Memorial University’s campus radio station, CHMR-FM in St. John’s, is confronting financial challenges and navigating a shifting media environment, requiring the station to evolve to ensure its sustainability. Established in 1951 as the MUN Radio club, CHMR began FM broadcasting on 93.5 in 1987 post approval by the CRTC.
Moving beyond its traditional radio focus, station manager Rhea Rollmann mentioned a shift towards incorporating more podcast and video content, envisioning CHMR as a community access media lab. However, sustaining the station has strained the budget, with an annual deficit close to $200,000 according to MUNSU’s 2023-24 financial audit, as the station has long relied on funding from the MUN Students’ Union.
Acknowledging the risks of depending on a single revenue stream, Rollmann emphasized the need to diversify funding sources to keep pace with technological advancements. Nathan Gillingham, MUNSU’s director of external affairs, highlighted the station’s significance on campus and in the community, expressing concern over financial and operational challenges amid a changing media landscape.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives reported a decline in local news coverage nationwide, underscoring the importance for CHMR to prioritize local content, especially as Newfoundland has experienced a significant loss of local news outlets. A survey by the National Campus and Community Radio Association revealed a doubling in listenership since 2017, suggesting a renewed interest in alternative media like campus and community radio.
Andrew Connors, a MUN student and producer of the CHMR show “Sports on The Rock,” praised the station for fostering his broadcasting skills and highlighted the potential of podcasting to attract more students to the station. While acknowledging the prevalence of streaming services over traditional radio among young people, Connors remained optimistic about the future success of shows at CHMR and its role as a valuable resource for students interested in podcasting.