CHFI-FM

James Piggott, who had asked for an FM station at 98.1 MHz, was turned down by the CBC Board because the proposed station would be used primarily for point-to-point transmission of a store music service. The board rejected the application on the grounds that all other licensees assume obligations for much wider and more varied service for the public.

On February 1, CHFI-FM began a dual programming service to the people of Toronto. The station had been licensed to Edward James Piggott. His consultant and station manager was Don Wright, a former program director with CJRM Regina and CHML Hamilton. Tom Young was commercial manager. Claire Stubbs was program director. Vaughan Harvie was music director. Chief engineer was Harry Verlinden while Bob Shane was chief operator.

A unique programming concept enabled CHFI-FM to not only broadcast to homes with FM receivers, but also provide a background music service (similar to Muzak) to places of Business. Commercials were clustered on the quarter-hour, and in stores and offices were muted by a tone signal which preceded them. Thus, when conventional receivers reproduced both music and commercials, subscribers to the CHFI background music concept heard only the music portions. (The background music service was discontinued sometime later).

CHFI-FM broadcast on a frequency of 98.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 282 watts. Antenna height was 186 feet. Studios and transmitter were located at 13 Adelaide Street East. The station operated 18 hours a day with a “good music and less commercials” format.

The “HFI” in the call letters stood for Hi-Fidelity. CHFI was the first FM station in Canada programming exclusively for the FM medium – providing programming not simulcast from a sister AM station. 

The CBC Board of Governors approved the change of licensee name for CHFI-FM from James Edward Piggot to CHFI-FM Limited (no change in ownership). 

CHFI left the air on the night of October 17 when fire broke out in the downtown studio building. On duty at the time were program director Dave Amer, announcer John Clayton and operator Bill Cole. As soon as they saw flames they sounded the alarm, signed the station off the air and left the building. That was at 8:30 p.m. Manager Don Wright put the station back on the air an hour later, playing music and announcing that regular programs would not air due to the fire. The major damage was in the office area. Studio equipment received only smoke damage. Amer felt the fire started in the restaurant on the first floor. CFRB offered CHFI air time to explain the situation. Two businesses next door offered floor space so CHFI could resume broadcasting. When Wright put CHFI back on air at 9:30 p.m. it was only for an hour. The station returned the following morning. Through the day listeners called in, offering their record collections – if needed by the station. 

CHFI received approval to increase effective radiated power from 282 to 9,450 watts and to increase antenna height from 186 to 204 feet.

In October, Aldred Rogers Ltd. (Edward S. Rogers, Jr. and Joel Aldred) purchased CHFI-FM. 

It should be noted that at one time, Rogers had plans to move CHFI’s studios to the top floor of the Royal York Hotel, but this never happened.

Larry Henderson was now doing the 6:30 p.m. news (M-F) on CHFI. He had been a leading news personality at CBC-TV and had quit over a contract battle.

Ad 1: The Quality Story of FM Radio. CHFI-FM 98.1 Megacycles. FM Radio has come of age; just phone Don Wright or Andy McDermott for your new book which answers your question on the quality medium. While we always aim at quality audience, we are rather flattered by the latest quantity figures. Nearly all day CHFI has more metro Toronto audience than one of the 5000-watt independents. In a good number of periods, we are out in front of the 50,000-watt network flag ship and another 5,000-watt independent. More enjoyable for listening. More profitable for selling. Ad 2: FM means force of music at CHFI-FM Toronto. Bravo! A vital new audience created through the Force of quality Music at CHFI-FM. Never a humdrum audience, always sensitive to the finest music, always influential in taste. Up, up goes their number in the fastest-growing city-area in North America racing ahead with commerce, arts and letters. Up, up goes their buying power, more concentrated than ever in the dynamic metro Toronto area — the all-important CHFI-FM coverage area. And they’re really special people who set the trends, buy with a flair and flourish, create excitement wherever they are. Call them discriminating…call their response pre-conditioned to important products…call them the CHFI-FM audience, for they know the best. Talk to them directly today with effect and authority through the impact voice of CHFI-FM — more enjoyable listening, more profitable for selling to the largest single quality market. There’s no substitute for the selling Force of Music at CHFI-FM. 98.1 megacycles. 

