Northumberland 89.7 FM

Community Radio Broadcastingnorthumberland897.ca

Northumberland 89.7 FM (CFWN) is a CRTC-licensed non-profit community radio station in Cobourg, Ontario, broadcasting hyperlocal news, community events, and specialty programming to Northumberland County via 89.7 FM, TuneIn streaming, and on-demand podcasts funded by donations, advertising, and Online News Act funding.

Company typePrivate
Founded2012
HeadquartersCobourg, Canada
Headcount11–50
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Northumberland 89.7 FM does

Northumberland 89.7 FM (CFWN) is a non-profit community radio station headquartered at 1000 Elgin Street West, Cobourg, Ontario, serving Northumberland County — including Cobourg, Port Hope, and Trent Hills. The station operates under a CRTC-issued community radio license (CRTC Decision 2018-204) and broadcasts on the 89.7 FM frequency, supplemented by TuneIn online streaming and an on-demand podcast library licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0. Programming is locally produced with volunteer on-air hosts and covers daily local news (Northumberland @ 5), community events (What's Happening), pet content (Furry Friends), specialty wellness (Radiyoga), and book/arts segments, supported by a Local Journalism Initiative reporter.

The technology footprint is intentionally lean: a Squarespace-hosted website, embedded TuneIn radio player, and Creative Commons-licensed podcast archive, with no proprietary software product or platform architecture. Distribution is multi-channel — over-the-air 89.7 FM signal (regional), TuneIn streaming and mobile access (global), and on-demand podcast archives (global). The station is operated with 11–50 personnel, predominantly volunteers, including co-op placements, on-air hosts, and a small staff, governed by a Board of Directors.

Revenue mechanics combine listener donations (e-transfers, credit card, Radiothon auctions), local business advertising, and external funding through the Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC-CCJ) — distributing Google funds under Canada's Online News Act — and affiliation with the Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC-FCRC). Pricing for advertising is not publicly disclosed, and there is no subscription model. The go-to-market is community-led: volunteer host recruitment, Radiothon-driven fundraising, local event promotion, and earned media through community news coverage. In 2026, the station issued a public Statement of Apology following inappropriate on-air comments and implemented mandatory training for hosts, staff, and Board members.

Northumberland 89.7 FM firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Northumberland 89.7 FM
Legal name: Northumberland 89.7 FM
Website: https://northumberland897.ca
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2012
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 11–50 employees
Short description: Northumberland 89.7 FM (CFWN) is a CRTC-licensed non-profit community radio station in Cobourg, Ontario, broadcasting hyperlocal news, community events, and specialty programming to Northumberland County via 89.7 FM, TuneIn streaming, and on-demand podcasts funded by donations, advertising, and Online News Act funding.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Northumberland 89.7 FM industry classification

Industry

Product category: Community Radio Broadcasting
NAICS: Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)
SIC: Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
akta.pro primary industry: Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM) (MPABACAG)

Keywords

Community radio broadcasting
Local news coverage
Community journalism
Music programming
Podcast streaming

Where Northumberland 89.7 FM is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Cobourg
HQ country: Canada
HQ region: North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Northumberland 89.7 FM business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

Listener Donations and Fundraising: Annual Radiothon events with live performances, interviews, and auctions. E-transfers and credit card donations accepted. The station relies on community financial support.
Advertising: Local businesses advertise with the station. Contact number provided for advertising inquiries. Multiple local business sponsors visible on website.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Northumberland 89.7 FM product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Northumberland 89.7 FM (CFWN) is a non-profit community radio station broadcasting live at 89.7 FM from studios in Cobourg, Ontario. It delivers hyperlocal news, community event coverage, music, and specialty programming to Northumberland County residents, supplemented by an on-demand podcast library and online streaming via TuneIn. Operations are volunteer-driven and supported by listener donations, local advertising, and community fundraising events.

Product overview

Northumberland 89.7 FM (CFWN) is a community radio station serving Northumberland County, Ontario, operating as a single unified station rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering is live AM/FM radio broadcast streaming at 89.7 FM, supplemented by an on-demand podcast library, and a diverse range of locally-produced programming including daily news (Northumberland @ 5), specialty shows (Furry Friends, Radiyoga, What's Happening), and annual events (Radiothon). The station relies on volunteer hosts and community journalism, supported by the Canadian Journalism Collective funding and Creative Commons licensing for podcasts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

Furry Friends FM: Pet-focused podcast show featuring animal-related content including pet care, animal rescue stories, and interviews with pet businesses.

