CFMX-FM

Radio CHUC Ltd. received approval for an FM station at Cobourg but only if it was on-air by May 1/68. CHUC had previous approval for FM but ran into difficulties in obtaining a transmitter site, forcing a delay and now, requiring this new bid. It would operate on 103.1 MHz with effective radiated power of 117,000 watts with antenna height of 646 feet (EHAAT), using a non-directional pattern. The station would have auxiliary studios in Port Hope.

On September 16, Radio CHUC Ltd. received approval for the operation of a new FM station at Cobourg. It would broadcast on a frequency of 103.1 MHz and have an effective radiated power of 117,000 watts, horizontal and vertical. A non-directional antenna would be used. Radio CHUC Ltd. owned CHUC-AM and was controlled (70%) by broadcast consulting engineer Donald B. Williamson. The new station was also authorized to have a part-time studio in Port Hope. The granting of this licence to Radio CHUC Ltd. was rare in that the CRTC approved a frequency for use by a private operator over that of a competing bid by the CBC for the same channel.

It was hoped CHUC-FM would be on the air in September. The transmitter site with authorized antenna height of 656 feet would be located six miles north of Cobourg. Studios and offices would be located in the existing CHUC Building on Telephone Road in Hamilton Township, midway between Cobourg and Port Hope (right along Highway 401). Michael Parisot was chief engineer for the Cobourg stations.

Still not on the air, Radio CHUC Ltd. was called to a CRTC public hearing to explain why the licensed CFMX-FM was still not operational. D.B. Williamson was told if he did not have the station on the air by November 30, he would have to surrender the licence. The Commission also stated that it had been misled by the licensee. Williamson stated that he would surrender the FM licence if the station was not on the air by November 30. (On March 13, the CRTC had extended the deadline to get the station on the air to May 31 and operations had still not commenced.)

CFMX-FM did go on the air November 30. It was broadcasting from the transmitter building because the studio-transmitter link still had not been completed.

At a licence renewal hearing in May, CFMX owner D.B. Williamson and manager Norm Hickey had to explain why the station was still not offering a regular program service. They cited the main problem as being antenna icing. They had applied to the Department of Communications on November 29, 1978 for authority to operate at a lower power because of these difficulties. They were turned down. At that time, they noted that 120 feet of the 180 foot tower had been erected but winter had set in, so construction work hours were reduced and there were additional technical problems. Once they got the transmitter going at full power, they then found CFMX was creating interference problems. The transmitter was again shut down so that modifications could be made. These problems continued into early May.

CFMX-FM finally became fully operational on May 28, just one day before the licence renewal hearing. CFMX-FM had a Classical/Fine Arts format. It was Canada’s first, and only, full-time, commercial classical music station.

On November 1, the CRTC did renew the CFMX-FM licence…but only to September 30 of 1981. In the decision, the Commission reviewed the difficulties experienced in getting the station on the air and concluded the licensee made a reasonable effort to meet his commitments. A minority of commissioners dissented from the decision, holding the view that the licence should have been surrendered when the station did not commence operations by the date stipulated.

Announcers at CFMX 103.1 at this time, included Alex Baran (mornings) and Louise Guy.

On September 30, the CRTC revoked the CFMX licence because of an unsatisfactory promise of performance, interrupted service due to technical difficulties (including operating at reduced power), financial and other problems. CFMX left the air. Licensed in 1976, the station did not begin regular broadcasting until May of 1979. During 1980, CFMX was off the air for nine months, and the CRTC said it was not satisfied with the programming that did make it to air. The CRTC called for applications to replace CFMX, with a deadline of December 15. A public hearing would be held on March 30, 1982. Three applicants came forward: CFMX Communications, North Shore Broadcasting and Stonehaven Communications.