When CFTO-TV (Channel 9) opened, CHFI moved its antenna from downtown to the CFTO tower in Agincourt. CHFI’s effective radiated power increased from 9,450 watts to 210,000 watts. Antenna height (EHAAT) was now 816 feet. Rogers and Aldred had an interest in CFTO. The BBG approved the technical changes on March 3. 

As of October, CHFI-FM was broadcasting in stereo, making it the first FM Stereo station in the country.

Aldred-Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. held a 30% interest in Baton-Aldred-Rogers Broadcasting, owner of CFTO-TV.

On-air names included, Don Parrish, Pat Murray, Chris Lawrence, Larry Henderson, Frank Haarhoff, Don Cameron, Gerry Doehler, and W. Hartnoll.

Early in the year, Ted Rogers bought out his partner Joel Aldred and the corporate name was changed to CHFI-FM Limited.

On August 8, CHFI-FM Ltd., owner of CHFI-FM, opened CHFI-AM on 1540 kHz, which simulcast the “Good Music” sound of the FM station. This was very unusual as most AM-FM combinations had the FM simulcasting the AM station. 

The corporate name was changed to Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. 

Don Watson was news director. Bill Byram left CHFI as general manager, to become vice president of the Bureau of Broadcast Measurement. His first day at BBM was February 15. E.S. Rogers, President of Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. announced the appointment of George W. Harper as General Sales Manager of CHFI and CHFI-FM. He joined the station from Hamilton as Sales Manager early in 1962.

CHFI-FM received permission for a power increase.

CHFI introduced “Vertipower” to Canada. Normal FM signals travel through the air horizontally. Most receivers are equipped with only vertical antennas. Vertipower transmits FM signals vertically and horizontally. The addition of the 100,000 watts of vertical transmission power allowed receivers to pick up more of the signal. It would be especially useful with FM radios in automobiles. CHFI’s power was now actually 210,000 watts horizontal and 100,000 watts vertical, for a total of 310,000 watts. This would later increase to 210,000 watts horizontal and 210,000 watts vertical, equaling 420,000 watts!

Edward S. Rogers was president of Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. and manager of CHFI-AM-FM. Vaughn Bjerre was national sales manager and program director. David Amer was news director. Don Watson was sports and farm director. Bill Compeau (years later would be longtime program director of CFMX-FM) was librarian. Ron Turnpenny was chief engineer and Brian Avery was chief operator.

Vaughn Bjerre was appointed vice president of CHFI. He joined the station in 1962 as program director. Bill Compeau left CHFI around this time.

Vern Cavanaugh left CHFI-AM-FM for Oshawa.

Roly Koster, CHFI-AM-FM production manager was named station manager of CHIQ Hamilton following the announced purchase of that station by Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. (still required BBG approval). Earl Bradford left for the new Rogers station at Hamilton. He had been CHFI’s assistant news director and would be news director at CHIQ (to be renamed CHAM).

CHFI applied for a repeat transmitter at Gravenhurst. It was opposed by G.N. MacKenzie’s CKAR Huntsville. He said his station could not afford any further fragmentation of the available audience. CHFI said it did not plan to solicit advertising in the area or offer local programming. The application was denied. Earlier in the year, the BBG denied CHFI’s application for a repeater at St. Marys.

Adrian Egan was appointed national marketing director for Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. (CHFI-AM-FM, CHAM).

 CHFI-AM-FM began using twin helicopters (“traffic twins”) for traffic reporting. CKEY also added a similar service this year and beat CHFI with Monday through Friday reports. Mike Hopkins and Ken Kirkley were the airborne traffic reporters for CHFI.

Former CHAM manager Roly Koster was promoted to manager of operations for all Rogers Broadcasting stations.

Vaughn Bjerre was station manager and program director. He reported that CHFI was going after CFRB in the BBM ratings but the station would continue on with its “Luxury Sound” and limited advertising. Programming was directed to adults, age 20-50. CHFI now had a news staff of 12, a fleet of news cruisers, ABC and Mutual (U.S.) network affiliations, and its own bureau at both Queen’s Park and city hall. CHFI-FM was the city’s number one FM outlet while CHFI-AM was #2 in adult listening in Toronto. The station had developed a new promotion/publicity campaign to draw attention – “We’re Something Else”.

Tom Brown was hired from Kansas City to handle the afternoon drive show. Eddie Luther joined the station after 20 years or so with CFRB. He would join Gerry Herbert in reporting traffic for the stations.

