CJCL-AM

Hockey broadcaster Foster Hewitt aplied to the CBC Board for permission to operate a new AM station at Toronto – 1400 kHz with 250 watts (non-directional). The station would serve west Toronto. Tha application was approved. Foster Hewitt had his start in radio back on Toronto’s old CFCA, owned by the Toronto Star. Since then, he had become the best known voice not only in radio but in Canada, as broadcaster of NHL hockey games. 

Late in the year, Foster Hewitt reported he had received final approval from the Department of Transport for operation of his new station in Toronto. He expected to have CKFH on the air early in the new year. Studios would be at 1 Grenville Street (just blocks from Maple Leaf Gardens) and work was soon to get started on the transmitter site on the Toronto Islands. Hewitt named Howard Caine as the station’s first manager and Len Smith would be sales manager. Caine joined Foster Hewitt near the end of 1948 to help plan and organize the new station. 

Radio Station CKFH took to the air February 21. Among those on hand for the opening: Howard Caine (CKFH manager), George Young (CBC), Foster Hewitt (CKFH president), Harry Sedgwick (CFRB president) and Bob Lee (CHUM manager).

The station had a 24 hour a day schedule with news on the hour, an analysis of the news nightly at 7, a 9:05 to 10:30 p.m. sports actuality every night, with the possible exception of Saturdays, to be called “The Main Event”. Manager Howard Caine called the program scheme “Theatre Productions”, with the day blocked off into two to three hour segments, each a produced show under one emcee. The daytime schedule included Curtain Raiser from 7-9 a.m., Morning Spring from 9a.m. to noon, and Luncheon Intermission from noon to 1 p.m. The rest of the day: Matinee Performance, Variety Stage, Supper Club, a musical disc show from 8-9 p.m., The Main Event, Newscast, In the Dressingroom (sports), Encores, The Nightclub and the all-night Dick Nelson Show. Newscasts were from each hour to five minutes after.

The original staff and management of CKFH: Foster Hewitt (president), Howard Caine (station manager), Len Smith (commercial manager), Bill McGregor (chief engineer), Billie Hewitt (sports and special events director). Announcers: Bob Pugh and Mike Hopkins. Newscasters: Al Davidson, Art Hives, Dan Bethall, Stan Edwards and for the all-night show, Dick Nelson. Sales staff: Len Smith, Keith Davey, Pat Clarke, and Frank Sommerville. Ken Halpin was librarian and Dick Hawkins handled continuity. Office staff: Reforde Clarke (traffic), Sheila MacKay (accounting), and Sheila McDonald (receptionist). Technical staff: Bill McGregor, Gerald Wilson (chief operator). Operators: Jack Underhill, Bob Bollun and Bev Edwards.

The transmitter on Toronto Islands would eventually be operated from master control by an RCA remote supervisory unit. Equipment throughout the station was from RCA, including the transmitter. All studio equipment was RCA except for two Micro turn-tables. News service was Press News. Library service ass Thesaurus.

An ad promoting CKFH’s first day: Wednesday Feb. 21st Canada’s All-time Radio Favorite…”Foster Hewitt”…invites ALL Toronto to ENJOY CKFH 1400 On Your Dial. News on the Hour. Opening ceremonies broadcast 7:30 p.m. Wed. New Personalities. Top Sports Events (Actualities…Interviews). Serving Greater Toronto 24 Hours A Day! 

CKFH used a single antenna tower. The corporate name was Foster Hewitt Broadcasting Limited. The station was on the air 24 hours a day right from the start. The “FH” in the call sign: Foster Hewitt.

Bob Pugh was appointed program director at CKFH. He began his radio career at CKSO Sudbury in 1947 and later moved to CKCW Moncton. Daniel Bethall was the early morning (7-9) announcer. 

Slogan: CKFH – Foster Hewitt’s Station – 1400 on your dial.

Things were going so well for CKFH that in the summer the station had to double its studio space, triple its remote equipment, increase its staff by 50%, add a second master control, and double its library space. Owner Foster Hewitt did point out that “It’s not a bed of roses yet and won’t be for a long time”.

In August, CKFH took delivery of new transmitter equipment. Designed around a new, simplified circuit, using only three types of tubes (instead of six or eight types), the BTA 250 M transmitter would give the highest fidelity yet achieved in the AM system, according the the manufacturer, RCA. 

Barry Nesbitt joined CKFH at the start.

Announcer Jerry Wiggins left CKFH for CFRB. Frank Somerville was publicity director at CKFH. Frank Jones and Gwen Horner left CKFH. 

CKFH launched a law suit against the Brooklyn Dodgers because the baseball team, without notice, cancelled the agreement with the station which permitted reconstructed versions of Dodger games. CKFH and the Dodgers had signed an agreement in April whereby the Brooklyn games could be aired over ‘FH throughout the season, except on days when the Toronto Maple Leaf baseball club played a home game. CKFH sportscaster Fred Sgambatti was to announce a description of those games, prepared from telegraph reports from New York City. One game was actually done this way before the May cancellation.

Announcer Jerry Wiggins left CKFH for CFRB. Joy Knowlton was heard on CKFH.

Foster Hewitt charged that CKEY and its sportscasters had pirated broadcasts of hockey games on which he had exclusive rights. He said proof of the charge was contained in tape recordings of broadcasts made over both CKEY and CKFH. Hewitt said he had faked penalties in some of his broadcasts from rinkside of the Leaf’s away from home Sunday night games…seconds later the fakes were heard over CKEY. The charge culminated a heated controversy over how Jack Cooke’s CKEY and its two sportscasters – Joe Crysdale and Hal Kelly – were able to air reconstructed hockey games in distant NHL cities and got the details on the air only seconds after a rink-side broadcaster’s version was heard. Cooke told the CBC Board of Governors that he and his men were prepared to swear they don’t listen in on Hewitt’s broadcasts and use his information. (See CKEY for a bit of history on reconstructed hockey broadcasts in Toronto)

Ad slogan: Now in our fourth year of serving Metropolitan Toronto – proven by three independent surveys – bigger and better than ever. 

