1961
On September 5, Ted Rogers filed an application with the BBG for a new Toronto AM station on 1540 kHz. He already operated CHFI-FM at 98.1 MHz.

1962
CHFI-FM Limited, owner of CHFI-FM 98.1, launched CHFI-AM on August 8. The new AM station simulcast the "Good Music" sound of the FM parent. This was very unusual as most AM-FM combinations had the FM simulcasting the AM station. CHFI-AM broadcast on a frequency of 1540 kHz and had a daytime-only power of 50,000 watts. The station operated with a directional antenna pattern.

Studios and offices were at 13 Adelaide Street East. The transmitter and two 200 foot towers were located north of Dundas Street in Peel County (now Mississauga). CHFI-FM Ltd. was owned by E. S. (Ted) Rogers, Jr., son of the founder of CFRB-AM in Toronto. In addition to owning CHFI-AM and FM, Rogers also held an interest in CFTO Television (channel 9). 

1963
The corporate name was changed to Rogers Broadcasting Ltd.

Ted Rogers was willing to pay CHLO St. Thomas to move from 680 kHz to 1410 kHz so that CHFI could use the 680 frequency and add night-time service. CHFI was limited to daytime-only operation on 1540 kHz because it was an American Clear Channel and stations like KXEL in Waterloo, Iowa, had to be protected.
CHLO’s application to move to 1410 kHz was denied and the frequency was awarded to CKSL 1290 in London. Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. decided to move ahead with its application to use 680 kHz for night-time operation only while continuing to operate on 1540 kHz during the day.

In October, CHFI-AM was given approval to add night-time service, using 680 kHz with a power of 10,000 watts. Daytime operation would continue on 1540 kHz with power of 50,000 watts.
 
1964
CHFI-AM was authorized to broadcast on 680 kHz during the day as well as at night. Engineering research showed that CHLO St. Thomas and CHFI could both operate full-time on 680 kHz. 

1965
CHFI was hoping to be on 680 kHz full-time with 1,000 watts during the day and 10,000 watts at night by the fall.

Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. received approval to sell the 1540 frequency in Toronto because CHFI was now licenced for full-time operation on 680. Rogers proposed to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary to take over the assets concerned with 1540 kHz. Rogers would then dispose of that subsidiary.

Rogers was given permission to sell Radio 1540 Ltd., the new subsidiary company, to a syndicate headed by Johnny Lombardi.

CHFI was hoping to be on 680 kHz full-time around November 1 and Lombardi had hoped to launch his new CHIN 1540 by the same date. Lombardi had set up studios and offices and already had a fully operational transmitter site - the one used by CHFI 1540 - on 100 acres, a few miles west of Metro. Lombardi said he would have settled for just ten acres but Ted Rogers offered the land on an all or nothing basis.

Bill Compeau left CHFI around this time.

1966
On March 28, CHFI ceased daytime operation on 1540 kHz and began fulltime broadcasting on 680 kHz. Power was 1,000 watts day and 10,000 watts at night. CHFI 680 operated from a new transmitter site located at Highway 10 and Burnhamthorpe Road in Peel County (what is now Mississauga). Nine 309 foot towers were used.

Johnny Lombardi signed his new station on the air on June 6, using CHFI’s old 1540 kHz frequency. It should be noted that Lombardi was an experienced broadcaster. He had produced foreign language programs for stations like CHUM and CKFH in Toronto. Most recently, Lombardi had worked for Ted Rogers.

1967
Roly Koster, CHFI-AM-FM production manager was named station manager of CHIQ Hamilton following the announced purchase of that station by Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. (still required BBG approval). Earl Bradford left for the new Rogers station at Hamilton. He had been CHFI's assistant news director and would be news director at CHIQ (to be renamed CHAM).

1968
CHFI 680 applied to the BBG for permission to increase daytime power from 1,000 to 2,500 watts (DA-2). This was approved. The station had previously received authorization for a night-time power increase from 10,000 to 25,000 watts.

Eddie Luther brought his airborne traffic reports to CHFI-AM-FM from CFRB. Harry McIntyre was appointed general sales manager. He had been a sales rep at the stations for the past three years. Jim Fleming was a news commentator.

