About 989 XFM

Our Mission

“To aim for excellence in providing, in a financially sound manner, programs of news, interviews, discussions and music that will assist in the development of the communities in the Company’s coverage area”

Our Story

It was on March 25th, 1943 that the station, with the call letters CJFX signed on as an AM radio station with a power output of one thousand watts. The late Nora Nunn, wife of the station’s founding general manager Clyde Nunn, in an interview recorded in March, 2010; says it wasn’ t easy getting all the parts and equipment needed. As the planned opening of CJFX was drawing near, Nunn says it received the delivery of special wire that was crucial in getting the station on the air. Less than a week later, the military contacted the station, stating they weren’t allowed to have the wire and it must be returned.

In its early days, the station devoted much of its programming to adult education, produced primarily by volunteers. Some of its shows would be targeted to study clubs for farmers, fishermen and women. Other programs would promote local talent and culture.

By 2005 the station had grown to cover Inverness and Richmond Counties in Cape Breton and Pictou and Guysborough Counties on the Mainland. Switching to the FM spectrum, CJFX formally became XFM halfway through the year.

On the 70th anniversary of the station’s first sign on 989 XFM is proud to continue to bring quality information and entertainment programming to listeners throughout Northeastern Nova Scotia.

On September 20th, 2014, Atlantic Broadcasters Ltd. opened a new Broadcast Centre at 5663 Highway #7, Antigonish. Veteran announcer Joe Chesal was the first to broadcast from the new studios.

Awards

Our Award-winning Newsroom

Canadian Radio Awards: 989 XFM Small Market Station of The Year

Broadcast Dialogue has announced the winners of the inaugural Canadian Radio Awards, which we’ve dubbed “The Howards” after our publisher emeritus Howard Christensen.

When Howard, a radio veteran and one of the original Broadcast News anchors, founded Broadcast Dialogue in 1992, he saw a need for both timely delivery of Canadian broadcast industry news, but also recognized the importance of creating a sense of community.

989 XFM is very proud to be the winner of the 2020 Station of Year – Small Market award.