Operators of CHMR-FM, the campus radio station at Memorial University in St. John’s, are encountering financial challenges and navigating a shifting media environment to ensure sustainability. Established in 1951 through the MUN Radio club, the station transitioned to FM broadcasting on 93.5 in 1987 following CRTC approval.
Station manager Rhea Rollmann revealed a strategic shift towards incorporating more podcast and video content alongside traditional radio programming. Describing their evolving identity as a community access media lab, Rollmann emphasized the need for financial diversification to support technological advancements.
Funded historically by the MUN Students’ Union (MUNSU), CHMR has seen its annual deficit rise to nearly $200,000, prompting concerns about reliance on a single revenue stream. Seeking increased community support, Rollmann highlighted the importance of staying ahead in technology.
MUNSU’s director of external affairs, Nathan Gillingham, acknowledged CHMR’s significant role on campus and in the community amid contemporary challenges in media consumption habits. Gillingham affirmed MUNSU’s commitment to evaluating the situation and delivering meaningful services to the student body.
In the context of a broader decline in local news coverage across Canada, Rollmann stressed the urgency for CHMR to emphasize local content production. With a significant loss of local news outlets in the province, the station aims to maintain its local focus in content creation.
A recent survey by the National Campus and Community Radio Association indicates a surge in listenership for campus and community radio, potentially fueled by concerns over increasing censorship on social media platforms and the rise of artificial intelligence.
Andrew Connors, a MUN student and producer at CHMR, praised the station as a valuable platform for honing broadcasting skills. Recognizing the changing media landscape, Connors suggested that the growing popularity of podcasting could attract more students to join the radio station and create successful shows.
The evolving media landscape and shifting audience preferences present challenges for CHMR, but the station remains committed to adapting and engaging with its community through diverse content formats.