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VOCM (AM)
Encyclopedia
VOCM is an AM radio station in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada
, broadcasting at 590 kHz. Owned by Newcap Radio, VOCM first went on the air in 1936. October 19, 2011 marks 75 years of broadcasting for VOCM. Through the "VOCM/CFCB All-Newfoundland and Labrador
Radio Network" of stations owned by Newcap, VOCM programming is carried throughout the province.
VOCM and its sister station VOCM-FM
are among just four radio stations in Canada having call sign
s beginning with the prefix "VO," the ITU prefix
issued to the Dominion of Newfoundland
before its confederation
into Canada in 1949. The other two, VOAR
and VOWR
, also broadcast in St. John's; all but VOCM-FM predate the confederation. VOCM-FM adopted the callsign in 1982 because of its corporate association with VOCM; all three of the others signed on before 1949, while Newfoundland was still a dominion, and were allowed to keep the VO call signs despite the end of Newfoundland's sovereignty. During the time when the United States had bases in Newfoundland and Labrador, the American Forces Radio and Television Service operated radio station with the VO-- call signs including the last - VOUS in Argentia, which closed in the late 1960's. The rest of Canada's radio stations use call signs in the ranges of CF and CH through CK, with the exception of the CBC
, which (in violation of ITU
policy) uses the prefix CB.
Newcap also owns a number of other AM stations in Newfoundland and Labrador
that use VOCM as their main or secondary brand. These stations all have "C" callsigns.
.
On December 22, 1933, Williams (through his company, Atlantic Broadcasting Co.) was issued a licence by the Newfoundland Post and Telegraph Department to operate a station from the second floor of the aforementioned family home. With the transmitter and other equipment built by Walter, VOCM began operations as an experimental father-son station operating only a few hours a day. The station's antenna was built in the backyard and the technical equipment was placed in a backroom on the main floor. VOCM for some time had truly been a family affair, with Walter Williams Jr. later to join him in working long hours at the radio station for many years.
Later in 1937, Joseph Butler joined Williams as a partner in VOCM radio, through Colonial Broadcasting System Ltd. In 1954, Joseph Butler died in a plane accident, and in 1958 Joseph Butler Jr. acquired control of the company. Williams continued to work with the company until two years before his death in 1974.
In 1982, Colonial Broadcasting System changed its name to VOCM Radio Newfoundland Ltd. By this time the company had established a network of stations throughout eastern and central Newfoundland, as well as a sister FM station, VOCM-FM
.
In May 2000, the assets of VOCM Radio were acquired by Harry Steele
's company Newfoundland Capital Corporation, which now operates the stations as part of the Steele Communications division of Newcap Radio.
, Backtalk with Paddy Daly and Night Line with Bill Rowe
, where Newfoundland and Labrador-related issues are discussed with callers and emails sent to the station are read and discussed. These programs are well known and often perform highly in the radio ratings province-wide. Although the current hosts of two of the programs have past or present political involvement (Simms is currently the mayor of the St. John's suburb of Mount Pearl
, while Rowe was a former leader of the provincial Liberal party
), these shows are generally considered to be non-partisan and are not driven by the hosts' personalities, unlike the majority of contemporary North American talk radio
programs. That said, accusations of partisan activity by specific callers, such as political staffers calling in the guise of "regular joes", have been made from time to time.
Open Line airs Monday to Friday 9:00am to 11:30am, and Back Talk airs Monday to Friday 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Night Line airs Monday through Thursday from 8:00pm to 10:00pm,. All are carried by the full VOCM / CFCB group of stations, with Open Line and Night Line also being carried on Newcap's Labrador FM service Big Land.