1969 
As a matter of record, Rogers Broadcasting’s sister company Rogers Cable TV Ltd. had its licence renewed for two years on July 10, contingent on Glen Warren Productions Ltd. disposing of its 50% interest in Rogers. Glen Warren ownership was the same as parent Baton Broadcasting with The Telegram Corp. Ltd. hoding apx. 53%. All Telegram shares were owned by Eaton and Bassett trusts.

On July 18, CHFI-AM increased power to 2,500 watts day and 10,000 watts night (different day and night directional patterns) on 680 kHz, from the same site and towers.

1970
In order to improve CHFI’s signal on 680, Ted Rogers paid for CHLO St. Thomas to move from 680 to 1570 kHz. CHLO made the move to 1570 at midnight on February 13.

On March 25, the power increase applied for in 1968 was approved as the Department of Communications had now approved a Technical Construction and Operating Certificate. At this time, CHFI 680 was operating with 1,000 watts day and 10,000 watts night (different day and night directional patterns); the station was authorized for 2,500 watts day and 25,000 watts night (different day and night directional patterns); the approved application proposed 10,000 watts day and 25,000 watts night (different day and night directional patterns).

1971
On June 21, on what would have been the 71st birthday E.S. (Ted) Rogers, Sr., CHFI became CFTR. The "TR" in the call letters were a tribute to the late Mr. Rogers and stand for Ted Rogers.

The CFTR and CHFI studios were moved to 25 Adelaide Street East. Just a few months after the move, the old 13 Adelaide location was destroyed by fire.

George Johns joined CFTR as program director from CFRA in Ottawa.

Program line-up: Bob MacAdorey (5:30 to 10), Rick Campbell (10-2), Earl Mann (2-6), John Woodbridge (6-11) and Jay Dell (11-5:3). Others: Sandy Hoyt, Don Wilson (news), John Badham (sports and The Argos), Jim Fleming (commentary), Eddie Luther and Russ Holden (traffic - joined this year). Chuck "The Magic" Christian (joined in the fall).

1972
Early in the year, CFTR broke away from simulcasting CHFI-FM's beautiful music programming and adopted a Top 40 format.

On August 29, the corporate name changed from Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. to Radio Rogers Ltd.

George Johns was appointed Station Manager. He had introduced the “simple format” to the station earlier in the year.

Listeners were surprised by the “Last Contest”.

Some of the on-air names: Chuck Christian (PM Drive), Paul Godfrey (joins), Doc Holiday (joined in February), and Robert Holiday (news - joins). Eddie Luther and Russ Holden Darryl Dahmer handled traffic.

1973
On-air names: Jim Brady (joined in July), Paul Godfrey, Mike Marshall, Steve Shannon, Doc Holiday (left October 31), Stirling Faux, Rick Allen (aka Rick Moranis), Don Valli (aka Roger Klein), Duke Roberts (joined in June), Robert Holiday (news), Darryl Dahmer joined Eddie Luther and Russ Holden in covering traffic reports.

George Johns left CFTR for Fairbanks Communications. When he left CFTR, he was manager.

1974
Some On-Air names: Jim Brady (mornings), Paul Godfrey (middays), Duke Roberts (afternoons), Robert Holiday and Clint Nickerson (news), Eddie Luther, Darryl Dahmer and Russ Holden (traffic).

John Mann joined Rogers Radio as director of engineering for CFTR and CHFI.

1975
On April 10, Radio Rogers Ltd. was given approval to increase CFTR’s daytime power from 10,000 watts to 25,000 watts. Night power would remain 25,000 watts. The power increase took effect later in the year, using thirteen 309 foot towers from the existing transmitter site.

Program line-up: Jim Brady (6-9), Paul Godfrey (9-12), Keith O'Bryan (12-3), Red Knight (3-6), Bill Edwards (6-9), Dick Joseph (9-12) and Mike Christie (12-6). Others: Glen Walters, Don Biefer, and Sandy Hoyt. Red Knight (Peter Thompson) joined from London's CKSL. He replaced Duke Roberts who headed back to the U.S. Keith O'Bryan (Keith Moriarity) came to ‘TR from CKOC in Hamilton. Sandy Hoyt left for CHFI-FM.

