CFRO Moves to a New Frequency: 100.5FM
Posted on | September 4, 2012 | 1 Comment
by Nou Dadoun
There are big changes afoot at Vancouver Cooperative Radio.
Next Monday September 10th at 1 PM after over 35 years at the original frequency of 102.7 FM, CFRO will move to the left on the radio dial to a new frequency of 100.5 FM (the current frequency for The Peak FM). The new frequency is the result of an agreement which has been several years in the making between Vancouver Co-op Radio and the Peak FM to swap radio frequencies. This rare event in the Vancouver radio sector is a change Co-op Radio hopes will bring on a new era of growth and financial sustainability for independent non-commercial community radio in Vancouver.
“Our new frequency will allow us to reach more listeners through a stronger signal. That means new members for our cooperative and more quality programming to reflect the stories and concerns of our community”, says Leela Chinniah, Director of Programming Administration at Co-op Radio.
It’s a rare win-win agreement that benefits both organizations. For technical reasons, The Peak was not able to increase its broadcast power at the 100.5 FM frequency – an increase that is possible at the 102.7 FM frequency. As a non-commercial station, CFRO was unlikely to ever be able to take advantage of the available capacity of the higher frequency. CFRO’s new frequency of 100.5 FM brings with it a new transmitter with an increase over its current broadcast power, a stereo signal, and funding for the next 5 years from the Peak FM’s parent company the Pattison Group.
Co-op Radio hopes that those who come across 100.5 FM after September 10 will keep their radios tuned to the station once they hear the diverse range of programming the station has to offer. “We’re planning 3 weeks of special programming after the swap to fully showcase the great radio being made in this station”, says Chinniah. “We have the most diverse range of shows of any station in Vancouver – everything from First Nations culture, parenting, accordions, poetry to alternative politics. And it’s all produced by volunteers with a passion for what they do.”
Of course the range and quality of music programming available at CFRO is second to none and the programmers are often people heavily involved in the Vancouver musical community. A brief survey of music shows at CFRO includes:
- Jazz/Blues/Gospel
- The A-Trane, The Wild Years, One O’Clock Jump, Blues in the Dark, Crossroads, The Gospel Train
- Folk/Celtic/Singer-songwriter/Roots/Bluegrass
- What the Folk, In the Claddagh Ring, Better Days, In the Pines
- Rock/Metal/Indie
- Rock Talk, Into the Pit, Radio Bandcouver, Shockwave, Urban Renewal Project, No Apologies Necessary, Broken Records Show, Sound Resistance/Pedal Revolutionary, Hit & Miss Parade
- Electronic/Avant
- Art of Beatz, Soundscape, Cut and Run
- International/World/Reggae/Indigenous-First Nations
- All Over The Map, Level the Vibes, Roots Reggae, Think NDN, Romantic Tango, Mundo Flamenco, African Vibes, Rumbamerica
- Specialized/Various Styles
- Accordion Noir, 6:57 to St. John’s, Front Row Centre, She-Boom!, West Coast Classics
In particular, both The A-Trane (hosted by Nou Dadoun – Friday afternoons from 2:30 to 5:30 PM) and The Wild Years (hosted by John Orysik – Tuesday afternoons from 2:30 to 5 PM) have been jazz mainstays at Co-op Radio. Both shows celebrate their 30th anniversaries on the air next year in 2013.
For the broadcast schedule and more details about the shows see http://www.coopradio.org/content/cfro-1027fm with on-line streaming (and broadcast/cable/satellite information) available at http://www.coopradio.org/content/listen.
Lastly, Vancouver Co-op Radio is holding a launch party September 8 at The Wise Hall to mark the frequency swap. Performers include Murray Porter, The Oh Wells, and Jasper Sloan Yip. “It’s going to be an unforgettable evening”, says Nicole Deagan, Vancouver Co-op Radio’s Director of Member Services. “We have so many amazing volunteers who make this station what it is and we want to hold this party to thank them for all that they do.” The event is open to the public. Doors open at 7pm and tickets are by donation for Vancouver Co-op Radio members and $7 for the general public.
[Keep your eyes open for additional surprises in the swap advertising campaign!]
For more information about the party in particular and CFRO in general, see http://www.coopradio.org/ – a revamped website reflecting the new frequency and special programming will be launched on September the 10th – turn your radio on!
Comments
One Response to “CFRO Moves to a New Frequency: 100.5FM”
Leave a Reply
September 7th, 2012 @ 12:23 pm
Great move! This will mean stereo broadcasting and a stronger signal. Co-Op Radio rebirth! Congratulations.