During the late 1990s, the VOCM network experimented with syndicated talk programming in the form of the Dr. Laura Schlessinger
show, which aired on tape delay in the early evening. As with most Canadian stations airing the program, it was quietly dropped shortly after a Canadian Broadcast Standards Council
ruling admonishing the host for making discriminatory comments. While VOCM continues to air some short syndicated features and occasionally brokered programming
(i.e. infomercial
s) on Sunday mornings, it does not regularly air other extended-length syndicated programming.
every August, and in some cases the Herder Memorial Trophy
championship games. The VOCM network had carried the games of the American Hockey League
's St. John's Maple Leafs
throughout the 1990s; however, coverage was dropped around the start of the 2000s, since the team's fortunes were declining somewhat, and coverage interfered with the station's more successful talk programming.
VOCM does not typically broadcast play-by-play coverage of out-of-market sports events, unlike most other full-service or news-talk stations in medium-sized Canadian markets, again since it would interfere with live talk programming.
format, having adopted that format in mid-2002 shortly after sister station CKIX-FM
dropped country music. Previously the St. John's station had aired a mix of soft AC and classic hits
, veering more towards the latter since CJYQ's flip to Newfoundland music in 2000; however, most VOCM network stations had carried a country format since at least the early 1990s.
Other specific programs include: the VOCM Good Morning Show (5:30am to 9:00am), which carries a variety of information features (such as school information) in addition to some country music; the Saturday Night Cabin Party, which is devoted to classic country music from the 1950s to the 1980s; and the VOCM Saturday Morning Irish Newfoundland Show, playing Newfoundland music. The station also airs short features (such as Would You Believe?) throughout the day.
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, broadcasting at 590 kHz. Owned by Newcap Radio, VOCM first went on the air in 1936. October 19, 2011 marks 75 years of broadcasting for VOCM. Through the "VOCM/CFCB All-Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
Radio Network" of stations owned by Newcap, VOCM programming is carried throughout the province.
VOCM and its sister station VOCM-FM
VOCM-FM
VOCM-FM is a Canadian radio station broadcasting at 97.5 MHz from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. It is part of the Newcap Radio group. Presently the station is branded as 97-5 K-Rock and broadcasts a classic rock format, although some recent rock songs have lately become part of the...
are among just four radio stations in Canada having call sign
Call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
s beginning with the prefix "VO," the ITU prefix
ITU prefix
The International Telecommunication Union allocates call sign prefixes for radio and television stations of all types. They also form the basis for, but do not exactly match, aircraft registration identifiers. These prefixes are agreed upon internationally, and are a form of country code...
issued to the Dominion of Newfoundland
Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland...
before its confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
into Canada in 1949. The other two, VOAR
VOAR (AM)
VOAR is a Canadian radio station, which airs religious programming in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador on 1210 kHz and various FM frequencies.The station first broadcast in the fall of 1929...
and VOWR
VOWR (AM)
VOWR is a Canadian radio station in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Although licensed as a religious station, much of its schedule consists of secular music programming, including classical, folk, country, and music from the 1940s and 1950s...
, also broadcast in St. John's; all but VOCM-FM predate the confederation. VOCM-FM adopted the callsign in 1982 because of its corporate association with VOCM; all three of the others signed on before 1949, while Newfoundland was still a dominion, and were allowed to keep the VO call signs despite the end of Newfoundland's sovereignty. During the time when the United States had bases in Newfoundland and Labrador, the American Forces Radio and Television Service operated radio station with the VO-- call signs including the last - VOUS in Argentia, which closed in the late 1960's. The rest of Canada's radio stations use call signs in the ranges of CF and CH through CK, with the exception of the CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
, which (in violation of ITU
Itu
Itu is an old and historic municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population in 2009 was 157,384 and the area is 641.68 km². The elevation is 583 m. This place name comes from the Tupi language, meaning big waterfall. Itu is linked with the highway numbered the SP-75 and are flowed...
policy) uses the prefix CB.
Newcap also owns a number of other AM stations in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
that use VOCM as their main or secondary brand. These stations all have "C" callsigns.