John Barton hosted the morning show. 

Eddie Luther brought his airborne traffic reports to CHFI-AM-FM from CFRB. Harry McIntyre was appointed general sales manager. He had been a sales rep at the stations for the past three years.

Jim Fleming was news commentator.

As a matter of record, Rogers Broadcasting’s sister company Rogers Cable TV Ltd. had its licence renewed for two years on July 10, contingent on Glen Warren Productions Ltd. disposing of its 50% interest in Rogers. Glen Warren ownership was the same as parent Baton Broadcasting with The Telegram Corp. Ltd. hoding apx. 53%. All Telegram shares were owned by Eaton and Bassett trusts. 

Gerry Bascombe was appointed program director of CHFI-FM-AM as of February 24. He had been program director of CFCF/CFQR in Montreal.
Rogers formed the Rogers Radio Network (news).

Studios and offices were at 13 Adelaide Street East.

The Rogers Radio News Network was launched in April. It was affiliated with ABC in New York. CHFI-AM and FM were not shown on the list of affiliates but the service was based in the CHFI newsroom. CHUM-AM was a partial affiliate of the network in Toronto.

At this time, CHFI-AM broadcast approximately 160 minutes of news per day while CHFI-FM offered about 140 minutes. CHFI-AM was geared to the average worker, so offered more news than FM. CHFI-FM went after the more sophisticated listener. CHFI had a news staff of 18.

Slogan: CHFI – No. 2 Adult Radio In Toronto.

CHFI moved its studios and offices from 13 Adelaide St. E. to 25 Adelaide Street East. 

On June 21, CHFI-AM changed its call sign to CFTR.

Russ Holden joined to do traffic reports.

CFTR-AM ceased simulcasting CHFI-FM’s Programming.

The corporate name changed from Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. to Radio Rogers Ltd. on August 28th.

On December 14, most of Toronto’s FM and TV stations (CHUM-FM, CBL-FM, CBLT-TV, CBLFT-TV, CICA-TV, CFTO-TV, CKFM-FM, CHIN-FM and CHFI-FM) were given approval to transmit from the CN Tower once construction was complete. 

Darryl Dahmer joined to do traffic.

John Mann joined Rogers Radio as director of engineering for CHFI-CFTR.

Jerry Good was general manager. 

Sandy Hoyt joined CHFI-FM from CFTR.

On May 24, test broadcasts began from the new CN Tower, 301 Front Street West. Official broadcasting from the tower commenced May 31 at the normal sign-on time or at one minute past midnight for the 24 hour a day stations. Since the original CRTC approval in 1973, CITY-TV was also added to the group.

CHFI-FM now had an effective radiated power of 44,000 watts (non-directional). Antenna height was now 1,380 feet. With the move to the tower CHFI began using the Dolby model 334 broadcast encoder which was recently approved for use by FM stations by the Department of Communications. Ron Turnpenny was chief engineer at this time.

George Grant was appointed vice president and general manager of CHFI. He had been general manager and sales director. Grant replaced Jerry Good who left for CKFM.

On-air staff included: Sandy Hoyt, Russ Holden (traffic), Darryl Dahmer (traffic), and Don Parrish.

CHFI-FM was allowed to play more classical music between midnight and 5:00 a.m., rather than before midnight.

CHFI developed and adapted a new process for transferring program material to tape cartridge. The system was developed by Ron Turnpenny, vice president of engineering for Rogers Radio Broadcasting. The transfer system eliminated much of the phase shift in conventional duplicating which could seriously degrade stereo recordings received over mono radios. CHFI was now fully converted to cartridge use. 

Sandy Hoyt left for a time to move to Nova Scotia where he founded CIGO-AM. When he returned to Toronto, he became CHFI’s morning man.

Ted Randal was appointed program director. He had been PD at CJJD Hamilton. Randal later took over as vice president and general manager when George Grant left CHFI-FM.

The corporate name was changed to Rogers Radio Broadcasting Ltd.

Gary Galt was now chief engineer at CHFI. 

On-air staff included Sandy Hoyt, Stew Hill, Don Parrish and Don Burns. The news department included Bob Durant, Paul de Courcy, and Paul Hughes. Darryl Dahmer and Russ Holden handled traffic.

Peggy Colston was appointed program director.

