CKPW-FM (107.1

MHz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that one he ...

, ''Play 107'') is a

radio station Radio broadcasting is transmission 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 radio ...

Edmonton Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city ancho ...

Alberta Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...

. Owned by Harvard Media, it broadcasts a rhythmic adult contemporary format. Its studios are located on the Calgary Trail, 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 using frequency modulation (FM). Invented in 1933 by American engineer Edwin Armstrong, wide-band FM is used worldwide to provide high fidelity sound over broadcast radio. FM broadcasting is cap ...

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 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 hits. Rhythmic contemporary never uses ...

''Hot 107 FM''.Yerxa's HOT 107 Launches
/ref> John Yerxa is the son of Hal Yerxa, a former broadcaster at CFCA-FM, 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 Harvard Media, formerly Harvard Broadcasting is a radio broadcasting and digital media company in Canada. It is owned by The Hill Companies of Regina. Radio stations * Calgary, Alberta - CFEX-FM * Edmonton, Alberta - CKEA-FM, CKPW-FM * Fort McMu ...

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, after Saskatoon, and is a commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. As of the 2021 C ...

, making it a sister station to CKEA-FM. Yerxa cited health issues as a factor in the sale.

Power 107 and trademark dispute

On August 15, 2019, the station flipped to a rhythmic adult contemporary format (promoted by Harvard Media as "rhythmic

classic hits Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes songs from the top 40 music charts from the late 1960s to the early 2000s, with music from the 1980s serving as the core of the format. Music that was popularized by MTV in the early 1980s ...

") format as ''Power 107''. The new format focuses mainly on

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

, rhythmic, and

pop rock Pop rock (also typeset as pop/rock) is a fusion genre with an emphasis on professional songwriting and recording craft, and less emphasis on attitude than rock music. Originating in the late 1950s as an alternative to normal rock and roll, earl ...

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 during their run as a

Top 40 In the music industry, the Top 40 is the current, 40 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. "Top 40" or " con ...

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

Corus Entertainment Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian mass media company. Formed in 1999 as a spin-off from Shaw Communications, it has prominent holdings in the radio, publishing, and television industries. It is headquartered at Corus Quay in Toronto, Onta ...

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, ''Q107'') is a radio station in Calgary, Alberta. Owned by Corus Entertainment, it broadcasts a classic rock format. CFGQ's studios are located on 17th Ave SW near Westbrook Mall, while its transmitter is located at 85th Stree ...

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 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.

References

External links

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