CHIN Radio/TV International
CHIN Radio/TV International (legally known as Radio 1540 Limited) is a Canadian radio and television broadcasting company, which owns and operates three radio stations and a television program production unit, all targeting multilingual communities. The company also holds the annual CHIN Picnic.
Started in 1966 by Johnny Lombardi, an Italian Canadian, the company produces and airs programming in 32 different languages. When Lombardi died in 2002, ownership of CHIN Radio/TV International passed to his son Lenny and daughters Theresa and Donina.
Radio stations
Television
CHIN also produces ten hours a week of television programming, which airs on CITY-DT on Saturday and Sunday mornings. CHIN produces television programming for the Portuguese, Caribbean, Pakistani, Hindi-speaking, Polish, Persian, Russian, Punjabi and Italian communities in Toronto. CHIN television programming originally aired on CIII-DT, and later, briefly, on CKVR-DT.
CHIN Picnic
One of Toronto's most popular annual multicultural events, the CHIN Picnic is held every summer at Exhibition Place. The event, which spans several days, includes musical and dance performers, amusement park rides, an international shopping bazaar and international food concessions.
The first CHIN Picnic was held in 1967.
The picnic has also been controversial at times, as it includes a bikini contest. In response to allegations of sexism, the picnic later launched an annual Mr. CHIN Bikini contest for men.