CFMS-FM , Hello FM, Markham
Bhupinder Bola
| Station | Year | Freq. | Power | Owner/Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFMS-FM | 2013 | 105.9 | 704 | Bhupinder Bola |
2012
On September 11, the CRTC approved the application by Bhupinder Bola, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate a commercial English-language FM radio station in Markham. It would broadcast on 105.9 MHz (channel 290A) with an average effective radiated power of 618 watts (maximum ERP of 1,600 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 21.1 metres). The format would be Adult Album Alternative and Adult Contemporary; with ethnic programming directed to a minimum of 5 ethnic groups in a minimum of 9 languages. The target audience: 12 to 64 years (core: adults 25 to 54) with target ethnic groups: Chinese, South Asian, Muslim, Black African/ Caribbean, Filipino. The station would offer 126 hours of local programming per broadcast week.
2013
The CRTC approved an amendment to the licence for CFMS-FM to increase the average ERP to 704 watts (maximum ERP to 2,500 watts), to decrease the effective height of antenna above average terrain to 9.1 metres and to relocate the antenna.
CFMS (“Hello FM”) began lmited on-air testing in November.
2014
On February 5, 105.9 The Region (CFMS-FM) signed on the air with an AC and talk format. Pip Bola was President and Debra McLaughlin was general manager.
2015
On April 16, the CRTC approved the CFMS-FM application to increase average ERP from 704 to 981 watts. On April 23, the station had its application to add an FM transmitter at Aurora denied. The transmitter would have operated on 91.7 MHz with an average ERP of 45 watts (max. ERP of 150 watts with an EHAAT of 179.5 metres).
2016
On September 12, the CRTC denied the application by CFMS-FM to change its authorized contours by relocating the transmitter, increasing the effective height of the antenna above average terrain from 9.1 to 50.6 metres and decreasing the average effective radiated power from 981 to 379 watts (maximum ERP from 2,500 to 1,300 watts). The Commission considered that Radio Markham did not provide sufficient technical evidence to demonstrate that its technical concerns did not extend beyond what should have been reasonably expected with the use of its frequency in Markham or that its current signal was not adequate to provide service to Markham.
2017
On October 31, the CRTC approved an application to change the authorized contours of CFMS-FM by increasing the maximum ERP from 2,500 to 3,000 watts, by decreasing the average ERP from 981 to 630 watts, by increasing the EHAAT from 9.1 to 54 metres, and by relocating the transmitter.
2019
On July 11, the CRTC gave CFMS a short-term licence renewal to August 31, 2025 due to issues of non-compliance.
The story continues elsewhere…
Effective September 1st 2019, we will only be adding new material to these station histories in exceptional circumstances. Our intent to chronicle the early days of these radio and television stations has been achieved, and many new sources and technologies, from the CRTC website to Wikipedia, and others, are now regularly providing new information in these areas.