CHLO-AM

Fenwick Job applied for an AM licence at Brampton, operating on 1090 kHz with power of 250 watts. The application was approved by the CBC. Job said his station would be a strictly local operation with news and music, running seven days a week – to be operational in mid-December. Fen Job was the former national sales manager of Toronto’s CKEY and had recently taken over the weekly newspaper – The Peel Gazette. In the past, he had also worked for WHLS in Port Huron, Michigan, and Montreal’s CJAD. Job would be station manager (managing director) and the majority shareholder. Deryk Upton was named commercial manager and Ross Millard, program director. Announcers would include Paul Delaney and Stan Larke.

CFJB began broadcasting on December 23. It operated on a frequency of 1090 kHz with a daytime power of 250 watts (non-directional). CFJB was a daytime only station, the second one in Canada after CHUM Toronto. The single 146 foot tower was located on a site on part of the east half of Lot 10, Concession 2, west of Hurontario Street, Chingacousy Township, Peel County. CFJB was an independent station with no network affiliation. The licensee name was Broadcasting Station CFJB Ltd. The “FJ” in the call sign was for Fen Job, and the B was for Brampton.

Approval was given for the issuance of 660 common and 220 preferred shares and the transfer of 2 common shares in Broadcasting Station CFJB Ltd. 

Studios and offices were at 2 Ellen Street. 

Deryk Upton left CFJB as commercial manager to become manager of CKPC Brantford.

Fen Job was killed in a car crash. Before his death, the ownership of Broadcasting Station CFJB Limited was as follows: E. F. Job 22.6%, W. S. Martin 9.4%, F. M. Early 9.4%, G. W. E. McKinney 3.8%, F. F. Beckett 9.4%, D. M. Dickson 5.7%, C. S. Meredith 5.7%, W. M. Watson 3.8%, F. W. Richardson 5.7%, five other shareholders 24.5%. 

Bill Todd became manager of CFJB. He had been a salesman at CKOY Ottawa and CKEY Toronto.

Douglas M. Dickson was president of the company. William E. Todd was CFJB’s manager. Stan Larke was commercial and farm manager. John Fox was program and news director. Bill Todd left later in the year. He had joined CFJB in May of the previous year to succeed the late Fen Job as manager.

CFJB was purchased by CHIC Radio Ltd. (John Fox, Gordon Keeble, Mrs. S.W. Caldwell, and others). Sometime in the next year, CFJB became CHIC. 

CHIC purchased a 250 watt Gates transmitter from Canadian Marconi Sales. 

Ad: CHIC Brampton is a MUST to reach West Suburban Toronto. 

Announcer Jim Muir left for CKGM Montreal.

CHIC, operating on 1090 kHz founded CHIC-FM on 102.1 MHz. Studios were at 2 Ellen Street. The 102.1 frequency had originally been reserved for Toronto.

Leslie A. Allen purchased CHIC Radio Ltd. from the Fox, Keeble, Caldwell group, on September 21.

On February 11, CHIC switched from 1090 kHz with 250 watts (day only) to 790 kHz with 1,000 watts day and 500 watts night (two directional patterns). Six 300 foot towers were used from a new transmitter site in Esquesing Township, near Brampton.

Leslie A. Allen was president of CHIC Radio Ltd. and CHIC’s manager. H. J. Allen was news director. Paul Firminger was chief engineer. 

CHIC adopted the all-girl format (Where The Girls Are).

CHIC-AM-FM was now Canada’s first and only all-girl radio station. Before this, the station seemed to be a never-ending revolving door, as talent headed for Toronto stations. Music on the station was selected in advance instead of leaving the selecting up to the individual announcers. The format was Contemporary with some upbeat Middle of the Road. The on-air girls were also limited in what they could say. The format was tight with the ladies only naming the tunes, giving a short quip and then heading right back to music. Only one of the female announcers had previous commercial on-air experience – Pat Moffat – and she was the first girl on the station. All of the announcers also did their own operating. Slogan: CHIC – Where The Girls Are.

Regular newscasts on CHIC were done by men. An “Open Lines To Living” program aired Monday thru Friday mornings with “Action Line” columnist Frank Drea of the Toronto Telegram. Sports columnist Bob Pennington was also heard on the station, as was Toronto art critic Paul Duval. Dorwin Baird hosted a daily book review program. Other features on CHIC: a teen show with news from area high schools; direct, regular reports from civic, provincial and federal leaders; an agricultural weather report; traffic; comparative prices of area stores; gardening and outdoors shows; reports of new arrivals in the area, and commentaries. CHIC also had a 26 foot mobile studio.

