CHRC-FM
| Broadcast area | Clarence-Rockland |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 92.5 MHz (FM) |
| Branding | 92.5 Big FM |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult hits |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Evanov Communications (Sale pending to Radio communautaire Cornwall-Alexandria) |
| Operator | Radio communautaire Cornwall-Alexandria |
| CHOD-FM | |
| History | |
First air date | October 15, 2013 |
Call sign meaning | Rockland and Clarence |
| Technical information | |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 333 watts |
| HAAT | 54.8 meters (180 ft) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | 925bigfm.ca |
CHRC-FM (92.5 FM, "92.5 Big FM") is a radio station licensed to Rockland, Ontario. Owned by Evanov Communications, and currently operated by future owner Radio communautaire Cornwall-Alexandria under a temporary management agreement, it broadcasts an adult hits format serving Clarence-Rockland, Ontario.
History
[edit]
On February 25, 2013, the CRTC approved an application for a new FM radio station in Rockland, Ontario by Dufferin Communications, a subsidiary of Evanov Radio Group. Evanov proposed an adult contemporary station broadcasting on 92.5 FM with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 333 watts. Cogeco and Evanov accepted that there would be a small zone of interference between the new station and CKBE-FM in Montreal.[1]
In June 2013, the station was assigned the call letters CHRC-FM.[2] That call sign was previously used by a now-defunct radio station in Quebec City. On October 15, 2013, CHRC-FM launched with a soft adult contemporary format branded as Jewel 92.5; its lineup featured the syndicated John Tesh Radio Show and nightly blocks of adult standards (The Lounge) and beautiful music (The Instrumental Concert Series).[3][4]
In May 2021, CHRC-FM flipped to country music as Hot Country 92.5.[5]
On September 5, 2024, Evanov announced that the station, along with CJWL-FM in Ottawa and CKHK-FM in Hawkesbury, would close effective September 20, 2024, due to increased competition, changing listener habits, and economic conditions brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] However, on September 19, Evanov announced that it had reached agreements to sell all three stations instead, with an agreement to sell CHRC and CKHK to Radio communautaire Cornwall-Alexandria—the cooperative that owns CHOD-FM 92.1 Go FM in Cornwall, pending CRTC approval. While CHOD is a francophone station, it was stated that the stations would still broadcast in English.[7]
Radio communautaire Cornwall-Alexandria formally filed applications to acquire the stations on January 24, 2025, valuing them at $150,000 each. It is currently operating the stations under a temporary management agreement.[8] On the morning of May 12, 2025, CHRC and CKHK stunted with a loop of "Bye Bye Mon Cowboy" by Quebecois singer Mitsou, before flipping to adult hits at noon as Big FM.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-94, English-language FM radio station in Clarence-Rockland, CRTC, February 25, 2013
- ^ "5/6/2013". Fybush Media. Fybush Media. May 3, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
- ^ "On Air Schedule". Jewel 92.5. Evanov Radio. 2017. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
- ^ "CHRC-FM". Canadian Communications Foundation. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ Thiessen, Connie (2021-05-03). "Evanov rebrands four of its 'The Jewel' stations in Ontario & Quebec". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ "Evanov to shutter three FM stations". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ Thiessen, Connie (2024-09-19). "GO FM to acquire two Evanov stations set for closure". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ 1001012762 Ontario Inc. Hawkesbury, Ontario Application 2024-0599-3 - Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2025-18, CRTC, January 24, 2025
- ^ "Big Launch In Eastern Ontario". RadioInsight. 2025-05-12. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
External links
[edit]- 92.5 BIG FM
- CHRC-FM at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation
- CHRC-FM in the REC Canadian station database
This area also includes United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and United Counties of Prescott and Russell. | |
| Cornwall |
|
| Akwesasne | |
| Hawkesbury | |
| Vankleek Hill |
|
| Clarence-Rockland | |
| Weatheradio Canada |
|
| Northern New York | |
| |