On June 29, CFMX Communications Ltd. was awarded a licence for an FM station at Cobourg, using 103.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 117,000 watts. The station would offer a classical fine arts format similar to what was approved in 1976. In its short time on the air, CFMX attracted and retained a loyal and diversified audience. Some of the strongest supporters formed a group called “The Friends of CFMX Citizens Committee”. The group committed to playing an advisory role in developing programming policy for the station and to actively participate in the station’s operation. CFMX Communications was controlled by consulting engineer Donald B. Williamson. He was owner of CHUC-AM and the previous license holder of CFMX. Williamson hoped to have CFMX back on the air by September. The CRTC told him that he must surrender the licence rather than make any changes to the station’s classical music format. A minority of CRTC commissioners objected to the licence being returned to Williamson.

There were two competing applications for the 103.1 frequency. Both Harold Ferguson Abernathy and by William Spencely had proposed a country music format. Those applications were denied.

With the granting of the new licence, CFMX was also authorized to add SCMO service, providing specialized audio services from Datamark of Toronto, and digital informational services to be picked up by cable TV systems in the Cobourg area.

On April 15, Radio CHUC Ltd. and CFMX Communications Ltd. went into receivership. Coopers & Lybrand, the receiver appointed by the Bank of Montreal, took over operation of both stations until a new owner could be found.

On May 26, the night before the stations were scheduled to close because a new owner had not been found, John Radford, president of Jedcom Investments Ltd., offered to purchase CFMX and CHUC. Radford was owner of Eastern Ontario Broadcasting Co. Ltd. (CFJR-AM) in Brockville, ON.

John Radford took over operating management of CFMX and CHUC on June 1, while awaiting CRTC approval of the transfer of ownership.

On June 24, Martin Rosenthal, owner of Electro Sonic Inc. of Toronto, agreed to buy CFMX from John Radford.

Martin Rosenthal took over operating management of CFMX-FM on July 4, pending CRTC approval of the transfer of ownership.

On November 30, the CRTC approved the transfer of ownership of CFMX-FM to Martin Rosenthal’s M.R. Investments Ltd. and CHUC to a numbered company also known as Pineridge Broadcasting (Radford). As the new licensee of CFMX-FM, Rosenthal was to make technical improvements and retain the station’s Classical / Fine Arts format, with some diversification. The licence was good for three years.

Announcers at this time included Ian Sutton (mornings), Brian Turner, Don Newlands, John van Driel (who joined the staff this year), Bentley Steers, and Frank Carver. News staff included Fred Long and Charlene Bebee. Sutton was also the station’s manager.

In February, after years of operating at reduced power from sub-standard equipment CFMX boosted its power to the authorized 117,000 watts, using a new transmitter at the same antenna site. A brand new equipment building was built at the transmitter site too. The antenna was refurbished, but only as a half measure. No radomes or de-icers were used in the original system and it was impossible to retrofit the antenna with either due to structural limitations of the tower. During the winter, CFMX had to operate at reduced power due to icing conditions.

On September 1, CFMX began broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Michael Compeau joined CFMX early in the year from CFNY-FM in Brampton. He would be program director and host of the afternoon show, Potpourri. Bob Jeffries joined mid-year from CBC Toronto to host the evening show.

Under Compeau’s direction, “The Sound of a Different Drummer” was revitalizing its programming. It was hoped with the revamped programming and an advertising campaign the station could attract more listeners.

By the end of the year, the station had broken in to the Toronto market thanks to cable FM.

In June Martin Rosenthal applied to the CRTC to change the corporate name from M.R. Investments to Different Drummer Communications.

On November 30, CFMX moved out of the CHUC Building in Hamilton Township, to new facilities at 884 Division Street (Unit 1), at Elgin Street in Cobourg. Since Martin Rosenthal acquired the station, a lot of new staff had been hired. The CHUC building could no longer accommodate two growing radio stations. The new CFMX facility was on a busy route which was also an exit from the 401, so the station was more visible than before. The new facility featured all new studio equipment, including McCurdy boards, Technics turntables, and Revox reel to reel decks. A new record library was acquired.

