Introduction Think back for a moment to April 2001. The world looked a little different then, but in a small corner of our community, a new sound began to crackle through the Fredericton airwaves. This year, Joy 96.5 officially turns 25 years old! As we approach our “Share the Joy” week from April 20-24, we are looking back at the incredible history of Christian music and broadcasting in Canada, and looking forward to a monumental year of expansion.
A Brief History of Canadian Christian Radio & Music It might surprise some to know that the presence of dedicated Christian radio in Canada is a relatively recent phenomenon. For decades, federal regulatory policies restricted religious stations from holding independent broadcasting licenses. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s that the CRTC shifted its policy, allowing the very first Canadian Christian radio station to hit the airwaves in 1993, followed by the first Christian television station, the Miracle Channel, in 1996.
This regulatory change sparked a nationwide movement of faith-based media. In August 2001, organizations like UCB Canada incorporated, eventually building a family of listener-supported stations stretching across the country. Meanwhile, Canadian Christian music was finding its unique voice, championed by the GMA Canada Covenant Awards, which have been honoring the brightest Christian musicians in the country since 1974. Over the last quarter-century, the music has evolved from acoustic pop into globally recognized anthems, with Canadian radio stations playing a vital role in delivering these life-changing messages.
Joy’s Journey (2001–2026) Here in the capital region, our story began when Joy FM Network Inc. was awarded a license to operate a specialty FM station. On April 8, 2001, Joy 96.5 officially launched, transmitting at an initial 23 watts. For years, we operated as a low-power, unprotected station, but our impact was anything but small.
By 2014, thanks to the incredible support of this community, the CRTC approved our application to upgrade to a 250-watt Class A1 protected station. This tenfold power increase allowed us to reach even more homes, vehicles, and workplaces. Today, Joy is more than a frequency; we are a “Community Multiplier“. We partner with vital local organizations, like Greener Village, to help fight food insecurity, proving that when a community gives, lives truly change.
Why “Share the Joy” Week is Critical As we celebrate our 25th birthday, we aren’t just looking back—we are stepping out in faith. This year’s “Share the Joy” week, happening April 20-24, is the most critical fundraiser in our history. We have set a $30,000 goal to be able to walk out this next season of growth.
Why? Because we believe that the hope-filled message of Joy shouldn’t be limited to Fredericton. We are thrilled to announce that we are actively pursuing two new communities to launch a Joy station in this year! Even more exciting: we already have an agreement in place with a New Brunswick municipality to make this expansion a reality.
To bring this positive, encouraging, and innovative Christian music format to brand new listeners, we need your partnership. Your support during Share the Joy week will directly fund this monumental expansion, helping us build new transmitters, connect new communities, and invest in the next 25 years of broadcasting hope.
Get ready to celebrate with us from April 20-24. Together, let’s share the joy!