boom 97.3

What boom 97.3 does

boom 97.3 (legal call sign CHBM-FM) is a classic hits FM radio station based in Toronto, Ontario, broadcasting on the 97.3 frequency with programming focused on music from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The station is owned and operated by Stingray Radio Inc., a subsidiary of the publicly-traded Stingray Group (TSX: STG), and employs 51-100 staff. Its content portfolio includes live on-air personalities (Stu Jeffries mornings, Maie Pauts midday, KJ afternoons, Matt Storey evenings), the Behind The Vinyl artist-interview video and podcast series, the Mixtape of You interactive segment, The First Time video series, and the daily Stu Jeffries' $1,000 Minute trivia contest.

The station's technology platform combines terrestrial FM/HD Radio broadcast with multi-channel digital distribution: online streaming at boom973.com, native iOS and Android applications, smart speaker integration (Amazon Echo, Google Home), vehicle infotainment compatibility (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto via Radioplayer Canada), Rogers Cable channel 927, and third-party streaming platforms (Radioplayer Canada, iHeart Radio, Stingray Music). The website is powered by the SoCast content management system with LeanStream audio delivery. Streaming is geographically restricted to Canada due to international distribution rights.

Boom 97.3 generates revenue through traditional radio advertising — on-air ad spots, live reads by personalities, pre-recorded spots, and integrated brand mentions sold to local Toronto/GTA businesses and national advertisers including OLG, Live Nation, and Fallsview Casino. The station does not publicly disclose advertising pricing. Listener engagement is monetized indirectly through contesting, concert-ticket giveaways, and the Boom Room membership program, while community engagement is maintained via the One Toronto charitable initiative. The station's addressable market is the 35-64 adult demographic in the Greater Toronto Area within its terrestrial signal coverage.

Name

boom 97.3

Legal name

Stingray Radio Inc.

Website

https://boom973.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

boom 97.3 (CHBM-FM) is a Toronto classic-hits radio station playing 70s, 80s, and 90s music, owned by Stingray Radio Inc. It broadcasts on 97.3 FM and distributes via streaming, mobile, smart speakers, and vehicles to GTA listeners aged 35-64.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)

Keywords

• Classic hits radio
• Broadcast radio station
• Music streaming
• Digital audio broadcasting
• Radio advertising

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Radio Advertising: Traditional radio advertising model where businesses purchase on-air ad spots, sponsorships, and promotional mentions during programming. The station offers advertising opportunities through multiple formats including live reads by on-air personalities, pre-recorded spots, and integrated brand mentions.

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Boom 97.3 is a Toronto-based classic hits FM radio station broadcasting curated music from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s on the 97.3 frequency to listeners in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding Ontario regions. The station delivers continuous live programming with on-air personalities, original video and podcast content series, listener contests, and event partnerships, distributed across FM radio, online streaming, mobile apps, smart speakers, and vehicle infotainment systems.

Product overview

boom 97.3 is a classic hits radio station in Toronto, Ontario playing music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The station operates as a unified offering combining traditional FM broadcast with digital streaming via its website and mobile apps (iOS/Android), making it accessible across multiple platforms including smart speakers (Google Home, Amazon Echo), vehicles (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), and cable TV (Rogers channel 927). The station's content portfolio includes live radio programming with on-air personalities, the Behind The Vinyl video/podcast series featuring artist interviews, the Mixtape of You interactive contest, and The First Time series. Engagement features include the $1,000 Minute trivia contest and the Boom Room membership program. The station is owned and operated by Stingray Radio Inc.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Behind The Vinyl: Original video/podcast series where artists discuss their hit songs while listening on vinyl
• Mixtape of You
• The First Time
• Stu Jeffries' $1,000 Minute