Catherine Belyea was now morning host. Other announcers included Arlene Meadows (mid-days), Michael Compeau (afternoons), Bob Jeffries (evenings), Louise Guy, and Ian Sutton.

Martin Rosenthal was among a number of applicants seeking the use of Toronto’s 97.3 MHz frequency. CFMX’s 117,000 watt signal covered a large part of southern Ontario, but it did not cover Toronto well. Rosenthal believed a format similar to CFMX’s could work in Toronto. Manager Ian Sutton noted that the 50 commercial classical stations in the U.S. had a 30% growth in revenues last year, much higher than the industry average. This was good reason for such a station in Toronto.

David Ouchterlony joined CFMX from CFRB.

On February 10, the CRTC approved the application by Different Drummer Communications Inc. for authority to acquire the assets of CFMX-FM from Martin Rosenthal. The Commission noted that no changes were proposed to the station’s programming. It also noted that the application involved no change of effective control as Mr. Rosenthal was the sole and beneficial owner of all the issued and outstanding shares of the applicant.

Mr. Rosenthal did not get the 97.3 MHz Toronto signal. It went to Robert Redmond for what would be CJEZ-FM. The CRTC issued its decision on March 20. 

Program Schedule: Morning Overture with Ian Sutton (6-9), Morning Concert (9-noon), Music at Midday (12-1), Applause with Michael Engelbert (1-3), Potpourri with Michael Compeau / John van Driel (3-5:30), Afternoon Report (5:30-6), Musicale (6-7), Sounds Great with Don Newlands (7-11), The Feeling of Jazz with Brian Turner. Other on-air names: Louise Guy, Frank Carver, William (Robert) Bier, and Arlene Meadows. News: Susan Milne, Fred Long. Notes: Catherine Belyea joined for mornings from CBC Calgary. 

CFMX had its licence renewed for a four year term. The station won CRTC plaudits for its support of Canadian talent, including a new chamber music series.

Early in the year, CFMX launched “Canadian Showcase”, a program of live concerts. Produced by the station’s syndication wing, Different Drummer Productions, “Canadian Showcase” was being beamed to 50 stations across the country before the end of the year. The move into satellite programming received sponsorship support from Phillips Electronics.

David Ouchterlony died at the age of 73. He had been an early broadcaster with CBC Television and hosted radio programs at CJBC, CKFH, CKEY, CFRB and CFMX-FM over the years. 

CFMX and Different Drummer Productions now had Toronto offices at 135 Berkeley Street.

Catherine Belyea was no hosting mornings and Bob Jeffries was in the evening shift. Mark Lawrence, Don Parish and Kerry Stratton were now with CFMX. Don Small was now in the news department.

Jamie Crookston was appointed sales manager at CFMX while Douglas Kay became an account executive. Both had been with Standard Broadcasting’s CFRB and CKFM in Toronto.

CFMX again tried to break into the lucrative Toronto market and was one of a number of applicants trying to obtain the 96.3 MHz frequency at Mississauga. On April 25, the CRTC announced its decision and Different Drummer was the winner. Once operational, CFMX-FM would serve areas to the east of Toronto on 103.1 MHz and Toronto and immediate areas to the west, on 96.3 MHz. The Mississauga transmitter would be a full-time rebroadcaster of the Cobourg station.

Jerry Good of Good Communications was now managing CFMX-FM for Martin & Truus Rosenthal.

CFMX-FM-1 Mississauga began on the air testing on September 1. It broadcast on 96.3 MHz with an effective radiated power of 19,100 watts. The tower was located atop the Kaneff IV building at Burnhamthorpe Road and Highway 10. This was a 35 storey condominium apartment building and was the highest structure in Mississauga. A panel antenna was chosen in order to generate the required pattern and to keep the close-in vertical radiation within the mandatory 115 dBu field strength. The new transmitter received the Cobourg signal directly over the air using a highly directional, staged Kathrein Yagi antenna system and special receiver. The presence of CKLH 102.9 Hamilton made it more difficult to receive the Cobourg signal, some 125 kilometres away.

