U Multicultural is testing its new FM and TV stations in Winnipeg.
CHEB-FM/88.7 transmits with 800 Watts at 142 meters above average terrain (class A). Meanwhile, CFUM-DT transmits on channel 14 with 2.4kW at 136m.
A notice posted on the group’s website and social media platforms says testing will continue through Oct. 22:
The radio station is an extension of a web stream that the group has already operated for several years.
The 2024 decision to approve the new FM station came after the CRTC rejected a competing commercial application, determining that Winnipeg could not support another commercial radio station.
U Multicultural’s application received support from numerous community groups and individuals and opposition from Dufferin Communications, which owns commercial ethnic specialty radio station CKJS-FM/92.7 (Winnipeg). The CRTC concluded that the new station “would not have an undue economic impact on incumbent stations in the market.”
The group’s application stated CHEB-FMÂ will devote 40 hours per week to third-language programs in Russian, Ukrainian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Arabic, Urdu, and Bangla. It will carry a wide variety of music with folk and world beat/international taking up the largest portions of the playlist at 30% each.
Meanwhile, CFUM-DT’s schedule will be at least 60% local programming focused on Winnipeg’s ethnocultural and Indigenous communities.
Rogers Communications, which operates a cable TV system in Winnipeg, opposed the TV application, saying the group should have to provide audited financial statements. The CRTC decided that such a requirement would be “overly burdensome.”
U Multicultural’s programming has been airing on a Rogers cable channel for three hours per day.