CFLY-FM

St. Lawrence Broadcasting Co. Ltd. applied for an FM station at Kingston, operating on 88.9 MHz with 250 watts of power and antenna height of 100 feet above average terrain. In approving the application, the CBC Board of Governors stated that the establishment of this FM station would provide an additional program service and would also serve as a studio to transmitter link for the AM operation. Major Robert Stuart Grant had received the AM licence (1380 kHz with 1,000 watts) earlier in the year and expected to have CKLC-AM operational for December 1. Grant had been in charge of the Army station at Leitrim, Ontario. 

Terry French would be manager of the stations. He had worked in government communications. His brother, John, would also be involved in the company, as program director. He had been with F.H. Hayhurst & Co., and in the past, had been an announcer at CKOC in Hamilton. Vern Stauffer was chief engineer. He was a former RCA engineer. (See CKLC for more on the early ownership)

St. Lawrence Broadcasting Co. Ltd. opened CKLC-AM-FM on November 18, but official broadcasting didn’t start until the following January. Studios and offices were on the second floor of the Victoria & Gray Trust Building, above the Shaw-Linton Dry Goods store at 99 Brock Street. The “KLC” in the call letters: Kingston, The Limestone City. CKLC was a CBC Dominion affiliate.

CKLC-AM-FM officially opened in January, following two months of trial operation. An evening ceremony of special programs was aired. CKLC would be in operation daily from 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. and would offer news every hour, on the hour. Regular shows included – This is Show Business, Campbell Goes Calling, Date with Joe & Kate, and Honor Roll of Hits. Evening programs were devoted mainly to national transcribed dramatic and play by play accounts of sports events. Late evenings featured music and news. Facilities included a large auditorium type studio, studios for general use, 2 master control rooms, newsroom and recording room. (See CKLC for information on personalities)

Slogan: The Voice of the Limestone City. (The “LC” in CKLC – Limestone City)

CKLC-AM-FM was affiliated with the CBC Dominion network. CKLC-FM was operating on 99.5 MHz with a power of 310 watts. Ownership of St. Lawrence Broadcasting Co. Ltd.: R. S. Grant 19.9%, H. N. Stovin 8.4%, H. L. Wright 5.1%, T. D. French 19.9%, F. B. Bishop 1.9%, Mrs. N. M. Stovin 16.1%, 27 other shareholders 18.7%.

CKLC-AM-FM was affiliated with the CBC Dominion network. CKLC-FM was operating on 99.5 MHz with a power of 310 watts. Ownership of St. Lawrence Broadcasting Co. Ltd.: R. S. Grant 19.9%, H. N. Stovin 8.4%, H. L. Wright 5.1%, T. D. French 19.9%, F. B. Bishop 1.9%, Mrs. N. M. Stovin 16.1%, 27 other shareholders 18.7%.

The Trans-Canada and Dominion networks consolidated into a single service. CKWS was the Trans-Canada (main network) affiliate so remained Kingston’s CBC station after the merger. CKLC-AM-FM became independent.

Bob Grant was President of St. Lawrence Broadcasting Co. Ltd. and Terry French was General Manager of CKLC. The FM station offered programming independent from the AM on weekdays (7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 to 11:00 p.m.), Saturdays (Noon to 11:00 p.m.) and Sundays (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.).

CKLC-FM received approval to change frequency and to increase power. At this time, it was still on 99.5 MHz with a power of 310 watts. 

Standard Broadcasting Corp. Ltd. agreed to acquire CKLC-AM-FM. Terry French would remain as managing director and station manager.

CKLC-FM moved to 98.3 MHz with 955 watts power.

On November 19, CKLC-FM was given permission to increase effective radiated power from 955 watts to 47,700 watts.

The power increase to 47,700 watts went into effect.

On November 10, the CRTC denied the transfer of 99.71% of St. Lawrence Broadcasting Co. Ltd. to James Allan Waters.

CKLC was sold to holding company SAJAR Ltd. SAJAR was an acronym for Sheryl And James And Ron. The three principals in this new company were Sheryl Bourne, James Waters, and Ron Waters, all children of Allan and Marjorie Waters who saw fit to lend their children the seed money to get the ownership experience needed to run a successful company. Allan Waters was the well known founder of CHUM Limited, which held extensive radio and television properties across Canada. Terry French would remain as president and managing director for a term of at least five years.

CKLC-FM became known as “Y98” under the new call sign CFLY-FM. Effective radiated power increased to 100,000 watts. CFLY had now introduced the first separate FM programming and the first full-time stereo broadcasts to the Kingston area.

CFLY’s application to replace 12 hours of classical and opera music weekly with popular and other music was turned down by the CRTC.

Neil Kirby was now at CFLY after years with CKWS 960. 

