CIRV-FM

Founded by Portuguese Canadian Francisco Alvarez, the station launched in 1986 at FM 88.7, and moved to its current frequency in 1993.[http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1986/DB86-236.HTM Decision CRTC 86-236][http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/1993/DB93-77.HTM Decision CRTC 93-77] 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.{{cite web|url=http://broadcastdialogue.com/south-asian-broadcasting-corporation-inc-owns-redfm-stations-vancouver-ckye-fm-calgary-ckyr-fm-purchased-circ-radio-inc/|title=South Asian Broadcasting Corporation Inc. has purchased CIRC Radio Inc.|date=November 10, 2016|accessdate=April 25, 2019|work=Broadcast Dialogue|publisher=Momentum Media Marketing}} 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.{{cite web|title=O cantor Jorge Guerreio actua este Sábado no Clube Português de Mississauga e esta tarde esteve nos novos estúdios da Cirv Rádio|url=https://www.facebook.com/CIRVFM/photos/a.610894252439551/991913291004310/|work=CIRV-FM|publisher=Facebook|date=February 22, 2019|accessdate=April 25, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/CIRVFM/photos/a.610894252439551/1002227466639559/|title=Agradecemos o bonito gesto de boas vindas à cidade de Brampton que recebemos da gerência da pastelaria Golden Grains Bakery|work=CIRV-FM|publisher=Facebook|date=March 11, 2019|accessdate=April 25, 2019}} This was followed by an on-air relaunch as Red FM on April 15, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/the-weekly-briefing-2019-04-18/|title=The Weekly Briefing|work=Broadcast Dialogue|publisher= Momentum Media Marketing|date=April 18, 2019|accessdate=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." 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.

{{reflist}}

• [https://toronto.redfm.ca Official RED FM Toronto website]
• [https://broadcasting-history.ca/radio/radio-stations/ontario/ontario-city-of-toronto/CIRV-FM CIRV-FM] at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation
• {{RecnetCanada|CIRV-FM}}

{{Toronto FM}}

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IRV

IRV

Category:Radio stations established in 1986

Category:1986 establishments in Ontario

Category:Urdu-language radio stations

Category:Punjabi-language radio stations

Category:Hindi-language radio stations

Category:Brazilian diaspora in Canada

Category:Portuguese-Canadian culture

Category:Indo-Canadian culture

Category:Asian-Canadian culture in Toronto

Category:Indian diaspora mass media