In January 2000, the CRTC approved an application by Christian Radio Manitoba Ltd. for a new specialty FM radio station in Winnipeg, focusing predominantly on Christian music.[2] The group originally planned to broadcast on 107.1 FM, but this was denied by Industry Canada. The station instead chose to broadcast on 95.1 FM instead.[3]
In 2004, Golden West Broadcasting acquired a controlling stake in Christian Radio Manitoba Ltd.[4] The merger made CHVN by far Golden West's largest station by market size; most of CHVN's stablemates are located in small towns in the Prairies.