CFPT-FM (106.5 FM, 106.5 Elmnt FM) is an Indigenous radio station in Toronto, Ontario. Owned by First Peoples Radio, a subsidiary of Dadan Sivunivut, it broadcasts music and talk programming targeting the First Nations community, with the former focusing upon both contemporary and indigenous musicians. The station launched on October 24, 2018 as a replacement for the city's Voices Radio station.
 | |
| Broadcast area | Greater Toronto Area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 106.5 MHz (FM) (HD1) |
| Branding | 106.5 Elmnt FM |
| Programming | |
| Format | Indigenous Peoples' radio (Talk, Pop, Rock and R&B) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | First Peoples Radio |
| History | |
First air date | October 24, 2018 |
Call sign meaning | C First Peoples Toronto |
| Technical information | |
| Class | B1 |
| ERP | 988 watts average 2,600 watts peak |
| HAAT | 297.7 meters (977 ft) |
| Links | |
| Website | toronto.elmntfm.ca |
History
editIn June 2017, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) awarded licences for five new Indigenous radio stations in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Toronto to replace the Voices Radio network (whose licenses were revoked in 2015 due to long-term compliance issues).[1] The Ottawa (CFPO-FM) and Toronto licences were awarded to First Peoples Radio, a subsidiary of APTN, with the Toronto station inheriting Voices Radio's 106.5 FM frequency.[2]
In June 2018, it was announced that the two First Peoples Radio stations would brand as Elmnt FM, and air a mixture of music and talk programming, including popular pop, rock, and R&B music. At least 25% of the music played by the station will be by indigenous Canadian musicians. Métis musician Janet Panic was announced as the Toronto station's evening host.[3]
The station officially launched on October 24, 2018 as CFPT-FM.[4]
In January 2022, broadcasters Mark Strong and Jemeni joined the station as cohosts of its morning show.[5]
In May 2024, the CRTC rejected an application by First Peoples Radio requesting that $2 million in tangible benefits funding being paid by Stingray Group be redirected for two years to support CFPT-FM Toronto and its Ottawa sister station CFPO-FM. FPR chairman Jean LaRose said the application was a last ditch effort to keep the stations operational due to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on advertising revenue. Staff at the stations had been cut from 26 to 6 leaving no on-air personalities. As a result of the CRTC decision "we have to see just how far we can go and decide whether we have to close in the coming months if we’re not seeing growth in advertising revenue,” said LaRose.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-282". CRTC. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ "New radio stations to serve urban Indigenous communities in 5 cities: CRTC". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
- ^ Grier, Chaka V. (2018-06-13). "APTN to launch new Indigenous radio station ELMNT.FM in Toronto". NOW Magazine. Archived from the original on 2018-07-17. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
- ^ "Missy Knott launches radio career at new Indigenous radio station in Ottawa". kawarthaNOW. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
- ^ Connie Thiessen, "Mark Strong and Jemeni resurface on Toronto’s 106.5 ELMNT FM". Broadcast Dialogue, January 12, 2022.
- ^ "ELMNT FM stations future in jeopardy". Broadcast Dialogue. May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
External links
edit- 106.5 Elmnt FM
- CFPT-FM at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation
- CFPT-FM in the REC Canadian station database