Leslie A. Allen was prsident and general manager and Harry Allen Jr. was commercial manager. Joseph A. Morgan was vice president and station manager. Paul Ferminger was chief engineer.

The government again was taking applications for new television stations in Toronto and Montreal. Canadian Film Industries, owned by CHIC’s Leslie Allen, was among the Toronto applicants. Niagara Television Ltd. (CHCH Hamilton), Toronto Star Ltd. (in partnership with Montreal Star Co. Ltd.) and Standard Broadcasting (CFRB) were among the other applicants. If approved, this would be the first UHF station in Canada, even though TV sets in this country were not equipped to receive UHF. It was noted that adapters were available for about fifty dollars, and after June 1, 1969, all sets in Canada would be required to have UHF. Allen said his company was a pioneer film maker in Canada and had three large sound stages and other facilities for TV production located on Lakeshore Blvd. He said channel 25 could be used for educational TV during the daytime and might substitute for government operated ETV, saving taxpayers money. The applicants would be heard at a public hearing beginning February 4, 1969.

Leslie Allen’s bid for a UHF TV licence in Toronto was unsuccessful.

 On July 3, approval was granted for the transfer of 100% of Hemisphere Investments Ltd. (majority shareholder in CHIC Radio Ltd.) from Leslie A. Allen to his brother Harry J. Allen, Jr.

A move of studios and offices from 2 Ellen Street to 7 George Street South was approved November 5. 

Even though CHIC had been the all-girl station since 1966, the station had no females in the newsroom. The station had a news staff of six, offered 100 minutes of news (approximately) per day, and also had three mobile units. Traffic reports were provided by the Ontario Motor League. Harry Allen was also news director. He had 15 years of news experience with the Toronto Telegram before moving to radio. 

In the evenings, CHIC dropped the all-girl sound and offered ethnic programming between 6 and 11 p.m.

Don Biefer was morning host. He then did afternoon drive between October and December and then left for Kingston’s CKLC. 

Paul Nathan left CHIC for CJOM Windsor. Ian Cameron was music director and mid-day personality. Jim House was morning man. Dale Goldhawk was news director. 

On May 31, CHIC Radio Ltd. was given permission to increase CHIC-AM’s power from 1,000 watts day and 500 watts night to 5,000 watts day and night. Ten 298 foot towers would be used.

Mark Elliot joined in the summer to do overnights for a few months. Ted Woloshyn was doing PM Drive. The format changed to talk for a time. Mark Elliot moved from overnights to PM Drive with Woloshyn as his board op. Mark’s talk show was called “Talk Sports with Nils Johanson” (his legal name). Nobody called in so after a few days the show was axed and Woloshyn got his PM Drive show back. Gary Megaffin joined to do 4-7p.m. Before doing PM Drive, Ted Woloshyn was on overnights. Mike Lynch was the morning host, Rich Elwood handled middays.

On-Air staff and ethnic programs: Don Sanderson (6-9), Paul Richards (talk, 9-noon), Barry Kentner (12-4), Garry Megaffin & Michael Colle (Sports Talk, 4-7), Echoes of Italy Guiliano Sarrachini (7-9), Greek Show (9-11), Midnight All Canadian Hour (11-12), Richard Frith (midnight-6). News staff: Barry Kentner, Roger Snowden, Alec Stewart, Abe Hefter, Ben Stienfeld, Paul Hughes, Andres Vermette. Note: Gary Magaffin left the station.

Vicki Gabereau joined CHIC.

CHIC-FM was now known as CFNY-FM.

Michael Hargrove-Pawson became chief engineer, replacing Walter Tilner who resigned in May.

By this time, Barry Kentner’s trivia show was cut back to Noon-1 and John Morris hosted from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

John Morris left and Rosie Sunshine took over his time slot. Rosie was Vicki Gabereau. The Rosie name came from her election campaign for Mayor of Toronto. She dressed as a clown for the whole campaign.

Around this time, announcers included: Ken Shaw (mornings), Paul Richards, John Morris, Gary Horan (sales). Ethnic programming aired after 7:00 p.m. Other than the morning show, CHIC was pretty much talk. Paul Richards passed away and Larry Solway was hired. 

CHIC adopted a DISCO format, calling itself “7-9-0 Disco”.