George Montgomery left CKFH to become a staff announcer at the new CKCO-TV in Kitchener.

CKFH was known as the Sportsman’s station.

Howard Caine was manager and Bob Pugh was program director.

Barry Nesbitt was hosting a number of teen-oriented programs on ‘FH. 

John Tyrell hosted the morning show.

Hurricane Hazel hit the Southern Ontario region October 15-17. When Foster Hewitt built CKFH, he chose the island because its ground system would go well down into the water to give a better signal. Unfortunately on the Friday night of the storm, there was so much water CKFH was knocked off the air from 1-8 a.m. Saturday. As a result, the station was behind the others in town in getting information out to its listeners. 

Joe Morgan joined CKFH. 

Manager Howard Caine left CKFH to work on launching his own station in nearby Oakville.

Frank Somerville was production director. Jerry Wilson was in the news department. Donald Insley was program director. Phil MacKellar (That Feller Mackellar) was heard on CKFH from 6-9 a.m. and 6:15 to 8 p.m. He joined the station in May after two years at CKLW Windsor. He had been at CBH Halifax and CBE Windsor before that. 

Ownership of Foster Hewitt Broadcasting Ltd.: F. W. Hewitt 94.9%, F. W. A. Hewitt 5.0% and W. R. Binch 0.1%. CKFH was an independent station with no network affiliation, broadcasting on 1400 kHz with a power of 250 watts, using a single directional pattern.

Foster Hewitt was president of the company and Bill Hewitt was manager of CKFH (and sports director). Barry Nesbitt was program and production manager. Gerald Wilson was chief engineer.

Foster Hewitt stopped doing NHL play by play on the radio network and was now doing it for television only. His son Bill took over the radio broadcasts. 

Barry Nesbitt was now at the station. 

Johnny Lombardi was airing programs on CKFH. Fred Sgambati joined the air staff. 

Ron Hewat was hired by Foster Hewitt to work 12 hour weekend shifts at CKFH. Hewat had just finished university. He would soon graduate to conducting intermission interviews at Leafs and Marlies games and would eventually become the colour man on Leafs radio broadcasts. He stopped doing the hockey broadcasts 16 years later. 

Willard King left CKFH as account executive to become a commercial rep at CBC Toronto.

With the Board of Broadcast Governors replacing the CBC as regulator, many parties were awaiting the lifting of the TV ban…in Toronto one channel was available and the following parties had plans to file applications: Joel Aldred of Fifeshire Productions; John Bassett (publisher of the Toronto Telegram and head of Baton Broadcast Inc.); Spence Caldwell; Jack Kent Cooke (CKEY); Famous Players Canadian Corp.; Foster Hewitt (CKFH) and Standard Radio Ltd. (CFRB).

On July 29, CKFH moved from 1400 kHz to 1430 kHz and power increased from 250 watts full-time to 5,000 watts day and night. Two towers were added at the existing transmitter site, giving CKFH four 100 foot, top loaded sticks (105 feet overall height). 

The 1430 frequency had been used by CHEX Peterborough. It moved to 980 kHz to allow the new CKPT in Peterborough to operate on 1420 kHz and CKFH to move to 1430 kHz.

CKFH had an eclectic program schedule…from the Bar B Hillbilly Jamboree and the Star Programme of Good Music, to classical music and children’s programming. There were also programs of Italian music. Announcers included Mona Gould, Phil MacKellar and Saul Field. 

CKFH started calling itself “Radio for Grownups”.

Johnny Lombardi was on the air from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. weekdays. Bill Hewitt was manager. Barry Nesbitt was program director.  

CKFH increased daytime power to 10,000 watts. Night power remained at 5,000 watts.

Foster Hewitt was President of Foster Hewitt Broadcasting Ltd. F. W. A. (Bill) Hewitt was manager of CKFH. Barry Nesbitt was the assistant manager, production and program manager. George Wilson was chief announcer and Phil Mackellar was morning man. Jim Ward was news director and Joe Morgan was sports director. Anne Oliver was librarian and Gerald Wilson was chief engineer.

 CKFH applied for a Toronto FM licence. Because of Foster Hewitt’s association with CFTO-TV, he proposed to have the new FM station transmit from the channel 9 tower in Agincourt. Because of a change of ownership at CTV, it was felt that a backup choice of antenna site might be needed, so Hewitt was looking at the new 65 story Toronto Dominion Bank building. It is not known if the CKFH FM application was turned down or withdrawn.

In the fall, CKFH adopted a “Top 40” format in the evenings only. 

Joe Morgan left for CKEY. Big G. Walters was now on the air at CKFH.

January 2 – CKFH went to a “Top 40” format, full-time.   April 18 – 1967, CKFH increased power from 10,000 watts day and 5,000 watts night to 10,000 watts full-time, using the same towers and site. 

Barry Nesbitt was program director and assistant general manager. 

The station changed format from Middle of the Road to Rock. 

March line-up: Religion (6-6:30), Don Daynard (6:30-10), Don Cameron (10-3), Barry Nesbitt (3-4), Tom Fulton (4-7), Echoes of Italy (7-10), The Whole Bag – Big G. Walters (10-1), Norman B. (1-6:30). Notes: On October 16, Big G. Walters moved from 10pm-1am to 7-10 pm. Also in the fall, Dan O’Neill was hosting the 10am-3pm show, Barry Nesbitt was no longer on the schedule. Kenny Wells was hosting 10pm-1am and John Donabie was doing the overnight show. Echoes of Italy was gone from the line-up. Weekenders included Gary Dean and Mike Williams. Jim Ward did news. Joe Lews did traffic and Ron Hewatt did sports. 

The CBC applied received BBG approval to add CKFH to the English network to carry NHL games for the current season, including playoffs.