On January 11, the CRTC renewed CFLY’s licence until September 30, 1985.

Andy Hall joined CFLY/CKLC news as city hall repoerter. He had been with CFCY Charlottetown.

CFLY/CKLC was in the midst of extensive renovation of their downtown building. CKLC moved next door to make room for a new home for CFLY.

Don Neil was an announcer at CFLY. 

Wayne James left CFLY to become overnight host at CHTN in Charlottetown.

CFLY became “FLY FM” and altered sound to be more adult contemporary than easy listening.

Jeff Carson was at CFLY and talk show host Larry Solway was here.

Nancy Allen was a CFLY announcer.

Bruce Gamble was heard on CFLY.

Doug Thorne was now at CFLY.

Tony Orr was news director and Rob McDonald was assistant news director. Following the departure of the news director at the sister Brockville stations (CFJR/CHXL-FM), Orr and McDonald took over the news department there…with McDonald now based in Brockville.

In January, CFLY was knocked off the air when a chunk of ice (as a result of the Ice Storm of ’98) fell from the Harrowsmith tower and went through the roof of the transmitter building. The transmitter was destroyed. The station was able to operate at reduced power until repairs were made.

In August CFLY dropped its Soft Favourites format in favour of Hot Adult Contemporary. Sister station 1380 CKLC switched from Hot AC to Soft Favourites.

September announcer line-up: Greg Hunter (6-10), Scott O’Brien (10-2), Jane Douglas (2-6), Dave Deodato (evenings). Dan Mellon, Gina McArthur, and Doug Thorne handled weekends. Stephanie Egan did news and was morning co-host. Dave Deodato was music director.

CHUM Limited took ownership of St. Lawrence Broadcasting Co. Ltd. St. Lawrence owned CKLC and CFLY-FM Kingston and CFJR and CHXL-FM in Brockville. 

Greg Hunter was now morning man (6-10). He had been with CKLC-AM. Lisa Morin was in the 10-2 shift, followed by Joel Scott (2-6) and Dave Deodato (evenings). Amy Mason was now morning co-host (and news). Jane Douglas left radio for the school board. Stephanie Egan left for CFRA Ottawa. Amy Mason joined from CFJR/CHXL Brockville. Joel Scott came from CFRA. Jim Blundell, based in Kingston, became Market Manager for CHUM Kingston, Peterborough and Brockville.

After 18 months of doing the morning show, Greg Hunter returned to the CKLC morning show. Joel Scott was promoted to mornings and CKLC swing announcer Dan Mellon moved to the CFLY afternoon show. Amy Mason left for CFRA Ottawa. Her replacement was Tara Clow, coming from CJBK London. Lisa Morin, Gina McArthur and Brian Williams left. Scott O’Brien was heard in mid-days and Nick Lalonde was one of the weekend announcers.

On January 1, CHUM Radio re-aligned formats in Kingston, with CFLY returning to a soft contemporary sound. CKLC eventually changed to all sports (The Team) and CHUM’s Brockville station CHXL-FM switched from rock to a Hot Contemporary.

Dave Deodato moved to CKLC mid-days & Michelle Miatello (CKLC mid-days) moved into the CFLY evening slot. News Director Tony Orr, afternoon anchor David Clark, CKLC announcer Bruce Gamble and producer Terry Thompson were all terminated. Greg Hunter returned to the CFLY morning show, Joel Scott was taken off the air and put in the production department. In April, Dan Mellon left for CIGL-FM Belleville, and Joel Scott returned to the air as the PM Drive host.

In the late spring, CKLC and CFLY left their long-time home in the old Victoria & Grey Trust Building (now part of Scotiabank), 99 Brock Street at Wellington, for new studios and offices at 993 Princess Street, Suite 10.

Allan Waters, the founder of CHUM Limited, owner opf CFLY, passed away at the age of 84, on December 3rd.

On July 12 it was announced that Bell Globemedia would pay C$1.7 billion for CHUM Ltd., in a deal that would see the company become part of the BCE-owned media conglomerate, subject to CRTC approval.  On August 31, the two companies announced that BGM had been successful in its offer to acquire approximately 6.7 million common shares and approximately 19.2 million non-voting Class B shares of CHUM.  The shares were to be placed in the hands of an independent trustee pursuant to a voting trust agreement approved by the CRTC.

On December 12th, it was announced that Bell Globemedia would henceforth be known as CTVglobemedia.

A CRTC hearing on the CTVglobemedia application to acquire the assets of CHUM Limited was held on April 30th 2007.  On June 8 the CRTC approved the acquisition of CHUM Ltd. by CTVglobemedia, on condition that CTV sell off its five City-TV stations, CITY-TV Toronto, CHMI-TV Portage La Prairie/Winnipeg, CKEM-TV Edmonton, CKAL-TV Calgary and CKVU-TV Vancouver.   Rogers Communications announced on June 25th that a deal had been reached for them to buy these stations from CTV, subject to CRTC approval. Among the CHUM assets acquired by CTVglobemedia in the deal were seven television stations, 21 specialty channels and some 33 radio stations, including CFLY-FM. 