The on-air tests proved the signal was not as good as those offered by stations broadcasting from the CN Tower and First Canadian Place in downtown Toronto. However, CFMX-FM-1 began official broadcasting from Mississauga on October 7. Actor Daniel Chevrier, dressed up as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, helped manager Jerry Good, and owners Martin and Truus Rosenthal flip the switch to put CFMX-FM-1 on the air. CFMX-FM now served most of southern Ontario – from St. Catharines to Belleville – reaching more than four million listeners compared to about 80,000 previously.

A production studio and sales office was being constructed in downtown Toronto. The station had operated a sales office in the city for some time. Before the end of the year, the new Toronto facility was opened. It was located at 468 Queen Street East. Studio equipment included a Ward-Beck console, top of the line reel-to-reel machines, turntables, CD units and cart machines.

By this time, CFMX-FM in Cobourg was using Phillips CD players. Total staff at this time was twenty full-time and 20 part-time. 

CFMX opened Toronto sales offices at 468 Queen Street East.

Schedule: The Morning Show – Catherine Belyea (6-10), Morning Concert – Kerry Stratton (10-12), Luncheon Date – Arlene Meadows (12-1), Matinee Concert – Kerry Stratton (1-3), Potpourri – Mark Lawrence (3-5:30), News – Bill Dulmage (5:30-6), The Academy – Arlene Meadows (6-7), Sounds Great – Bob Jeffries (7-11), Nocturne – Arlene Meadows (11-12), Nightwatch – Michael Compeau. Others on-air: Robert Bier, John van Driel, Frank Carver, Louise Guy, Ruby Mercer, John Codner. News: Don Small, Bill Dulmage, Fred Long, Mark Finan, Gerry Freymann. Notes: Bill Dulmage joined for news on August 21. As of October 7, Bill Dulmage began hosting “The Arts & Information Hour” between 5 and 6 p.m. The program also featured John van Driel, Louise Guy, John Katz, Jack Kapica, Dennis Armstrong, Catherine Belyea, and Ron Singer. 

Don Bradley became manager of syndication and corporate sales at the station’s new Toronto sales office.

CFMX received approval to decrease effective radiated power to 82,800 watts from 117,000 watts and to increase antenna height to 255 meters from 197 meters, to increase signal strength.

On January 2, long-standing tower problems at CFMX Cobourg were resolved. The Global Television Network (CIII-TV) had established a new transmitter (channel 27) to serve the Peterborough-Cobourg area. Global constructed a new 500 foot tower at the CFMX transmitter site. CFMX installed a Kathrein 10-bay, 30-panel antenna on the Global tower.

Mike Forester was named manager for arts accounts, corporate sponsorship and executive producer for CFMX Syndication. Monica Tynan was named promotions director. Forester had been promotions manager. 

CFMX-FM Cobourg received approval to boost effective radiated power slightly to 86,700 watts with a decrease in antenna height. The Mississauga rebroadcaster would increase ERP from 19,100 watts (class B) to 43,100 watts (class C), with some limitation on 96.3 MHz.

CFMX 103.1 increased ERP to 86,700 watts.

In August, CFMX-1, raised power to 43,100 watts (average ERP) directional from the same site in Mississauga. This was the equivalent of 100,000 watts beamed toward Toronto (100,000 watts maximum at horizontal, 43,100 watts average at horizontal, 103 meters EHAAT). 

Program Notes – Bob Jeffries left in April and was replaced by Michael Compeau until David Lennick arrived from CFRB. Lennick returned to CFRB and the CFMX evening shift was filled again by Michael Compeau until Michael Engelbert arrived (he had worked for CFMX in the past). Frank Carver left the air but would still voice commercials. 

