 1200’s Jim Jerome, Phil Melanson and Mike Sutherland; Majic 100’s Steve Boynton; BOB FM’s Tina Sapp; marketing director for Bell Media Radio Ottawa and CTV Two Ottawa Al Macartney; and CTV Ottawa’s promotion manager, Brent Corbeil.

Ian March who left Bell Media Ottawa September 19, 2011 to become Program Director at 98.3 FLYFM/98.9 The DRIVE Kingston, returned to Bell Media Ottawa as Programming Coordinator of Majic100/93.9 Bob FM.

Bell Media created four new regional VP positions for radio and local television. They would report to Chris Gordon, president, radio & local TV, Bell Media. Richard Gray, VP Ottawa Radio (CFGO/CFRA/CJMJ/CKKL and CTV Two (CHRO-TV) Ottawa, would be responsible for Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Northern and Eastern Ontario. Local GMs at radio and TV stations would now report to Gray.

Jack Derouin died at age 67. The two-year retired Derouin had been general sales manager at CHUM Radio Ottawa.

On August 8, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CJMJ-FM until August 31, 2013.

Candace Drover was named Music Director at Majic 100. She had been Music Director / afternoon drive announcer at FLY FM Kingston. 

Brian DePoe was no longer Program Director at Majic 100/93.9 BOB FM Ottawa. He had joined Bell Media Ottawa in January, 2011, moving from PD at Q92 Montreal. Before that, DePoe was with Virgin Radio Toronto. 

Bell Media Ottawa made some changes in January. Long-time BOB FM (originally KOOL FM) personalities Sandy Sharkey and Steve Gregory as well as Majic 100 afternoon host Red Allen were no longer with the stations.

Ian March was promoted from Program Coordinator at MAJIC 100 and BOB FM to Program Director.

On November 8, CJMJ Magic 100.3 became Ottawa’s first HD radio station. It offered CJMJ on HD channel 1. CJMJ-FM-HD-2 offered a simulcast of CFRA 580 while CJMJ-FM-HD-3 provided the programming of CFGO 1200.

In the spring CJMJ was broadcasting in HD. Its own programming was offered on HD channel 1 with CFRA-AM on HD2 and CFGO-AM on HD3.