1976
CFTR issued its first Top 30 chart on March 23. It appeared in the Toronto Star newspaper.

Chuck Camroux was station manager at this time.

When CFTR had its licence renewed, it was told that the coverage and treatment of news should be improved.

John Mann left CFTR-CHFI for M.S.C. Electronics.

Tom Jeffries (joined), Bobby Day, Rick Hunter (joined from CKWS Kingston), and Mike Cooper (joined from CHUM) were now on CFTR. Robert Holiday and Clint Nickerson were among the news people. Darryl Dahmer, Eddie Luther, and Russ Holden were traffic reporters.

Dan Plouffe was named assistant program director.

1977
Monitor 680 was launched by the news department.

Robert Holiday was news director. Glenys Bell was news co-ordinator. John Hinnen did sports. Tim Keele was a reporter.

Chuck Camroux, vice-president of programming for Rogers Radio left that position to become a consultant for the company. Paul Godfrey left the air to become program and music director. He then left for CHYM in Kitchener. Tom McLean was named general manager, coming from CKGM Montreal.

1978
Tom Hoar was now CFTR's chief engineer.

New production facilities were installed, including a new Neve console and Studer tape decks, new turntables, and speakers. At the transmitter site, a new Continental 317C 25,000 watt transmitter was now in operation.

On-air line-up: Jim Brady (6-10), Mike Marshall (10-2), Dan Williamson (2-6), Mike Cooper (6-10), Bill Hayes (10-2); Scott Miller, Gerry Forbes and Gary Bell took turns in the overnight shift. Rick Hunter and Jim Johnson were heard on weekends. Russ Holden, Darryl Dahmer, and Eddie Luther covered traffic. The news room included, Robert Holiday, Larry Silver, John Wilson, Ben Steinfeld, Corey Galbraith, J. Michael Phillips, Mike Katrycz, Ted Bird, John Hinnen (sports), Clint Nickerson, Evelyn Macko, Elaine Loring, Mike Robins, and Arlene Bynon.

Ted Bird joined. Bill Gardner joined for the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift. Scott Miller joined in January and left in August for CKLW Windsor. Eddie Luther left.

Tom Mclean was general manager and Reg Johns was appointed program director.

In September Keith Dancy joined Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. as executive vice president and director.

1979-80
Announcer Mike Marshall (son of Hamilton broadcaster Norm Marshall) left CFTR for CKFH.

1980
Robert Holiday became vice president of news at CFTR. He had been news director. Evelyn Macko joined the news department from CKTB in St. Catharines. Bill Gable joined CFTR from CKLW in Windsor. He worked on the air and was program director.

The Supreme Court of Ontario cleared the way for CFTR to build eight 400 foot towers at Grimsby. The decision ended the town's two-year battle to block the construction.

Dan Plouffe was CFTR's promotions manager.

1981
Jim Brady left CFTR's morning show to take over that same position at CJCL 1430. He was replaced by John Landecker, formerly with WLS in Chicago. Dave Barrett became executive vice president and general manager at CFTR. He had recently worked in the U. S., but had managed Montreal's CFCF/CFQR-FM prior to that.

CFTR received approval to increase night-time power to 50,000 watts and to move the night transmitter site to Grimsby. Daytime operations would continue from Mississauga. In a related application, CKGB Timmins, was authorized to move from 680 kHz with 10,000 watts to 730 kHz with 25,000 watts, to facilitate CFTR's power increase.

1982
Robert Holiday left CFTR, where he had been news director for nine years. He went to CJCL. John Hinnen took over his post at CFTR. Bob Saint became program director, replacing Bill Gable who left for WLW in Cincinnati. Rob Cowan joined CFTR from CJCL as swing announcer.

Tony Viner

Tony Viner became executive vice president of Rogers Radio after five years of running CFGM/CILQ-FM. Research director and weekend announcer Rick Hunter was appointed assistant program director. Newsman Mike Robbins left for CJCL. Tom Hoar moved from the engineering department to the corporate level.

Rogers Broadcast Productions cancelled the news magazine "Sunday, Sunday" which had aired on 52 stations in 48 markets across the country. CFTR continued to produce and air the program, hosted by Arlene Bynon and Ben Steinfeld.