Line-up: Religion (6-6:30), Don Daynard (6:30-10), Chuck McCoy (10-1), Keith Hampshire (1-4), Tom Fulton (4-7), Big G. Walters (7-10), Kenny Wells (10-1), Errol Bruce (overnights). Others: Mike Williams, John Donabie. Notes: Mike Sheppard joined in the spring or summer from WWRL New York and then left for CHUM-FM. 

Slogan: Number 2 (We must be…everyone else is Number One). 

While CFRB, CHFI, CHUM and CKEY had traffic reporters in the air, CKFH used traffic information from the Ontario Motor League – from the ground.

Slogans: Hooray horray the ratings are out! Now it’s only 2 to 1 (used to be 6 to 1). 1430 CKFH (still) No. 2 Radio. / Encompassing the people of Toronto with Today’s Radio. 

Line-up: Religion (6-6:30), John Rode (6:30-9), Mike Shepherd (9-noon), Duff Roman (noon-3), Steve O’Brien (3-6), Keith Hampshire (6-10), The Open Lid – Terry David Mulligan (10-1), Erroll Bruce (overnights). Others: Bill McKasik (news), Ron Hewatt (sports), Bud Riley (news). Terry Mann, Mike Williams, Ken Wells, Tom Fulton, John Donabie. Notes: Duff Roman and Bud Riley joined from CHUM. 

Broadcast News was the main source of news for radio stations in Canada but only a handful at this time were subscribing to BN’s voice (audio) service. CKFH was one of those stations. 

Slogan: CKFH 1430 sells turned on Toronto – We’ll sell Toronto for you.

November 14th – CKFH’s licence was amended to show an increase in power to 50,000 watts, full-time DA-2. Six 150 foot top loaded towers were used at the same site. 

On-air: Religion (6-6:30), Duff Roman (6:30-10), John Donabie (10-1), Scott Morgan (1-4), Tom Fulton (4-7), Mike Williams (7-10), The Open Lid – Keith Elshaw (10-1), Bob Baker (overnights). Notes: Keith Hampshire and Steve O’Brien left. 

Slogan: 1430-CKFH – One SELL of a radio station.

March line-up: Religion (6-6:30), Duff Roman (6:30-10), John Donabie (10-2), Tom Fulton (2-6), Mike Williams (6-10), Mal Faris (10-1).

November line-up: Duff Roman (6-10), Gary Hart (10-2), Mike Williams (2-6), Tom Fulton (6-10), Mal Faris (10-1). Others: Don Biefer, Skip Dewling, Al Janssen. News: Robert E. McIntyre, Bud Riley. Notes: Gary Hart took over 10am-2pm in April. Dan Ryan left for CFGM. Biefer joined in May from CKLC Kingston. John Donabie left.

On-air: Religion (6-6:30), Mike Williams (6:30-10), Tom Fulton (10-2), Dick Joseph (2-6), Mal Faris (6-10), Gary Hart (10-1), Skip Dewling (overnights). Others: Don Biefer. News: Mac Wootson, Jack Malloy, Bud Riley. Sports: Clive Hobson, Ron Hewat. 

CKFH hired American Scott Morgan to fill the noon to 3 p.m. air shift. Tom Fulton moved from that shift to 6-10 p.m. which was vacated by Keith Hampshire. 

CKFH stopped producing its printed weekly music chart.

On-air: Religion (6-6:30), Mal Faris (6:30-10), Steve Herringer (10-2), Dick Joseph (2-6), Tom Kelly (6-10), voice-tracked after 10 p.m. Notes: Don Biefer left in February for WOLF Syracuse. He returned in May and stayed until October.

Oldies Format line-up: Canadian Music (6-6:30), Religion (6:30-7), Mal Faris (7-11), Al Kington (11-3), Rob Cowan (3-7), Ron Hewat (voice-tracked) (7-12), Music (overnight, no announcer). Weekends: Bren Traf, Rick Allen. Notes: Al Kingdon joined for middays from CKLB Oshawa. Don Biefer returned for evenings in January and left in March for CHAM Hamilton. Bud Riley left for CJRT-FM. 

March line-up – Country format: Religion (6-7), Mal Faris (7-11), Al Kingdon (11-3), Rob Cowan (3-7), Ron Hewat (voice-tracked) (7-12), Music (no announcer, overnight). Weekends: Bren Traf, Rick allen. News: Glenn Cole, Brian Hill. Notes: The schedule remained the same – for at least a few months, after the switch to country in March. The last rock song to be played was Frankenstein by the Edgar Winter Group and the first country song was Donna Fargo’s It Do Feel Good.

Ron Hewat was named president and CEO, after being with CKFH for 21 years.

On-air: Brian Barker (mornings), John Gilbert (9-11am), Al Kingdon (mid-days), Rob Cowan (afternoons), Bob McCown, Don Rickerby (7-midnight). News: Bren Traff, Murray Eldon, Chris Leyton (traffic). Sports: Bob McCown, John McGilvery. 

The CRTC has ruled that live sports coverage is compatible with the all-news format of CKO. The decision followed a complaint lodged by CKFH. CKO had outbid CKFH for Toronto Maple Leaf hockey games.

Bob Durant joined CHFH as news director from CHFI-FM. Bill Sheppard had been news director. He left for CKO-FM. Mike Marshall (son of CHCH-TV’s Norm Marshall) joined CKFH from CFTR. Howard Cooney was a newscaster at ‘FH. 

On-air schedule basically unchanged from 1978. Mal faris was doing overnights. News: Bill Sheppard, Howard Cooney, Bren Traff, Jim Morris, Glen Stone, Chris Leyton, Al Michaels. Sports: Mark Hebscher, Bob McCown, John McGilvery. Notes: Andy Neill joined. 

Pam Chiotti joined CKFH to do traffic and Scott Ferguson was added for sports. Glen Stone was in the news department. John Gilbert moved his talk show to CKEY. Doug Hall, Michael Magee and Larry Solway were hired to fill in on CKFH’s talk show.

