CFXL-FM

On March 12, Telemedia Radio (West) Inc. was granted a licence for a new FM station at Calgary, offering a New Adult Contemporary / Smooth Jazz format. Telemedia proposed to operate the station on 98.5 MHz but that frequency was awarded to Standard Radio Inc. Telemedia was instructed to apply for an alternate frequency.

On April 19, the CRTC approved the sale of a number of radio and television stations in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia by Telemedia Radio Inc. and Telemedia Radio (West) Inc. to Standard Radio Inc. Standard was then allowed to sell certain of these stations to Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. and 3937844 Canada Inc. (subsidary of Newcap Inc.). Newcap acquired 15 Alberta radio stations and related transmitters (Newcap 76.34%, Standard 23.66%). The new Calgary FM licence was one of the 15 stations that would now be owned by Newcap.

On July 29, NewCap was given approval to use frequency 103.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts.

The new station began testing in early August, using the call letters CHRS.

The station signed on with the call letters CIQX-FM and was known as “The Breeze”. Official launch date was August 30, at 1:03 p.m. Calgary’s Jann Arden along with Mayor Dave Bronconnier pushed the switch to launch the station. Studios and offices were located at Suite 100, 1110 Centre Street NE.

On December 26, “The Breeze” signed off the air and was replaced by “California 103 FM”. Format remains Adult Contemporary / Smooth Jazz.

Newcap Calgary launched CFUL-FM “FUEL 90.3” (sister station to CIQX).

The New XL 103 fm – Calgary’s Greatest Hits Radio was launched on March 3 at 3:00 p.m. The new format features the classic music from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.

Murray Brookshaw left Newcap Calgary to become Program Director at CKLG and CKCL Vancouver.

Newcap Retail Sales Manager Mike Williams was no longer with 90.3 amp radio/XL 103 Calgary.

Steve Ravenhill, formerly of Harvard’s Calgary station, X92.9, was hired as the General Sales Manager at Newcap’s XL103/90.3 AMP Calgary.

BJ Wilson, who moved from Q104 Halifax 12 years ago to become Program Director/morning show host at XL 103 fm Calgary, moved back to Nova Scotia. Wilson returned to his old Q104 post as morning show co-host.

Al Tompson became Program Director at XL 103 in March. Tompson was the Program Director/Music Director/morning show host at ZED 99 Red Deer.

As of January 24, Don Stevens and Joanne Johnson were the new morning team at XL 103. For 18 years, they had been the morning team at Calgary’s Lite 96. Stevens would also be XL’s program director.

Darin Banister was now retail sales manager at both XL103 and 90.3 Amp Calgary, filling the XL103 position left vacant upon Dion Schultz’s departure.

Kris Mazurak, Program Director at 90.3 AMP Radio, took over as morning show host following Buzz Bishop’s move to sister station XL 103 in middays. Mazurak would assume Assistant Program Director duties once a new PD was hired.

Emma Harding was the new Promotions Director at 96.9 JACK FM. She moved across the road from Newcap Radio Calgary.

Don Stevens stepped back from being the combined Program Director/morning show co-host at XL 103 to concentrate on doing the morning show.

Al Tompson accepted the position of program director for XL 103. Al had been with Red Deer’s ZED 98.9 on and off the air over the past 8 years and with 101.1 THE ONE in Brooks.

Jordan Rycroft was appointed to the role of XL 103 Promotions Director. Jordan was already working for Newcap; first in Winnipeg then he moved to Halifax 3 years ago to work in promotions at KOOL FM.

Paul Kaye was named Operations Manager at Newcap Calgary.

It was announced in August that long-time XL 103 morning hosts Don Stevens and Joanne Johnson would retire on December 8. Their show would mark its 25th anniversary in December.

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.

Jamie ‘Coach’ Herbison retired May 31 after 39 years behind the mic. Long part of XL103 morning show team Don, Joanne and The Coach, Herbison stayed on when Don Stevens and Joanne Johnson retired at the end of 2017.