Louise Guy passed away March 13 at the age of 67. She was assistant manager of CFMX-FM’s Cobourg operation, copy chief, interviewer and program host. Louise made her radio debut on CKLW Windsor as a singer at the age of 11. During World War II she was a radio transmitter operator for the RCAF. Louise joined CHUC-AM in Cobourg when it first signed on in 1957 and made the move to CFMX-FM in 1985. As the two stations were originally co-owned, she had also been associated with CFMX in its early years. 

On March 11, Kevin Cole took over the morning show. Catherine Belyea moved to afternoons (Potpourri) and began co-hosting The Arts & Information Hour with Bill Dulmage. Some other names now heard on CFMX: Terry Boyle, Paula Citron, Orest Ulan, John Devenish, John Katz, Mark and David Franco (news).

Kevin Cole left CFMX on November 22. On November 25, Mark Lawrence took over the morning show. Lawrence had been doing weekends. When Cole joined the station, he did his first shows on February 25 with Catherine Belyea as co-host. Cole’s actual first show on his own was March 4. Don Small (news) left on December 6. David Franco moved from weekend to morning news. Fred Long returned for Sunday newscasts. 

Program Notes: John Van Driel took over the 6-8 p.m. shift in September. Michael Compeau retired as program director on December 4. His last weekend show was on November 29. Compeau would continue doing overnights (voice-tracked). John van Driel became program director. Catherine Belyea left the afternoon show on December 23. She would be replaced by Mark Lawrence in the New Year. Michael Engelbert left, and Belyea moved to late nights, weekends, and continued with the Arts & Information Hour. 

September 3 – CFMX became known as “Classical 96 & 103 FM”. 

The CRTC approved the 96.3 move from Mississauga to Toronto in November 1993. CFMX 96.3 now had a new tower atop First Canadian Place in downtown Toronto (283.6 meters EHAAT) with 30 Kw power. The Mississauga transmitter was closed down. 

On-air schedule as of January 4: Morning Show – Mark Lawrence (6-10), Morning Concert – Kerry Stratton (10-12), Luncheon Date – Arlene Meadows (12-1), Matinee Concert – Kerry Stratton (1-3), Potpourri – Mark Lawrence (3-5), Arts & Information Hour – David Franco & Bill Dulmage (5-6), Academy – John van Driel (6-8), Sounds Great – Catherine Belyea (8-12), Nightwatch – Michael Compeau (12-6). Weekends/Others: John Katz, Paula Citron, Jack Kapica, Dennis Armstrong, Terry Boyle, John Devenish. News: David Franco, Bill Dulmage, Fred Long.

Michael Lyons joined the programming department on January 15 and added a weekend on-air shift on February 19. Also as of February, John van Driel was hosting the morning show, John Devenish was handling afternoons, Catherine Belyea was now hosting The Acadamey (6-8), John van Driel was doing Sounds Great from 8 to 11 p.m. and Arlene Meadows was now heard from 11 to midnight with Nocturne (in addition to Luncheon Date). Catherine Belyea (as of February 19) was now co-hosting the weekend program – Supersounds – with John Devenish. Mark Lawrence left the station on February 25 and was replaced temporarily by John van Driel (mornings) and John Devenish (afternoons). Michael Lyons took over Potpourri on May 23 and The Arts & Information Hour ended on that date. Robert Cushman joined as a reviewer and weekend host on July 2. Colin Fox joined for evenings on August 1.

Schedule Changes as of March 30: Morning Show – Bill Anderson (6-10), Morning Concert – Kerry Stratton (10-12), Luncheon Date – Arlene Meadows (12-1), Matinee Concert – Kerry Stratton (1-3), Potpourri – Michael Lyons (3-6), Academy – Catherine Belyea (6-8), Sounds Great – Colin Fox (8-11), Nocturne – Arlene Meadows (11-12), Nightwatch – Michael Compeau (12-6). Weekends/Others: Dennis Armstrong, Paula Citron, Robert Cushman, Richard Gale, John Katz. News: David Franco, Bill Dulmage, Fred Long. Notes: Richard Gale joined in January (was last at CKDS Hamilton). Bill Anderson joined for mornings from CKYC Toronto on March 27. His first show was on March 29 with John van Driel and his official first show was on March 30. Robert (William) Bier who left in August of 1994, died on April 3. Fred Long left in September. Gerry Freymann departed in October.

