For the second time in October, a Winnipeg radio station has changed format — and both now offer different variations of Alternative music.
Pattison Media’s CHNW-FM/94.3 dropped its Conversation-based Adult Contemporary format on Thursday, Oct. 31, to become “Alt 94.3.”
Positioned as “Winnipeg’s Music Alternative,” a news release says the new format includes Alternative music from the early 2000s to now with a playlist including Muse, Coldplay, Arkells, Death Cab for Cutie, Twenty-One Pilots, Cage the Elephant, Foster the People, and the Foo Fighters.
The switch came just over three weeks after Corus’ “Power 97” (CJKR-FM/97.5) switched from Mainstream Rock to Alternative Classics.
CHNW’s previous “Now Radio” format had launched in 2021. The format fell musically between two Classic Hits stations and three Contemporary Hits/Hot Adult Contemporary stations in the market.
“Alt 94.3” is the station’s fifth identity since dropping its longtime “Q94” slogan in 2008.