Products and services

Live Radio Broadcast Live over-the-air radio broadcast streaming 24/7 at 89.7 FM frequency serving the Northumberland County community in Ontario, accessible online through TuneIn.
Podcast Library (On-Demand) On-demand archive of recorded shows available to listen through the station's website podcast library, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0.
Northumberland @ 5 Daily local news show covering community events, interviews, and current affairs in Northumberland County, hosted by Dan Jones and Pete Fisher.
Furry Friends Pet-focused show hosted by Kristen Sinclair featuring interviews with local pet-related businesses, animal care tips, and animal wellness topics, including a monthly Pet of the Week segment.
Radiyoga Weekly 30-minute yoga instruction program hosted by certified yoga instructor Jacqueline Sadler, providing sessions for physical and mental well-being, airing Sundays at 1:30pm.
Radiothon Annual multi-day fundraising event featuring live performances from local musicians, community interviews, and a Radiothon Auction to raise funds for the station.
Program Guide Schedule listing all shows and broadcast times for listeners to find specific programs.
What's Happening Weekly events update compiled and voiced by volunteer Andrea Patterson covering local community events in the Northumberland area.

Quantifiable outcome

Successful Radiothon events raising funds through donations, auctions, and live performances
+1 more outcomes

Companies that use Northumberland 89.7 FM

Customer profile

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Northumberland 89.7 FM technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Northumberland 89.7 FM partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

The Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC-CCJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn independent organization created by and for Canadian news businesses to ensure fair and equitable distribution of $100 million annually from Google to news organizations across the country. Born from Canada's groundbreaking Online News Act, supporting publishers and broadcasters from independent local outlets to major networks.
Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC-FCRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeeks and secures resources to fuel the production, distribution and sustainability of Canada's community audio broadcasters through dynamic funding programs.
Media VandalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly sponsor of Pet of the Week segment featuring animals from local shelters.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Northumberland 89.7 FM competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

CJAM 99.1 FM: University of Windsor's community radio station. Comparable volunteer-driven Ontario/Canada border community broadcaster with local journalism and listener-supported funding.
CJSW 90.9 FM: University of Calgary's community radio station. Comparable Canadian community broadcaster with volunteer-driven operations, hyperlocal programming, and donation-based funding.
CIUT 89.5 FM: University of Toronto's community radio station in Toronto, Ontario. Comparable as a CRTC-licensed, volunteer-supported community broadcaster offering diverse local programming, podcast archives, and community-focused journalism.
CHRY 105.5 FM: York University's campus/community radio station in the Greater Toronto Area. Similar volunteer-supported community broadcaster with diverse programming and CRTC licensing.
CiTR 101.9 FM: UBC's campus and community radio station in Vancouver. Operates as a CRTC-licensed community broadcaster with diverse local programming, podcast archives, and listener-supported funding.
CFRC 101.9 FM: Queen's University's campus/community radio station broadcasting in Kingston, Ontario. Operates a similar volunteer-driven, non-profit community radio model with CRTC licensing, local programming, and reliance on donations and student/community involvement.
CKUT 90.3 FM: McGill University's community radio station in Montreal. Operates a comparable volunteer-hosted, CRTC-licensed model with a strong focus on local journalism, alternative programming, and community engagement.
CFUV 101.9 FM: University of Victoria's community radio station. Comparable Canadian community broadcaster operating under a similar volunteer-hosted, donation-funded model with diverse local programming.
CHUO 89.1 FM: University of Ottawa's community radio station. Similar non-profit, volunteer-driven community radio operation in Ontario with local news, multilingual programming, and donation-based funding under CRTC licensing.

Others

National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA): Industry association representing Canadian campus and community radio stations, including advocacy, training, and resource provision. Comparable as a peer because member stations like Northumberland 89.7 FM share its regulatory, funding, and operational ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Northumberland 89.7 FM compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance2 records

Northumberland 89.7 FM financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Northumberland 89.7 FM leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Northumberland 89.7 FM funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

Northumberland 89.7 FM M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Northumberland 89.7 FM

What does Northumberland 89.7 FM do?

Is Northumberland 89.7 FM a public or private company?

Northumberland 89.7 FM is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Northumberland 89.7 FM founded?

Northumberland 89.7 FM was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is Northumberland 89.7 FM based?

Northumberland 89.7 FM is headquartered in Cobourg, Canada, in the North America region.

How does Northumberland 89.7 FM make money?

Two revenue lines are on record. Listener Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are advertising.

Who are Northumberland 89.7 FM's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are CJAM 99.1 FM, CJSW 90.9 FM, CIUT 89.5 FM, CHRY 105.5 FM, CiTR 101.9 FM, CFRC 101.9 FM, CKUT 90.3 FM, CFUV 101.9 FM and CHUO 89.1 FM. National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA) is listed as an others.

Does Northumberland 89.7 FM have an API?

No public API is recorded for Northumberland 89.7 FM.

What industry is Northumberland 89.7 FM in?

Northumberland 89.7 FM's product category is Community Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABACAG, Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM). Its NAICS code is 516110 and its SIC code is 4832.