CHWE-FM

On August 21, the CRTC approved in part the application by Evanov Communications Inc., on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate a new English-language commercial FM radio station to serve Winnipeg. Within 90 days of the date of this decision, the applicant was directed to submit an amendment to the application proposing the use of an FM frequency other than 104.7 MHz (channel 284B) that was acceptable to both the Commission and the Department of Industry. The Commission noted that, of the three commercial applicants, Evanov projected the highest expenditures on programming. Evanov also committed to the highest level of Canadian content for category 2 music. Specifically, Evanov committed, by condition of licence, to devote at least 40% of all popular music aired during each broadcast week and between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday to Canadian selections. This commitment exceeded the minimum requirements set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986. Evanov proposed to offer an Adult contemporary (35%) and New easy listening (65%) music format targeted to those aged 45 years and over. The music offering would focus on soft melodic selections with less instrumental, a minimum of blues and no jazz selections. The Commission considered that the proposed format would add to the programming diversity in the Winnipeg radio market by complementing the musical offering provided by several of the incumbent radio stations in Winnipeg that provided similar music formats targeted to the same demographic. Evanov committed to devote at least 100 hours of the broadcast week to local programming. The applicant indicated that, while it planned to offer local programming during the remaining 26 hours of the broadcast week, it wanted the flexibility to be able to offer special events during these hours as the opportunity arose. All of the programming would be live-to-air with the exception of occasional three-hour broadcasts of syndicated programming and training programs prepared by students and interns. In each broadcast week, 18.3 hours would be devoted to spoken word programming including 5.9 hours of pure news. The licence term would expire August 31, 2015.
 

On May 8, by majority decision, the CRTC approved an application by Evanov Communications Inc., on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, to operate its new English-language commercial FM radio station in Winnipeg at 106.1 MHz (channel 291C1) with an effective radiated power of 40,000 watts. The applicant had originally proposed to operate its new station at 104.7 MHz (channel 284B) with an average ERP of 6,500 watts. The applicant filed this application further to the Commission’s direction in Licensing of new radio stations to serve Winnipeg, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2008-195, 21 August 2008. In that decision, the Commission stated that it would only issue a licence for this station provided that the applicant submitted, within three months of the date of that decision, an amendment to its application proposing the use of another FM frequency and technical parameters that are acceptable to both the Commission and the Department of Industry.

It was felt by many that Evanov would launch another JEWEL station in Winnipeg as it registered the call letters CFJL-FM.

In June, CFJL-FM began testing it’s signal by playing non-stop commercial free music. A new music genre was featured each week.

CFJL “Energy 106 – Winnipeg’s NEW #1 Hit Music Station” launched at noon, July 29, by playing 10,000 songs in a row!. Energy 106 blended Contemporary Hit Radio and Top 40 music featuring such artists as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Pitbull, Britney Spears, Down With Webster, Simple Plan. CFJL-FM targeted a core audience of 18-34 year olds. The first song played was “Give Me Everything Tonight” by Pitbull.

On September 1, Energy 106 was officially launched.

Energy 106 began broadcasting from Winnipeg nightclubs on Friday and Saturday nights as of October 14.

As of October 19, live announcers were now being heard on the station.

On October 24, the CRTC approved the application by Dufferin Communications Inc. for authority to acquire from Newcap Inc. the assets of the English-language commercial radio stations CHNK-FM and CKJS-AM. Along with CFJL-FM, Evanov now had three stations in Winnipeg.

On November 26, CFJL-FM changed became CHWE-FM. The CFJL-FM call letters were moved to sister station, The Breeze 100.7 FM (had been CHNK-FM).

Dale Davies joined Energy 106 CHWE and CFJL on January 16. He would be program and music director for Energy 106 and also help oversee the programming for The Breeze 100.7. Dale had been assistant PD and MD at Bell Media’s Bob FM and Fab FM in Winnipeg. 

Mike Fabian became General Manager at Evanov Winnipeg (Energy 106, The Breeze 107 and CKJS). He also continued as General Sales Manager.