Sandy Hoyt was morning man. Ronn Grimster did mid-days followed by Stew Hill in afternoon drive. Don Parrish hosted the 7-11 p.m. shift. Charlotte O’Dell hosted “Tapestry” between 11 and midnight and de B Holly did the overnight show. David Lennick, Reiner Schwartz and Don Burns were also heard on CHFI. Bob Durant, Ken Shaw, Paul Hughes, Paul de Courcy and Phil Ross were among the news staff.

Traffic: Russ Holden and Darryl Dahmer. Brett Haladay did entertainment reports.

News director Bob Durant left for CKFH. Phil Ross took over the newsroom. Bob Komsic joined CHFI news from CKO.

In September Keith Dancy joined Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. as executive vice president and director.

Pamela Kern was now in the news department. 

Paul Fisher joined CHFI as a swing announcer.

Charlene Roycht was named CHFI/CFTR promotions manager as of October 1. 

Tony Viner became executive vice president of Rogers Radio after spending five years with CFGM and CILQ-FM. 

John Dolan joined the CHFI news department from CFRB where he was an announcer.

Reiner Schwartz was now at CHFI.

Ted Randall left CHFI-FM. He had been general manager.

Peggy Colston-Weir became program director for CHFI-FM and Sarnia’s CJFI-FM. She also became a vice president of Rogers Radio.

Former Toronto Sun editor and unsuccessful federal candidate Peter Worthington joined CHFI as a guest commentator.

Announcers: Sandy Hoyt (mornings), Stewart Hill (mid-days – including Chronicle with Sharon Edwards between 12 and 1), Terry McElligott (afternoons), Don Parrish (evenings). Paul Fisher and Brian Master were also heard on CHFI. News: Mark Henderson, Ronn Grimster, John Dolan, Ben Steinfeld, Paul de Courcy, Patrick Conlon (commentary), Jerry White (business). Traffic: Darryl Dahmer, Russ Holden.

Ben Steinfeld became CHFI’s news director. Arlene Bynon, executive producer of “Sunday, Sunday”, was appointed producer of the new Rogers Radio documentary unit.

Brian Linehan was now on CHFI doing a 2-minute show business report each weekday morning. He was also heard on Sundays on “Chronicle”.

Scott Parsons was promoted to the post of general sales manager.

Don Parrish’s nightly “Candlelight & Wine”, on CHFI for 24 years, moved to weekends. Paul Fisher took over Don’s weeknight spot.

James F. Sward, president of Rogers Radio Broadcasting Ltd. announced the appointment of Kirk Nesbitt as director of engineering for Rogers Radio. He would be responsible for all facets of transmitting and studio operations including DOC and CRTC liaison for CHFI/CFTR Toronto, CHYR Leamington, and CKJD/CJFI Sarnia. He would also work with Ron H. Turnpenny, vice-president of corporate engineering in the exploration and development of new radio technologies. 

CHFI received CRTC approval to use SCMO as a back-up monaural program feed for sister station CFTR’s new transmitter site at Grimsby.

Eric G. (Sandy) Sanderson was promoted to vice president of programming for Rogers Radio Broadcasting Ltd.

Sandy Hoyt did his last morning show on August 1. Jay Nelson took over the AM shift on August 6. He had been with CKFM. Hoyt’s diabetes prevented him from continuing in the morning show. He was now community affairs director at the station and could be heard on-air on the weekends.

October 1 – Rogers Radio Broadcasting Ltd. became Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. (a division of Rogers Communications Inc.)

Announcers included Sandy Hoyt, Don Parrish, Paul Fisher, Brian Master. Arlene Bynon & Doug Faraway hosted Chronicle at noon on weekdays. News: Paul de Courcy, Rob Davidson, Ben Steinfeld, Doug Faraway, Bob Comsick, Peter Worthington (commentary). Traffic: Darryl Dahmer, Russ Holden.

Rogers added a TV station to its Toronto group when it acquired CFMT-TV channel 47. 

Some on-air names: Tim Thomas, Sandy Hoyt, Brian Linehan (entertainment), Lucy Waverman (cooking). Jay Nelson left for CKEY.  

Peggy Colston-Weir was program director but was replaced in the post by Paul Fisher.

Don Parrish’s “Candlelight and Wine” marked 25 years on CHFI.

Terry McElligott moved from PM Drive to mornings. Brian Master took over afternoon drive.

