CJRU has operated as an internet radio station since April 2013. In February 2014, an application was filed with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for an AM license. The CRTC held a hearing on September 25, 2014 and released its decision approving a license December 11, 2014. The internet station was started after Ryerson Radio's previous application to acquire a license for an FM license for CKLN-FM's former frequency of 88.1 MHz was rejected by the CRTC on September 11, 2012 in favour of indie rock station CIND-FM. Ryerson-based CKLN-FM had previously broadcast on 88.1 from 1983 to 2011 when the station lost its license due to compliance issues. The station contrasts itself from its predecessor, CKLN. According to volunteer co-ordinator Emily Joveski: "One of the stigmas associated with radio at Ryerson is some of the mistrust lingering from the previous station. But we are different. We are actually accessible to all students, and we will be a positive influence on Ryerson as well as the community." The application to the CRTC was supported by intervenors such as musician Ron Sexsmith, Blue Rodeo founding member Bob Wiseman, Toronto city councillors Kristyn Wong-Tam and Mike Layton, Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland and the National Campus and Community Radio Association.
Governance
CJRU is governed by a nine-member board of directors with includes three representatives of the student body, three representatives of Ryerson University's administration, one representative of the station's volunteers and two directors, chosen by the board, to represent the community at large. The board's chair is Gerd Hauck, the dean of Ryerson's Faculty of Communication & Design. Ted Rogers School of Management dean Steven Murphy and Radio Television Arts chair Charles Falzon also sit on the board on behalf of the university, while the president of the Ryerson Students Union sits as one of the student representatives. While two individuals intervening at the CRTC hearing opposed the station's application alleging too few community directors, the station responded by telling the CRTC that "it was appropriate to restrict membership in this case to avoid governance problems such as those that led to the revocation of CKLN-FM's licence, where a second competing board of directors was elected by members". The CRTC agreed in its decision that "the proposed governance model is appropriate and provides for balanced representation from students, the community, the university and volunteers".
Format
The terms of its license require CJRU to air at least 120 hours of local and Canadian programming a week with a format that will be "a mixture of pop, rock, dance, acoustic, folk, folk-oriented, world beat international, jazz, blues, hip-hop, and experimental music" with a "music discovery approach" focusing on emerging artists. The schedule also includes "in-depth spoken word programming and programming targeted to specific groups within the community".
