Phantom radio station

A phantom radio station was a station which did not operate their own radio transmitter, rather leasing unused airtime from a station who owned the hardware.

In the early days of radio, non-phantom stations (or "physical" stations) only broadcast for a few hours per day. The remaining unused time could then be rented to other stations, who would broadcast through the physical station's hardware. The relatively constant programming also would result in more public interest, who would be encouraged to buy receivers.

In Canada, the Canadian National Railway radio network, based in Toronto and known as CPRY ('Canadian Pacific Royal York'), provided live national programs also some local programs during their broadcasts. It operated out of studios at CP's Royal York Hotel and leased time on CFRB and CKGW. While leasing most of their airtime on other channels, the CNR also owned three stations; CNRA Moncton, CRNO Ottawa and CNRV Vancouver. The network was disbanded in 1932.