CKNO-FM

On October 17, the CRTC approved the application Rawlco Radio Ltd. for a broadcasting licence to operate a new English-language commercial FM radio station to serve Edmonton. It would operate on a frequency of 102.3 MHz and have an average effective radiated power of 51,000 watts. The format would be Adult Contemporary Hit Radio and the target audience would be general target 18 to 49 years; core target 30 to 40 years; would skew slightly to female listeners. Canadian content (music): 40% category 2. Local programming per broadcast week: 126 hours. Spoken word programming per broadcast week: 16 hours and 58 minutes. News programming per broadcast week: 3 hours 27 minutes (75% local). Live-to-air programming per broadcast week: 126 hours. Hit material: 49.9%.

On April 29, the CRTC approved the application by Rawlco Radio Ltd. to amend the antenna’s radiation pattern of the new radio programming undertaking authorized in Licensing of new radio stations to serve Edmonton, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2008-288, 17 October 2008, in order to shift the station’s authorized contours slightly to the southeast of Edmonton. The applicant submitted that the proposed change would enable the station to provide better coverage to the southern parts of Edmonton. The station’s technical parameters would remain the same. According to the applicant, the proposed change would have a limited impact on the estimated population to be served by the station’s signal. Based on its analysis, the Commission considered that this change would result in a decrease in the population served within the station’s 3 mV/m contour from 998,500 to 983,663 with a corresponding increase in the population served within its 0.5 mV/m contour from 1,069,000 to 1,070,681.

The new station began on-air testing in November, using the call sign CIAB-FM. 

Ross Hawse, General Sales Manager at Newcap Radio Edmonton, joined Rawlco Radio Edmonton on November 30. 

The call sign was changed from CIAB-FM to CKNO-FM.

CKNO signed on the air, February 23 at 1:02 p.m. It had a Hot Adult Contemporary format and was known as “Now Radio” (102.3 FM Now! Radio). Kurt Leavins was vice president and general manager. Mark Hunter was program director. Amanda Au was promotions director. Studios and offices were at 9894 42 Ave. N.W. (Suite 102). The on-air line-up for CKNO included: Adam McKale (from The Bounce Edmonton), Cory Kim (formerly with CHUM-FM Toronto), Chris Love (was with Joe FM Edmonton), Ami Amato (from K-97 Edmonton), and Crash & Mars (from Z99 Regina). The new Rawlco station was sister to Magic 99 (CHMC-FM). Geared to Adults 25-54, the format was described as Hit Music for Adults. The first song out of the gate was I Got a Feeling by the Black-Eyed Peas. 

102.3 NOW! sales manager Ross Hawse left for 1039 The Juice in Kelowna. Brian Hagel became sales manager. The former sales manager of sister station Jack FM Regina began April 11. Corey Kimm and Ami A. left the afternoon drive show at NOW! to do mornings at Z103.5 Toronto.

On December 16, the CRTC approved the application by Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. (the general partner) and Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. (the limited partner), carrying on business as Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership, for authority to acquire from Rawlco Radio Ltd. the assets of the following radio stations: CKNO-FM Edmonton, CIUP-FM Edmonton, CKBI Prince Albert and its transmitters CKBI-FM La Ronge and CKBI-FM-1 Big River, CFMM-FM Prince Albert and its transmitter CFMM-FM-1 Waskesiu Lake, CHQX-FM Prince Albert and its transmitters CHQX-FM-1 Waskesiu Lake, CHQX-FM-2 La Ronge and CHQX-FM-3 Big River, CJCQ-FM North Battleford and its transmitter CJCQ-FM-1 Meadow Lake, CJHD-FM North Battleford, CJNB North Battleford and CJNS-FM Meadow Lake.