CKPW-FM (107.1

MHz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), often described as being equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose formal expression in terms of SI base u ...

, ''Play 107'') is a

radio station Radio broadcasting is the broadcasting of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based rad ...

Edmonton, Alberta Edmonton is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Central Alberta ...

. Owned by

Harvard Media Harvard Media, formerly Harvard Broadcasting is a radio broadcasting and digital media company in Canada. It is owned by The Hill Companies of Regina. Assets Radio stations Most of the company's stations operate under standardized brands, in ...

, it broadcasts a

rhythmic adult contemporary Rhythmic adult contemporary, often abbreviated as rhythmic AC or RAC, is an adult contemporary radio format. The format focuses primarily on rhythmic contemporary, rhythmic hits aimed towards an adult audience, often resembling a mixture of the cla ...

format. Its studios are located on the

Calgary Trail Calgary () is a major city in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806 making it the third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area in Ca ...

, while its transmitter is located in Acheson.

History

On October 17, 2008, the CRTC approved an application by John Charles Yerxa for a new

FM radio FM broadcasting is a method of radio broadcasting that uses frequency modulation (FM) of the radio broadcast carrier wave. Invented in 1933 by American engineer Edwin Armstrong, wide-band FM is used worldwide to transmit high fidelity, high-f ...

station in Edmonton, which would feature a "diverse" format of new popular music aimed towards teens and young adult demographics. CJNW-FM started testing on September 16, 2009 (under the working title ''New 107 FM''), and officially launched on October 6, 2009 as

rhythmic contemporary Rhythmic contemporary, also known as Rhythmic Top 20, Rhythmic Top 30, Rhythmic Top 40, Rhythmic CHR or rhythmic crossover, is a primarily American music-radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and upbeat R&B hit ...

''Hot 107 FM''.Yerxa's HOT 107 Launches
/ref> John Yerxa is the son of Hal Yerxa, a former broadcaster at

CFCA-FM CFCA-FM is a Canadian radio station broadcasting at 105.3 FM in Kitchener, Ontario. The station currently plays a Top 40/CHR format branded as ''105.3 Virgin Radio'' and is owned by Bell Media. CFCA's studios and offices are located in Wat ...

, and was the only local station owner in Edmonton. On December 21, 2011, the CRTC approved the sale of CJNW-FM from Yerxa to Harvard Broadcasting of

Regina, Saskatchewan Regina ( ) is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province, and is a commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. As of the 2021 Canadian census, ...

, making it a sister station to

CKEA-FM CKEA-FM (95.7 MHz, ''95.7 Cruz FM'') is a radio station serving Edmonton, Alberta. Owned by Harvard Media, it broadcasts a mainstream rock format. CKEA's studios are located on Calgary Trail in Edmonton, while its transmitter is located at Eller ...

. Yerxa cited health issues as a factor in the sale.

Power 107 and trademark dispute

On August 15, 2019, the station flipped to a

format (promoted by Harvard Media as "rhythmic classic hits") format as ''Power 107''. The new format focuses mainly on

pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop! (British group), a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Album ...

rhythmic Rhythmic may refer to: * Related to rhythm * Rhythmic contemporary, a radio format * Rhythmic adult contemporary, a radio format * Rhythmic gymnastics Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which gymnasts perform individually or in groups on a floor ...

, and

pop rock Pop rock (also typeset as pop/rock) is a fusion genre and form of rock music characterized by a strong commercial appeal, with more emphasis on professional songwriting and recording craft, and less emphasis on attitude than standard rock musi ...

hits from the 1990s and 2000s, along with some recurrents. The station changed its call letters to CKPW-FM to match the new branding. The "Power" brand was formerly used by

CKNG-FM CKNG-FM (92.5 Hertz, MHz) is a radio station in Edmonton, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The station plays an adult hits format branded on-air as ''Chuck @ 92.5''. CKNG's studios are located on 84th Street in southeastern Edmonton, while its transmitt ...

during their run as a

Top 40 In the music industry, the Top 40 is a list of the 40 currently most popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "To ...

station from 1991 through 2004. This prompted that station's current owner

Corus Entertainment Corus Entertainment Inc. (often simply known as Corus) is a Canadian mass media and television production company. The company was founded in 1987 as Shaw Radio Ltd. as a subsidiary of Shaw Communications and was spun-off from Shaw in 1999. It h ...

to file a trademark lawsuit against Harvard in October 2019, alleging that CKPW's branding and imaging was deliberately intended to trade upon the goodwill of the "Power" brand, including use of a similarly-designed black and white logo, and use of a nearly-identical catchphrase for its "phrase that pays" promotion. Corus previously held trademarks on the names "Power 92" and "Power 107" (the latter for

CFGQ-FM CFGQ-FM (107.3 FM, "107.3 The Edge") is a radio station in Calgary, Alberta. Owned by Corus Entertainment, it broadcasts a classic alternative format. CFGQ's studios are located on 17th Ave SW near Westbrook Mall, while its transmitter is loca ...

in Calgary), but they expired in 2015 due to non-renewal. It continues to hold a trademark on the previous "Power" logo, which was renewed through 2033. On November 18, 2019, a Calgary court approved an injunction by Corus Entertainment, ordering Harvard to cease using the "Power" name or any variation of it. Harvard stated that it would not attempt to continue pursuing the matter in court, and planned to seek suggestions for a new name from listeners (who would also be entered in a contest to win $1,007). CKPW rebranded as ''Play 107.1'' on December 20, 2019. In the

Numeris Numeris (formerly the Bureau of Broadcast Measurement, or BBM Canada) is a Canadian audience measurement organization. Established on May 11, 1944 as a division of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, Numeris is the sole provider of viewership ...

November 2019—February 2020 report, CKPW held a 3.1 audience share, increasing to 4.3 in the spring report. In September 2020, Harvard would extend the "Play" format to Regina sister station

CHMX-FM CHMX-FM (92.1 MHz, ''Play 92'') is a radio station in Regina, Saskatchewan. Owned by Harvard Media, it broadcasts a rhythmic adult contemporary format. History The station was launched on February 4, 1966, by Metropolitan Broadcasting with the ...

References

External links

*
CKPW-FM
at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the

Canadian Communications Foundation The Canadian Communications Foundation (CCF) was a Canadian nonprofit organization which documented the history of broadcasting in Canada, particularly radio and television networks, programs and broadcasters. The organization was established in ...

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ckpw-Fm KPW KPW Rhythmic adult contemporary radio stations Radio stations established in 2009 2009 establishments in Alberta