CFRB

CFRB(1010AM) is acommercialradio stationinToronto, Ontario,Canada. It is owned byBell Mediaand carries aNews/Talkradio format.Its studios and offices are in theEntertainment Districtat250 Richmond Street West.

CFRB

Toronto, Ontario
Broadcast area	Greater Toronto Area
Frequency	1010kHz
Branding	Newstalk 1010
Programming
Format	News/talk
Affiliations	Bell Media Premiere Networks CBS News Radio
Ownership
Owner	Bell Media (Bell Media RadioG.P.)
Sister stations	CFTO-DT,CP24,CKVR-DT,CHUM,CHUM-FM,CKFM-FM
History
First air date	February 19, 1927(1927-02-19)
Former frequencies	1030kHz(1927) 960 kHz (1927–1931) 690 kHz (1931–1941) 860 kHz (1941–1948)
Call signmeaning	"Canada's First Rogers Batteryless"
Technical information
Licensing authority	CRTC
Class	A
Power	50,000watts
Transmitter coordinates	43°30′20.2″N79°37′50.6″W
Repeater(s)	99.9CKFM-HD2(Toronto) 6.07MHzCFRX(Shortwave)
Links
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1010

One of the oldest surviving radio stations active in Toronto, CFRB went on the air on February 19, 1927, as9RBowned byEdward S. Rogers Sr.,with the callsign derived from its parentRogers Vacuum Tube Company,and the station moved to its current 1010 AM frequency in 1948. Throughout ownership changes for most of the decade and its format remained intact, the station was acquired bySlaight Broadcastingin 1985, before being acquired byAstral Mediain 2007 and ultimately sold toBell Canada,rival company ofRogers Communications,founded by Rogers Sr.'s son,Ted Rogers Jr.,in 2013.

CFRB is aclear channel stationpowered at 50,000watts,the maximum permitted in Canada. While it is aClass Astation, it also must protectCBRinCalgary,which shares Class A status on1010 AM.CFRB uses a four-tower arraydirectional antennain theClarksonneighbourhood ofMississauga.CFRB issimulcastonshortwavestationCFRXat 6.07MHzin the 49 metre band and onsister station99.9CKFM-FM-HD2,adigital subchannel.CFRB is also heard across Canada onBell Satellite TVchannel 964.

History

Early years

CFRB firstsigned onthe air on February 19, 1927. It is notToronto's very first radio station,but it is the city's oldest English-language broadcaster still operating today. (CJBC,which now operates in French, was founded in 1925.) It was founded by theRogers Vacuum Tube Company.The station was used to promoteEdward S. Rogers Sr.'s invention of abatteryless radioreceiver that could be operated usingalternating currentand therefore did not need the cumbersome battery that had previously been required. The station itself was a demonstration of Rogers' application of his invention to radio transmitters as well as receivers, a development that allowed for a signal that reproduced voices and music more clearly. The new type of transmitter also made CFRB the world's first all-electric radio station.The letters "RB" in the station's callsign stand for "Rogers' Batteryless".

The station began transmitting on an experimental basis in January 1927 as 9RB, before being converted to commercial operation a few weeks later, as CFRB. Thosecall lettershave been used continuously since then. On February 19, the inaugural broadcast was a livesymphony orchestraconcert conducted by Jack Arthur.During its first years, CFRB leased time to twophantom stations:CNRX, owned byCanadian National Railwaysand providing programs ofCanada's first radio network,and CPRY, owned by the CNR's rival, theCanadian Pacific Railway.The CNR's network was discontinued in 1933, with many of its assets eventually passing to theCanadian Broadcasting Corporation(CBC), and the CPR's radio service was discontinued in 1935.

CFRB's first studios were in a mansion onJarvis Streetnorth of Wellesley Street, built by the family ofHart Massey.In 1929, the station moved to purpose-built studios at 37Bloor StreetWest. In the same year, the station became anetwork affiliateof theColumbia Broadcasting System.

In 1932, CFRB began airing theGeneral Motors Hockey Broadcast,which had originated on the CNR's network. This program eventually becameHockey Night in Canada,and continued to be aired by CFRB for many years, despite also airing on the CBC'sflagship stationCBL,and continues to this day onCBC TelevisionandRogers Sportsnet.

From the 1930s to the 1950s, CFRB was the radio broadcaster for theToronto Santa Claus Parade.

In 1937, CFRB began tosimulcastonshortwavestationCFRXat 6070 kHz.

Following the sudden death of Edward S. Rogers Sr. in 1939, Rogers Majestic Corporation Limited was sold in 1941 and became Standard Radio Limited. In turn, the company was acquired byArgus Corporationin 1946.

On November 1, 1946,Wally Crouterjoined CFRB. He eventually became its morningdrive timehost, a position he would hold until his retirement on November 1, 1996, after exactly fifty years at the station.