John van Driel and Catherine Belyea were now hosting “Artwaves” at 6:00 p.m. Catherine followed at 6:30 p.m. with “Intermezzo” which aired until 8 p.m. when Colin Fox took over with “Sounds Great”. Jeremy Brown joined for commentaries on August 19 (was last at CFRB) – he left December 10. Al Kingdon and Wayne McLean joined the sales department in September. Suzanne Grew-Ellis joined for weekends late in the year (she had been a commercial voice at the station). David Franco began hosting Canadian Showcase on Sundays. Alexa Petrenko joined CFMX and then left a short time later for CBC Winnipeg. Other new voices: Eve Drobet and Mira Friedlander.

CFMX moved all of its operations (Cobourg and Toronto) to new facilities in Toronto at 550 Queen Street East (2nd floor). A sales office was maintained in Cobourg. 

Bill Dulmage moved to weekend news on January 22, replaced in weekday afternoon news by David Craig (last at CFTR Toronto) on January 23. David Craig began hosting the weekend show Concert In The Park on June 8. Franco stopped hosting Canadian Showcase. 

With the move of CFMX operations to Toronto (from Cobourg) in November, there were some programming changes as well. The new line-up: Morning Show – Bill Anderson (5:30-10), Morning Concert – Kerry Stratton (10-12), Luncheon Date – Arlene Meadows (12-1), Musically Speaking – Catherine Belyea (1-3), Potpourri – Terry Campbell (3-7), Sounds Great – Michael Lyons (7-11), Nocturne – Arlene Meadows (11-12), Nightwatch – Colin Fox (12-5:30). Notes: Terry Campbell joined for afternoons on August 25 (he guest hosted the AM show the previous week). Michael Lyons moved to evenings on September 2. Bill Dulmage left CFMX on November 15, and was replaced the next day by Neal Sandy. Bill would move on to the Canadian Communications Foundation to work on the history of Canada’s radio and television stations. Alexa Petrenko returned in November. Michael Compeau now hosted Nightwatch on weekends only. SEE CFMZ-FM Toronto for program information after 1997.

The corporate name changed to Trumar Communications Inc. 

Robin Glenny became retail sales manager at Classical 96 Toronto.

On January 18, Trumar was granted a licence for a digital broadcasting transmitter for CFMX-FM-1 Toronto. The transmitter would be installed at the CN Tower and would employ the EUREKA-147 digital audio broadcasting system, and operate on 1,466.768 MHz with an effective isotropic radiated power of 5,084 watts.

On July 22, CFMX-FM-1 Toronto was authorized to increase average effective radiated power from 13,300 to 24,500 watts. The changes would result in a better quality signal by reducing adjacent channel interference and by strengthening the signal reception in certain areas.

On August 31, MZ Media Inc. (Moses Znaimer) was given approval to acquire CFMX-FM-1, CFMX-DR-1 Toronto, and CFMX-FM Cobourg from Trumar Communications Inc. (Martin and Truus Rosenthal). Znaimer took ownership of the station on September 29.

Early in the year, CFMX-FM Cobourg and CFMX-FM-1 Toronto became CFMZ-FM and CFMZ-FM-1 to reflect the new MZ Media ownership. (Digital transmitter became CFMZ-DR-1).

CFMZ-FM-1 Toronto changed its call sign back to CFMX-FM-1. The Cobourg transmitter retained the CFMZ-FM call letters.