CKO-FM lost the rights to Toronto Maple Leaf hockey. The broadcasts returned to CKFH after a two year absence. Foster Hewitt would no longer be the voice, being replaced by Ron Hewat with Mike Nykoluk doing colour.

Foster Hewitt Broadcasting and Telmed Communications formed a network of their Ontario stations. Telmed had recently gained approval to purchase stations in Timmins, North Bay, Orillia, Midland and Stratford.

Foster Hewitt decided to sell CKFH due to health problems. The station had been losing money since 1978 when CKFH lost the radio rights to the Toronto Maple Leafs (to CKO-FM). Telemed Communications Inc. which was owned by Telemedia of Montreal, would be the new owner. 

On-air: Andy Neill (6-9), John Gilbert (9-11), Al Kingdon (11-3), Mike Marshall (3-7), Rob Cowan / Mal Faris (7-12). Others: Rob Cowan, Al Kingdon. News: Howard Cooney, Chris Leyton, Bob Durant, Glen Stone. 

In February, the sale of CKFH by Foster Hewitt to Telemedia Ontario Inc.(Telemedia Communications Inc.) was completed.

The format changed from a mix of country and adult contemporary to adult contemporary. 
 
On March 21, CKFH became known as “Metro 1430”. The call sign changed to CJCL on April 10.

On May 17, CJCL began broadcasting from fully renovated studios. The address changed to Suite 202, 464 Yonge Street. This was just a change of address from the Grenville St. side of the building to the Yonge St. side. 

Glen Stone (News) left for CKO-FM. Jim Brady joined August 20 from CFTR. John Donabie was noted later in the year (was at CHUM-FM). 

The following Telemedia appointments were announced: Andre Bureau to president of Telemedia Ventures; John Van de Kamer to president of Telemedia Canada (publishing and broadcasting); Pierre Morrissette to senior v. p. for finance and administration; and Normand Beauchamp to president of Telemedia Communications broadcast group. On-air: Jim Brady (mornings), Al Kingdon (mid-days), John Donabie (afternoons), Gerry Forbes (evenings). News: Larry Silver, Grant Forsythe, Scott Ferguson. Traffic: Pam Chioti. Business: Wade Hampton. Notes: Kingdon left for CKAN Newmarket.

Early in the year, CJCL switched from adult contemporary programming to a mostly talk format. Doug Ackhurst became vice president and general manager of CJCL. He was succeeded by Robert Templeton, who became vice president and general manager for Telemedia’s seven Ontario stations. Robert Johnson, former director of marketing at CJCL, replaced Templeton as vice president and general manager of Telemedia’s rep house, Opex. In May, the format was returned to adult contemporary. A change in format to The Music of Your Life took place in September. Paul Rogers was doing news. Jim Brady left. John Donabie left PM Drive. Former CKFH newsman Joe Morgan died at 76 on November 15. Rick Hunter joined from CFTR.

Rick Hallson left CJCL for CKEY to become program director.

On February 13, the CRTC approved the application by Telemedia Communications Inc. for a licence for an English-language radio network that included CJCL, for the purpose of broadcasting the hockey games of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1983-84 season of the National Hockey League. Telemedia Broadcasting System became Canada’s first national satellite distribution system for radio specials and sports programming – including Toronto Blue Jays baseball broadcasts. Normand Beaucnhamp and Paul-Emile Baulne left for Radio Mutuel. Pierre Beland, previously vice president of Telemedia’s Quebec FM division became president of the company. Jacques Lina became vice president of Telemedia. Andre Gagnon was named vice president of network operations. Jim Kidd became CJCL’s program director. He had been with CKQT in Oshawa. Tom Fulton came back to CJCL for a third time – to do the morning show. Al Davis moved to mid-mornings. Ted Michaels moved to evenings. Scott Metcalfe was news director. Ex-CKEY’er Ken Kirkley was now doing traffic at CJCL. On-air: Tom Fulton (mornings), Al Davis (mid-days), Ted Michaels (evenings), Rick Hunter. News: Scott Metcalfe, Ken Kirkley (Traffic). Notes: Davis moved from mornings to afternoons. Kirkley joined from CKEY. Rick Hunter left for CKEY.

Station founder and former owner (as CKFH) Foster Hewitt passed away April 21. Appointments at Telemedia Broadcasting Systems: Len Bramson was promoted to chairman and Don Pagnutti was named executive vice president. At Telemedia Inc., John Van de Kamer, president and formerly CEO, was named CEO. Promoted to president, Telemedia Communications Inc. divisions were Pierre Beland (Quebec) and Peter Viner (Ontario). Paul Kellogg was at CJCL. CJCL was originating Blue Jay and Maple Leaf games to the TBS radio network. The Jay’s network had 54 stations thanks to a successful season. The Leaf’s network only had 22 stations. Ken Daniels left CJCL sports for CBLT-TV. On-air: Paul Kellogg. Bill Haas (news). Jim Hunt (sports).

New towers and transmitters were installed at the Toronto Island site, with the work completed in December. With the new antenna array in operation, it was noted that CJCL was now getting a full 50 KW out of its signal compared to the estimated 17 KW it was getting out of the old towers. The upgrade cost a million dollars. Environmentalists had claimed the construction work would upset the area’s natural balance. CJCL tried to minimize the damage by transferring many plants to a special nursery, laying planks for vehicles to drive on and replacing greenery that was destroyed. The station even painted the bottom 20 feet of the towers to blend in with the surroundings. Jim Bowen, voice of the Maple Leafs on CJCL, was names the station’s sports director. Jim Kidd was program director. On-air: Tom Fulton (mornings), Gerry Samson (mid-days), Scott Walker (afternoons), Doug Austin (evenings). Others: Ross Hawthorne, Jim Kidd, Rob Cowan. News: Robert Conway, Donna Deroches, Bob Durant, Bill Haas. Traffic: Ken Kirkley, Natalie Pujo. Sports: Joe Bowen, Ken Daniels. Events / Features: Donna Bishop, Fran Fabien, Barry Nesbit, Arthur Vaile (business). Notes – Fulton left for CJRT-FM, replaced first by Al Davis then by Keith Rich who joined from CKEY.

