Stingray Group Inc.

Stingray Digital was founded by a partnership of Eric Boyko, Alexandre Taillefer and Telesystem. This followed the group's purchase Soundchoice for $6 million.

Stingray acquired the commercial-free cable TV Galaxie music service from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for $65 million. It was renamed Stingray Music.

Stingray began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on June 3. On the same date, Novacap, one of Canada's leading private equity firms, sold most of its 29.4% stake in Stingray Digital Group Inc. Novacap had been involved with Stingray for seven years.

In January, Stingray began syndicating the Real Country 95.5 Red Deer morning show across its Real Country and boom-branded radio stations in rural Alberta, leading to the elimination of 14 on-air positions.

On May 9, Stingray announced that it planned to acquire CIXL-FM and CKYY-FM in Welland, Ontario from Wellport Broadcasting Ltd./RB Communications Ltd. subject to CRTC approval.

On July 15, the CRTC approved the application by Stingray Radio to acquire CHOO-FM from Golden West Broadcasting.

In the fall, Stingray entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Giant FM (CIXL) and Country 89 (CKYY) Welland from Wellport Broadcasting Limited/RB Communications Ltd, subject to CRTC approval.

Stingray rebranded two of its Alberta stations in the fall: CKWY Wainwright changed from Wayne FM to Hot 93.7 and CJEG Bonnyville switched from Kool 101.3 to Hot 101.3.

The company launched a syndicated, coast-to-coast, midday show on half a dozen of its small market country stations. The Paul McGuire Show began airing on New Country 100.7 (CIGV) Kelowna, New Country 103.1 (CJKC) Kamloops, New Country 98.1 (CFCW) Camrose, New Country 96.9 (CJXL) Moncton, New Country 103.5 (CKCH) Sydney, and New Country 92.3 (CFRK) Fredericton.