On April 9, All-Can Holdings Ltd., owner of CHIC Radio Ltd., went into receivership. At the request of the Ontario Securities Commission, the Ontario Supreme Court appointed Clarkson Co. Ltd. as receiver and manager of all property belonging to All-Can on April 23. Leslie and Harry Allen, All-Can’s executives and controlling shareholders, and Morton Goldhar, President of Medicorp Technology were charged with conspiring to affect the market price of Class B All-Can shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The charges were stock manipulation and fraud.

On May 7, the Supreme Court of Ontario authorized Clarkson to sell all the shares held by All-Can in CHIC Radio Ltd. or alternately, all of the assets of CHIC Radio Ltd. The next day, the CRTC granted Clarkson authority as receiver and manager of All-Can to continue the operation of CHIC and CFNY on a temporary basis, until the stations could be disposed of.

On May 16, Clarkson published a notice of invitation for public tenders for the purchase of CHIC Radio Ltd. Seven bids were received and Clarkson entered into an agreement with CJMS Radio Montreal (Quebec) Ltd. Pending a CRTC decision on the sale of CHIC to CJMS, the Commission announced July 6 that CJMS could assist Clarkson in the management and day to day supervision of CHIC Radio Ltd.

On November 5, following a special hearing, the CRTC approved the sale of CHIC Radio Ltd. from All-Can Holdings Ltd. to CJMS Radio Montreal (Quebec) Ltd. A minority of commissioners dissented from the decision, arguing that, under the circumstances, competing applications should have been heard. CJMS, a subsidiary of Civitas Corporation, undertook to provide modern technically-sophisticated facilities under one roof for both stations and expected to absorb losses of $1 million over the next three years. CJMS took ownership of CHIC and CFNY later in the month.

Ted Woloshyn was morning man (6-10). He was followed by Frank Wood (10-2), Ross Carlin (2-6), Joe Malysa (6-10), Ala Dulas (10-2) and Mac Lloyd (2-6). Other announcers included Roy van Hurd and Rick Kelly. Larry Solway left. Kevin Nelson left for CKAR Oshawa. Malysa joined the station this year.

A corporate reorganization took place. Mutual Broadcasting 1980 (Canada) Ltd., CJMS Radio Montreal and CHIC Radio Ltd. merged to form Mutual Communications (1980) Ltd.

CHIC became CKMW, with the “MW” standing for Metro West.

CKMW’s studios and offices were relocated to 83 Kennedy Road South from 2 Ellen Street and 7 George Street South.

Mike Pawson was chief engineer for CKMW and CFNY-FM.

What ever happened to previous owners Harry and Leslie Allen? By this time, Harry was now the publisher of a magazine.

Pat Hurley was vice president and general manager at CKMW. 

On the air: Ted Woloshyn (6:00), Frank Wood (10:00), Ross Carlin (2:00), Joe Malysa (6:00), Ala Dulas (10:00), Mac Lloyd (2:00). Also Pete Blake. Ted Woloshyn left and was replaced by Bill Robertson. Frank Wood left and was replaced by Ted Michaels.

CFNY-FM joined CKMW at 83 Kennedy Road South, bringing the co-owned stations under the same roof. 

Mac Lloyd stopped doing the all-night show. This allowed him to begin a community info program called, “Talk A Peel”.

The former head of CHIC and CFNY, Leslie Allen, received a sentence of two years less a day after being convicted of fraud charges. He was allowed to serve the sentence in the evenings and continue working during the day. While president of All-Can Holdings and other companies, Allen negotiated a $1.5 million loan on the basis of overstated revenues. He also manipulated the price of All-Can on the stock market, announcing a takeover while selling his own shares. The ensuing bankruptcy forced the sale of the stations.

Pat Hurley confirmed the estate of Raymond Crepault was attempting to divest itself of some of its holdings, including CKMW-CFNY and their film production house. They planned to retain the Quebec radio stations and the Radio Mutuel network. As a result of the expected shrinkage of Civitas Corp., Ed Prevost resigned as president. 