Peter Worthington was doing commentaries on CHFI at 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. weekdays.

Charlene Roycht left CHFI as promotions manager. Community relations director Sandy Hoyt took over the promotions job with help from creative director Judy Burell and promotions assistant Trish Tettmar.

Reiner Schwarz joined CHFI to host the overnight show. He had been at Q107.

After 25 years as host of Candlelight and Wine, Don Parrish retired. 

February 9 – CHFI began broadcasting from new state of the art studios (remaning at 25 Adelaide Street East). In the mid-90s, CHFI changed its address to 36 Victoria St. (same building). 

Ron Turnpenny retired as vice-president of engineering at Rogers Radio Broadcasting. 

On the air: Don Daynard, Stew Hill, Brian Master, Lori Grant, Sandy Hoyt, Mike Marshall, Terry McElligott. Mark Henderson was among those in the news department. Notes: Don Daynard joined from CKFM. Cyd Vandenberg joined in April from CJFI-FM Sarnia. 

Peggy Colston-Weir left CHFI to spend more time with her family. The station’s new program director was Paul Fisher. 

Sandy Sanderson was named vice president and senior programmer for all of the Rogers Radio stations. He had been CFTR’s program director. 

Don Daynard took over CHFI’s morning show. He had been with CKFM-FM.

Gardening expert Bill Hartnoll passed away at 77. He was most recently with CKOC/CKLH-FM but had also done features for CHML and CHFI-FM.

John Hinnen took over CHFI’s news department. He had been news director at co-owned CFTR.

Former CHFI manager Vaughn Bjerre was now living in Texas.

Sandy Hoyt was now heard in mid-days. John Hinnen, Erin Davis (Erin joined this year from CJEZ-FM), and Mark Henderson were among the news staffers. Notes: Erin Davis joined from CJEZ-FM. Carla Collins did some fill-in work for Erin Davis. Paul Fisher was program director.

Tony Viner, with Rogers Broadcasting since 1982 as executive vice president and general manager of CHFI and CFTR, was appointed chairman of the board of BBM Bureau of Measurement.

The Harvard Business School Club of Toronto named Ted Rogers, 1989 Canadian Business Statesman of the Year. The president and CEO of Rogers Communications Inc., was cited for providing Canadians with a wide range of TV viewing options and for demonstrating a rare combination of vision and management ability that helped place Canada on the leading edge of communications technology.

Tony Viner was appointed president and chief operating officer of Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. James Sward remained CEO despite his appointment as president and COO of Rogers Cantel Inc.

On the air: Don Daynard (5-10), Sandy Hoyt (10-3 with Chronicle from noon-1), Brian Master (3-7), Lori Grant (7-12), Cyd Vandenberg (12-5). Weekends: Mike Marshall, Paul Fisher, Terry McElligott. News: Paul Cook, Ben Steinfeld, Arlene Bynon, John McFadyen, Ronn Grimster, Erin Davis, Paul de Courcy, Sue Sgambatti, Mark Henderson. Traffic: Gloria Martin, Russ Holden, Darryl Dahmer. Carla Collins did fill-in work for Erin Davis.

On January 29, CHFI-FM added weather forecasts from CFTO-TV’s Dave Devall.

Gary L. Miles and Eric G. (Sandy) Sanderson were named executive vice presidents of Rogers Broadcasting Ltd.

Erin Davis was now co-host of the morning show with Don Daynard. Don Jackson was now the evening host (7-midnight). He joined CHFI in January. Lori Grant was now heard on weekends. Terry McElligott moved from weekends to off-air programming work. He left for CFRB later in the year. Names from the news department included: Ben Steinfeld, Lucy Zilio, Paul Cook, Ronn Grimster, Arlene Bynon, John Hinnen, Bob Nichols, Paul de Courcy, Al Zimmer, Marianne Summers, Bob Ried. Rob Davidson, Michael Recht and Paul Fisher did entertainment reports. Others: Jerry White (business), Peter Worthington (commentary). 

