# CHRF

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Former radio station in Montreal

For the Hong Kong organization, see [Civil Human Rights Front](/source/Civil_Human_Rights_Front).

CHRF Montreal, Quebec Canada Frequency 980 kHz Branding AM 980 Programming Language French Format Adult standards Ownership Owner Evanov Radio Group Sister stations CFMB, CHSV-FM History First air date February 2, 2015 (2015-02-02) Last air date May 31, 2020 (2020-05-31) Call sign meaning Radio Fierté (format) Technical information Class B Power 50,000 watts day 10,000 watts night[1]

**CHRF** (980 [kHz](/source/Hertz)) was a [French language](/source/French_language) [commercial](/source/Commercial_radio) [AM](/source/AM_broadcasting) [radio station](/source/Radio_station) in [Montreal](/source/Montreal), [Quebec](/source/Quebec), Canada.[2] Owned by [Evanov Radio Group](/source/Evanov_Radio_Group), the station broadcast an [adult standards](/source/Adult_standards) [radio format](/source/Radio_format), along with some multicultural programming.[2] CHRF's studios were located on Papineau Avenue in the [Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie](/source/Rosemont%E2%80%93La_Petite-Patrie) borough of Montreal, while its [transmitter](/source/Transmitter) is located near [Mercier](/source/Mercier%2C_Quebec).

## History

### Preparing to broadcast

Between its [sign-on](/source/Sign-on) in 1959 until 1990, 980 in Montreal was the home of [CKGM](/source/CKGM), for many of those years, Montreal's leading [English-language](/source/English-language) [CHR/Top 40](/source/Contemporary_hit_radio) station. Then from 1990 until 2012, CKGM was heard at 990, so it could broadcast at 50,000 [watts](/source/Watt) fulltime, the maximum power permitted for Canadian AM stations. In 2012, CKGM moved to an even better frequency, [clear channel](/source/Clear_channel_station) [Class A](/source/List_of_North_American_broadcast_station_classes) 690, leaving 980 or 990 available for another Montreal AM station to use. Several applicants sought permission to put a new station on the air using CKGM's old frequency.

The Evanov Radio Group was awarded a license by the [Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission](/source/Canadian_Radio-television_and_Telecommunications_Commission) (CRTC) on November 21, 2011, with the intent to air a francophone [LGBT](/source/LGBT)-based talk and music format similar to the company's [CIRR-FM](/source/CIRR-FM) in [Toronto](/source/Toronto).[3] CHRF was initially licensed to broadcast at the 990 kHz frequency previously occupied by CKGM.[4] At 990, the new station was to have begun operations in 2013, operating with a power of 50,000 watts as a [class B station](/source/List_of_North_American_broadcast_station_classes), using a [directional antenna](/source/Directional_antenna) at night in order to protect two Class A stations at that same frequency, [Clear-channel station](/source/Clear-channel_station) [CBW](/source/CBW_(AM)) in [Winnipeg](/source/Winnipeg), [Manitoba](/source/Manitoba), and [CBY](/source/CBY_(radio_station)) in [Corner Brook](/source/Corner_Brook), [Newfoundland and Labrador](/source/Newfoundland_and_Labrador).

On July 25, 2013, Evanov filed a request with the CRTC to relocate CHRF to 980, due to potential coverage problems using the directional antenna. There are no clear channel stations using 980, nor are there any close by that broadcast there currently. The closest ones are [CFPL](/source/CFPL_(AM)) in [London](/source/London%2C_Ontario), [Ontario](/source/Ontario); [WCAP](/source/WCAP_(AM)) in [Lowell](/source/Lowell%2C_Massachusetts), [Massachusetts](/source/Massachusetts); [WOFX](/source/WOFX_(AM)) in [Troy](/source/Troy%2C_New_York), [New York](/source/New_York_(state)); and [WTEM](/source/WTEM) in [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.) In addition, the closest 980 allocations to Montreal had since been vacated, following the moves of [CBV](/source/CBV-FM) in [Quebec City](/source/Quebec_City) (1997) and [CKRU](/source/CKRU-FM) in [Peterborough](/source/Peterborough%2C_Ontario) (2009) to FM. The frequency change was approved on December 4, 2013.[5] CKGM, the former occupant of 990, relocated there from 980 in 1990.[6]

On September 18, 2014, Evanov announced that the station planned to commence broadcasting in November 2014.[7] Testing of the 980 signal, consisting of pop music, promotional material, and invitations to the public to report reception issues, began in late October 2014.[8]

### Radio Fierté

CHRF's programming, under the name *Radio Fierté*, debuted at 6:00 a.m. on February 2, 2015.[9] (It had been delayed from January 2015.)[8] Programming on CHRF under the LGBT format was similar in style to its Toronto sister station [CIRR-FM](/source/CIRR-FM), and included morning program *Les Barbus* (*The Beards*) with Michel Duchesne and Sylvain Verstricht; *Les matins lesbiens* (*Lesbian Mornings*) with Véronique Chevrier; afternoon program *Marino et ses Diamants* (*Marino and the Diamonds*), hosted by Marie-Noëlle "Marino" Gagnon; and drive-time program *Les Pétards* (*The Firecrackers*), hosted by [Joe Bocan](/source/Joe_Bocan) and Miguel Doucet. Chart programs included Doucet's nightly *Ta Playlist*, and two Saturday chart shows, *Le Top 10 Franco* and *Le Top Anglo*, hosted by Duchesne, Verstricht and Doucet, plus a Sunday morning music show, *La Chansonnette avec Marino*.

