Broadcast area Winnipeg, Manitoba Frequency 99.9 MHz (FM) Format Adult Hits | Branding 99.9 Bob FM First air date 1928 | |
Slogan 80's...90's...& Whatever! | ||
CFWM-FM is an adult hits radio station branded as 99.9 BOB FM. The station broadcasts from 1445 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg, Manitoba with sister stations 103.1 Virgin Radio and TSN Radio 1290.
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History
The station was originally launched in 1928 as AM 800 CJRC. As with most early AM radio stations, it changed frequencies several times (see NARBA), permanently settling at 630 AM in 1935 and adopting the callsign CKRC in 1943.
In 1996, the station moved to the FM band and adopted its current callsign, CFWM-FM. It was branded as Magic 99.9 with an adult contemporary format and was owned by Standard Radio. Due to Standard Radio later acquiring CKMM-FM and CFQX-FM from Craig Media (CKMM is now owned by Bell Media, while CFQX is now owned by the Jim Pattison Group), CFWM had to be sold as the CRTC would not let each market own more than two AM or FM stations. CFWM was sold to CHUM Limited in 2001 in exchange for CHOM-FM/Montreal. On March 4, 2002, CFWM became the first in Canada ever to adopt an adult hits format and gave birth to the BOB FM brand (which has been credited as one of the inspirations behind the more famous Jack FM branding).
In 2007, the station, along with the other CHUM stations, were sold to CTVglobemedia (now Bell Media) and longtime morning show hosts Beau & Tom (since 1989) moved from CHIQ-FM to CFWM. On August 31, 2009, Frazier, who previously hosted the morning show on CHIQ with Beau & Tom from 1995 to 2000, rejoined Beau & Tom on CFWM.
On January 4, 2011, CFWM's morning show and CHIQ-FM's past morning show switched stations, putting Beau, Tom and Frazier back on CHIQ.
Alumni
Bob Washington, a personality on the station during the CKRC era, was well-known outside of Winnipeg as the "voice of K-tel", a Winnipeg-based "as seen on TV" company.
Bill Walker, who later became one of the most recognizable television hosts of the 1950s and 60s, was morning man of CKRC from 1951 to 1955.
Other notable personalities from the CKRC era include Doc Steen, Boyd Kozak, Jim Paulson, Scott Walker [Bill's son], Bernie Pascal, Billy Gorrie, Bryan Fustukian (as Vik Armen) and Buster Bodean.