CIRV-FM
Frequency88.9 MHz (FM)
BrandingRED FM 88.9
Programming
FormatHindi Punjabi music
HD2: Portuguese
HD3: Tamil
HD4: Farsi
Ownership
OwnerSouth Asian Broadcasting Corporation Inc.
History
First air date
1986
Technical information
ERP1.8 kW
Links
WebcastListen Live
Listen Live (HD2)
Listen Live (HD4)
Websiteredfm.ca
thaalam.fm (HD3)
radioarina.ca (HD4)
Logo prior to 2019 rebranding
Fairchild Radio logo

CIRV-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 88.9 FM in Toronto, Ontario. The station airs a multicultural programming format. CIRV's studios are located in Brampton, while its transmitter is located atop First Canadian Place in Toronto's Financial District. Matching sister stations CKYE-FM and CKYR-FM, it rebranded itself in 2019 as RED FM with Red standing for Reflecting Ethnic Diversity. The station's main channel predominantly carries musical programming in Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu.

History

Founded by Portuguese Canadian Francisco Alvarez, the station launched in 1986 at FM 88.7, and moved to its current frequency in 1993.[1][2] Since the move, it was branded on-air as CIRV Radio International FM 88.9 Toronto. The station's studios were originally based at Dundas Street West in the Trinity-Bellwoods neighbourhood of Toronto. CIRV's initial programming was predominantly in Portuguese, with Spanish as well as Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) content joining the schedule in later years. Select shows also targeted Brazilian, Caribbean, Punjabi, Russian, Ukrainian and Urdu communities.

In November 2016, South Asian Broadcasting Corporation Inc. acquired the station.[3] Alvarez continues to operate the FPTV channel. In September 2018, the station launched HD Radio multi-casting services with additional programming on sub-stations. The studio moved to Brampton in early 2019.[4][5] This was followed by an on-air relaunch as Red FM on April 15, 2019.[6] The re-brand came with a shift in programming focus to Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu music from 4 am to midnight. Material targeting other ethnic groups remains on the schedule in a diminished capacity and is also available on the station's three sub-channels. The CIRV-FM brand is still used on the station's multiplex sub-channels, including HD2 where it runs a 24/7 Portuguese format and HD3 which has Tamil-language programming.

References

  1. ↑ Decision CRTC 86-236
  2. ↑ Decision CRTC 93-77
  3. ↑ "South Asian Broadcasting Corporation Inc. has purchased CIRC Radio Inc". Broadcast Dialogue. Momentum Media Marketing. November 10, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  4. ↑ "O cantor Jorge Guerreio actua este Sábado no Clube Português de Mississauga e esta tarde esteve nos novos estúdios da Cirv Rádio". CIRV-FM. Facebook. February 22, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Agradecemos o bonito gesto de boas vindas à cidade de Brampton que recebemos da gerência da pastelaria Golden Grains Bakery". CIRV-FM. Facebook. March 11, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  6. ↑ "The Weekly Briefing". Broadcast Dialogue. Momentum Media Marketing. April 18, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019. "South Asian Broadcasting has rebranded CIRV-FM Toronto to 88.9 RED FM, in line with Kulwinder Sanghera’s other RED-branded multicultural stations CKYE-FM Vancouver and CKYR-FM Calgary. Monday’s launch was attended by many dignitaries, including Etobicoke North MP Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport."

43°38′56″N 79°22′54″W / 43.64889°N 79.38167°W / 43.64889; -79.38167

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