1963
Southern Manitoba Broadcasting Co. Ltd. was awarded a licence for a new AM station at Steinbach, operating on 1250 kHz with a power of 10,000 watts.
1964
CHSM opened on March 13. It simulcast the programming of co-owned CFAM-AM in Altona. CFAM’s birthdate was also March 13. It went on the air in 1957. The “SM” in the call sign: Southern Manitoba.
1965
W. E. Kroeker, president of Southern Manitoba Broadcasting Co. Ltd., appointed Elmer Hildebrand station manager of CFAM and CHSM. Hildebrand joined the company at the start in 1957. Most recently he had been sales manager. He succeeded Dennis Barkman who had acquired an interest in some British Columbia radio stations.
An ad promoting CFAM and CHSM: Now doubly effective - identical programming, separate 10 kW transmitters - Radio Southern Manitoba - 1290 CFAM - CHSM 1250.
1967
Elmer Hildebrand, station manager of CFAM-CHSM announced the appointment of Jim McSweeney as production manager and Ray Saunders as music director. McSweeney was also morning drive host (7:00 to 9:30 a.m.). Saunders had been with the stations for a year and was heard daily from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Slogans: CFAM-CHSM The winning Combination. / Radio Southern Manitoba.
1968
CFAM-CHSM proposed to broadcast simultaneously separate pre-recorded commercials of equal length on the two stations, excluding ads from national or Winnipeg advertisers, and to broadcast individual station ID's separately. The Board of Broadcast Governors denied the application.
W.E. Kroeker was president.
1974
On July 11, Southern Manitoba Broadcasting was authorized separate programming on CHSM. Up to this time the station had simulcast sister station CFAM Altona.
1984
The corporate name was now Golden West Broadcasting Ltd.
1985
CHSM was given permission to change day and night radiation patterns. The proposed changes would result in an improved signal to areas already served and would extend the station's coverage to the south and west of Steinbach.
1998
Golden West Broadcasting Ltd. launched CILT-FM in Steinbach.
2004
On June 28 the CRTC renewed CHSM's licence to August 31, 2011.
Written by Bill Dulmage – Updated May, 2010