Studios and offices moved to the 7th floor of a new facility at 40 Holly Street. The official opening took place October 31. 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. Barry Nesbitt formally retired. Bill Walker had two sons at CJCL – Scott (announcer) and Steve (operator). On-air: Keith Rich (mornings), Gerry Samson (mid-days), Scott Walker (afternoons), Paul Kellogg (overnights). Weekends etc.: Ross Hawthorne, Jim Kidd, Rob Cowan. News: Donna Deroches, Robert Conway, Scott Metcalfe, Bob Durant, Scott Ferguson, Bill Haas. Traffic: Ken Kirkley, Natalie Pujo. Others: Barry Nesbit (features), Arthur Vaile (business), John Robertson (commentary). Sports: Joe Bowen (& Maple Leafs), Jerry Howarth & Tom Cheek (Blue Jays).

Pat Hurley became general sales manager and Ken Whitelock became a sales rep. Bob Johnson moved from GSM to be general manager of the Telemedia Vacationland stations.

Bob McCown returned to CJCL to host a sports talk show. He had been with the station until 1981 when he moved to Global television. Telemedia picked up the Argos radio broadcasts dropped by CFRB. John Badham (now a newscaster at CHEX Peterborough) would call the games with Bill Waters, analyst for radio of Leafs hockey games, as color commentator. Patrick Hurley, former sales manager at CFRB was named general sales manager at CJCL. Former CJCL general sales manager Bob Johnson was named general manager of the Telemedia Ontario Vacationland stations – CFOR Orillia, CKMP Midland and the new Muskoka FM station. John Rea was named general manager of Telemedia Broadcasting Systems. Paul J. Williams was appointed vice-president of TBS. The corporate name changed from Telemedia Communications Inc. to Telemedia Communications Ontario Inc. On-air: Keith Rich (AM), Gerry Samson (MD), Scott Walker (PM), Bob McCown (EV), Jim Kidd, Bob Durant, Ross Hawthorne, Helena Balka.

Larry Green was named program director. Peter D. Viner and Claude Beaudoin were appointed executive vice-presidents of Telemedia Inc. In addition to their other positions, Viner was named chief operating officer for Telemedia West, and Beaudoin, chief operating officer for Telemedia East. CJCL moved from The Music of Your Life to an Oldies format. John Rea was appointed manager of CJCL. Doug Ackhurst was promoted to group vice-president responsible for CJCL Toronto, CKSL-CIQM London and CJCS Stratford. Gord Hume was appointed vice-president. On-air: Keith Rich (5-10), Gerry Samson (10-2), Doug Austin (2-6), Bob McCown (evenings), Rob Cowan, Andy Neill, Bob Durant, Jim Kidd. News: Scott Metcalfe, Bob Durant, Howard Burger, Natalie Pujo, Arthur Vaile (business). Sports: Bob McCown, Bill Waters, Glen Gingerige. Traffic: Helena Balka, Stephane Smythe. Notes: Scott Walker returned to PM Drive in November, Austin moved to evenings. PD Jim Kidd left. Gingerige joined from CKO-FM.

Nancy Matheson was appointed marketing director. On-air: Keith Rich (5-10), Gerry Samson (10-2), Scott Walker (2-6), Bob McCown (6-?), Doug Austin / Rob Cowan (evenings), Shawn Turner (12-6). Others: Geoff White, Bob Durant, Ross Hawthorne, Ken Kirkley. News: Natalie Pujo, John Northcott, Bob Durant, Stephane Smyth, Howard Berger, Brent Coppin, Chris Wilson, Scott Metcalfe, Arthur Vaile (business). Sports: Bob McCown, Bill Waters (also Maple Leafs), Joe Bowen (and Maple Leafs), Scott Ferguson, Tom Cheek & Jerry Howarth (Blue Jays). Traffic: Helena Balka, Ruth Anne Corely. Keith Rich (mornings) retired October 26 and was replaced by Joe Cannon October 29. Cannon had been with CFRB. CJCL began broadcasting in stereo, using the Motorola C-Quam system. Tom Harkness was appointed general sales manager. Allan Davis and Howard Berger were heard on CJCL sports.

On-air: Joe Cannon (mornings), Gerry Samson (mid-days), Rob Cowan (afternoons), Geoff White, Doug Austin, Shawn Turner (overnights), Ross Hawthorne. News: Natalie Pujo, Bob Durant, Stephanie Smyth, Howard Berger, Scott Metcalfe, Helena Balka (traffic), Arthur Vaile (business). Sports: Eric Thomas, Scott Ferguson, Scott Metcalfe, Mike Epell, Ken Daniels, Howard Berger, Joe Bowen, Bob McCown, Dan Shulman, Allan Davis, Barb Digaulio, Steve Walker, Tim Haffey, Mike Hogan. Blue Jays: Tom Cheek & Jerry Howarth. Maple Leafs: Joe Bowen, Bill Waters & Gord Stelleck. Allan Davis was named program director. CJCL switched to an all-sports format in afternoon drive and evenings (5:00 p.m. to midnight) in March. The station still had an oldies music format at other times. Bob McCown hosted the 5-8 p.m. shift with Dan Shulman holding down the 8 p.m. to midnight broadcast. The rest of the schedule was unchanged at this time. Joe Cannon (mornings) left in August to return to CFRB. Doug Austin also left. Helena Balka left in September. CJCL moved to a full-time all-sports format on September 4. The new program line-up looked like this: Joe Bowen & Mike Inglis (5:30-10), Steve Simmons & Mary Ormsby (10-12), Dan Shulman (12-3), Bob McCown (3-5), Bob McCown & Jim Hunt (5-7), Mike Hogan (7-12), Norm Rumack (12-5:30).

