CHWE-FM
Radio station in Winnipeg, Manitoba
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CHWE-FM (106.1 FM, "Energy 106") is a radio station in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Owned by Evanov Communications, it broadcasts a contemporary hit radio format.
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| Broadcast area | Winnipeg Metropolitan Region |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 106.1 MHz |
| Branding | Energy 106 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Contemporary hit radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Evanov Communications |
| CKJS-FM, CFJL-FM | |
| History | |
First air date | July 29, 2011 |
Former call signs | CFJL-FM (July–November 2011) |
Call sign meaning | "Winnipeg's Energy" |
| Technical information | |
| Class | C1 |
| ERP | 40,000 watts |
| HAAT | 175 metres (574 ft) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | energy106.ca |
CHWE-FM's studios and offices are located behind Polo Park at 202-1440 Jack Blick Avenue in Winnipeg, with sister stations CKJS-FM and CFJL-FM. The transmitter is located at Duff Roblin Provincial Park.
History
In June 2008, the CRTC considered four applications for new radio stations in Winnipeg, including an application by Evanov for a new FM station on 104.7 FM carrying a soft adult contemporary/"new easy listening" format. The CRTC approved the application by Evanov, as well as one for a new Aboriginal station proposed by Native Communications, Inc. (NCI). However, because both applications requested 104.7 FM, the CRTC directed Evanov to find an alternative frequency for its station, believing that the NCI station "would make better use" of the frequency than Evanov's station.[1]
On May 8, 2009, the CRTC approved the use of 106.1 FM for the new Evanov station instead.[2] On July 29, 2011 at Noon, following a period of on-air testing, the new station launched as rhythmic contemporary Energy 106 under the call letters CFJL-FM, beginning with a commercial-free marathon of 10,000 songs. Programming director Barry Stewart told the Winnipeg Free Press that the station was "bombarded" during testing with emails suggesting that the station go in a top 40/dance direction, noting that "we weren't even leaning that way at all." Energy would compete primarily with Astral Media's long-dominant CKMM-FM.[3] CFJL marked Evanov's first radio station in Western Canada.[4]
In October 2011, the station began adding on-air talent.[4] On November 26, 2011, CFJL changed its call sign to CHWE-FM, to match the "Energy" moniker. The CFJL call sign would move to its sister station.[5]
The new station's dance-leaning playlist paid off in the Numeris ratings, where in its first book it took a 6.9% share of the audience.[6] The station has since moved to a more mainstream Top 40 direction, although it continues to carry a DJ mixshow on weekdays during afternoon drive, and on Saturday nights.
In August 2020, Dave Wheeler, formerly of CITI-FM, was announced as the station's new morning host beginning August 31. The hiring proved controversial, as he had originally been fired from CITI in 2018 after making transphobic comments on his morning show. The station's program director defended the hiring, stating that Wheeler had "changed to fit us". Wheeler stated that "I have done a lot of work on me. It's profoundly personal when you take a deep look inside. I have put it all in the rear-view."[7][8]