On-air: Don Daynard & Erin Davis (5-10), Sandy Hoyt (10-12), Chronicle (12-1), Sandy Hoyt (1-3), Brian Master (3-7), Don Jackson (7-12), Donna Corsano (12-5). Weekends: Lori Grant, Mike Marshall, Paul Fisher. Others: Peter Worthington (commentary), Michael Rechtshaffen (entertainment), Jerry White (business). News: Marianne Summers, Arlene Bynon, Ben Steinfeld, Bob Nichols, Paul de Courcy, John Hinnen, Jim Morris, Paul Cook, Bob Reid, Lucy Zilio. Traffic: Gloria Martin, Darryl Dahmer, Russ Holden, Erin Davis. Notes: Cyd Vandenberg left for CILQ-FM and was replaced by Donna Corsano. Paul Fisher was program director.

“Chronicle” with Paul Cook & Arlene Bynon was now on from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. Melanie Curtis was now doing the overnight show.

Former CHFI traffic reporter (1968-79) Eddie Luther died at 72 on February 16.

In the Spring BBM ratings, CHFI-FM hit the #1 spot with a total audience of 988,300 (12+). It was the first time CHFI had surpassed perennial leader CFRB-AM. 

Former CHFI personality Jay Nelson (Frank Coxe) died February 18. He was 57.

CHFI continued to lead the pack on FM with 976,700 listeners and an 11.1% share in the BBM ratings. It also had the most 25-54 listeners in all dayparts.

Former CHFI announcer Don Parrish passed away on February 28. His radio and television announcing career included 25 years as host of CHFI’s “Candlelight and Wine”. Parrish had also been president of ACTRA for six years.

In September, Sandy Hoyt moved from mid-days to weekends, Mike Marshall moved from weekends to mid-days. 

In August, CHFI and  CFTR gained a sister station in Toronto when Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. was given approval to purchase CISS 92.5. 

Morning man Don Daynard marked 33 years in radio.

Rogers Communications’ CFO, Sally Moyer, resigned. 

On May 26, Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. was granted a licence for a digital radio undertakings to serve Toronto for CHFI. The transmitter was installed at the CN Tower and  employed the EUREKA-147 digital audio broadcasting system. The station operated on 1456.304 MHz with an effective isotropic radiated power of 5,084 watts. 

On-air: Don Daynard & Erin Davis (5-9), Mike Marshall (9-noon), Chronicle with Arlene Bynon (12-12:30), Mike Marshall (12:30-2), Brian Master (2-7), Don Jackson (7-12), Melanie Curtis (12-5). Weekends: Lori Grant, Sandy Hoyt, John Majhor. News: Stephanie Smyth, Marianne Somers, Jane Brown, Tonya Macintyre, Betty Harrison. Traffic: Darryl Dahmer, Russ Holden, Janet Deline, Anne Michowski, Christie Springstadt, Alana Guest, Gloria Martin. Notes: Late in the year, Sandy Hoyt returned for Saturday afternoons.

CHFI celebrated the 10-year run of the Don Daynard and Erin Davis morning show by launching a series of print ads. One headline read: “He’s been pulling her leg for a decade.” 

CFRN/CFBR-FM Edmonton promotions manager Vicky Belfiore joined CHFI/CFTR.

Some changes took place at Rogers Broadcasting in the early part of the year. Executive vice president, programming, Sandy Sanderson, would focus on his role as national program director, relinquishing his operating responsibilities at the Toronto cluster (CFTR/CHFI); Chuck McCoy, formerly of CKWX/CKKS Vancouver, became vice president, Toronto Radio Operations, reporting to Gary Miles, and responsible for CHFI, CFTR and management of CISS-FM Toronto (throughout the LMA period and after, if approved, Rogers’ acquisition of CISS); general sales manager Derek Berghuis took on the added role of general manager at CFTR; CHFI-FM program director Paul Fisher took on added responsibility of general manager/vice president of programming, CHFI; John Hinnen, vice president, Radio News Programming, for Rogers took up new responsibilities as acting GM at CKWX Vancouver, also continuing his role as executive editor at CFTR Toronto; Dale Buote became general manager/program director at CKKS-FM Vancouver. Buote was most recently GM at CKWX; and, Victor Dann, general sales manager at CHFI-FM also became Toronto Market sales manager.

Don Daynard retired December 10 and was replaced by Bob Magee who had been doing some fill-in work on the station. Lisa Brandt joined in March. She was also the vacation fill-in host for Erin Davis. Mike Marshall left in July and was replaced by Michelle Butterly from CHUM-FM. Chronicle was cancelled in June or July. Sandy Hoyt retired in July.

