View source for CHNW-FM

{{short description|Radio station in Winnipeg}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = CHNW-FM
| logo =
| logo_size =
| city = [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]]
| area = [[Winnipeg Metropolitan Region]]
| branding = Alt 94.3
| frequency = 94.3 [[Hertz|MHz]] ([[FM broadcasting|FM]])
| airdate = {{Start date|1963|11|07}}
| format = [[Modern rock]]
| erp = 100,000 [[watt]]s
| haat = {{convert|111.5|meters}}
| class = C
| callsign_meaning = "Now" (former branding)
| former_callsigns = CJQM-FM (1963–1965)<br>CFRW-FM (1965–1975)<br>CHIQ-FM (1975–2021)
| owner = [[Jim Pattison Group]]
| licensee = Jim Pattison Broadcast Group LP.
| sister_stations = [[CFQX-FM]]
| webcast = [https://alt943.com/player/?playerID=3439 Listen Live]
| website = [https://alt943.com alt943.com]
}}
'''CHNW-FM''' (94.3 [[FM broadcasting|FM]], "Alt 94.3") is a radio station in [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]]. Owned by [[Jim Pattison Group]], it broadcasts a [[modern rock]] format. The station's studios are located at 177 Lombard Avenue in [[Downtown Winnipeg]] (along with its sister station [[CFQX-FM]]), while its [[transmitter]] is located near Oak Bluff.
==History==
===Early years/Q94===
CHIQ-FM first launched in 1963 as '''CJQM-FM''', which simulcast CJQM-AM, an [[easy listening]] station owned by Winnipeg Broadcast Associates Ltd. (a division of Vancouver Broadcast Associates, the original owner of [[Vancouver]] stations [[CHMB (AM)|CHQM]] and [[CHQM-FM]]). Despite the success of the format in Vancouver at CHQM, CJQM failed to attract an audience in Winnipeg and was sold in 1965, becoming CFRW-FM, and then was bought by CHUM Radio. CHUM Radio then changed CFRW's call letters to '''CHIQ-FM''' in 1975.<ref>[http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/index3.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050724000825/http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/index3.html|date=2005-07-24}} <CHIQ History</ref>
After 1975, CHIQ was branded as ''Q94FM''. It aired an [[adult contemporary]] format, and used the slogan "Winnipeg's Lite Rock Choice". In the mid-1990s, CHIQ was an affiliate of the syndicated [[dance music]] show "Pirate Radio" with [[Chris Sheppard (DJ)|Chris Sheppard]]. In 1997, CHIQ switched to a Hot AC format, still named "Q94FM", with the slogan of "Today's Best Music".
On August 29, 2006, at 8:45&nbsp;a.m., CHIQ announced that after 25 years that it would no longer exist and that a new station would be created within a seven-day time span based on comments provided by listeners.<ref>{{cite news | last = Schmeichel| first = David | title = 94.3 FM changing its tune| publisher = [[Winnipeg Sun]]| date = August 29, 2006 }}</ref> Prior to the announcement, the regular morning staff had not shown up for work. This left many to speculate that they knew of the upcoming changes and did not want to announce their own demise. A later report debunked that theory for the interim.<ref>{{cite news | last = Gallant| first = Marc| title = Beau, Dez and Tom 'will still be in the building,' said program manager Andrew Long | publisher = [[Winnipeg Free Press]] | date = August 30, 2006 }}</ref> The station then went on for two weeks allowing listeners to call in and choose how they wanted the new 94.3 to be like.
On September 5, 2006, at 7:45&nbsp;a.m., CHIQ re-launched its Hot AC format as the ''All New Q94'', and kept its callsign, as well as its slogan and personalities.
In 2007, CHIQ-FM along with the other CHUM stations were sold to CTVglobemedia (now [[Bell Media]]). During this time, long-time morning show hosts Beau & Tom, who had been on CHIQ since 1989, moved to sister station [[CFWM-FM]].