History
VOCM was started by Walter B. Williams and his father in the family home at 80 Circular Road in St. John's. Williams was very interested in radio, and had attended training at the Radio Corporation of America and the Radio Training Schools in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
On December 22, 1933, Williams (through his company, Atlantic Broadcasting Co.) was issued a licence by the Newfoundland Post and Telegraph Department to operate a station from the second floor of the aforementioned family home. With the transmitter and other equipment built by Walter, VOCM began operations as an experimental father-son station operating only a few hours a day. The station's antenna was built in the backyard and the technical equipment was placed in a backroom on the main floor. VOCM for some time had truly been a family affair, with Walter Williams Jr. later to join him in working long hours at the radio station for many years.
Later in 1937, Joseph Butler joined Williams as a partner in VOCM radio, through Colonial Broadcasting System Ltd. In 1954, Joseph Butler died in a plane accident, and in 1958 Joseph Butler Jr. acquired control of the company. Williams continued to work with the company until two years before his death in 1974.
In 1982, Colonial Broadcasting System changed its name to VOCM Radio Newfoundland Ltd. By this time the company had established a network of stations throughout eastern and central Newfoundland, as well as a sister FM station, VOCM-FM
VOCM-FM
VOCM-FM is a Canadian radio station broadcasting at 97.5 MHz from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. It is part of the Newcap Radio group. Presently the station is branded as 97-5 K-Rock and broadcasts a classic rock format, although some recent rock songs have lately become part of the...
.
In May 2000, the assets of VOCM Radio were acquired by Harry Steele
Harold R. Steele
Harold R. Steele, CM born in Musgrave Harbour, NL, is the chairman and majority shareholder in Newfoundland Capital Corporation and subsidiary Newcap Broadcasting....
's company Newfoundland Capital Corporation, which now operates the stations as part of the Steele Communications division of Newcap Radio.
Talk shows
VOCM is perhaps best known for its talk shows, including Open Line with Randy SimmsRandy Simms
Randy Simms is the current mayor of Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador. Simms is also host of Open Line, a call-in radio talk show that airs weekday mornings on the VOCM/CFCB radio network, and a political commentator for The Telegram and CBC News....
, Backtalk with Paddy Daly and Night Line with Bill Rowe
Bill Rowe
William N. Rowe QC is a former politician, lawyer, broadcaster, and writer in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He is married to Penelope Ayre Rowe of St. John’s, who is a member of the Order of Canada...
, where Newfoundland and Labrador-related issues are discussed with callers and emails sent to the station are read and discussed. These programs are well known and often perform highly in the radio ratings province-wide. Although the current hosts of two of the programs have past or present political involvement (Simms is currently the mayor of the St. John's suburb of Mount Pearl
Mount Pearl
Mount Pearl is the second largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The city is located southwest of St. John's, on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. Mount Pearl is part of the St...
, while Rowe was a former leader of the provincial Liberal party
Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is a political party in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the provincial wing of the Liberal Party of Canada. It is the Official Opposition and currently holds six seats in the provincial legislature.-Origins:The party originated in...
), these shows are generally considered to be non-partisan and are not driven by the hosts' personalities, unlike the majority of contemporary North American talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
programs. That said, accusations of partisan activity by specific callers, such as political staffers calling in the guise of "regular joes", have been made from time to time.
Open Line airs Monday to Friday 9:00am to 11:30am, and Back Talk airs Monday to Friday 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Night Line airs Monday through Thursday from 8:00pm to 10:00pm,. All are carried by the full VOCM / CFCB group of stations, with Open Line and Night Line also being carried on Newcap's Labrador FM service Big Land.
During the late 1990s, the VOCM network experimented with syndicated talk programming in the form of the Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Laura Schlessinger
Laura Catherine Schlessinger is an American talk radio host, socially conservative commentator and author. Her radio program consists mainly of her responses to callers' requests for personal advice and has occasionally featured her short monologues on social and political topics...
show, which aired on tape delay in the early evening. As with most Canadian stations airing the program, it was quietly dropped shortly after a Canadian Broadcast Standards Council
Canadian Broadcast Standards Council
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council is an independent, non-governmental organization created by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters to administer standards established by its members, Canada's private broadcasters....
ruling admonishing the host for making discriminatory comments. While VOCM continues to air some short syndicated features and occasionally brokered programming
Brokered programming
Brokered programming is a form of broadcast content in which the show's producer pays a radio or television station for air time, rather than exchanging programming for pay or the opportunity to play spot commercials...