On August 30, the CRTC approved the following changes: (A) Mutual Broadcasting 1980 Canada Ltd. was authorized to acquire CKMF-FM from Supravox Corp. Ltd. (B) Mutual Broadcasting Ltd. – upon disolution of Mutual Broadcasting 1980 Canada Ltd. and Mutual Broadcasting Ltd., was licensed to continue the operation of CJRP-AM and CHIK-FM (CJRP Radio Provincialle Ltee), CJRS-AM (CJRS Radio Sherbrooke Ltee), CJTR-AM (CJTR Radio Trois-Riviere Ltee) and CJRC-AM (CJRC Radio Capitale Ltee). (C) Amalgamate Mutual Broadcasting 1980 Canada Ltd. (CJMS-AM, CKMW-AM and CFNY-FM), Supravox Corp. Ltd. and Mutual Broadcasting Ltd. into Mutual Broadcasting Canada Ltd. (Radiodiffusion Mutuelle Canada Ltee) 

Line-up: 6:00 Bill Robertson, 10:00 Ted Michaels, 2:00 Ross Carlin, 6:00 Joe Malysa, 10:00 Ala Dulas. Mac Lloyd hosted Talk A Peel. Malysa left the station this year.

The re-organized board of directors at Civitas Corp. included Georges Pouliot as chairman and president; Richard Renaud as acting president of Radiomutuel; Philippe Labelle, secretary; Ben Weider, Jacques Clement, Lee Hambleton and Pierre David.

On August 17, CKMW Radio Ltd. received permission to acquire CKMW from Mutual Broadcasting Canada Ltd. Approval was then granted for the transfer of CKMW Radio Ltd. from Mutual to Patrick J. Hurley (51%) and Bill Evanov (49%). The new owners proposed to operate CKMW only 18 hours a day in the first year. After that, broadcast time would increase to 24 hours a day. Of that time, 67 hours a week would be multilingual programming – representing 40% – the maximum allowed. Hurley had managed CKMW and CFNY for the past three years and began his career at the AM station when it was still CFJB – in 1957. His partner in the purchase of CKMW – Bill Evanov – was manager of CING-FM in Burlington. He had worked in the past for CHIN Radio.

On the same date, CKMW’s sister station – CFNY – was sold by Mutual to Selkirk Communications Ltd.

CKMW Radio Ltd. (Hurley and Evanov) took ownership of CKMW on September 26th. The station added a large amount of third language programming to its broadcast schedule. 

Pete Jepsen was now morning man. Mac Lloyd left. Gene Stevens was program director. Fred Patterson was doing sports.

On the air: Len Daniels, Alan Spragette, Larry Solway, Ross Carlin, Cliff Dumas, Michael Knight.

On January 9, CKMW lost out to Hamilton’s CHAM in requesting a change of frequency to 820 kHz. CFGM in Richmond Hill had also applied for the channel. CKMW stated its signal was adequate in Brampton but weak to inaudible in parts of Mississauga, and it felt it was licensed to serve all of Peel Region. The CRTC reminded CKMW that it was licensed to primarily serve Brampton. The Commission did invite CKMW to consult with the Department of Communications in finding other frequency alternatives. 

On August 19, approval was given for the transfer of effective control of CKMW Radio Ltd., through the issue of 192 common voting shares to Angelo Cremisio and 131 common voting shares to Universal Plumbing Ltd. from the company’s treasury. The ownership structure would now be as follows: Patrick Hurley (38.6%), William Evanov (37.1%), Angelo Cremisio (14.4%) and Universal Plumbing Ltd. (9.9%).  

Pat Hurley was president of CKMW.

Anne Burton joined CKMW.

CKMW was authorized to increase ethnic programming from 40% to 85.7%.

CKMW applied to the CRTC to change its frequency to 640 kHz. On October 2, the 640 frequency was awarded to CFGM Richmond Hill. The new frequency would have allowed for a maximum power of 25,000 watts day and night.

Ken Boo, Junior Chung, Willy Dee, and Collin Vern were among the announcers.

Anne Burton left CKMW. During her time with the station, she was a news reader and reporter as well as executive producer and on-air interviewer for Talk-a-Peel.

In January, CKMW became CIAO (“chow”), keeping its multi-language format. “Ciao” was known universally as a greeting. By this time the station was broadcasting in 15 languages with plans to add more.

CIAO moved to new studios in the Kennedy Shopping Centre at 50 Kennedy Road South, Unit 20. This was across the street from the old facility. The new building was twice the size and featured a larger sales department and bigger newsroom which was equipped with satellite feeds. 

CIAO received approval to decrease daytime power to 3,000 watts from 5,000 watts. Another tower would be added to improve coverage.

In the spring, CIAO 790 decreased daytime power from 5,000 to 3,000 watts. Night power remained at 5,000 watts. A new 11 tower array was used at the existing site. Approval of the power decrease was given on March 16, 1989.