On December 1, 2015, CHRF dropped the "Radio Fierté" format after just 10 months, and began [stunting](/source/Stunting_(broadcasting)) with [Christmas music](/source/Christmas_music) as *AM 980*.[10] Much like its previous format, the station aired Christmas music in both English and French, while the station's imaging was completely in French, per condition of its license.

### Switch to adult standards

On December 28, 2015, CHRF adopted an [adult standards](/source/Adult_standards) format, still as *AM 980* (but with branding modelled upon Evanov's "Jewel" [soft adult contemporary](/source/Soft_adult_contemporary) stations). The original plan was to play adult standards during daytime hours, while the station would air programming targeting the [Haitian](/source/Haitians) community during evening hours. Under the standards format and during the holidays, when the station switches to Christmas songs (which returned in 2016), all music broadcast on CHRF was [automated](/source/Automation), without using [disc jockeys](/source/Disc_jockey) or live personalities.[11]

In the [Numeris](/source/Numeris) ratings for the period during December 2015 through February 2016 (when CHRF's Christmas stunt and standards/Haitian formats were in effect), the station finished in last place among both Anglophone and Francophone stations surveyed, with an average of 100 Francophone and zero Anglophone listeners each day, and a market share of 0.1% and 0.0%, respectively.[12][13]

By June 2016, CHRF reintroduced hosted music programming, with weekday morning show *Café Rivard* (hosted by music director Alain Rivard), afternoon [drive time](/source/Drive_time) program *Le Retour de Plaisance* (with program director Serge Plaisance), a Saturday night LGBT discussion program *LGBT Avec Vous* (hosted by Danyel Turcotte and Arlet Fara), and Sunday [Italian music](/source/Music_of_Italy) program *Arcobaleno Musicale* (with Mario Lipari).[14][15] CHRF discontinued its evening Haitian programming, with lounge music block *Soireés Loungy* heard weekday evenings.[14] In all cases, conditions set forth in its license in terms of music and talk content remained in force.

### Closure

Challenged by cutbacks and the advent of [COVID-19 pandemic in Montreal](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Montreal), Evanov made the decision to close CHRF and return its license to the CRTC.[16][17] The station officially signed off at 11:59 p.m. on May 31, 2020. In a farewell message posted on the station's website, program director Serge Plaisance announced that his show and those of Johanne Verdon and Mario Lipari would be moving to sister station [CFMB](/source/CFMB).[18]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Faguy, Steve. ["Radio Fierté requests frequency change, one-year extension to launch"](http://blog.fagstein.com/2013/07/25/radio-fierte-frequency-change/). *Fagstein.com*. Retrieved 8 December 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-waves_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-waves_2-1) ["Making waves: Montreal broadcasters in flux"](https://montrealgazette.com/sports/Making+waves+Montreal+broadcasters+flux/7073603/story.html)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]. *[The Gazette](/source/The_Gazette_(Montreal))*, August 11, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-721"](http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-721.htm). CRTC, November 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["TSN 990 Montreal Moves to 690 Tuesday"](http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/70267/tsn-990-montreal-moves-to-690-tuesday/). *RadioInsight*, August 31, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-648, December 4, 2013](http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2013/2013-648.htm)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Radio Fierté requests frequency change, one-year extension to launch"](http://blog.fagstein.com/2013/07/25/radio-fierte-frequency-change/). *Fagstein*, July 25, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Fagstein091814_7-0)** ["Two new radio stations to launch in Montreal region by end of 2014"](http://blog.fagstein.com/2014/09/18/crtc-approves-chsv-change/). *Fagstein*, September 18, 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Fagstein102714_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Fagstein102714_8-1) [Fagstein: "Radio Fierté begins testing on 980 AM", October 27, 2014.](http://blog.fagstein.com/2014/10/27/radio-fierte-begins-testing-on-980-am/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Fagstein030215_9-0)** Faguy, Steve. ["Radio Fierté is now officially broadcasting"](http://blog.fagstein.com/2015/02/02/chrf-launch). *Fagstein.com*. Retrieved 3 February 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [CHRF Montreal Drops LGBT Format](https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/95404/mike-the-mad-dog-reunite/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Fagstein: "Unanswered Questions going into 2016", January 9, 2016.](http://blog.fagstein.com/2016/01/09/unanswered-questions-going-into-2016/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Numeris: "PPM Top-line Radio Statistics Montreal CTRL Anglo and Franco", for survey period November 30, 2015 - February 28, 2016"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160328005748/http://assets.numeris.ca/Downloads/2015-16_03_Radio_ME_MontrealToplineRadio.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://assets.numeris.ca/Downloads/2015-16_03_Radio_ME_MontrealToplineRadio.pdf) (PDF) on March 28, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Fagstein, "Radio ratings: Virgin and The Beat are tied (so both declare victory)", March 12, 2016.](http://blog.fagstein.com/2016/03/12/radio-ratings-winter-2016/)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-schedule_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-schedule_14-1) [AM 980 programming schedule](http://montrealam980.com/grille-des-programmes/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Fagstein: "Montreal radio ratings: The Beat gaining on Virgin", June 12, 2016.](http://blog.fagstein.com/2016/06/12/montreal-radio-ratings-the-beat-gaining-on-virgin/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2020-177](https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2020/2020-177.htm), CHRF Montréal – Revocation of licence, *CRTC*, June 1, 2020

