CFCH-FM

On May 25, the CRTC approved Vista Radio’s application for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio station in North Bay. The station would operate on frequency 90.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 45,800 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 145.5 metres). Vista indicated that the station would broadcast 126 hours of local programming each broadcast week, of which 10 hours and 28.5 minutes would be devoted to spoken-word programming. In each broadcast week, seven hours and 46 minutes of spoken word programming would be devoted to local news and information, with 2 hours and 50 minutes of newscasts devoted to local and regional news and 50 minutes devoted to national and international news. The station would broadcast news, road conditions, weather and information on upcoming community events. Further, it would broadcast news and information at scheduled regular intervals from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm each weekday plus additional weekend newscasts. The station’s programming would focus on local spoken-word content that was directly relevant to the lives of the target audience. Vista proposed an Oldies music format and would operate the proposed station jointly with its existing station in North Bay, CFXN-FM. The licence would expire 31 August 2026.

Vista announced the call letters of CFCH had been secured for the new station, in order to pay homage to the history of radio in North Bay. The former CFCH-AM (now CKAT) was launched by Lord Roy Thomson and was one of the first radio stations in Northern Ontario. Vista Radio was owned by Sherry Brydson, a granddaughter of Lord Roy Thomson.

CFCH-FM began on-air testing in June. The station launched as Country 90.5 on June 15 at 7:30 a.m.