Standard Broadcasting

In January, Rogers obtained an experimental licence for 9RB, which would become the world’s first broadcasting station operating solely from alternating current power lines, without batteries. On February 19th, 9RB became CFRB (RB standing for Rogers Batteryless), operated by the Rogers Radio Broadcasting Company.

Rogers Vacuum Tube Company became Rogers Majestic Corporation Ltd., when Rogers merged his company with Majestic Corporation of Chicago. The new company controlled Rogers Radio Tube Company and Rogers Batteryless Radio Company.

Harry Sedgwick was appointed President of CFRB.

Edward Samuel (Ted) Rogers died at the age of 38.

The manufacturing assets of Rogers Majestic Corporation Limited (Rogers Radio Tubes Ltd. and Rogers Batteryless Radio Co. Ltd.) were sold to Small Electric Motors Limited. Rogers Majestic Corporation Limited changed its name to Standard Radio Limited, and retained control through Rogers Radio Broadcasting Company Limited.

Control of Standard Radio (and CFRB) was acquired by Argus Corporation with the purchase of shares of Rogers Radio Broadcasting Company Limited. 

Standard Radio purchased radio station CJAD-AM Montreal from its founder, J. Arthur Dupont.

On February 8, CJAD Ltd. applied to the Board of Broadcast Governors for a new FM station in Montreal to operate alongside CJAD-AM at its studios at 1407 Mountain Street, Montreal. On October 1, CJFM-FM was officially launched.

Standard Radio created Standard Broadcast Sales Ltd. to represent CFRB AM/FM, CJAD and CJFM, and other stations across Canada.

Standard Radio set up a company known as Standard Sound Systems Ltd. to provide background music for stores and offices, and to install equipment for the purpose.

Standard Broadcasting Corporation (UK) Limited was established in London England as a consultancy service for applicants for licenses of commercial radio stations, and to be a sales representative for the emerging stations.

H.T. (Mac) McCurdy, manager of CJAD Limited, Montreal, was appointed President of Standard Broadcasting Corporation Limited, succeeding retiring president, W.C Thornton Cran.

The CRTC approved the purchase by Standard of the controlling shares of Bushnell Communications, the licensee of CJOH-TV Ottawa.

Standard Broadcasting Corporation (UK) Limited acquired a 27% share of the ownership of Capital Radio in London.

Standard Broadcasting and TM Productions of Dallas announced a cooperative production project “designed to help Canadian broadcasters and advertisers meet proposed new CRTC requirements for Canadian content in commercials.” TM was well known as a leader in radio production aids including station jingles and production libraries. Initial budgeting for the project called for $250,000 on Canadian production, expected to create employment for Canadian musicians and singers. Standard subsidiary, St. Clair Productions would administer the project.

Conrad Black and Montague Black acquired control of Argus Corporation. Argus Corporation controlled Standard Broadcasting Corporation, now consisting of 5 radio stations and one television station. 

Standard purchased the Eastern Sound Recording studio in Toronto.

The CRTC approved the purchase by Standard Broadcasting Corporation Limited of CKTB-AM and CJQR-FM, St. Catharines, Ontario.

Broadcasting entrepreneur Allan Slaight’s company, Slaight Communications, bought Standard Broadcasting from Argus. After having been President and General Manager of CHUM-AM and FM in 1965, and in 1974 becoming President and CEO of the Global Television Network (which he sold in 1977), Slaight had been owner of Toronto radio stations Q 107 and CFGM-AM, but sold these to clear the way for the acquisition of Standard.

Allan Slaight brought his son Gary over from Toronto radio station Q107 FM to become President and CEO of Standard Radio Inc.

On June 19th, the CFTC approved Standard’s applications to acquire, from CFCN Communications, Alberta radio stations CFCN-AM and CJAY-FM Calgary (the latter with retransmitters in Banff, Alberta, and Invermere B.C.). In the same decision, Standard was granted approval to purchase radio stations CFRN-AM and CJKE-FM Edmonton from Electrohome. Electrohome retained ownership of CTV Network affiliates CFCN-TV Calgary and CFRN-TV Edmonton.

On May 8th the CRTC announced approval of the application by Standard, which had been filed in 1995, to acquire the assets of radio stations CKZZ-FM Vancouver and CISL Richmond BC from South Fraser Broadcasting.

On September 29th, the CRTC approved an application by Standard Radio Inc. (Standard), on behalf of a limited partnership to be established (SR Limited Partnership), to implement an intra-corporate reorganization involving the broadcasting undertakings of Standard. The Commission would issue new broadcasting licences to Standard Radio.

GP Inc., the general partner, as well as to Standard Radio Holdings Inc. and Standard Radio Inc., the limited partners, to carry on business as SR Limited Partnership.

Gary Slaight replaced his father Allan as President and CEO of Standard Broadcasting Corporation Ltd., while continuing to head Standard Radio.

On March 12th, Standard received a CRTC licence for a new FM radio station in Calgary. The station, which would have the call letters CIBK-FM, would broadcast on the FM band, on 98.5 MHz, channel 253C, with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts.

On December 20, Standard Radio Inc. (CJAD and CJFM) was given approval to purchase CHOM-FM Montreal from CHUM Limited.

In 2001, with the approval of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Allan Slaight was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.

On January 1, Standard Broadcasting Corporation Limited stood as the largest privately-owned multi-media company in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $500,000,000, and the employer of almost 1,500 people full-time and some 6,000 part-time.

In November 2004, a partnership between Standard Broadcasting, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the U.S. Sirius Satellite Radio System filed an application with the CRTC to introduce Sirius in Canada. The application was approved on June 16, 2005. Sirius Canada was officially launched December 1, 2005.

Standard announced plans for an initial public offering via an income trust. The market was however unreceptive to the offering, and it was cancelled.

On October 30th, the CRTC heard an application by Standard Radio and several competing applications for a new FM radio station in Regina. A decision was expected in the new year.

 Astral Media Inc. was dissolved in July 2014 as a result of Astral’s assets being officially acquired by BCE  Inc.