CFWC-FM

On October 11, the CRTC granted a licence to Anthony Schleifer on behalf of a company to be incorporated, to operate a new specialty FM station at Brantford. It would operate on a frequency of 99.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 50 watts. The new station would broadcast a Christian music service 24 hours per day with some spoken word content. It would be a commercial undertaking targeted to the Christian community in Brantford. All of the programming aired by the station will be local.

CFWC-FM “Freshwind 99.5 FM” began broadcasting. Studios and offices were at 271 Greenwich Street in Brantford. The 23.9 metre antenna was located on a church steeple.

On May 20, CFWC-FM was given approval to change frequency from 99.5 MHz to 93.9 MHz and to increase effective radiated power from 50 watts to 250 watts. Antenna height remained 23.9 metres EHAAT. The move was required because of the CRTC’s decision last year for Larche Communications to operate a new FM station in Kitchener-Waterloo on 99.5 MHz (with an expectation that it would absorb the costs of moving low-power CFWC-FM to another frequency). Before applying for the frequency change, CFWC-FM had filed an application to increase power on 99.5 MHz to 250 watts. That application was withdrawn.

When CFWC moved to 93.9 MHz, it became known as “Power 93.9”. 

On December 5 the CRTC renewed CFWC-FM’s licence until August 31, 2012. The Commission notes that the licensee failed to comply with its obligation, by condition of licence, to make CTD contributions for the broadcast years 2002 and 2003. Given that this is the first time that this licensee has been found to be in non-compliance, the Commission determines that it is appropriate to renew the licence for CFWC-FM for a short-term period of four years.

On February 10, the CRTC denied the applications by 1486781 Ontario Limited for authority to effect a change to its effective control through the transfer of all of its issued and outstanding shares from its sole shareholder, Anthony Schleifer, to Durham Radio Inc. (Durham Radio was controlled by Douglas Kirk, the majority shareholder. Following this proposed transaction, Durham Radio would have become the sole owner of 1486781 and have exercised control of 1486781); and to delete conditions of licence related to music from subcategory 35 (non-classic religious), Canadian selections from category 3 (Special interest music), and the use of hit material. The applicant indicated that approval of this application would permit CFWC-FM to replace its Christian music format with a broad-based rock format. 

The CRTC approved the change to the effective control of 1486781 Ontario Limited (CFWC-FM), from Anthony Schleifer to Sound of Faith Broadcasting, a not-for-profit corporation controlled by its board of directors.

On August 17, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence of CFWC-FM to August 31, 2013.

CFWC changed its branding from Power 93.9 to Faith FM (remaining Christian).

On July 20, the CRTC approved an application by Dufferin Communications Inc. for authority to acquire from 1486781 Ontario Limited the assets of CFWC-FM. 1486781 Ontario was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sound of Faith Broadcasting Inc.