Changing frequencies and studios

CFRB andCJBC,owned by the CBC, made a frequency switch on September 1, 1948. CFRB moved to 1010 while CJBC took over theClass I-Aclear-channel frequency at 860, previously used by CFRB.The CBC wanted its stations in major cities to be on Class I-A frequencies. But CFRB, which had been running at 20,000 watts, was boosted to 50,000watts,giving it wide coverage overSouthern Ontario.

Beginning in 1948, through until the early 1970s, CFRB made several unsuccessful bids for a licence to operate a television station in Toronto.

In 1965, CFRB moved its studios from 37 Bloor Street West to 2 St. Clair Avenue West (at Yonge Street). At around the same time, Standard Radio Limited was renamed Standard Broadcasting.

A long-lasting show,Calling All Britonsfeaturing news, sports scores and music from Britain, began in 1965. It was hosted byRay Soninuntil his death in 1991.

The station's formerdowntown Torontostudios, shared with CHBM-FM (now owned byNewcap) and CKFM-FM.

New ownership

In 1978, Argus Corporation was acquired byConrad Blackand his brother Montegu, thus also giving them ownership of Standard Broadcasting. In November 1985,Slaight Broadcastingacquired Standard from the Blacks.In October 2007, Slaight sold Standard toAstral Media.

Ted Rogers, the communications mogul and son of CFRB's founder, had vowed to re-acquire the station that his family had lost after his father's death, and considered his failure to do so his greatest disappointment. Reports indicate that he continued to attempt to re-acquire CFRB right up until his death in December 2008.

In July 2013, with a buyout of Astral Media, CFRB was acquired byBell Media,a subsidiary ofBell Canadawhich already owns theCTV Television Networkand rival competitor toRogers Communicationsfounded by Ted Rogers.Shortly after the purchase, Bell announced that it would move the studios and offices of CFRB and sister stationCKFM-FMfrom their long-time location atSt. Clair AvenueandYonge Street,to250 Richmond Street Westat Richmond and Duncan (which already houses the operations of sister radio stations,CHUMandCHUM-FM). The building is adjacent to299 Queen Street Westlocated atQueen StreetandJohn Street(which already houses the operations of several Bell Media specialty television channels includingCP24andMuchMusic).The move took place on May 10, 2014.

Transmitter

The transmitting antennas for CFRB are a prominent landmark alongLake Ontario,a four-tower arrayin theClarksonneighbourhood ofMississauga.Thetowersare visible from over 100 km away. They are used as a landmark for navigation by pilots, on approach toToronto Pearson International Airport,or toToronto Island Airport.The antenna array consists of four vertical masts, 168 metres (550 feet) in height.

CFRB was one of few stations to broadcast inAM stereo,starting in 1984. However, since AM stereo never achieved wide acceptance, the station deactivated its stereo broadcasting system in the mid-1990s.

The transmitter is located on Royal Windsor Drive, 200 meters west of the intersection ofLakeshore RoadWest (former King's Highway 2) and Southdown Road, at the coordinates43.505748°N 79.631786°W/43.505748; -79.631786.

Shortwave relay

CFRX
Shortwave repeater of CFRB,Toronto

Toronto,Ontario
Broadcast area	North America
Frequency	6.07MHz(49 m shortwave)
Branding	Newstalk 1010
Programming
Format	News/Talk
Ownership
Owner	Bell Media
Sister stations	CFRB,CKFM-FM
History
First air date	February 11, 1937(1937-02-11)
Technical information
Power	1kW
Links
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1010

CFRXis the internationalshortwaverelay of CFRB. It transmits with a power of 1kWon 6.07 MHz in the 49-meter shortwave band. CFRX signed on the air on February 11, 1937, 10 years after CFRB began. In 1948, CFRB was considering discontinuing its shortwave relay when the station was planning the relocation of its transmitter fromAurorato a new complex atClarkson, Ontariobut decided to keep the CFRX transmitter and move it to Clarkson after receiving hundreds of letters from listeners.CFRX is operated on the north end of the same site as CFRB's main transmitter building.

The shortwave signal was originally directed to the northwest in order to provide service towards northern Ontario and western Canada. When a new transmitter was installed in the 2000s, it was made omni-directional with the intention of providing availability to Canadians travelling to or vacationing in the United States, particularlysnowbirds.

Programming

CFRB has local hosts most of the day, though several shows aresyndicatedto other Bell Media talk stations in Canada. The 11 p.m. newscast issimulcastfrom co-ownedCFTO-DTChannel 9CTVToronto.

CFRB traditionally had Toronto's top-rated morning drive show with hostWally Crouter,who joined the station in 1946 and a few weeks later began hosting its morning drive show, originally calledTop O’ The Morningand later theWally Crouter Show,until his retirement in 1996. At its peak in the 1970s and 1980s, the show drew half-a-million listeners.CFRB's morning show has trailedCBC Radio One'sMetro Morningsince 2003.

