CBW-FM is one of the most powerful radio stations in Canada, with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 160,000 watts, while most FM stations run at 100,000 watts or less. (Winnipeg is also home to the most powerful station, CJKR-FM at 310,000 watts.)
History
CBW-FM is Winnipeg's second FM station, signing on the air on December 10, 1962. It began as a commercial classical music station with the call signCFMW-FM (Fine Music Winnipeg). At the time it had the strongest FM signal in all of Canada at 354,000 watts, giving it a range of 200 miles.[1] It broadcast from a studio building at 4051 Pembina Hwy. in St. Norbert, although some programming came from CFAM in Altona.[2]
The CBC purchased the station in 1965.[3] CBW-FM joined the CBC Stereo network at its start on November 3, 1975.[4]
CBW-FM was the originating station of the jazz program After Hours with Ross Porter, since 1993, but the program aired its final episode on March 16, 2007. Tonic, a similarly themed program hosted from Montreal by Katie Malloch on weeknights and from Calgary by Tim Tamashiro on weekends, debuted in its place on March 19.
An expansion of CBW is in the works for other regions of Manitoba. Future rebroadcasters are planned for Dauphin (106.1), Flin Flon (89.7), The Pas (100.3), and Thompson (90.7).
References
^"Strongest FM Station Goes On Air Tonight". Winnipeg Free Press. December 10, 1962. p. 8.
^"New FM Radio Station Goes On The Air Dec. 3". Winnipeg Free Press. November 2, 1962. p. 4.
^"CBC Seeking CFMW". Winnipeg Free Press, CP newswire. March 15, 1965. p. 30.
^"World's longest FM network goes into operation across Canada". Winnipeg Free Press. November 4, 1975. p. 8.