Chatham, ON — Blackburn Media is pleased to announce that CFCO, Chatham-Kent’s heritage radio station, will soon have a new and expanded FM home. Beginning April 25th, CFCO will officially transition to 91.3 FM, marking a significant milestone in the station’s nearly 100-year history.
After broadcasting on the AM band since 1927, (1210 AM and 630 AM) as well as operating on low-power 92.9 FM since 2000, CFCO’s move to 91.3 FM positions the station for long-term sustainability while delivering a stronger, more reliable signal to listeners across Chatham-Kent.
CFCO will continue to proudly serve the community as “Chatham-Kent’s Country”, pairing the best of today’s country music with a long-standing dedication to local programming and community engagement. As the station evolves onto a new FM frequency, its focus on serving, informing, and entertaining Chatham-Kent remains unchanged.
To ensure a smooth transition for listeners, CFCO is currently in a simulcast period, broadcasting simultaneously on 630 AM, 92.9 FM, and the new 91.3 FM frequency. This approach allows listeners time to migrate to the new frequency without disruption.
“The reality is that the long-term viability of AM radio is coming to an end,” said Blackburn Media Vice President, Walter Ploegman. “To sustain CFCO for the next 100 years, moving fully to the FM band was a necessary step. This conversion addresses challenges with aging AM infrastructure and ensures we continue to serve Chatham-Kent with a strong, dependable signal.”
This decision reflects changing audience habits away from AM radio, compounded by the lack of AM radios in electric vehicles, signal reliability challenges during adverse weather, and the increasing cost of maintaining aging AM transmission facilities.
The new FM signal will broadcast at 1,250 watts from a new tower location, providing consistent 24/7 coverage across all of Chatham-Kent, in all weather conditions. CFCO will also continue to stream online, through the iHeartRadio app, and on smart speakers, ensuring listeners can tune in wherever and however they choose.
A testing period is currently underway, and listeners will not experience any interruption in service.
“There will be no disruption to service,” according to Dave Palmer, CFCO Program Manager. “CFCO will broadcast continuously during the transition to full FM and will remain on 630 AM and 92.9 FM until the AM signal is officially retired in a few months.” This move represents both an evolution and a commitment — preserving CFCO’s legacy while strengthening its future as a trusted, local voice for Chatham-Kent.
About Blackburn Media
Blackburn Media is a Canadian-owned multimedia company serving Southwestern
Ontario with radio, digital, and community-focused content. Committed to trusted local
storytelling and innovative marketing solutions, Blackburn Media connects audiences
and businesses through engaging, impactful media.
For more information, contact:
Management.chatham@blackburnmedia.ca
blackburnmedia.ca