CJLO is the official campus and community radio station for Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec and is operated almost entirely by its volunteer membership. The station broadcasts from the Loyola campus, and it can be heard at 1690 AM in Montreal, iTunes radio in the College/University category, the CJLO mobile app, or on the CJLO website.
CJLO started streaming online 7 days a week in early 2003, and the station began broadcasting by radio in the Montreal area on 1690 AM with 1000 watts of power in late 2008. The tower and transmitter are located in Lachine and the signal can be heard as far as Ottawa and Burlington, Vermont, United States.
CJLO was voted #1 Best Radio Station in Montreal in the Cult MTL Best of MTL Readers Poll 2022 and in 2026.Best of Cult MTL
History The station was originally formed in 1998 from the merger of CRSG, a closed circuit station at Concordia's Sir George Williams Campus, and CFLI, a carrier current station at the Loyola Campus.CRTC Decision 95-539, Licence renewal for CFLI, CRTC, August 11, 1995 It continued to broadcast by closed circuit until 2003, when it launched an Internet radio stream.
The station was granted a license by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission in 2006 to broadcast on the AM band at 1690,CRTC Decision 2006-58, Community-based campus AM radio station in Montréal, CRTC, March 10, 2006 and began airing a testing signal in September 2008.NorthEast Radio Watch, September 8, 2008.
The station officially launched its on-air programming on October 15, 2008 with the song "Left of the Dial" by The Replacements.NorthEast Radio Watch, October 20, 2008.
On April 25, 2014, the CRTC published CJLO's application for a low-power FM retransmitter on 107.9 MHz, to alleviate reception issues downtown. The main concern with the use of 107.9 is potential interference from WVPS, the Vermont Public Radio flagship in Burlington.Steve Faguy, CJLO applies for FM retransmitter at downtown campus, April 25, 2014. The application was denied by the CRTC on January 26, 2015, as they felt that there were no broadcasting deficiencies of the 1690 AM signal within its immediate broadcast area.Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-21, CJLO Montréal - New transmitter in Montréal, CRTC, January 26, 2015 WVPS, whose signal is not protected outside the United States, was not considered a factor in this decision.Fagstein: "CRTC denies CJLO transmitter at 107.9 FM", January 26, 2015.
Programs CJLO has over 70 original live programs with formats that include spoken-word and a variety of musical genres such as rock alternative, classical, hip-hop, jazz, experimental, metal, world beat, and more.
As of Winter 2016, the station currently airs the following:
Aloof Future, hosted by Chubby Ashes to Ashes, hosted by Alex Anatomy of Caribbean Music, hosted by Gordon "Gee" Weekes At the Movies, hosted by Remi Caron-Liss Audio Penpals, hosted by DJ Littleforest and Friendz Autobeat, hosted by MNJIVR Beat the World, hosted by Kelly "Sugarface Nene" and Neil "Mr Lalla" Beats from the East, hosted by DJ Mister Vee Behind the Counter, hosted by Rebekah G. and Sonja H. Beyond The Black Rainbow, hosted by OCDJ. Beyond That Graveyard III, hosted by the K-Man Brave New Jams, hosted by Clifton Hanger Burnt Offerings, hosted by DJ Spacepirate BVST, hosted by Angelica Caribbean Callaloo, hosted by Raphael McKenzie (DJ 610), Pete Douglas, and Gordon "Gee" Weekes Champions of the Local Scene, hosted by the CJLO Volunteers Charts & Crafts, hosted by Dennis A. and Joana C. Cinema Smackdown, hosted by Tessipedia and Max Colours that can't be seen, hosted by Ozzdog Computer Sourire, hosted by Danilo Cornice Crow, hosted by Genaro PC Creators Chorus, hosted by Annick MF, Jess Glavina, and Teeana Munro Democracy Now, hosted by Amy Goodman Diggin' in the Crates, hosted by Lazy the selector and DJ Sleazy P Dirty Work, hosted by Denis A. Don't mess this up, Jacob, hosted by Jacob Greco Fatal Attraction, hosted by Patricia Petit Liang Floydian Slip, hosted by Craig Bailey Fukubukuro, hosted by DJ Lawrell Gospel Unlimited, hosted by Ray Johnston with research/talk facilitator Curtis, and produced by Tynesha Grade A Explosives, hosted by Andrew Wixq Hiway 1, hosted by Fredy Iuni Hooked on Sonics, hosted by Omar Sonics Into the Coven, hosted by Patrick McDowall In the Club, hosted by N. Gattuso Impossible Music, hosted by Gachary Je Suis TBA, hosted by Joana C. Jonny & Cupcakes, hosted by Sam Obrand and Jon Levine Local Everything, hosted by MC Jonny B Main Event Radio, hosted by Ryan Rider More Fyah, hosted by Junior Vibes and Singing P My Private HE.B.G.B.S, hosted by the K-Man Necromantik, hosted by