===''Curve'', ''Fab''===
On August 29, 2008, CHIQ-FM flipped to an eclectic format as ''Curve 94.3''; positioned as "Winnipeg's Pop Alternative", the new format was promoted as featuring a mix of [[Contemporary hit radio|contemporary hits]] with [[Alternative rock|alternative]] and [[indie pop]] crossovers. Program director Andrew Long stated that the format was "a reflection of changing musical trends".<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2008-08-29 |title=Q-94 FM Becomes CURVE 94.3 |url=https://www.chrisd.ca/2008/08/29/q-94-fm-becomes-curve-943/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=ChrisD.ca |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |date=2011-01-16 |title=Q the story |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2011/01/16/q-the-story |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Winnipeg Free Press |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Rob |date=2010-12-11 |title=Opinion: We need a radio station that will throw us a real curve |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/2010/12/11/we-need-a-radio-station-that-will-throw-us-a-real-curve |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Winnipeg Free Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
On November 17, 2010, the majority of the station's airstaff was released.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chrisd.ca/blog/31553/curve-943-winnipeg-on-air-talent-change/ |title=CURVE 94.3 Puts On-Air Talent in Limbo |access-date=2010-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229140340/http://www.chrisd.ca/blog/31553/curve-943-winnipeg-on-air-talent-change/ |archive-date=2010-12-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On November 23, CHIQ began [[stunting (broadcasting)|stunting]] with [[Christmas music]] for the holiday season.<ref>[http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/84155/a-curve-for-the-holidays "A 'Curve' For The Holidays"] from All Access (November 23, 2010)</ref>  On December 26, 2010, CHIQ-FM flipped to [[classic hits]] as ''Fab 94.3''; the new format was promoted as primarily featuring music from the 1960s and 1970s (along with some 1980s music), supplanting [[CFRW]]'s former [[oldies]] format before its flip to [[sports radio]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rocker |first=Rick |date=2010-12-26 |title=Getting Fab In Winnipeg |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/netgnomes/28149/getting-fab-in-winnipeg/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> On January 4, 2011, ''Beau, Tom and Frazier'' returned to CHIQ, with the former ''Curve'' morning duo of Jay Richardson and Andrea Collin moving to CFWM.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FAB 94.3 Brings Oldies Back to Winnipeg Radio |url=http://www.chrisd.ca/blog/33260/fab-943-winnipeg-radio-super-hits-60s-70s-music/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229063916/http://www.chrisd.ca/blog/33260/fab-943-winnipeg-radio-super-hits-60s-70s-music/ |archive-date=2010-12-29 |access-date=2010-12-27}}</ref>
On January 27, 2012, long-time personality Tom Milroy retired from radio after 20 years on CHIQ-FM, three years on sister station CFWM-FM and almost 40 years in the radio business.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chrisd.ca/blog/49284/tom-milroy-fab-94-3-winnipeg-radio-retiring/ |title=Winnipeg Radio Host Tom Milroy to Retire &#124; ChrisD.ca |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730234445/http://www.chrisd.ca/blog/49284/tom-milroy-fab-94-3-winnipeg-radio-retiring/ |archive-date=30 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Jim Pattison Group ownership ===
[[File:94 3 The Drive logo.png|thumb|Logo as "The Drive" (2016-2021)]]On May 16, 2013, the [[Jim Pattison Group]] announced a deal to acquire both [[CFQX-FM]] and CHIQ-FM for an undisclosed amount as a part of Bell's acquisition of CFQX's parent company [[Astral Media]]. The deal will give the Jim Pattison Group its first stations in Manitoba, and would make CHIQ a sister station to CFQX.<ref name="vs-jimpattison">{{cite web|title=Pattison group looks to buy castoffs from Bell Astral deal|url=https://vancouversun.com/business/Pattison+group+looks+castoffs+from+Bell+Astral+deal/8399588/story.html|publisher=The Vancouver Sun|accessdate=22 May 2013}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On December 20, 2013, the CRTC approved Jim Pattison's acquisition of CHIQ-FM and CFQX-FM, The acquisition was closed in early 2014.<ref name="crtc-pattison-approved">{{cite web|url=http://www.jimpattison.com/media/broadcast-group/news/13-12-20/CRTC_Grants_Approval_for_Jim_Pattison_Broadcast_Group_Acquisition_of_CKCE-FM_CFQX-FM_CHIQ-FM.aspx|title=CRTC Grants Approval for Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Acquisition of CKCE-FM, CFQX-FM & CHIQ-FM|work=The Jim Pattison Group|date=20 December 2013|accessdate=10 February 2014}}</ref>
On February 5, 2016, at 10:00&nbsp;a.m., CHIQ flipped to [[classic rock]] as ''94.3 The Drive'', focusing on rock hits from the 1970s and 1980s. Winnipeg radio veteran Tom McGouran hosted the morning show with Vicki Shae, Kelly Parker hosted middays, Alix Michaels hosted afternoons, and Dez Daniels hosted on weekends.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://winnipegsun.com/2016/09/22/morning-drive-tom-back-on-airwaves/wcm/f30d8617-0c34-40e4-a6af-0c5fce2751c0|title = Morning Drive: Tom back on airwaves}}</ref><ref name="wsun-fabnomore">{{cite web|title=FAB no more: Station rebranded as The Drive|url=http://www.winnipegsun.com/2016/02/05/fab-no-more-station-rebranded-as-the-drive|website=Winnipeg Sun|accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-02-05 |title=Fab 94.3 Winnipeg Goes On A Drive |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/96616/fab-94-3-winnipeg-goes-on-a-drive/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:94_3_Now_Radio_logo.png|thumb|200x200px|Logo as "Now! Radio" (2021-2024)]]
On October 13, 2021, CHIQ released its on-air talent and began running jockless. At the same time, cryptic [[Billboard|billboard advertisements]] containing the word "NOW" began to appear across the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2021-10-15 |title=Pattison wipes talent slate at Winnipeg's 94.3 The Drive ahead of anticipated format flip |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/pattison-wipes-talent-slate-at-winnipegs-94-3-the-drive-ahead-of-anticipated-format-flip/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Zoratti |first1=Jen |date=14 October 2021 |title=94.3 pulls morning show plug, fires on-air personalities |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/living-legend-finally-breaks-into-radio-575532272.html |newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press}}</ref> At 1 p.m. on October 18, CHIQ flipped to [[hot adult contemporary]] branded as ''94.3 Now! Radio''; the brand and format was modeled after Edmonton sister station [[CKNO-FM]], which carried a focus on topical discussions and listener engagement wth DJs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2021-10-18 |title=Pattison Media unveils 94.3 NOW! Radio in Winnipeg |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/pattison-media-unveils-94-3-now-radio-in-winnipeg/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref> The station changed its call letters to CHNW-FM to match the new branding.
On October 31, 2024, at midnight, CHNW dropped ''Now!'' and flipped to [[modern rock]] as ''Alt 94.3''; the new format competes to an extent with [[CJKR-FM]], which had recently flipped to a [[classic alternative]] format. General manager Mark Patric stated that the station would feature current hits and classic [[alternative rock]] from the past 25 years, with the station promoting core artists such as [[Arkells]], [[Cage the Elephant]], [[Coldplay]], [[Death Cab for Cutie]], and [[Foo Fighters]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2024-10-31 |title=Pattison Media drops NOW! radio format in Winnipeg |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/pattison-media-drops-now-radio-format-in-winnipeg/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-31 |title=Alt Arrives In Winnipeg |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/285581/alt-arrive-in-winnipeg/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*{{Official website|https://alt943.com/|Alt 94.3}}
*[https://broadcasting-history.ca/radio/radio-stations/manitoba/chiq-fm/ CHNW-FM] at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the [[Canadian Communications Foundation]] - ''(Under the previous callsign CHIQ-FM)''
*{{RecnetCanada|CHNW-FM}}
{{Winnipeg Radio}}
{{Jim Pattison Group}}
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[[Category:Radio stations in Winnipeg|HNW]]
[[Category:Jim Pattison Group radio stations|HNW]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1963]]
[[Category:1963 establishments in Manitoba]]