John Tory was named President/CEO of Rogers Communications’ cable TV division. He succeeded Trey Smith, an American citizen who retired and returned to the U.S. Tory joined Rogers in 1995 as head of its Rogers Media and Maclean Hunter Publishing units, with responsibility for the broadcasting, publishing and new media businesses… Tony Viner became President/CEO of the Rogers Media division, and continue in his role of Rogers Broadcasting president. 

In September, CHFI, CFTR, CISS and the Rogers Media corporate offices moved to new facilities at the head office tower of Rogers Communications, 777 Jarvis Street (at Bloor) in downtown Toronto. It was a 10-storey structure (45,000 square feet) that was built in the 1950’s. 

Marianne Summers left for CFRB.

Ted Rogers, 67, announced plans to step down in January of 2004 as president and CEO of Rogers Communications Inc. He would then begin a five year consulting contract with the company.

Drew Keith left CHFI and Kiss92 where he had been music director. 

On-air: Bob Magee & Erin Davis (5-9), Michelle Butterly (9-2), Brian Master (2-7), Don Jackson (7-12), Lori Grant, Larry Maxwell.

Gene Taylor who used to appear on Don Daynard’s morning show with a trivia segment, passed away January 6 in Michigan.

In April, CJCL 590 became a Rogers station when it was purchased from Standard Radio Inc. who acquired it from Telemedia Communications Inc. CJCL “The Fan” joined the other Rogers radio stations at 777 Jarvis in June.

Rogers Toronto launched CJMT-TV (Omni 2) in September. 

Former CHFI personality Sandy Hoyt (“That Nice Man On The Radio”) passed away August 5. He was 63. 

Don Daynard retired from the morning show in 1999 but continued to host a weekend oldies show on CHFI until January of this year when he fully retired from radio.

Vaughn Bjerre passed away. According to his daughter, Sheryl, Vaughn was sought after by Rogers to create a format that would put CHFI FM on the dial – “Candlelight & Wine” with Don Parrish – a sophisticated and distinctive format to compete with CFRB. Vaughn was Executive Vice President & launched CFTR-AM. She adds: many announcers and sales managers worked for Vaughn elsewhere – Rick Campbell (announcer) and Roly Koster (came from London’s CKSL) for example.

On December 2nd, the Rogers family announced that Ted Rogers had died at home in the early hours of the morning at the age of 75, after having suffered from congestive heart failure for several months.

Darren Osborne took over the 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on-air shift at CHFI. He had been doing evenings and weekends for the station for over five years. 

Karen Steele was named promotion director at CHFI and KISS 92.5. She had been with Warner Pictures Canada.

It was announced in early August that Dan Duran would be CHFI’s new evening host – Wednesday thru Friday. He would also be heard on weekend afternoons. 

On August 28, the CRTC renewed the transitional digital radio licence of CHFI-DR-1. 

With the retirement 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  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.

Julie James, who moved back east from her Program Director position at JOE-FM Edmonton for personal reasons, was doing weekend and swing shifts at CHFI as well as assisting in the programming and music departments. She had worked in Toronto before…at CKFM-FM.

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 Lindores became the Promotion Director at KiSS 92.5/98.1 CHFI on June 15, moving from Astral Media Radio Toronto after about three years there. Prior Astral, Lindores had been with Universal Music for 14 years, most of it overseeing the Marketing & Promotion Departments of Universal’s Central Region.

Julie James was appointed to assistant program director & music director for CHFI. In addition to working on all programming elements for CHFI, Julie would continue to fill-in on-air for all of the shows on CHFI, as needed.

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.

Darryl Henry joined the 98.1 CHF1 on-air team/music department. 

Rogers Communications Inc. announced the appointment of Keith Pelley as the President of Rogers Media effective September 7. Pelley succeeded Tony Viner who announced his plan to retire in May 2010. Keith Pelley, 46, would report to Nadir Mohamed and would have overall responsibility for Rogers Media properties including Rogers Broadcasting, Rogers Publishing, Rogers Digital Media, Rogers Sportsnet, the Shopping Channel, the Toronto Blue Jays and Rogers Centre. Pelley had most recently been Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning at CTV and President of Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium. He succeeded Tony Viner, 63, as President and CEO of Rogers Media. Viner joined Rogers in 1982 and had grown Rogers Media from three radio stations when he started, to a diversified media company comprised of radio, over-the-air and specialty television services, publishing, digital media, and sports entertainment. 