Eric G. (Sandy) Sanderson was named CFTR's program director. The Toronto native has worked for WABC (New York), WLS (Chicago) and ABC-FM Radio. Bob Saint became assistant program director and music director.

1983
Early in the year, Ron Turnpenny, vice-president of engineering for Rogers Radio, reported that completion of the CFTR Grimsby transmitter site was expected by late in the year. After some delays, work had resumed and the new towers had been delivered.

CFTR began using the Kahn AM stereo system.

Approval was granted for CFTR to change its day-time radiation pattern.

1984 
CFTR newsman John Hinnen became regional director of the RTNDA.

John Seymour, with CFTR for 17 years and now retail sales manager, was named a vice president of Rogers Radio.

Work on CFTR's eight tower array on Lake Ontario at Grimsby was nearing completion. The transmitter site would cost about $3.5 million to complete. CFTR was one of three Toronto AM stations moving its transmitter site to the other side of Lake Ontario. CFTR and CKEY were locating to Grimsby (more than 30 miles across the lake from downtown Toronto). The move would allow the station to up its power to 50,000 watts full-time and beam an unobstructed signal across the lake towards the metropolitan area. Site beautification was important because of the site location along the lake shore, adjacent to the QEW highway. The existing Mississauga transmitter site was on 106 acres, used 13 towers, and put out a full-time power of 25,000 watts. At Grimsby CFTR would use a Continental C2 transmitter and a Continental C1 for standby use. CFTR would operate in stereo, using the Kahn system. The engineering team consisted of Ron Turnpenny, Les Henwood and Tom Hoar. Consulting engineer was E.W. Horrigan. Target date for daytime operation: September, 1984; night-time: January, 1985.

1985
In February, CFTR increased daytime power to 50,000 watts from its new Grimsby daytime-only transmitter site. Night power remained 25,000 watts from Mississauga.  Eight 410 foot towers were used at the Grimsby site.

Sister station CHFI-FM was authorized to use SCMO as a back-up monaural program feed for CFTR's new transmitter site at Grimsby.

In June, night power increased to 50,000 watts. The station was now transmitting day and night from the Grimsby site.

Jim Sward

James F. Sward, president of Rogers Radio Braodcasting Ltd. announced the appointment of Kirk Nesbitt as director of engineering for Rogers Radio. He would be responsible for all facets of transmitting and studio operations including DOC and CRTC liaison for CHFI/CFTR Toronto, CHYR Leamington, and CKJD/CJFI Sarnia. He would also work with Ron H. Turnpenny, vice-president of corporate engineering in the exploration and development of new radio technologies.

Eric G. (Sandy) Sanderson was promoted to vice president of programming for Rogers Radio Broadcasting Ltd.

On October 1, Roger Radio Broadcasting Ltd. became Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. (a division of Rogers Communications Inc.).

CFTR broke the long-standing record of CFRB as having the largest radio audience in Canada.

With CFTR at the top of the ratings, program director Eric Sanderson was promoted to vice president of programming.

1986
Rogers added a TV station to its Toronto group when it acquired CFMT-TV channel 47.

Bob Aykler was CFTR's Queen's Park reporter. Eric Thomas did sports. Bob Saint was music director.

1987
Ron Turnpenny retired as vice-president of engineering at Rogers Radio Broadcasting.

Newsman Dick Smyth joined CFTR from CHUM. John Hinnen was news director.

CFTR program director Sandy Sanderson was named vice president and senior programmer for all of the Rogers Radio stations.

Erik Thomas was CFTR's sports director. Larry Fedoruk was promotions manager.

1987-88
Tom Harkness left CFTR as senior sales rep to become general sales manager at CKSL/CIQM-FM in London.

1988
Dick Smyth was senior news editor and commentator for CFTR and CFMT-TV.

Larry Silver became CFTR's news director after John Hinnen moved to take over CHFI's news deparment.

John Seymour was CFTR's sales manager. Sharon Taylor was program director.

CFTR held a 28 hour radiothon to aid hurricane-ravaged Jamaica.

1989
Tony Viner, with Rogers Broadcasting since 1982 as executive vice president and general manager of CFTR and CHFI, was appointed chairman of the board of BBM Bureau of Measurement.

