CBOX-FM

CBOF-FM 102.5 signed on the air on September 12. 

On April 18, CBOF-FM was granted an increase in effective radiated power from 70,000 watts to 84,000 watts, and a decrease in antenna height. 

With the covnersion of CBOF-AM 1250 to the FM dial, becoming CBOF-FM, CBOF-FM 102.5 changed its call sign to CBOX-FM. CBOX-FM carried stereo programming while the now CBOF-FM originated mono network programming.

The Radio-Canada (mono) network was renamed Première Chaîne while the FM stereo network became La Chaîne culturelle on September 1.

At licence renewal time, CBOX-FM was noted as broadcasting approximately 20 minutes of local arts billboard programming each week from Ottawa, in addition to programs received from the network. CBOX-FM had no rebroadcast transmitters. 

On November 14, the CBC was granted a transitional digital radio undertaking licence for CBOX-FM. Three transmitters would be used: one would be located at its site at Camp Fortune, Quebec and the other two in Ottawa, one at its building on Lanark Avenue and the other at the Time MCI Las Brisas building. All three transmitters would operate in a single frequency network, using 1482.464 MHz (DRB channel 18) with an effective isotropic radiated power of 5,928 watts, 2,850 watts and 2,965 watts, respectively. The CBC stated that the transmitters would employ the EUREKA-147 digital audio broadcasting system.

CBOX-DR-1 was opened on March 11.

On September 13, CBC/SRC Ottawa began broadcasting from new studios and offices at 181 Queen Street. Facilities had been scattered around the city. Radio had been in the Chateau Laurier and Television had operated from Lanark Street.

La chaîne culturelle was renamed Espace musique in September.

On December 7, CBOX-DR-1 was granted an increase in isotropically radiated power of the Camp Fortune transmitter, from 5,928 watts to 12,250 watts. Also approved: relocation of their other transmitter – from the former CBC building on Lanark Avenue to Place Bell Canada (downtown Ottawa) and a decrease in EIRP 

On May 12 the CRTC renewed the licence of CBOX-FM, including CBOX-DR-1.

On August 9, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence of CBOX-DR-1, CBOX-FM to August 31, 2011.

In 2010, the CBC had the licenses for its Montreal digital radio transmitters revoked. On January 21, 2011, the CRTC revoked the licenses for the rest of the CBC’s digital radio transmitters across the country – at the Corporation’s request. The revocations included CBO-DR-1, CBOQ-DR-1, CBOF-DR-1 and CBOX-DR-1 Ottawa. There had been a total lack of interest in digital radio by all parties involved.

On August 25, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CBOX-FM to March 1, 2013.

On February 22, the CRTC administratively renewed the licences for CBOX-FM to August 31, 2013.

On May 28, the CRTC renewed the licence of CBOX-FM Ottawa for a five year term, to August 31, 2018. The Commission considered that it was appropriate to impose conditions of licence on Espace Musique that: permit the broadcast of a maximum of four minutes of national paid advertising, as currently defined by the Commission, in any clock hour; and limit the number of times that programming can be interrupted for advertising to no more than twice per clock hour. The broadcast of advertising by Espace Musique was for a three-year trial period from September 1, 2013 until August 31, 2016.

On December 5, the CRTC gave approval to the CBC to introduce advertising on the Radio 2 and Espace Musique networks. Advertising would be limited to four minutes every hour. The CBC would need to seek permission to continue airing commercials on the two networks after three years.

On August 31, the CRTC denied the CBC’s application to continue commercial advertising on Radio 2 and ICI Musique beyond the initial three-year licence amendment. The CRTC found that CBC had failed to maintain satisfactory investment in radio and failed to meet ad revenue projections.