As of 2024, Newstalk 1010's Monday to Friday schedule consisted ofMoore in the Morningwith John Moore in the morning drive slot, Jerry Agar in mid-morning followed byThe Vassy Kapelos Showover midday,The Rush,with rotating hosts, in the afternoon, the simulcastCTV News Torontoin the late afternoon drive slot, followed byNewstalk Tonightwith Jim Richards in the evening and a simulcast ofCTV National Newsin the late evening followed by repeats overnight.An attempt to schedule Jim Richards in a national overnight shift in 2021 proved unsuccessful.The Rushwas hosted by Reshmi Nair and Scott MacArthur from 2022 to 2023 and had previously been hosted by Jay Michaels and Ryan Doyle.

Weekend programming consists largely of repeats of programs from the previous week as well as some original programming such asTaking Stock,a business show withAmanda Lang,talent showFree For Allwith Amanda Galbraith, advice programs such as a home improvement show, a pet show, a real estate show, an employment law show,Tech Talkwith Marc Saltzman,The Disability Law Show,The Sunday Money Show,Ask The Expertswith Iain Grant, and several podcasts as well as simulcasts ofCP24andCTV News.Avrum Rosensweigco-hosted and produced a show with Marty Galin about food and restaurants calledMarty & Avrum: The Food Guys.on Saturdays from 6-7pm.

In August 2009, CFRB announced it was laying off a number of its well-known personalities, includingMichael Coren,Paul and Carol Mott, Christina Cherneskey, Jacqui Delaney and newscaster Kris McCusker as part of a move to open a "new chapter" at the station.

Newstalk 1010's Justine Lewkowicz at the 2012Toronto International Film Festivalpremiere ofSeven Psychopaths

The second phase of the shake up was announced in the fall withJohn Mooremoving from afternoon drive to morning, replacingBill Carroll,who moved to the 9 am to 1 pm slot.Jim Richardstook over the 1pm to 4pm slot formerly held by The Motts and Michael Coren and former Ontario Progressive Conservative leaderJohn Tory(later mayor of Toronto) took over the late afternoon slot vacated by Moore.In 2010, Carroll left CFRB to take a job inLos Angelesand was replaced byJerry Agar.

In early 2013, the station added Astral's new late nightHumble & Fredshow.

Toronto City CouncillorJosh Matlowstarted on CFRB contributing to Sundays with John Downs and then began hosting his own show,The City(beginning in August 2011) every Sunday on CFRB between 1-3PM. Matlow discussed city hall's top headlines with Toronto's city councillors and the week's news makers. From February 2012 until November 2013, CFRB airedThe City,featuring Toronto MayorRob Fordand his brother and city councillorDoug Ford.The Ford brothers' version of the show was often controversial and was allegedly used by the Fords as a platform to attack their political enemies, prompting various complaints. The show was cancelled in November 2013 after Mayor Ford admitted using crack cocaine after several months of denials. The Fords were replaced in their time slot byMark Towheywho had previously been Mayor Ford's Chief of Staff until he was fired by Ford on May 23, 2013at the height of Ford's crack video scandal.Towhey's show continued until 2021.

In 2016,Tim Hudak,the former leader of theOntario Progressive Conservative Party,was given a show on Sundays which he hosted until 2021.

In February 2021, Bell Media eliminated 210 positions at its media properties across Canada. Included in the layoffs were Newstalk 1010 news director Kym Geddes, and several broadcasters including weekend hostTed Woloshyn,Nightsidehost Barb DiGiulio, news reporters and anchors Hayley Cooper, David McKee, Lucas Meyer, and Claude Feig.

Notable staff

• Charles Adler
• Kate Aitken
• Richard Alway
• Andy Barrie
• Dick Beddoes
• Jaymz Bee
• Pierre BertonandCharles Templeton
• Mark Breslin
• Mike Bullard
• Bill Carroll
• Desmond Cole
• Michael Coren
• Wally Crouter
• Fred Davis
• Jack Dennett
• Dave Devall
• Mark Elliot
• Tarek Fateh
• Royce Frith
• Dan Gallagher
• Larry Grossman
• Monty Hall
• Avery Haines
• Jane Hawtin
• Larry Henderson
• Foster Hewitt
• Dave Hodge
• Mary Ito
• Erica Johnson
• Taborah Johnson
• Paul Jones
• Betty Kennedy
• Andrew Krystal
• Stephen LeDrew
• Brian Linehan
• John Majhor
• Pat Marsden
• Denton Massey
• Brian McFarlane
• Wes McKnight
• Farah Nasser
• David Onley
• Valerie Pringle
• Leslie Roberts
• Bruce Rogers
• Lynne Russell
• Percy Saltzman
• Peter Shurman
• Peter Silverman
• Gordon Sinclair
• Evan Solomon
• Larry Solway
• Ray Sonin
• George Stroumboulopoulos
• Cy Strange
• Ellie Tesher
• Mike Toth
• Claire Wallace
• Wayne and Shuster
• Brian WilliamsandDon Cherry
• Ted Woloshyn

External links

• Newstalk 1010
• CFRB History–Canadian Communications Foundation
• History of CFRX-SW–Canadian Communications Foundation
• official CFRX website
• CFRBin the REC Canadian station database