CJOT-FM

On August 26, the CRTC approved the applications by Astral Media Radio inc. and by Frank Torres, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for broadcasting licences to operate new FM radio stations to serve Ottawa and Gatineau. Astral, licensee of CKQB-FM in Ottawa, proposed an English-language commercial FM radio programming undertaking, operating on a frequency of 99.7 MHz (channel 259C1) with an average effective radiated power of 45,000 watts. The format would be comfort radio (Soft Adult Contemporary and ballad style) targetting an audience of 35-54 years (primary), 55-64 years (secondary), skewing 80% to female listeners. The station’s Canadian content music: 40% over the broadcast week and between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. Local programming per broadcast week: 126 hours. Spoken word programming per broadcast week: 24 hours, 30 minutes News programming per broadcast week: 91 minutes (60% local). Hit material (music): 49.9%.
On November 21, the federal Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages issued a statement calling on the CRTC to review its approval of both the Torres and Astral stations. He asked the commission to assess whether the francophone population of the Ottawa-Gatineau area was sufficiently well-served by existing French radio services, and to consider licensing one or more of the French language applications in addition to or instead of the approved stations.

On August 11, the CRTC confirmed with changes Broadcasting Decision 2008-222 in which it approved applications by Astral Media Radio inc. and by Frank Torres, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated (now known as Torres Media Ottawa Inc.) for broadcasting licences to operate new English-language commercial FM radio stations to serve Ottawa and Gatineau. 

Sarah Cummings was appointed Program Director at Astral Media Radio’s new FM station in Ottawa. Cummings, of Astral Media Radio Niagara, divided her time in November between the two locations as she wound up her PD gig at 105.7 EZ Rock/ Newstalk 610 CKTB.

On May 27, Astral launched 99.7 EZ ROCK as Ottawa’s “At Work” radio station – designed by women, for women with an Adult Contemporary format. At this time it was the only radio station in Canada broadcasting continuous 99-Minute Music Mixes during the work day. The station operated from studios and offices on Merivale Road in Nepean, shared with CKQB-FM. The transmitter was located in Greely, in Ottawa’s south end. Neil Hedley, Stephanie Vivier, and Steve Kennedy hosted the EZ Breakfast Show, weekday mornings from 5:30 to 9 a.m. (beginning May 28). Other original programs included The Night Cap, Studio 99, and Love & Lipstick. Renee Madden, Jeff Kelly, Sarah Kay, Darryl Henry, Kim Sullivan, and Sue McGarvie rounded out the on-air roster on 99.7 EZ ROCK. 

Steve Kennedy left 99.7 EZ Rock for 105.3 KISS FM (CISS-FM). He had been doing morning news and was music director at CJOT. 

Steve Kennedy left 99.7 EZ Rock for 105.3 KISS FM (CISS-FM). He had been doing morning news and was music director at CJOT. Kennedy was replaced as Music Director by Jeff Kelly. Neil Headly left CJOT (EZ Rock) where he had been morning man.

One June 30 at 3:00 p.m., CJOT-FM switched formats from Adult Contemporary “EZ Rock” to Classic Hits as “boom”. 

Denis Bouchard was General Manager. Sarah Cummings was boom Brand Director. 

Stephanie Vivier, a.k.a. “Viv” and boom 99.7 parted ways. Astral Media Ottawa announced that Scott Lear & Jeff Kelly would be assistant brand directors for The Bear & Boom respectively.

Morgan Prue was the new brand director at BOOM FM Ottawa. Prue attended high school in the nation’s capital and was most recently assistant program director of 106.7 Lite fm in New York City.

106.9 The BEAR / boom 99.7 and Rebecca Crow (promotions supervisor) parted ways. Joe Leary left the boom 99.7 morning show.

Sarah Cummings, Operations Manager at Astral Media Radio Ottawa, returned to Southern Ontario May 7 as Brand Director at 105.7 EZ Rock St. Catharines and 102.9K-LiteFM Hamilton. Cummings moved to Ottawa from St. Catharines in 2009 to launch the new boom 99.7 (CJOT-FM). Succeeding Cummings in Ottawa for boom 99.7 was Brand Director Morgan Prue. Returning to the Ottawa/Gatineau area from New York, she began in her new position in April.

On September 4, boom 99.7 announced the addition of Brent Corbeil as co-host of the morning show, joining Michelle Cruise. Cruise and Corbeil were heard on boom breakfast, Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 9:00 a.m. Brent had been CTV Ottawa’s Promotion Manager from March of 2003 through this past February.

Astral and BOOM FM Ottawa Program Director Morgan Prue parted ways.

Jeff Kelly left Boom 99.7 to become Assistant Brand Director/Music Director at Virgin Radio (CIQM) London.

Morgan Prue, who assumed the Brand Director position at boom 99.7 in April, parted ways with the station. JD Desrosiers, Brand Director of sister station 106.9 The Bear, held the boom 99.7 BD responsibility in the interim.

Jason JD Desrosiers, the brand director at 106.9 The BEAR added responsibilities as brand director at sister station boom 99.7. He succeeded Morgan Prue who left in November. Prue became assistant Program Director at Magic 106.7 Boston.

On March 4th,Corus announced that it had reached an agreement with Bell Media to acquire the 50% remaining ownership interest in two Ottawa-based radio stations, CKQB-FM (The Bear 106.9) and CJOT-FM (boom 99.7), that Bell would acquire as part of the acquisition of Astral Media Inc. pending regulatory approval, thereby achieving 100% ownership of these stations.

On June 27, 2013, after a previous such application had been denied in 2012, the CRTC approved an application by Astral Media Inc. to sell its pay and specialty television channels, conventional television stations and radio stations to BCE Inc. It was a condition of the approval that BCE must divest itself of ownership of several television and radio programming undertakings, including CJOT-FM. Pending eventual sale, the Commission directed BCE Inc. to transfer the interim management and control of CJOT to a trustee pursuant to the terms of the voting trust agreement addressed in a letter of approval issued 27 June 2013, by no later than 29 July 2013.

On August 28th the CRTC announced that it would hold a hearing on November 8th to hear various applications including that by Corus to acquire 100% ownership of CJOT-FM from Bell Media.

On January 24, the CRTC approved (subject to conditions) the applications by 8324433 Canada Inc., a Corus Entertainment Inc. subsidiary, on behalf of 8504598 Canada Inc., licensee of CKQB-FM and its transmitter CKQB-FM-1 (Pembroke), and 8384851 Canada Inc., licensee of CJOT-FM, for authority to effect a change in their ownership to 8324433 Canada so that control of the stations was exercised by Corus.

Mark Dickie was appointed General Manager of Corus radio stations 106.9 The Bear/boom 99.7 Ottawa and CJSS-FM/Variety 104 Cornwall. He had been GM/GSM of 92.5 The Beat Montreal.