Edmonton Radio: Rhythmic Classic Hits CJNW To Rebrand

Harvard Broadcasting says it will rename Power 107 CJNW-FM Edmonton, following a Monday court ruling granting Corus Entertainment a temporary injunction against Harvard’s use of the ‘Power’ brand, reports Broadcast Dialogue.

At the heart of Corus’ lawsuit, launched in September, was the assertion that Harvard knowingly made use of the ‘Power’ brand, including assuming a similar logo, playlist and “Phrase That Pays” contesting tag synonymous with Power 92 – the name CKNG-FM Edmonton was operated under between 1991 and 2003 – by a series of ownership groups including Moffatt Communications, Westcom Radio, Shaw Communications and eventually Corus. Since 2018, the station has been branded as 92.5 The 'Chuck.'

Corus acquired the Power 92, Power 107, and Power 97 trademarks as part of the company’s acquisition of Western International Communications Ltd. (WIC) in 1999, however Power 92 and Power 107 were expunged from the registry in 2015 due to failure to renew.

In a Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta ruling issued Monday, Justice Nancy Dilts said she was satisfied that Corus’ claims of copyright infringement presented a serious issue to be tried, both as to the similarity of the former Power 92 logo and a Harvard social media post that contained the Power 92 logo, teasing “Back this Monday #PhraseThatPays.”

Harvard rebranded CJNW-FM to Power 107 in mid-August, with Christian Hall, the company’s National Brand Manager, hailing the change as the debut of the relatively new Classic CHR or “rhythmic classic hits” format that harkens back to 1990s and early 2000s power pop from artists like Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls and NSYNC.

Harvard issued a statement to listeners and clients late Monday indicating that while it believes the company has grounds to appeal, it will respect the ruling.