On February 19, the CRTC approved the application by MZ Media Inc. to amend the licence of CFMX-FM-1 Toronto by deleting its rebroadcasting transmitter CFMZ-FM Cobourg. The commission also approved the application by MZ Media for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language Specialty FM radio programming undertaking in Cobourg (103.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 86,700 watts). MZ Media noted that because CFMZ-FM presently receives all of its programming from its originating station CFMX-FM-1 Toronto, the station can offer only full coverage advertising rates based on CFMX-FM-1 operating as a Toronto central market area station. The applicant submitted that approval of its applications would benefit local Cobourg and area businesses since it would be able to offer customized local advertising packages directed specifically to Cobourg and the surrounding area at rates significantly lower than the current full coverage rates. MZ Media stated that it would provide, on average, a maximum of 24 hours per week of differentiated local programming content directed specifically to listeners in Cobourg and the surrounding area. MZ Media defined this differentiated content as advertising and spoken word material that would not be broadcast on CFMX-FM-1 during the same broadcast week.

On March 31, MZ Media received approval to purchase CHWO-AM 740 from Primetime Radio Inc.

The call signs were officially changed in the spring to CFMZ Toronto and CFMX Cobourg.

New sister station CHWO-AM joined Classical 96 at 550 Queen Street East.

CHWO changed call letters to CFZM. 

Former CFMX and CHUC owner Donald B. Williamson passed away on January 12. As a broadcast consulting engineer, Williamson was responsible for the design of many of Canada’s transmission towers still in use today. 

On March 30, the CRTC approved, subject to certain conditions, the applications by ZoomerMedia Limited, on behalf of itself and on behalf of Christian Channel Inc. and ONE: The Body, Mind and Spirit Channel Inc., for authority to effect a multi-step transaction involving the specialty television service VisionTV, the Category 1 specialty television service ONE: The Body, Mind and Spirit Channel and the television stations CHNU-TV Fraser Valley and CIIT-TV Winnipeg, as well as for a new broadcasting licence to continue the operation of VisionTV. Further, the Commission approved an application by MZ Media Inc. (CFZM, CFMZ-FM, CFMZ-DR-1 Toronto and CFMX-FM Cobourg) for authority to transfer all its issued and outstanding shares from Mr. Moses Znaimer to ZoomerMedia. ZoomerMedia is a public corporation effectively controlled by Mr. Moses Znaimer, who owns directly and indirectly, through his holding corporation Olympus Management Limited, 77.89% of the voting interest in ZoomerMedia. Following the transaction, Mr. Znaimer would own, directly and indirectly, a 66.28% voting interest in ZoomerMedia and continue to exercise effective control of the corporation.

On November 26, the CRTC renewed the licences for CFMX-FM and CFMZ-FM to March 31, 2011.

On March 18, the CRTC renewed (administrative) CFMX-FM’s licence until August 31, 2011.

On July 29, the CRTC renewed the licences for the specialty FM radio stations CFMZ-FM Toronto and CFMX-FM Cobourg until August 31, 2015. These short-term licence renewals would allow for an earlier review of the licensee’s compliance with the Radio Regulations, 1986 and its conditions of licence. The Commission approved the licensee’s request to be relieved from subsection 15(4) of the Regulations relating to the requirement that 60% of Canadian content development contributions be devoted to FACTOR or MUSICACTION. The proposed amendment would permit MZ Media to devote up to 80% of its basic annual CCD contributions to initiatives related to the stations’ classical music format and to direct the remainder to FACTOR. In Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2010-912, the Commission stated that the licensee may have failed to comply with subsection 9(2) of the Radio Regulations, 1986 relating to the filing of each station’s annual returns for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 broadcast years. The Commission also stated that the licensee may have failed to comply with its condition of licence relating to Canadian talent development contributions for the 2003-2004 broadcast year with respect to CFMZ-FM. In light of all of the above, the Commission considered that a short-term renewal for CFMZ-FM and CFMX-FM was appropriate. 

George Grant, President & CEO of MZ Media (The New Classical 96.3 FM Toronto, The New Classical 103.1 FM Cobourg, and The New AM 740 Toronto) stepped down August 15.