On February 1, Bob McCowan took over the Fan’s morning show. The 10 year 1430 veteran had been in the 3-7 p.m. time slot. Dan Shulman became the new host for afternoon drive and Prime Time Sports. John Rea left The Fan 1430. In January, Joe Bowen left as program host but stayed for Leaf broadcasts, Bob McCown moved from afternoons to mornings (with Barb DiGiulio as co-host), Mike Inglis moved from mornings to noon-3 (with co-host Mike Hogan). Dan Shulman did 3-5 p.m. and were followed by Jim Hunt and Dan Shulman. Jim Richards did the evening show. Danny Nicholson left for CFTR in the summer. Late in the year, Damien Cox & Gord Stellick were doing the Noon-3 p.m. shift.

Telemedia Inc. had its best first quarter ever (ending November 30). A lack of major league baseball and NHL action was blamed for a drop in revenue. It was noted that The Fan had still failed to turn a profit. December 19th – Rogers Communications Inc. applied to the CRTC to purchase Maclean-Hunter Ltd. and to sell M-H’s CKYC-AM to Telemedia so that CJCL could move from 1430 to CKYC’s 590 frequency. Telemedia would sell the 1430 frequency to CIAO Brampton. The Rogers/Maclean-Hunter deal was approved by the CRTC. The sale of 1430 to CIAO was denied. On-air: Bob McCown (6-10), Steve Simmons & Jim Tatti (10-12), Damien Cox & Gord Stellick (12-3), Dan Shulman (3-5), Jim Hunt & Dan Shulman (5-?). Others: Mike Hogan, Norm Rumack, Greg McFarlane (sports). In December, Bob McCown, Steve Simmons & Jim Tatti left. Gord Stellick moved to Noon-3 p.m.

On February 6th at 12 noon, CJCL moved from 1430 to 590 kHz. Power – 50,000 watts full-time. The transmitter site formerly used by CKYC located along Lake Ontario and the QEW, near Grimsby. Until a new owner could be found, 1430 continued to air satellite-fed country music programming. To promote its move from 1430 to 590 kHz, CJCL ran newspaper ads. This one also promotes the station’s new morning show host: New Quarterback, New Turf. THE FAN 590 Sports Radio welcomes the legendary Talkin’ John Derringer to our morning team. He’s always entertaining, and he bleeds Maple Leaf blue. You can hear Talkin’ John from 6-10 a.m. weekdays, at our new location on the dial, 590 AM. So tune in, and put some attitude into your mornings. THE FAN Sports Radio 590. On-air: John Derringer with Mike Richards (6-10), Barb Digiulio & Jim Richards (10-12), Gord Stellick & Damien Cox (12-3), Gord Stellick & Dan Shulman (3-4), Dan Shulman (4-5), Dan Shulman & Jim Hunt (5-7), Mike Hogan / Jory Middlestat / Norm Rumack / Roger Ledoix (7-midnight), Best of The Fan (overnights). Others: Elliot Freedman, David Grossman, Digger Turnbull, Spider Jones, Steve Simmons, Kevin Trudel, Bob Durant, Al Navis, Al Davis, Chris Sedens. Sports: David Grossman, Dan Dunleevy, Wayne Pratt, Greg Sansoni, Ken Daniels, Scott Metcalfe, Scott Ferguson, Don Landry, Tim Haffey. Maple Leafs: Ken Daniels, Gord Stellick, Joe Bowen. News: Donalee Williams, Bob Durant, Hugh Berl, Scott Metcalfe, Howard Berger. Traffic: Dan Dunleevy, Barb Digiulio. Events: Steve Argentaro. February changes: John Derringer joined CJCL February 6 from CHOM-FM Montreal. Dan Shulman left February 10 and was replaced by the returning Bob McCown on February 20. Wolfman Jack (formerly heard on CKFH) died July 1. Q107 (CILQ-FM) signed a four year deal to broadcast play-by-play of the Toronto Maple Leafs beginning in the fall. The games had been on The Fan. As a result, Joe Bowen left CJCL for Q107. November programming changes: John Derringer (5:30-10), Steve Simmons (9-10), 10 O’Clock Special (10-12), Mike Hogan (12-1), The Sports Page (1-2), Gord Stellick (2-4), Bob McCown (4-5), Bob McCown & Jim Hunt (5-7), National Sports Radio (7-2), Best of The Fan (2-5:30).

Telemedia reached a deal to sell its former stations 1430 frequency to Thomas Fung (Fairchild Holdings, which was approved by the CRTC, The call letters were CHKT with he programming principally Chinese. Pat Marsden joined John Derringer in morning drive on June 17. In August, Steve Paikin & Bruce Dowbiggin joined for mid-days.

Effective June 1, Louise Roy took over as president and CEO of Telemedia. She had been with the company since 1994 and succeeded James McCoubrey. Claude Beaudoin was in charge of all of Telemedia Broadcasting, succeeding Rob Hewett. John Derringer and Pat Marsden were hosting CJCL’s morning show. Doug Ackhurst was general manager and Nelson Millman was program director. On-air: John Derringer & Pat Marsden (5:30-9), Mike Hogan (9-11), The Fabulous Sports Babe (11-1), Gord Stellick (1-4), Bob McCown (4-7), Howard Berger (7-11), Don Landry (11-2), Norm Rumack (2-5:30). News/Sports: Bob Durant, Barry Davis, Dan Dunleavy, Tim Haffey, Scott Metcalfe, Doug Farraway, Barb Digiulio, Scott Ferguson, Anne Winstanley. Others: Damien Cox, Jim Lang, Mike Dejong.

Don Landry was now co-hosting 9-11 a.m. with Mike Hogan. Bob McCown & Jim Hunt co-hosted the 4-7 p.m. show. Doug Farraway was now heard from 10-11 p.m., followed by Spider Jones from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Following his local 4 p.m. show, Bob McCown was now hosting the nationally broadcast “Prime Time Sports” from 6-7 p.m. Other voices: Angelo Viola, Barb DiGiulio, David Grossman, Chuck Swirsky, Garth Turner, Jacqui Delaney, Halina Balka, Lindsay O’Connor, Norm Rumack, Reno Viola, Peter Irvine. Former CKFH personality Glenn Walters died December 9 at age 62.

