Trent Radio

What Trent Radio does

Trent Radio (operating as 92.7 CFFF FM) is a community-based campus radio station in Peterborough, Ontario, founded in 1968 as a Trent University student club and incorporated as a registered charity. The station is CRTC-licensed and broadcasts at 700 watts ERP on 92.7 MHz FM, with availability on Cogeco cable channel 287 and online streaming. It operates a producer-oriented model where volunteer programmers—primarily Trent University students and Peterborough community members—have full autonomy over their content rather than adhering to a centralized playlist format. The station does not have a commercial advertising model; instead, it generates revenue through a mix of donations (via Canada Helps), community grants (City of Peterborough, Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, Community Radio Fund of Canada), brokered programming (notably paid religious content from Target Broadcasting at approximately $17,500/year), and limited fundraising events such as the Fundrai$io campaign.

The station's core products include FM radio broadcasting, online streaming, and sub-branded initiatives such as Radio Free Peterborough (local music after hours), the Local Content Management Project (LCMP) archival database, and the 'Your Radio Is Their Stage' Artist Residencies program. It maintains multiple production studios (Studio A and Studio B) and provides structured training, resources, and video tutorials for programmers. Primary customer segments are Trent University students seeking creative outlet and broadcasting experience, Peterborough community members seeking alternative/local programming, and local and locally-relevant musicians seeking airplay. The organization is governed by a volunteer board and relies on roughly two full-time salaries supplemented by a large volunteer base. Key institutional partners include Trent University (facility space), Corus Entertainment (donated antenna space on the CHEX tower), and the NCRA/ANREC (national campus radio association membership).

Name

Trent Radio

Legal name

Trent Radio

Website

https://trentradio.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Trent Radio is a community-based campus radio station in Peterborough, Ontario, broadcasting at 92.7 CFFF FM (700 watts ERP) and online, serving Trent University students, local musicians, and Peterborough community members through volunteer-driven programming and registered charity operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

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

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

University/Educational Local Stations (College Radio, Campus TV) (MPABACAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Independent Local Radio Stations (MPABACAD)

Keywords

• Community radio broadcasting
• Campus radio station
• FM radio broadcasting
• Local music programming
• Community access radio

Headquarters

HQ city

Peterborough

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Direct donations through Canada Helps platform, annual fundraising events such as the Fundrai$io campaign. The station is a registered charity and Not-For-Profit entity.
2. Community Grants: Funding from The City of Peterborough Community Arts Programme, Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough Organisational Leadership and Innovation Grant Programme, and Community Radio Fund of Canada programmes.
3. Brokered Programming: Revenue from paid programming blocks such as the Target Broadcasting fundamentalist Christian content contract at $66 per hour, generating approximately $17,500 annually under a one-year contract.
4. Bank Loan: Loan agreement with bank requiring sponsorship and fundraising to cover payments of approximately $5,000 per year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Trent Radio is a producer-oriented community/campus radio station broadcasting at 92.7 FM (700 watts ERP) in Peterborough, Ontario, also available on Cogeco cable channel 287 and via online streaming. The station provides alternative, local, and Canadian-content programming produced primarily by Trent University students and community volunteers who apply through a programme proposal process. It also runs supporting programs including Radio Free Peterborough, the Local Content Management Project database, the Smooth Operator community listings show, and the Your Radio Is Their Stage artist residency program.

Product overview

Trent Radio is a community-based campus radio station operating as a producer-oriented broadcast facility affiliated with Trent University. The station operates CFFF FM 92.7 with 700 watts ERP, complemented by online streaming services. The core offering includes FM radio broadcasting, online streaming, and community programming initiatives such as Radio Free Peterborough and the Local Content Management Project (LCMP). Community members can apply to create their own shows through a structured program proposal process, receiving training and support. Additional programs include the Smooth Operator community listings show and the 'Your Radio Is Their Stage' artist residency program featuring sound art workshops and radio-based artistic residencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Radio Free Peterborough: A local music initiative that operates online and on-air after hours, promoting local musicians.
• LCMP
• Smooth Operator