The Harvard Business School Club of Toronto named Ted Rogers, 1989 Canadian Business Statesman of the Year. The president and CEO of Rogers Communications Inc., was cited for providing Canadians with a wide range of TV viewing options and for demonstrating a rare combination of vision and management ability that helped place Canada on the leading edge of communications technology.

Glenn Wilkens joined CFTR news from CIDC-FM in Orangeville where he had been news director.

Tony Viner was appointed president and chief operating officer of Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. James Sward remained CEO despite his appointment as president and COO of Rogers Cantel Inc.

Gary Miles

1990
Gary L. Miles and Eric G. (Sandy) Sanderson were named executive vice presidents of Rogers Broadcasting Ltd.

CFTR received a five year licence renewal but was told to schedule more Canadian content in morning drive and to come up with new plans to support Canadian talent. CFTR proposed reducing news content with the introduction of hourly 68-second news updates, but was told to maintain its current level of five hours and ten minutes a week.

1993
CFTR terminated all of its announcers on June 1, and began airing "The CFTR Story", a Top 500 countdown from the past 25 years. This program was played over and over until 6 a.m., June 7th, when the contemporary hit music format was dropped and replaced with an All-News format. CFTR becomes known as "680 News". David Craig was the first news director at 680 News.

1995
680 News said it was Toronto's fastest growing station, doubling the number of listeners to 557,000 (BBM) since going all-news in 1993.

In the mid-90s, CFTR changed its address to 36 Victoria St. (same building).

1997
In August, CFTR and  CHFI gained a sister station in Toronto when Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. was given approval to purchase CISS 92.5.

1998
On May 26, Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. was granted a licence for a digital radio undertakings to serve Toronto for CFTR. The transmitter was installed at the CN Tower and  employed the EUREKA-147 digital audio broadcasting system. The station operated on 1456.304 MHz with an effective isotropic radiated power of 5,084 watts.

2000
In September, CFTR, CHFI-FM, CISS-FM and the Rogers Media corporate offices moved to new facilities at the head office tower of Rogers Communications, 777 Jarvis Street (at Bloor) in downtown Toronto. It is a 10-storey structure (45,000 square feet) that was built in the 1950’s.

2001
Ted Rogers, 67, announced plans to step down in January of 2004 as president and CEO of Rogers Communications Inc. He would then begin a five year consulting contract with the company.

2002
CJCL 590 "The Fan"became a sister station to CFTR when it was purchased by Rogers. CJCL joined the other Rogers radio stations at 777 Jarvis in June.

Rogers Toronto launched CJMT-TV (Omni 2) in September. 

2008
On December 2nd, the Rogers family announced that Ted Rogers had died at home in the early hours of the morning at the age of 75, after having suffered from congestive heart failure for several months.

2009
Stephanie Shaguhnessy was named promotion manager for 680 News and The Fan 590. She had spent the last five years in CHFI-FM's promotion department. 

Sara Buchan left 680 News/Fan 590 to become news director at Free FM in Grande Prairie, AB.

On August 28, the CRTC renewed the transitional digital radio licence of CFTR-DR-2. 

With the reirement of Toronto cluster manager Sandy Sanderson, Derek Berghuis became AM market manager (680News, THE FAN590) and Chuck McCoy became FM market manager (98.1 CHFI, KiSS 92.5). Julie Adam has officially assumed the role of program director for KiSS 92.5 along with her responsibilities to CHFI as general manager and PD. Julie would also continue to assist in the national programming area as assistant national program director for Rogers Radio stations.

Former CFTR newscaster Howard Cooney passed away on September 22. He was in his 89th year.

2010
Paul Ski, chief executive officer, Rogers Radio, announced two changes to the senior management team in March: Chuck McCoy would assume the role of VP and cluster manager for Toronto/Kitchener and Julie Adam would take on the role of VP programming & national program director for the Radio Division. She would also retain the role of program director of either 98.1 CHFI or Kiss 92.5.

David Magro joined the Rogers Toronto Radio's production team. He would have both imaging and commercial production responsibilities. 
   
                                                   Written by Bill Dulmage - Updated July, 2010