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| CHOM | |
|---|---|
| Name | CHOM |
| City | Montreal, Quebec |
| Branding | CHOM FM |
| Frequency | 97.7 MHz (FM) |
| Format | Classic rock |
| Owner | Bell Media |
| Airdate | 1963 |
| Sister stations | CJAD, CJFM-FM, CKGM |
CHOM is a Canadian radio station based in Montreal, Quebec, broadcasting on 97.7 MHz FM and noted for a long-running classic rock music format and cultural presence in the Greater Montreal area. The station has played a prominent role in Montreal media alongside outlets such as The Gazette (Montreal), Montreal Canadiens, and Just for Laughs, shaping local playlists and personalities while intersecting with national networks including iHeartRadio (Canada), Bell Media Radio, and historical broadcasters like CHUM Limited. Over decades CHOM has been associated with major artists and events tied to Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, and regional festivals like Osheaga.
CHOM began broadcasting in 1963 during a period when FM stations such as CKGM and CKCV were expanding in Quebec markets. Early ownership ties connected CHOM to media figures and companies similar to Selkirk Communications and Power Corporation of Canada-era holdings, while competitors included CFQR and CKOI-FM. Through the 1970s and 1980s CHOM paralleled cultural shifts exemplified by acts like The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Who, Pink Floyd, and The Police, adapting playlists as rock evolved. The station weathered regulatory environments overseen by bodies comparable to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and navigated market consolidation during waves of acquisitions involving companies analogous to Astral Media, Rogers Communications, and later Bell Media. Notable milestones included format refinements, studio relocations within Montreal media hubs, and audience ratings contests with outlets such as CKMF-FM and CJFM-FM.
CHOM's programming has historically emphasized album-oriented rock and classic rock, featuring tracks by Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC, Queen, The Doors, and The Rolling Stones. Specialty shows and weekend blocks have showcased deep cuts and live recordings from artists like Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, U2, and The Who. Syndicated segments and countdowns have connected the station to programming partners similar to Westwood One and network feeds akin to Premiere Networks, while local talent curated morning and afternoon drive-time shows integrating interviews with touring acts such as Aerosmith and Pearl Jam. CHOM mixed music programming with local news, traffic, and community features resonant with Montreal audiences familiar with outlets like CBC Radio One and CTV Montreal.
Over the years CHOM featured prominent on-air personalities who became local celebrities, paralleling figures associated with stations like CFNY-FM and CHUM-FM. Morning and drive hosts engaged with Montreal cultural institutions such as McGill University, Concordia University, and venues like Metropolis (Montreal venue) and Bell Centre. Guest interviews and promotional appearances included artists from Neil Young to Foo Fighters and industry figures tied to labels like Universal Music Group (Canada) and Warner Music Group (Canada). Station alumni moved into broader media roles with networks such as TSN, CBC Television, and publications including La Presse and Montreal Gazette.
CHOM participated in Montreal festivals and charity initiatives, aligning with events like Just for Laughs, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Osheaga Music and Arts Festival, and benefit concerts for causes advocated by organizations similar to Centraide and World Vision Canada. The station promoted and hosted live broadcasts, in-studio performances, and ticket giveaways for tours by Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, and Metallica, while partnering with local promoters and venues such as Evenko, Place des Arts, and Parc Jean-Drapeau. Community outreach extended to campus collaborations with McGill University and Concordia University music programs and support for Montreal arts nonprofits comparable to La Vitrine culturelle.
CHOM transmits on 97.7 MHz FM from facilities positioned to serve Montreal and suburbs across West Island and the South Shore. Its signal coverage intersects with metropolitan listeners commuting along corridors like A-15, Autoroute 40, and rail lines serving stations akin to Lucien-L'Allier station and Montreal Central Station. Broadcast infrastructure adheres to industry standards comparable to those set by international bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union, employing FM transmission equipment and studio-to-transmitter links similar to systems used by CBC/Radio-Canada and commercial broadcasters. CHOM adapted to digital trends by offering streaming options on platforms analogous to iHeartRadio and integrating social media presence across services like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Throughout its history CHOM underwent multiple ownership transitions reflective of broader consolidation in Canadian media, with corporate moves reminiscent of transactions involving Astral Media, Rogers Communications, and eventual integration into larger networks like Bell Media. These shifts mirrored regulatory considerations previously adjudicated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and involved strategic realignments in programming and cross-promotion with sister stations such as CJAD and CKGM. Corporate changes influenced advertising partnerships with agencies and brands prominent in Montreal commerce, aligning CHOM with national sales networks comparable to Bell Media Sales and content-sharing arrangements across multimedia platforms.
Category:Radio stations in Montreal