Products and services

• boom 97.3 FM Radio Broadcast Continuous 24/7 FM radio broadcast on 97.3 frequency serving the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding Ontario regions with curated 70s/80s/90s classic hits music and live on-air personality programming for adult listeners.
• Online Streaming Live audio streaming of the boom 97.3 broadcast via the station website, accessible through web browser at player.boom973.com. Streaming available only within Canada due to international distribution rights.
• boom 97.3 Mobile App Native mobile application for iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play Store) devices providing on-the-go access to live boom 97.3 radio streaming with background playback and push notifications for contests.
• Behind The Vinyl Original video series and podcast where artists sit down and discuss their hit songs and how they came to be while listening to the song on vinyl. Features Canadian and international artists including Sarah McLachlan, Mike Reno, Cyndi Lauper, and others.
• Mixtape of You Interactive contest and podcast series hosted by Maie Pauts where listeners and celebrities create personal mixtapes of 5 songs, with winners selected for airplay and prizes including $100 in OLG Lotto MAX and 6/49 tickets.
• The First Time Original video series where artists share stories about the first time they heard their own song on the radio, featuring Canadian artists including David Wilcox, Bryan Potvin, Tyler Stewart, and others.
• Stu Jeffries' $1,000 Minute Daily trivia contest airing weekdays at 6:45am, 7:45am, and 8:45am ET where contestants answer 10 questions in 60 seconds for cash prizes ranging from $10 to $1,000, with associated Make-A-Wish Canada charitable partnership.
• Boom Room Membership Free listener loyalty membership program offering exclusive contest entries, email newsletter updates on upcoming concerts and events, prize pickup benefits, and community access for registered members in the Toronto and GTA area.
• Listen Everywhere Multi-platform listening initiative providing access to boom 97.3 across mobile apps (iOS/Android), smart speakers (Google Home, Amazon Echo), vehicles (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), cable TV (Rogers channel 927), and FM/HD radio broadcast.
• One Toronto Community Program Community support program promoting local Toronto groups, charities, events, and causes, accepting support requests via email at [email protected] and integrating community engagement into station programming.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stingray Radio (Parent Company)coreOthersBoom 97.3 (CHBM-FM) is owned and operated by Stingray Radio Inc., a Canadian radio broadcasting company. Stingray Radio provides station operations, streaming infrastructure, contest management systems, and corporate oversight. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy reference Stingray's policies.
• OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOLG sponsors the Mixtape of You contest, offering $100 in Lotto MAX & 6/49 tickets as prizes to contest winners. The partnership provides lottery prizes for station contests while OLG gains station exposure to engaged listeners.
• Live Nation CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLive Nation serves as a major concert promoter partner, providing ticket prizes for station contests. The station promotes Live Nation events at venues including RBC Amphitheatre and Budweiser Stage, while Live Nation gains marketing reach to the station's audience.
• Fallsview Casino ResortminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFallsview Casino in Niagara Falls is a key event partner, hosting concerts promoted on boom 97.3 including Elvis Costello, UB40, Dancing Queen, and Kool & The Gang. The partnership provides venue tickets for contests and exclusive event coverage.
• Ticketmaster CanadaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTicketmaster serves as the primary ticket distribution platform for concerts promoted on the station. Links to Ticketmaster are provided for ticket purchases for events including Guns N' Roses, Chicago & Styx, Deep Purple, and other concerts.
• iHeart RadiominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributoriHeart Radio platform partnership enables station streaming through their app and website, expanding distribution reach to iHeart Radio's user base across Canada.
• Make-A-Wish CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMake-A-Wish Canada partnership associated with the $1,000 Minute contest, with promotional cross-mentions on contest pages indicating charitable/community orientation.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Broad incumbents

• Corus Entertainment: Canadian media conglomerate operating multiple radio stations (including 102.1 The Edge, Q107) plus television assets across Canada. Larger incumbent with broader portfolio and greater cross-platform advertising inventory than single-station boom 97.3.
• Bell Media: Canadian broadcaster operating multiple Toronto FM stations (CHUM-FM, CHFI, Virgin Radio, KISS 92.5) and a national radio/TV portfolio. Largest incumbent competitor in the Toronto market with significantly greater advertising scale.
• Rogers Media: Canadian broadcaster operating 680 News, SONiC stations, and Sportsnet radio/TV assets. Major incumbent in Toronto media market; also the carrier through which boom 97.3 distributes via Rogers Cable channel 927.

Direct peers

• CHUM-FM 104.5: Toronto commercial FM station on a Hot AC format, owned by Bell Media. Direct in-market competitor targeting a partially overlapping 25-54 demographic for the same advertiser budgets.
• KISS 92.5: Toronto rhythmic CHR-format commercial FM station, owned by Bell Media. Direct in-market competitor for Toronto advertising dollars within overlapping broadcast coverage zones.
• 102.1 The Edge: Toronto-based commercial FM radio station operating on an alternative rock format, owned by Corus Entertainment. Direct competitor for advertising dollars and listener attention within the same Toronto/GTA broadcast market.
• CHFI-FM 98.1: Toronto commercial FM station on a Soft AC format, owned by Bell Media. Direct in-market competitor with similar mature-adult listener appeal, competing for the same advertisers targeting 35-64 consumers.
• ZoomerMedia (AM 740): Toronto AM radio station owned by ZoomerMedia targeting a similar mature 50+ demographic with classic music and talk programming. Closest format peer within the Toronto market for the 50+ nostalgia segment.
• Virgin Radio 99.9: Toronto CHR-format commercial FM station, owned by Bell Media. Direct in-market competitor on the opposite end of the format spectrum; competes for overall Toronto ad spend and listener share in the same coverage area.
• CBC Radio One Toronto (CBLA-FM 99.1): Toronto public broadcaster operating on 99.1 FM with news/talk format. Same broadcast market; while funded differently (public rather than advertising), competes for the same listener attention and represents an alternative audio choice for the Toronto audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/boom973
• YouTubeyoutube.com/boom973toronto
• Facebookfacebook.com/boom973Toronto
• Instagraminstagram.com/boom973toronto
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/boom-973

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about boom 97.3