DJ Necrotik and DJ Dreadkitten New Media and Politics 2.0, hosted by Karl Knox Nozin' Around, hosted by Emeline Vidal Phantastiq Cypha, hosted by Brian Döc Holidæ Psychic City, hosted by Abby S. Radio Fun, hosted by Idle Matt Rex's Barn Sessions, hosted by Rex Elroy Cliff Sewer Spewer, hosted by Chris the frog Something for the radio, hosted by D Shade and Redd Dredd Slax Trax, hosted by Zakary Slax Shibuya Crossing, hosted by Saturn De Los Angeles a.k.a. SATYYY. Sublime State of Doom, hosted by Sean The Belldog, hosted by Lucy The Commonwealth Conundrum, hosted by Rebecca Munroe and Danny Payne The F Hole, hosted by Erica Bridgeman The Go-Go Radio Magic Show, hosted by Oncle Ian and Prince Palu The Groove Master's Hour, hosted by Pete Douglas The Limelight, hosted by DJ Lady Oracle and J-Nice The Live Wire Show, hosted by Pete Douglas The Machine Stops, hosted by DJ Thinkbox The Noisy Loft, hosted by Orin Loft The Sound You Need, hosted by DJ Jeneva The Starting Rotation, hosted by Julian McKenzie, Robert Arzenshek, Giordano Cescutti, Daniele Iannarone, Justin Ferrara, and Matthew Shanahan The Trend, hosted by Camille and Krystal Christine The Vibe Room, hosted by MEL P a.k.a. DJ Lilmango Turn on the darkness, hosted by Philliam Vibe$tation, hosted by Mylestone World Beat News, hosted by Gordon "Gee" Weekes Waves of Honey, hosted by Honeydrip Yeti Dreams and Stranger Things, hosted by Stephanie Dee Whatever She Wants, hosted by Taina Nijimbere and Katherine Burgess
Some of CJLO's programs that aired in the past several years include:
Best of the West, hosted by Sarah Stupar Chante Lakay, hosted by Schiller Countdown to Armageddon, hosted by Brian Hastie Currently Concordia, hosted by Melissa Mulligan and Nikita Smith Death Metal Disco Show, hosted by Emaciate Beats Digital Coffee, hosted by DJ Soykaff a.k.a. KNIGHT Exit Hour, hosted by Daniel Dixon Geek Soda, hosted by DJ Soykaff a.k.a. KNIGHT Glitch, Please, hosted by your best friend John Jacob Going Down Under, hosted by Tim Forster Greedy Graffiti, hosted by DJ Misschief Hayti Plus, hosted by Jean D. Haze World, hosted by Stephen K. Killer Baby Tomatoes, hosted by Colin Harris Fairest Dwellings, hosted by Alex Massé Fear of Music, hosted by Marshall V. Feel Good Hit of the Summer, hosted by C.W. MacGregor Funk Shui, hosted by Marina Minh Nguyen and Patricia Petit Liang Let the Rhythm Hit Em, hosted by Remission Midnight Love Affair, hosted by Mason Windels Morning Jazz Hour, hosted by Karl Knox Maiden Voyage, Hosted by Beansie Saretsky Onomatopoeia Show, hosted by Robin F Pits & Poisoned Apples, hosted by Serge Del Grosso Purple Carrot, hosted by Anna C. Revolution 33 1/3, hosted by Mack Mackenzie Salvation from Sin, hosted by DJ Michael Terzian a.k.a. Sinister Stroll Around the Groove, hosted by Julien B. and Mourad Station to Station, hosted by Ethan Ves Take 5, hosted by Connor McComb, a.k.a. DJ C-DADDY The Anglo-Franco Tango, hosted by Floraine Bonneville The Hypnotic, hosted by Yanissa The Kids Are So-So, hosted by DJ So-So The Link Radio, hosted by The Link, Concordia's independent newspaper The Reaktor, hosted by Abby Schachter The Sports Grind, hosted by Gerry Brossard Jr. and Grant Robinson The Midnight Caper, hosted by Kyle Fitzsimmons The New Noise, hosted by Runt The Game Misconduct, hosted by Google Guy, Phil, and Magg The Wake-Up Call, hosted by Carlo S. Twee Time, hosted by Stephanie Pastel With Gay Abandon, hosted by Julie, a.k.a. OCDJ
Awards and honours CJLO is a station that has received multiple nominations and wins at the CMJ Music Marathon College Radio Awards since 2008. The station was consistently voted as one of the top-ten Best Radio Stations in The Montreal Mirror's Best of Montreal Readers Poll.
CMJ College Radio Awards Year Award 2008 Best Student Run, Non-FM Radio Station 2008 Best Team Effort 2009 Best Team Effort 2010 Station of the Year 2010 Best Use of Limited Resources 2010 Best Team Effort 2012 Biggest Champion of the Local Scene
Montreal Mirror Best of Montreal Readers Poll Year Rank 2008 Honorable mention 2009 8 2010 6 2011 6 2012 6
Other In 2010, CJLO was ranked as one of the best college radio stations by the Huffington PostHuffington Post and was the only Canadian radio station selected to attend the First Annual International Radio Festival in Zurich, Switzerland. In 2013, CJLO was voted the second Best Radio Station in the CultMTL Best of MTL Readers Poll. In 2022, CJLO was voted #1 Best Radio Station in Montreal in the CultMTL Best of MTL Readers Poll. In 2025, CJLO was voted the second Best Radio Station in the CultMTL Best of MTL Readers Poll.
References
External links
CJLO at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation