CIXL-FM

CIXL-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting in Welland, Ontario. It uses the on-air brand name Giant FM, and broadcasts a classic rock format at 91.7 MHz. It is one of the few commercial FM radio stations on its frequency that can be heard in the United States, where frequencies between 88.1 and 91.9 MHz are set aside for noncommercial stations (a stipulation not required in Canada, CIXL's originating country). Giant FM's geographical position puts it in direct competition with WGRF Buffalo, CFLZ-FM Fort Erie, and Stingray's CHBM-FM Toronto.

CIXL-FM
CityWelland, Ontario
Broadcast areaNiagara Region
Frequency91.7 MHz (FM)
BrandingGiant FM
SloganNiagara's Classic Rock
Programming
FormatClassic rock
Ownership
OwnerStingray Group
CKYY-FM
History
First air date
June 4, 1957 (AM)
May 1999 (FM)
Former call signs
CHOW (1957–2005)
Former frequencies
1470 kHz (1957–1999)
Call sign meaning
CI eXtra Large (Giant size)
Technical information
ClassB
ERP27,420 watts average
vertical & horizontal polarization
HAAT150 meters (490 ft)
Links
Websitewww.giantfm.com

Giant FM's studios are located on the Port Colborne - Welland border, on Forks Road, and its transmitters are located in the field behind the studio.

History

The station originally owned by Gordon W. Burnett's "Wellport Broadcasting Ltd." and was launched in June 1957 as CHOW (known on-air as "C-How,") located at 1470 kHz on the AM dial. A daytimer when it was originally launched, the station began offering nighttime service within a few months. It offered an easy listening format until 1975, when it switched to country music.

In 1990, the CRTC denied Wellport Broadcasting's application for a new FM station at Port Colborne. Instead, a licence was given to CJFT in Fort Erie so that it could move to the FM band.[1] In 1992, the CRTC once again denied Wellport's application for a new FM radio station at Port Colborne.

In 1994, the station was purchased by Suzanne Rochon-Burnett through numbered company 1019415 Ontario Inc.,[2] the first aboriginal woman in Canada to own a commercial radio station. Rochon-Burnett was later named to the Order of Canada. The station moved to 91.7 FM in 1999.[3] and was rebranded as Spirit 91.7. In 1998, the station received CRTC approval to relocate CHOW-FM's transmitter and decreasing the effective radiated power from 27,420 watts to 25,000 watts.[4]

The station was purchased by its current owner, David Holgate, in 2004.[5] The following year, CHOW switched to an adult hits format, adopting its current call sign and branding. In late August 2008, the station adopted its current classic rock format, but retained the Giant FM branding. The call sign 'CHOW' was recycled to 105.3 FM "Radio Boréal," in Amos, Québec. It was later given permission to increase ERP to 27,420 Watts, once again.

On December 9, 2013, R.B Communications Ltd., the owner of CIXL-FM, submitted an application to operate a new country music station at Welland at 89.1 MHz.[6] The new station received CRTC approval on June 26, 2014.[7]

On May 10, 2019, Stingray Group announced its purchase of R.B. Communications' two stations.[8] The sale has since been completed, and Stingray maintains ownership.

References
  1. Decision CRTC 90-1099
  2. Decision CRTC 94-909
  3. Decision CRTC 97-387
  4. Decision CRTC 98-514
  5. Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2004-34
  6. Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2013-663, Notice of hearing, CRTC, December 9, 2013
  7. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-345, English Language FM radio station in Welland, CRTC, June 26, 2014
  8. "Friday's small-cap stocks to watch". The Globe and Mail. May 10, 2019. Retrieved 2019-05-11.

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