Keith Pelley, president of Rogers Media, announced the appointment of two senior executives to his senior leadership team. Leslie Sole was promoted to the newly created position of chief content officer. Scott Moore assumed the position of president of broadcasting. Sole would be responsible for the creation and execution of the Rogers Media content strategy. Prior to this, he oversaw the expansion of the Rogers Television division. Moore would oversee Rogers Media television including Citytv, Sportsnet and OMNI and all radio properties and would be responsible for the programming, sales, production, regulatory, engineering and distribution. He joined Rogers from CBC Television. 

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.

Ted Rogers was inducted into the international Wireless History Foundation Hall of Fame In October at a gala dinner in San Francisco. Melinda M. Rogers, RCI’s Senior VP of Strategy and Development, accepted the award on behalf of the family and company. 

Tom Harkness, after 41 years of selling radio, retired December 31. Most of his career had been with Rogers Radio Toronto but stops along the way included CKLB Oshawa, CFGM Richmond Hill, CKFH Toronto and CKSL/CIQM London.

On August 31, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CHFI-DR-1 to April 30, 2012.

In December, Rogers Broadcasting announced that Kath Thompson had been selected as the new program director for 98.1 CHFI in Toronto. Kath would succeed Julie Adam, Rogers National PD who for the past eight years has also been the CHFI PD. She would officially assume her CHFI program director duties on March 1, 2012.

Ron Combden, regional engineering manager for Rogers Broadcasting in the Toronto/ Kitchener markets, was no longer with the company. Rick Dal Farra, who had been appointed Rogers Radio director of engineering for BC Radio in April of 2006 (based in Vancouver), returned to Rogers in Toronto in June. He became regional engineering manager there, succeeding Ron Combden.

Victor Dann, vice president and general sales manager at CHFI retired. Dann spent 36 years with the Rogers Radio organization. Derek Berghuis, the executive VP of sales was now also hands-on at CHFI.

On April 23, the CRTC administratively renewed the broadcasting licence for digital radio programming undertaking CHFI-DR-1 until August 31, 2012.

The new program director at CHFI was Kath Thompson, a 30-year radio veteran who most recently helped launch up! 97.7 Calgary and was the Rawlco station’s first program director. She succeeded Rogers national PD Julie Adam who would focus entirely on that responsibility. Thompson began March 1.

Veteran traffic reporter Russ Holden marked his 45th anniversary at Rogers Communications, earning the distinguished honour as the company’s longest serving employee. Holden began his career with the company in 1967 as part of the 98.1 CHFI production team. Since 1973, Holden had been on-air delivering Toronto’s most up-to-date traffic information, becoming one of the city’s most recognized and beloved media personalities. At this point in time, Holden was seen Mondays to Fridays delivering his trusted traffic information to Greater Toronto audiences on Breakfast Television Toronto, CityNews Channel, and 680News.

Darryl Dahmer celebrated his 40th anniversary with Rogers Radio this week, all of those years as CHFI/CFTR Toronto’s traffic reporter.

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. 

Doug Lennox passed away at age 77. The voiceover artist started in radio at CKAR Huntsville in 1965. From there, he was off to CKBB/CKVR-TV Barrie, CHFI Toronto, and CBC Radio/TV Toronto. Lennox was also known for Now You Know, his radio and book trivia series, and was on the big screen in such movies as Police Academy and Police Academy 3.

Mike Cooper of CHFI’s morning show with Erin Davis announced his retirement, effective January 29. The 45-year broadcast veteran would continue to host the weekly Saturday night show, Coop’s Classics. Cooper spent most of his career in Toronto radio (CHUM, CFTR, CJEZ-FM and CKFM). He started out at CKAT-FM North Bay and also worked in such markets as Ottawa, Montreal and Peterborough.

In November, Erin Davis announced she would retire from CHFI as of December 15. Erin had been waking up Torontonians for nearly 30 years. She planned to host specials and features for Rogers in the future.

In the late summer, Russ Holden announced he would retire after a 50-year career with Rogers Media. Russ joined CHFI in 1967 doing a variety of jobs. He later became the traffic reporter for both CHFI and CFTR. More recently, Holden was with City’s Breakfast Television.

In the fall, Rogers completed work on brand new studios at their Bloor & Jarvis location for 680 News, KiSS 92.5, and CHFI.