Radio Jazz.FM 91.1 (CJRT)

JAZZ.FM91 is Canada's only not-for-profit radio station dedicated to jazz and all its communities of interest.

It began life more than 50 years ago as CJRT-FM, Ryerson's university radio station, broadcasting an eclectic mix of educational programming, classics and jazz. Then in 1996, it was transformed when the Ontario Government reduced its annual operating stipend from $1,300,000 to zero, leaving the radio station to find its niche in one of North America's most crowded radio marketplaces.

In the ten years since then, JAZZ.FM91 has executed a very different and expanded mission, which is to enrich the cultural, educational and community experience of our listening audience.

Adhering to that mission, the station has found a favoured place in the minds of a country that, because of its diversity and musical sophistication, has embraced the concept of an all-jazz format within a non-profit, educational context. The view of jazz as a small part of the world of music is outdated; in the past few years, as music recording sales have declined, the sale of jazz and blues recordings has grown by 45%. Jazz may be growing more mainstream, but also Canada's mainstream is expanding its taste through jazz. Another indicator of the hold that jazz has: over 24,000 unique visitors a month log on to this web site from all over the world.

Today, JAZZ.FM91 has annual revenues of $3 million and operates on a break-even basis, with no deficit and no government support. Revenues are made up of advertising (the CRTC allows the station to broadcast 4 minutes of advertising each hour; this compares with up to to 14 minutes per hour for commercial stations); individual donations (the station's audience is rabidly enthusiastic; 8,900 listeners this year donated $1.5 million to support JAZZ.FM91's programs) and donations from corporations, businesses and foundations.

Every week, some 320,000 listeners tune in to JAZZ.FM91's offerings which, like the station itself, are much more than jazz.

For example, JAZZ.FM91 offers the BBC news from London; educational radio documentaries on everyone from Leonard Bernstein to Artie Shaw; specialty programming hosted by JAZZ.FM91 President and CEO Ross Porter; weekday interviews and commentary with Ralph Benmergui; and even a series with the music program at Toronto's Humber College.

Little wonder that, year after year, Bureau of Broadcast Measurement ratings for JAZZ.FM91's audience is shown to be growing steadily. That audience is not only on the rise; it's different from most radio audiences: 64% are more likely than the average radio listener to have completed their post graduate degree. 48% are more likely to earn a personal yearly income of $100,000 to $149,999 - providing them with high discretionary income for luxury items. (Source: BBM Toronto Central adults 35 to 54.)

The variety and depth of the station's programming make JAZZ.FM91 by far the most popular and innovative jazz station in Canada. (Three years ago, JAZZ.FM91 was the only 24 hour a day jazz station operating in Canada; but the genre is growing, and there are now five Canadian jazz stations licensed to broadcast).