Products and services

• CFFF FM 92.7 Community/campus FM radio broadcast at 92.7 MHz (700 watts ERP) serving Peterborough, Ontario, also available on Cogeco cable channel 287. Provides alternative, local, and Canadian-content programming produced by students and community volunteers.
• Online Radio Streaming Live internet radio streaming service allowing global listeners to tune in online at news.trentradio.ca and via the direct stream URL at trentradio.ca:8043/hi-fi with a pop-out player option.
• Radio Free Peterborough Local music programming initiative featuring Peterborough-area artists online and on-air after regular broadcast hours, promoting touring bands and local musicians who lack commercial airplay opportunities.
• Local Content Management Project (LCMP) Database serving as a historical record and educational resource featuring local music recordings and performances in the Peterborough region.
• Producer-Oriented Broadcasting Service Community broadcast facility service enabling Trent University students and community members to create and host their own radio programs through a structured programme proposal application and training process.
• Smooth Operator Community listings and events program airing weekdays at 11am, 2pm, and 6pm, providing opportunities for local bands and community organizations to announce events and be interviewed on air.
• Your Radio Is Their Stage - Artist Residencies Five-week residency program providing Peterborough artists mentorship, gear, training, and support to explore audio production and radio broadcasting as a medium for their artistic disciplines.
• Sound Art Workshops Series of ZOOM-based workshops featuring renowned sound artists Ellen Waterman, Martin Arnold, Ellen Moffat, and Bennet Bedoukian, held February 7 to 24, 2022, supporting the artist residency program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Broadcasting at 700 watts ERP @ 92.7 MHz reaching Peterborough area
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Corus EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorus Entertainment provides continuous support and donation of antenna space on the CHEX tower, enabling Trent Radio's FM broadcast transmission.
• Trent UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides space for the Trent Radio website hosting and physical facilities. Trent Radio originated as a TrentU student club in 1968.
• The City of PeterboroughmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding through the Community Arts Programme to support community broadcast facility operations.
• Community Foundation of Greater PeterboroughmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding through the Organisational Leadership and Innovation Grant Programme to support organizational operations.
• NCRA/ANRECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Campus and Community Radio Association membership providing advocacy, resources, and representation for campus and community radio in Canada.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• CFRC 101.9 FM: CFRC is Queen's University's campus community radio station in Kingston, Ontario, with a comparable CRTC-licensed, volunteer-programmer-driven model serving a university town. It offers a directly analogous alternative/community radio product to Trent Radio's listener base.
• CJLO 1690 AM: CJLO is Concordia's campus community radio station in Montreal, sharing the same CRTC campus radio licensing structure, volunteer-driven programming model, and community focus as Trent Radio.
• CKCU 93.1 FM: CKCU is Carleton University's campus community radio station in Ottawa, operating under the same CRTC campus radio policy framework as Trent Radio with a similar volunteer programmer structure and community-focused programming mandate.
• CKXU 88.3 FM: CKXU is the University of Lethbridge's campus radio station, operating as a CRTC-licensed community broadcaster with a similar volunteer-based, alternative programming model in a mid-sized Canadian city.
• CIUT 89.5 FM: CIUT is the University of Toronto's campus radio station, offering a directly comparable CRTC-licensed, volunteer-programmer-driven alternative radio model with similar music, spoken word, and community programming focus.
• CJAM 99.1 FM: CJAM is the University of Windsor's campus community radio station, operating on a similar volunteer-driven, CRTC-licensed campus radio model in a comparable mid-sized Ontario city. It shares the same producer-oriented programming philosophy, mixed funding model, and NCRA membership.
• CKDU 88.1 FM: CKDU is Dalhousie University's campus community radio station in Halifax, operating under the same NCRA/CRTC framework with a comparable volunteer-based, alternative programming model serving a university community.
• CHUO 89.1 FM: CHUO is the University of Ottawa's francophone campus community radio station, operating under the same CRTC framework with a parallel volunteer programmer model focused on alternative and community programming.
• CITR 101.9 FM: CITR is the University of British Columbia's campus community radio station in Vancouver, offering a directly comparable CRTC-licensed, volunteer-programmer-driven alternative radio product with similar programming and funding dynamics.

Others

• National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC): NCRA/ANREC is the national association that Trent Radio belongs to, providing advocacy, training, and resources to campus/community stations across Canada. It is not a peer broadcaster but is the umbrella organization and ecosystem hub for this category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TrentRadioCFFF
• Instagraminstagram.com/trent_radio
• Xx.com/trentradio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Trent Radio