CILB-FM

On January 18, the CRTC approved the application by Newcap Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio programming undertaking in Lac La Biche, operating at 103.5 MHz (channel 278A) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 1,900 watts. Newcap stated that the proposed station would operate in a country music format. It would feature a wide variety of country music hits, focusing primarily on country musical selections from the past 15 years. Newcap also proposed to offer several specialty programs, including a daily request hour, a weekly new music feature, and a weekly classic country program. The Commission considered that a new commercial FM radio station offering a country music format with a focus on local news and community reflection would increase the diversity of programming available in Lac La Biche. Furthermore, the Commission noted that approval of this application would provide Lac La Biche with its first local commercial FM radio service. The licence would expire August 31, 2012.

Newcap officially launched CILB-FM – “Big Dog 103.5 FM” at 10:35 a.m., December 7. Playing classic hits from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and even today, Big Dog 103.5 FM literally plays “All Kinds of Stuff.” The target audience is the adult 25-54 group. Studios and offices were located at 10107 – 102 Avenue, suite 201.

On August 8, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CILB-FM until August 31, 2013.

New Program Director at ZED98.9 was Jeff Murray, promoted from PD at Newcap’s seven station network (95.9 Lloyd FM, 93.7 Wayne FM, KEY 83 Wainwright, 101.1 KOOL FM Bonnyville, 97.7 The Spur St Paul, 103.5 Big Dog Lac La Biche and 95.3 FM K-Rock Cold Lake) in northeast Alberta. He began in Red Deer the first week of April.

In July, CILB rebranded from Big Dog FM to Boom 103.5.

On October 23, the CRTC approved an application by Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited, on behalf of Newcap Inc. and its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, for authorization to effect a change in the ownership and effective control of various radio and television broadcasting undertakings in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, so that effective control of the undertakings would be exercised by Eric Boyko (Stingray Digital Group Inc.). Stingray took ownership of the stations just a few days later.

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. Boom 103.5 was among the stations to add the show.