CITM-FM explained

CITM-FM
City:Ottawa, Ontario
Area:National Capital Region
Eastern Ontario
Western Quebec
Upstate New York
Branding:Mix 98.5
Frequency:98.5 MHz (FM)
Sister Stations:CIDG-FM
Airdate:February 20, 2006
Format:Adult contemporary
Erp:1,100 watts (maximum 2,500 watts)
Haat:100.5m (329.7feet)
Class:A
Callsign Meaning:Torres Media
Former Callsigns:CJWL-FM (2006-2024)
Owner:Torres Media Ottawa, Inc.
Website:mix985fm.ca

CITM-FM (98.5 MHz Mix 98.5) is a Canadian radio station in Ottawa, Ontario. It is owned by Torres Media and broadcasts an adult contemporary format. CITM's studios are located in The Glebe at 150 Isabella Street, while its transmitter is located in downtown Ottawa.

History

In June 2005, the CRTC granted a license to CKMW Radio Ltd.—a company owned by Bill Evanov—for a new FM radio station in Ottawa, Ontario; the company proposed an adult standards/easy listening format.[1] On February 20, 2006, the station launched as CJWL-FM with the branding Jewel 98.5; similar to sister stations CKDX and CKPC-FM, the station broadcast a mix of soft adult contemporary and adult standards music.

On October 6, 2009, CJWL received CRTC approval to increase power from 485 watts to 1,100 watts.[2]

In May 2021, Evanov rebranded CJWL as Lite 98.5, maintaining an adult contemporary format. Evanov stated that Lite would be "more current" while still "retain[ing] the best elements" of Jewel.[3]

Sale to Torres Media

On September 5, 2024, Evanov announced that the station, along with CKHK-FM in Hawkesbury and CHRC-FM in Rockland, would close effective September 20, 2024, due to increased competition, changing listener habits, and economic conditions brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] However, on September 19, Evanov announced that it had reached agreements to sell all three stations, with plans for CJWL to be announced the following week.[5] On September 23, Evanov announced that CJWL would be sold to Torres Media, owner of 101.7 CIDG-FM, pending approval by the CRTC.[6]

In November 2024, the station relaunched its adult contemporary format as Mix 98.5; the station is currently operating jockless, and applied for the new call letters CITM-FM.[7] [8]

External links

45.4295°N -75.6904°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2005-06-23 . Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-254 . 2024-11-09 . CRTC.
  2. http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-617.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2009-631
  3. Web site: Thiessen . Connie . 2021-05-03 . Evanov rebrands four of its 'The Jewel' stations in Ontario & Quebec . 2024-11-09 . Broadcast Dialogue . en-US.
  4. News: Evanov to shutter three FM stations . September 5, 2024 . Broadcast Dialogue.
  5. Web site: Thiessen . Connie . 2024-09-19 . GO FM to acquire two Evanov stations set for closure . 2024-09-23 . Broadcast Dialogue . en-US.
  6. Web site: Thiessen . Connie . 2024-09-23 . Torres Media Group to acquire Evanov's CJWL-FM Ottawa . 2024-09-23 . Broadcast Dialogue . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2024-11-08 . A New Mix In Ottawa . 2024-11-09 . RadioInsight . en-US.
  8. Web site: 2024-11-07 . Radio & Podcast News - CRTC opens consultation on local radio news fund . 2024-11-09 . Broadcast Dialogue . en-US.