On November 17, CJFT 530 Fort Erie was granted a move to the FM dial. CIAO decided to go after the 530 frequency. Arrangements had to be made with CFYZ 530 at Pearson Airport.

On May 28, the CRTC approved the application to amend the broadcasting licence for CIAO, an ethnic radio station, by decreasing the day-time transmitter power from 3,000 watts to 1,000 watts, and the night-time transmitter power from 5,000 watts to 250 watts, and by changing the frequency from 790 kHz to 530 kHz. This application represented the licensee’s third attempt to improve the reception quality of CIAO’s signal throughout its coverage area. In the 1985 (CHAM Hamilton got 820 kHz) and 1986 (CFGM Richmond Hill was granted 640 kHz) denial of two previous technical amendments in favour of competing applicants, the Commission recognized the coverage limitations experienced by CIAO on its existing frequency. In these decisions, the Commission encouraged the licensee to seek out other viable options to resolve its technical difficulties. The proposed frequency was now utilized by a low-power airport station, CFYZ, operated by Transport Canada. An intervention was received from Transport Canada, supporting the proposed changes to CIAO, conditional upon a change of frequency for the airport station. The Commission noted that CFYZ utilized the 530 kHz frequency on an unprotected basis, and that, as such, Transport Canada was obliged to vacate the frequency if it was required for a protected use such as that proposed by CIAO. The CBC opposed the proposed technical changes on the grounds that CIAO would cause interference to CBEF 540 Windsor, its French-language service. In its reply, the licensee noted that, in the area which would be subject to interference, the CBC provided its French-language radio network programming from CJBC Toronto. The Commission was of the view that the public interest would be best served by the resolution of CIAO’s long-standing technical problem. In approving the request, the Commission noted the licensee’s firm commitment to maintain its Brampton programming orientation, especially with respect to its news coverage.CIAO was hoping to make the move to 530 kHz in September but there were delays. 

The station had proposed a non-directional signal from a single top-loaded tower at the existing 790 transmitter site. The CBC was concerned that there would be interference to CBEF 540 in Windsor. CIAO also had to wait for CJFT in Fort Erie to turn its 530 kHz transmitter off. CJFT had moved to the FM band but was still simulcasting (as authorized) on the AM frequency. CFYZ Pearson International Airport radio had already vacated 530 kHz for 1280 kHz (formerly used by CHAM in Hamilton – now on 820).

There had also been an intervention from Carl Redhead, manager of CHIN in Toronto. He was representing a company to be incorporated, and argued that a call for applications should have been made for the use of 530 kHz. The CRTC ruled in favour of resolving the long-standing technical problem at CIAO.

CIAO began testing on 530 kHz from the existing 790 transmitter site located near Hornby. Two top-loaded towers were now used, creating a directional signal. This was to ease the CBC’s concerns regarding CBEF in Windsor. It should be noted that the 790 transmitter site was one of the largest in North America – 11 towers on 142 acres. 

Collin Vern and Weatherby were among CIAO’s on-air staff.

CIAO 530 was simulcast on 790 until September 6 when the 790 frequency went dark

On January 18, approval was granted for CIAO to operate a digital broadcasting transmitter on 1,466.768 MHz with an effective isotropic radiated power of 5,084 watts. 

Adam Robinson became operations manager for CIAO, CIDC-FM and CKDX-FM. He had been with CJKX-FM in Ajax. 

On August 28 the CRTC renewed CIAO’s licence until August 31, 2014. One of the conditions of the new licence: During each broadcast week, the licensee shall provide programming directed to a minimum of 12 cultural groups in a minimum of 13 different languages.

On August 28, the CRTC renewed the transitional digital radio licence of CIAO-DR-2.

On August 31, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CIAO-DR-2 to April 30, 2012.

Former CHIC personality Kevin Nelson (son of the late Jungle Jay Nelson) passed away December 13 at age 52.

Larry Solway passed away January 9 at age 83. He hosted “Talkback” on the old CHIC 790.

On April 23, the CRTC administratively renewed the broadcasting licence for digital radio programming undertaking CIAO-DR-2 until August 31, 2012.

Stan Larke passed away in December at age 84. The long-time broadcaster worked at radio stations in Brampton, Richmond Hill, Toronto and Galt. 

On March 31, the CRTC approved CIAO’s application to change the antenna radiation pattern from directional to non-directional through the use of a single tower with a height of 225.6 metres. 

In October, Bill Evanov was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Small Business Summit Awards Gala in Caledon, marking 50 years in broadcasting.

In January, CIAO became CHLO.