Claude Beaudoin, CEO of Telemedia Radio Inc. announced the appointment of Mario Cecchini as executive vice president for the Ontario region. John Derringer left for CILQ-FM in February, Pat Marsden remained in AM drive.

Telemedia Radio Inc.’s vice president of sales, research & marketing, Mario Cecchini, added the title of executive VP for Ontario region. After 21 years with CJCL, Scott Ferguson left for CHUM-AM (The Team). On-air: Doug Farraway (5:30-6), Pat Marsden & Don Landry (6-10), Mike Hogan (10-1), Gord Stellick (1-4), Bob McCown (4-6), Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown (6-7), Sports Central (7-11), Stormin’ Norman Rumack (11-1), ESPN (1-5:30). Others: Angelo Viola, Chuck Swirsky, Garth Turner, Anne Winstanley, Roger Lajoie, Lindsay O’Connor, Peter Irvine, Eric Smith, Rick Ralph, Barb DiGiulio, David Grossman, Jim Hunt, Halina Balka, Reno Viola, Digger Turnbull, Barry Davis, Cara Graham. Mike Wilner joined from CFTR in April. Former CKFH and CJCL personality Tom Fulton died December 9 at age 58.

On April 19, 2002, approval came for the purchase of several radio and television stations by Standard Radio Inc. from Telemedia Radio Inc., located in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Standard agreed to sell some of these stations to Rogers Broadcasting and to NewCap Broadcasting. Among the stations purchased by Rogers: CJCL. Rogers owned CFTR-AM, FM’s CHFI and CISS and CFMT-TV in Toronto. CJCL “The Fan” moved to the CFTR-CHFI-CISS facility at 777 Jarvis Street (at Bloor) on June 15. Rogers Toronto launched CJMT-TV (Omni 2) in September.

Daryl Wells (Daryl Frederick Wille) The Voice of Racing, heard in the past on CKFH died December 12, at 81.

Former CKFH music director Jack (John Guy) Winter died April 7. He was 54. Jack was at ‘FH from 1974 to 1981.

Early on the morning of December 2nd, Ted Rogers, founder and former Chief Executive of Rogers Communications, owners of CJCL-AM, died at his home in Toronto, after having suffered from congestive heart failure for some time.

The Fan 590 dropped overnight ESPN Radio network shows in favour of replays of its own daytime programming. Staff cuts included night-time host Norm “Stormin Normin” Rumack. Stephanie Shaguhnessy was named promotion manager for The Fan 590 and 680 News. She had spent the last five years in CHFI-FM’s promotion department. Sara Buchan left Fan 590/680 News to become news director at Free FM in Grande Prairie, AB. On August 28, the CRTC renewed the transitional digital radio licence of CJCL-DR-2. With the departure of Toronto cluster manager Sandy Sanderson, Derek Berghuis became AM market manager (680News, THE FAN590) and Chuck McCoy became FM market manager (98.1 CHFI, KiSS 92.5). Julie Adam has officially assumed the role of program director for KiSS 92.5 along with her responsibilities to CHFI as general manager and PD. Julie would also continue to assist in the national programming area as assistant national program director for Rogers Radio stations. Former CKFH newscaster Howard Cooney passed away on September 22. He was in his 89th year.

Ruth Winker was the new Promotions Manager at JAZZ.FM91. She had been with Fan 590/Jack FM Toronto.

Nelson Millman, Vice President/General Manager of The FAN Toronto, moved to another Rogers property, Sportsnet, to lead its news division. His official title was Executive Producer of Studio Productions, meaning he oversaw everything Sportsnet produced in-house. Millman succeeded News Director Mike English at Sportsnet and continued to run the CTV-Rogers Olympic Consortium’s radio operations. Kerry French was now the Director, Research at Rogers Radio in Toronto. French had been doing quite a bit of contract work of late (FACTOR, Rogers) but perhaps was best known for her years at CHUM Toronto. Don Kollins, who had been Operations Manager/Program Director at 570 News and PD at KIX 106 (both Kitchener), moved to sister station Fan 590 Toronto as PD. Wendy Duff, the PD at CHYM-FM Kitchener, succeeded Kollins as PD at KIX. Pete Travers returned to Kitchener as PD at 570 News. He had been a PD at CHUM Kitchener for 23 years before moving in the summer of 2008 to Astral’s The Bear Ottawa. Thirteen months later, his job at Astral ended. Chuck McCoy became VP/Cluster Manager for Toronto/Kitchener Radio and Julie Adam was now VP Programming & National Program Director for the Rogers Radio Division. As well, she would retain duties as Program Director at either CHFI or KISS 92 Toronto, depending on the results of a PD search. Most recently, McCoy was the Rogers’ National Program Director. Adam was GM/PD of CHFI and added Assistant National Program Director duties in 2008. The changes were announced in March by Paul Ski, chief executive officer, Rogers Radio. David Magro was now responsible for imaging and commercial production within the Rogers Radio Toronto cluster production department. His 20-year career included stops at Virgin Radio 999 Toronto, Corus Toronto, New Flow 93.5 Toronto and Z103 Toronto. On June 24, there was a major shake-up of on-air people at The FAN 590. The following were let go: morning co-hosts Don Landry and Gord Stellick, mid-morning host Mike Hogan and news announcer Rick Ralph. Jack Armstrong’s mid-afternoon show was dumped, but Armstrong and co-host Eric Smith may remain with the station. Rogers Sportsnet’s Daren Millard, host of the noon hockey show, was replaced by Greg Brady. Brady was hired CFMJ 640, where he co-hosted The Bill Watters Show. Brady will host a two-hour hockey show, followed by an hour of general sports talk leading into Bob McCown’s Prime Time Sports at 4 p.m. Talk host Andrew Krystal joined FAN 590 at the end of July for the 9 a.m. to noon show. He had been with the Rogers group of talk stations in the Maritimes, where he’d been since the fall of 2005. It was announced that Andrew Krystal would be the new host of THE FAN 590 Morning Show (5:30 to 9:00) beginning September 21. Former CKFH personality Mal Faris passed away October 5. Jim Kelley passed away at age 61. He was a long-time sports writer and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame as well as a broadcaster on The Fan 590. Kelley spent much of his 30-year career covering the NHL for a newspaper before taking jobs with FoxSports.com and ESPN.com.