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Fagstein060120_17-0)** [Fagstein: "Evanov Radio shuts down CHRF 980 AM"](https://blog.fagstein.com/2020/06/01/chrf-shutdown/?fbclid=IwAR3hNsyt4rfxSfHuhgQD5sShUbuAQ3hr9L5wc4BgFaLRkmZ9YfqAmk1D_3o). *Fagstein*, June 1, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Fermeture du Am980-CHRF | Am 980"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200531044822/https://montrealam980.com/fermeture-du-am980-chrf/). Archived from [the original](https://montrealam980.com/fermeture-du-am980-chrf/) on 2020-05-31. Retrieved 2020-06-01.

## External links

- [CHRF](https://broadcasting-history.ca/radio/radio-stations/quebec/quebec-montreal-laval-lanaudiere-laurentides-monteregie/chrf-am/) at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the [Canadian Communications Foundation](/source/Canadian_Communications_Foundation)

- [CHRF](https://fccdata.org/?facid=&call=CHRF&ccode=2&latd=&lond=&city=&state=&country=US&zip=&party=&party_type=LICEN&fac_type=ALL) in the REC Canadian station database

v t e Radio stations in Montreal, Quebec and surrounding area Montreal locals AM CFQR 600 CKGM 690 CKAC 730 CJAD 800 CFNV 940 CFMB 1280 CJWI 1410 CHOU 1450 CJLV 1570 CHRN 1610 CKZW 1650 CJLO 1690 FM CHDO-FM 88.1 CBME-FM 88.5 CISM-FM 89.3 CKUT-FM 90.3 CJPB-FM 90.7 CIRA-FM 91.3 CKLX-FM 91.9 CKBE-FM 92.5 CBM-FM 93.5 CKMF-FM 94.3 CBF-FM 95.1 HD2 CJFM-FM 95.9 CKOI-FM 96.9 CHOM-FM 97.7 CHMP-FM 98.5 CJPX-FM 99.5 CKVL-FM 100.1 CBFX-FM 100.7 CIBL-FM 101.5 CBMG-FM 101.9 CINQ-FM 102.3 CILO-FM 102.9 CHAA-FM 103.3 HD2 CHOU-1-FM 104.5 CBME-FM-1 104.7 CKDG-FM 105.1 CFGL-FM 105.7 CKIN-FM 106.3 HD2 HD3 CITE-FM 107.3 HD2 HD3 HD 1650 95.1-1 95.1-2 99.5-1 99.5-2 103.3-1 103.3-2 105.7-1 106.3-1 106.3-2 106.3-3 107.3-1 107.3-2 107.3-3 Defunct CFOX 1470 CFTL 96.7 (Pirate) CHLP 1410 CHRF 980 CINF 690 CINW 940 CJMS 1280 CJRM-FM 98.5 CKAV-FM-10 106.7 CKLM 1570 CKO 1470 Outlying areas Acton Vale CFID-FM 103.7 Châteauguay/Candiac CHAI-FM 101.9 Granby CFXM-FM 104.9 Hudson/Saint-Lazare CHSV-FM 106.7 Joliette CJLM-FM 103.5 Kahnawake CKKI-FM 89.9 CKRK-FM 103.7 Saint-Hyacinthe CFEI-FM 106.5 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu CFZZ-FM 104.1 Salaberry-de-Valleyfield CKOD-FM 103.1 Sorel-Tracy CJSO-FM 101.7 Vaudreuil-Dorion CJVD-FM 100.1 Northern New York WCHP 760 WQLR 94.7 Defunct CHEF 1450 (Granby) CJMS 1040 (Saint-Constant) Specialty services HMWN Radio Maria International Tamil Radio Radio Humsafar Nearby regions – Canada Centre-du-Quebec Cornwall Laurentides Mauricie Sherbrooke-Estrie U.S. Burlington-Plattsburgh North Country See also List of radio stations in Quebec

v t e Evanov Communications Inc. Radio stations Hot Country CFWC-FM CKDX-FM Lite CHSV-FM CJGB-FM CKPC-FM Multilingual CFMB CHLO CKJS Other CFJL-FM CHWE-FM CIDC-FM Defunct radio stations CHRF CIRR-FM CKPC Former radio stations CHRC-FM CJWL-FM CKHK-FM CKHY-FM CKHZ-FM

[45°32′26″N 73°35′25″W / 45.5405°N 73.5904°W / 45.5405; -73.5904](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=CHRF&params=45.5405_N_73.5904_W_)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [CHRF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHRF) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHRF?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.