(i.e. infomercial
Infomercial
Infomercials are direct response television commercials which generally include a phone number or website. There are long-form infomercials, which are typically between 15 and 30 minutes in length, and short-form infomercials, which are typically 30 seconds to 120 seconds in length. Infomercials...
s) on Sunday mornings, it does not regularly air other extended-length syndicated programming.
Newscasts
Newscasts generally air every hour on the hour, as well as on weekdays at 5:30 a.m, 6:30 a.m., 7:25 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 8:55am, 11:30 a.m., 12:30pm, 1:55pm, 430pm and 5:30 p.m. There are no newscasts at 8:00 a.m., 2:00pm or 6:00 p.m.. Saturdays News airs every hour on the hour, as well as at 6:30 a.m., 7:25 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 8:55am, 11:30 a.m., 12:30pm, 4:30pm and 5:30 p.m. There are no newscasts at 8:00 a.m., or 6:00 p.m., Sundays News airs every hour on the hour, with the exception of 8:00am, 9:00am, and 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, or 6:00 p.m. there are also newscasts at 6:30 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 11:55am, and 5:30 p.m.. The 5:30 a.m, 7:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. are all 15 Minute Major Newscasts and are carried by all VOCM network stations; and except for the first, are also carried by the CFCB stations.Sports
VOCM's play-by-play sports coverage is currently limited to the Royal St. John's RegattaRoyal St. John's Regatta
The Royal St. John's Regatta is North America's oldest annual sporting event with documented proof of 1816 boat races. There is credible contention that St. John's regattas were held even earlier than 1816, likely in the 18th century....
every August, and in some cases the Herder Memorial Trophy
Herder Memorial Trophy
The Herder Memorial Trophy, or Herder, is the championship trophy of senior ice hockey in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is the most prestigious hockey championship solely dedicated to Newfoundland, and as a result, has a significant following within the province...
championship games. The VOCM network had carried the games of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
's St. John's Maple Leafs
St. John's Maple Leafs
The St. John's Maple Leafs were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada at Memorial Stadium from 1991–2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001–2005.-History:...
throughout the 1990s; however, coverage was dropped around the start of the 2000s, since the team's fortunes were declining somewhat, and coverage interfered with the station's more successful talk programming.
VOCM does not typically broadcast play-by-play coverage of out-of-market sports events, unlike most other full-service or news-talk stations in medium-sized Canadian markets, again since it would interfere with live talk programming.
Music
Outside of its talk programming, VOCM generally uses a country musicCountry music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format, having adopted that format in mid-2002 shortly after sister station CKIX-FM
CKIX-FM
CKIX-FM is an FM radio station in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, broadcasting at 99.1 MHz. The station is owned by Newcap Radio, and currently broadcasts a hot adult contemporary format as 99.1 Hits FM.-History:...
dropped country music. Previously the St. John's station had aired a mix of soft AC and classic hits
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
, veering more towards the latter since CJYQ's flip to Newfoundland music in 2000; however, most VOCM network stations had carried a country format since at least the early 1990s.
Other specific programs include: the VOCM Good Morning Show (5:30am to 9:00am), which carries a variety of information features (such as school information) in addition to some country music; the Saturday Night Cabin Party, which is devoted to classic country music from the 1950s to the 1980s; and the VOCM Saturday Morning Irish Newfoundland Show, playing Newfoundland music. The station also airs short features (such as Would You Believe?) throughout the day.
External links
- VOCM Radio Network
- VOCM history at Canadian Communications FoundationCanadian Communications FoundationThe Canadian Communications Foundation is a history of Canadian broadcasting for radio and television chronicles and documents. It also provides a history of radio and television stations, including networks, programs, broadcasters and many others....