CFLM-FM

CFLM-FM, O 97.1, La Tuque

Arsenal Media Group

StationYearFreq.PowerOwner/Info
CFLM-FM201997.132,000Arsenal Media Group
CFLM-FM201697.132,000Attraction Media
CFLM-FM201297.132,000Radio Haute-Maurice Inc.
CFLM-AM199312401,000Radio Haute-Maurice Inc.
CFLM-AM195912401,000Radio La Tuque Ltee.

1959

On October 3, CFLM began broadcasting. Its frequency was 1240 kHz. Power was 1,000 watts day and 250 watts at night. The station was owned by Radio Latuque Ltee. (Radio La Tuque Ltee)

1960

Ad: The St. Maurice Valley is completely covered up and down – CFLM La Tuque – 1000 watts – “Exclusive”. For an area population – 25,000. CKTR – Trois-Rivieres – 5000 watts – “First Anytime”. Quebec 3rd market – buying power $872,000,000.

1965

CFLM was a CBC French-language affiliate. J. Trepanier was president of Radio La Tuque Ltee and manager of CFLM.

1978

On October 17, approval was granted for the transfer of 45.5% of the shares of Radio Latuque Ltee from Frank T. Spain, Jr. and Vincent T. Spain to Jean Trepanier (giving Trepanier 54.4%), Laurette Leclerc, Rejean Leclerc, Odette Bertrand Todd and Jacques Perron.

1983

CFLM was acquired by Radio Haute Mauricie Inc. from Radio Latuque Ltee. 

1984

On March 6, the CRTC renewed the broadcasting licence for CFLM to September 30, 1989. The Commission noted that, pursuant to the licensee’s commitment noted in Decision CRTC 83-114, the licensee had hired programming and news personnel to improve the station’s programming. CFLM’s broadcast week consisted of 126 hours, of which 30 hours originated from the CBC and 10 hours from the Télémédia network of which the station was an affiliate.

On December 13, CFLM was authorized to increase night-time power from 250 watts to 1,000 watts. 

1988

On January 8, the CRTC approved the affiliation of CFLM to the French-language AM radio network “Réseau des Nordiques” to be operated by Les Entreprises de Radiodiffusion de la Capitale Inc. for the purpose of broadcasting the hockey games of the Quebec Nordiques.

On January 11, the Commission approved the application to amend the licence for CFLM by adding the programs of CKAC Montreal between 00:15 and 05:15 Monday through Sunday.

2002

CFLM was given approval to disaffiliate from the Radio-Canada AM network. 

2003

On November 14 the CRTC renewed CFLM’s licence until August 31, 2010. 

2010

On November 26, the CRTC renewed CFLM’s licence to August 31, 2014. This short-term renewal would enable the Commission to review the licensee’s compliance with the Radio Regulations, 1986 at an earlier date.

2011

The CRTC approved a change of ownership and effective control of Radio Haute-Mauricie inc. (licensee of CFLM), from an unclear cut control to a legal control exercised by Réjean Leclerc. Later in the year, the Commission approved the change to the ownership and effective control of Radio Haute Mauricie inc., from Mr. Réjean Leclerc to Ms. Anne Armstrong. 

2012

On September 28, the CRTC approved the application by Radio Haute Mauricie inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language commercial FM radio station in La Tuque, Quebec, to replace its AM station CFLM. Radio Haute Mauricie inc. was owned and controlled by Ann Armstrong. The new station would operate at 97.1 MHz (channel 246B) with an average effective radiated power of 18,230 watts (maximum ERP of 32,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 127.3 metres). The applicant proposed to maintain CFLM’s existing music format, i.e. Popular Music, Rock, Dance and Country. The local programming would include 50 hours per broadcast week devoted solely to spoken word programming, 10 hours of which would be news. The licence would expire August 31, 2015.

In the fall, CFLM 1240 flipped to 97.1 FM. It was the last remaining commercial AM station in Quebec, outside of Montreal. The change happened quickly since CRTC approval was given only at the end of September. CFLM 97.1 was now testing with 32,000 watts.

2013

CFLM 1240 was shut down as the simulcast period with 97.1 MHz expired.

2016

The CRTC approved the sale of CFLM from Radio Haute Maurice Inc. to Attraction Media.

2018

In August, the CRTC approved the change of effective control of Groupe Attraction Radio. The move transferred majority ownership of the company’s 14 Quebec radio stations to Sylvain Chamberland, the company’s executive VP and CEO. He would hold a 50.25% stake in the new ownership structure. Chamberland was recruited by Attraction’s founder Richard Speer in 2011 to set up the radio division.

2019

In January, Attraction Radio became Arsenal Media Group.

In May, CFLM rebranded as O 97.1 and moved from a mainstream AC to Hot AC/CHR format.

The story continues elsewhere…
Effective September 1st 2019, we will only be adding new material to these station histories in exceptional circumstances. Our intent to chronicle the early days of these radio and television stations has been achieved, and many new sources and technologies, from the CRTC website to Wikipedia, and others, are now regularly providing new information in these areas.

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