On January 12, Rogers Media rebranded both of its all sports radio stations. FAN 590 (CJCL) Toronto and FAN 960 (CFAC) Calgary were now known as Sportsnet Radio FAN 590 and Sportsnet Radio FAN 960. Rogers Sportsnet was Rogers Media’s sports specialty (TV) network. “We’re excited to bring the strength of these two brands together,” said Scott Moore, president of Rogers Broadcasting. After less than six months, Andrew Krystal was out as FAN 590 morning host. Greg Brady took over the show on an interim basis. Brady hosted the station’s Hockey Central at Noon. A short time later it was announced that Greg Brady and Jim Lang would host The FAN morning show. After 23 years, Howard Berger was let go from FAN 590 in May. Andrew Krystal was replaced in early afternoons on The Fan by Eric Smith. Dan Dunleavy left Fan 590 sports to join the Maple Leaf broadcast team at CFMJ AM640. With the shut down of the Score’s channel on Sirius/XM, Tim Micallef and Sid Seixeiro moved to Sportsnet Radio Fan 590. Michael Grange, who had been co-hosting Primetime Sports when Brunt and Cox were taking time off over the summer was now the permanent co-host from 9-noon on the Jeff Blair show. Scott Morrison left CBC Hockey Night in Canada to join Sportsnet. He would be doing spots on Fan 590 as a hockey insider and would also be one of the rotating co-hosts from noon-1pm on Hockeycentral at Noon which was simulcast on Sportsnet’s Ontario regional channels. Former CKFH fill-in talk show host Michael Magee died in July at the age of 81. On August 31, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CJCL-DR-2 to April 30, 2012. Rogers announced that in order to create an integrated brand across its five sports platforms (TV, Radio, Print, Digital and Mobile), it would rename the on-air brand of CJCL and change the logo’s used. CJCL would become known as ‘Sportsnet 590, The Fan’. It was also announced that effective October 3, CJCL’s morning show ‘Brady and Lang in the Morning’ would be simulcast nationally. Former CJCL personality and executive Barry Nesbitt passed away October 8. He was 85. On December 12, Tim Micallef and Sid Seixeiro became the new afternoon co-hosts of Tim and Sid (1-4 p.m.) on Sportsnet 590 The FAN. Micallef and Seixeiro were at The Score for 13 years and co-hosts of Tim and Sid: Uncut, the No.1-ranked sports podcast on iTunes Canada. Mike Farwell, Senior reporter/talk host at 570 News, joined Rogers Sportsnet FAN 590 Toronto as morning sports anchor on September 19. Scott Morrison returned to Rogers Sportsnet as Executive Producer of Hockey. He was also on Hockeycentral and Sportsnet Radio The FAN 590 Toronto and FAN 960 Calgary. Morrison had been with CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

On April 23, the CRTC administratively renewed the broadcasting licence for digital radio programming undertaking CJCL-DR-2 until August 31, 2012. Nelson Millman, the long-time program director at The Fan 590 and who moved to become executive producer, studio productions at Rogers Sportsnet, was no longer with the company. Host Zack Cooper left Sportsnet 590 The FAN Toronto after 10+ years. On August 8, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CJCL until August 31, 2013. Sportsnet Radio The Fan 590 turned 20. Back in 1992, many felt that an all-sports format would never work. Toronto Blue Jays (CJCL) announcer Tom Cheek, who called the first 4,306 regular-season and 41 post-season games in Jays’ history, was the 2013 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award. It was presented annually for excellence in broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Cheek died October 9, 2005. Long-time Toronto Blue Jays radio voice Jerry Howarth won the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2012 Jack Graney Award, recognizing his significant contributions to baseball in Canada. Hall of Fame Operations Director Scott Crawford said that in his 32 seasons on Blue Jays’ airwaves, Howarth “has set the standard for play-by-play commentators in our country”

Jack Morris returned to Toronto as the Blue Jays analyst on Sportsnet 590 The FAN. He would also make appearances on Sportsnet’s game telecasts. Morris, a right-handed pitcher and five-time All-Star back in the early ‘90s, was the Blue Jays’ first 20-game winner. Paul Ski (Rogers Radio CEO) added responsibilities for day-to-day operations in the Toronto radio market as well as heading the integrated conventional TV and radio stations in Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

Former CJCL (Metro 1430 at the time) morning man Jim Brady passed away at age 67.

Former Fan 590 program director Nelson Millman retired in June. After leaving CJCL, he became PD at NHL Network Radio on SiriusXM. Millman started out in radio in 1972 at CHIC Brampton. From there, he worked at CFUN Vancouver, CJBK London, Telemedia Sports Network Radio and for 16 years, as executive producer, PD and Vice President/GM at The FAN 590.

CJCL became available in HD via CKIS-FM-HD3 at 92.5 MHz.

Jack Lowe died January 2 at age 82. He started working as an engineer for CKFH in 1959 and remained with the station through three ownership changes and one frequency change, moving into semi-retirement in 2002.

Late in the year, Bob McCown agreed to a multi-year contract extension with Sportsnet to remain the host of Prime Time Sports on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. Other than a break from 1993-95, when he was moved to the morning show, McCown had hosted the show since it first launched on the old Fan 1430 in 1989. 

At the end of June, Bob McCown signed off for the last time as host of Prime Time Sports on Sportsnet 590 The FAN and its television simulcast Sportsnet 360. The program launched in 1989 and the 67 year old was the original host.