 | |
| Broadcast area | Southwestern Ontario |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 103.1MHz (FM) |
| Branding | Fresh 103.1 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Hot adult contemporary |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| CFPL,CFPL-FM,CKDK-FM | |
| History | |
First air date | May 14,1948 |
Call sign meaning | Canada'sFresHKind or CF TheHawK (former branding) |
| Technical information | |
| Class | C1 |
| ERP | 22,000watts average 60,000 watts peak |
| HAAT | 179.6 metres (589 ft) |
| Links | |
| Website | 1031freshradio.ca |
CFHK-FM is a Canadianradio station licensed toSt. Thomas,Ontario, servingLondon andSouthwestern Ontario. The station transmits at an effective radiated power of 22,000watts (60,000 watts peak) at 103.1MHz. Owned byCorus Entertainment, the station broadcasts ahot adult contemporary format branded asFresh 103.1. Its studios and offices are located in downtown London while itstransmitter is located on theCFPL-DT tower in Southwest London.
CFHK was originallyCHLO, an AM station broadcasting on 680 kHz and with studios inSt. Thomas,Ontario. In 1963,Rogers Radio Broadcasting Limited wanted to relocate the frequency of itsToronto station,CHFI, from 1540, which is aclear-channel frequency assigned to stations in theUnited States andthe Bahamas, and as thus, CHFI was authorized to broadcast only during the daytime. Rogers selected 680 as the new frequency, which at that time was occupied by CHLO. In the late 1960s, an agreement was reached enabling CHFI to commence 24-hour broadcasting on 680, while sharing the frequency with CHLO; eventually, CHLO would relocate to 1570 in the 1970s. CHLO had aTop 40 music format during the 1960s into the 70s, and was aMusic of Your Life station in the mid-1980s.[1] After a number of years as acountry station, CHLO moved to theFM band in 1994, changing its calls toCFHK-FM. CFHK, known on-air asThe Hawk, had amodern rock format, which later evolved intoclassic rock. The station continued to operate out of St. Thomas until the late 1990s.
Shaw Communications bought the station in August 2000, with Shaw’s radio assets being reorganized intoCorus Entertainment the following month.
On January 12, 2000, CFHK joined the "Energy Radio" network, while The Hawk moved to co-ownedCKDK inWoodstock. The Energy Radio network was unstable and station branding changed frequently. In 2002, the network was discontinued, with CFHK becoming locally programmed again asEnergy 103, serving only London and surrounding area.
In August 2004, Energy Radio changed formats to its currentAdult Top 40 format to go up againstadult contemporary stationCIQM-FM andadult hits stationCHST-FM. The flip tohot AC was caused by previous hot AC station CHST-FM flipping to "Bob FM" in July 2003. On August 22, 2005, CFHK rebranded as103.1Fresh FM. The morning program featuring "D, Mindy & Gord" moved from co-ownedCFPL-FM to launch the new brand. At the same time, Corus was bought out byCanwest.
In February 2011, Mindy Williamson was let go from Fresh Mornings, as the radio station apparently indicated they were moving in another direction. D (Darrin Laidman) and Gord remained as morning show hosts for a while longer. Fresh Mornings hosts are now Mark LeBel, Kim Woodbridge and Ian. Williamson is atCKLO-FM with the Stax morning show and D. is now morning host atCING-FM inHamilton.[2]
By September2010, CIQM flipped tohot adult contemporary from its longtimeadult contemporary format, competing with CFHK. By August2012, CIQM flipped toTop 40/CHR, leaving CFHK as the onlyHot AC station again inLondon. This was to fill the void left by the pre-2004 CFHK.
On December 11, 2013, Corus Radio receivedCRTC approval to change the authorized contours of CFHK, as well as its class from B to C1, plus increasing the averageeffective radiated power (ERP) from 16,700watts to 22,000 watts (maximum ERP from 50,000 watts to 60,000 watts), increasing the effectiveheight of the antenna above average terrain (HAAT) from 150 metres to 179.6 metres, and relocating the transmission site from its current location, onElgin County Road 30 at Truman Line north ofSt. Thomas, to its new location onCFPL-DT's tower inLondon. The station will broadcast directionally towards the north and south, to protect other stations on or first-adjacent to CFHK, includingWQUSLapeer,Michigan,CKCI-FMSarnia, andCKLH-FMHamilton.[3] On April 1, 2016, as part of a corporate re-organization,Shaw Media was merged into Shaw's sister company,Corus Entertainment. Shortly thereafter, CFHK received a new look and a new "103.1" logo.
In late December 2020, CFHK slightly rebranded asFresh 103.1 with a new logo and slogan "Today's Best Music".
42°56′58.92″N81°15′51.84″W / 42.9497000°N 81.2644000°W /42.9497000; -81.2644000