Jim Blundell left CHUM Kingston-Peterborough-Brockville to become Vice President and General Manager at CHUM London.

After 5 years of leading CHUM Radio Kingston’s programming department, Dan Mellon left to take a full-time teaching position at Algonquin College in Ottawa.

Jennifer Yascheshyn was promoted to Program Director at CHUM Kingston from Promotions and Marketing Director. She succeeded Dan Melon and would also host a regular daily shift on FLY-FM. New Marketing and Promotions Director was Shawn Whalen, who continued with his regular FLY-FM on-air shift.

On March 7, the CRTC approved an application by BCE Inc. on behalf of CTVglobemedia Inc., for authority to change the effective control of CTVgm’s licensed broadcasting subsidiaries to BCE. The Commission concluded that the transaction would be beneficial to the Canadian broadcasting system by ensuring the long-term stability of a significant Canadian television network and advancing the Commission’s objective of providing relevant high-quality Canadian programming to Canadians through conventional and new media distribution channels. BCE was a public corporation and controlled by its board of directors. Before this approval, BCE held 15% of the voting interest in the capital of CTVgm. The other shareholders were 1565117 Ontario Limited (a corporation ultimately controlled by Mr. David Kenneth R. Thomson) (40% of the voting interest), Ontario Teacher’s Plan Board (25% of the voting interest) and Torstar Corporation (20% of the voting interest). Under the transaction agreement dated September 10, 2010, BCE would acquire the remaining 85% of the voting interest in the capital of CTVgm and would therefore exercise effective control. 

On March 15, CTV Inc., CTV Corp., CTV Limited and CTVglobemedia Inc. amalgamated to continue as CTV Inc.

BCE Inc. announced on April 1 that it had completed its acquisition of CTV and that it had launched Bell Media (replacing CTVglobemedia), a new business unit that would make CTV programs and other Bell content available on smartphones and computers as well as traditional television. In addition to CTV and its television stations, Bell Media now also operated 29 specialty channels, 33 radio stations, Dome Productions, a mobile broadcast facilities provider, and dozens of high-traffic news, sports and entertainment websites, including the Sympatico.ca portal.

98.3 FLY FM/98.9 The Drive Kingston program director Jennifer Yascheshyn wrapped it up August 19, moving to Loyalist College in Belleville. Creative director Bonnie Wannemaker resigned to start a creative business.

The CRTC approved a change to the ownership of Bell Media Inc., from BCE Inc. to Bell Canada. This transaction would not affect effective control of Bell Media Inc. and of its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, which continued to be exercised by BCE Inc. Bell Media Inc. held, directly and through its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, various radio and television programming undertakings as well as specialty and pay-per-view television services.

On August 22, the CRTC approved the applications by BCE Inc., on behalf of Bell Media Inc. and 7550413 Canada Inc., carrying on business as Bell Media Ontario Regional Radio Partnership, for authority to acquire, as part of a corporate reorganization, CFJR-FM and CJPT-FM Brockville, CKLC-FM and CFLY-FM Kingston, CKPT-FM and CKQM-FM Peterborough, and CKLY-FM Lindsay. Bell Media, the managing partner holding 99.99% of the voting interest in the general partnership, is wholly owned by Bell Canada and controlled by BCE. 7550413, the other partner holding the remaining 0.01% of the voting interest in the general partnership, is wholly owned by Bell Media and is also controlled by BCE. BCE submitted that the purpose of this corporate reorganization was to realize tax efficiencies. The Commission noted that this transaction would not affect the effective control of the undertakings which would continue to be exercised by BCE.

Ian March, assistant program director and music director for Ottawa’s 939 BOB FM and Majic 100 was named program director at FLY FM and The DRIVE in Kingston. 

On August 31, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CFLY-FM until March 31, 2012.

Ian March, the Assistant Program Director at Bell Media Ottawa (Magic/Bob FM), became PD at Bell ‘s Kingston cluster (Fly FM/The Drive) September 19. Edward Bowland joined Fly FM/The Drive as Creative Director. He’d been writing for the Larche Communications stations in Orillia, Midland, Owen Sound and Sudbury, but based at the Barrie head office. March succeeded Jennifer Yascheshyn who joined the faculty at Loyalist College in Belleville. Bowland succeeded Bonnie Wannemaker who resigned to start a creative business.

On March 20, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CFLY-FM to August 31, 2012.

Ian March who left Bell Media Ottawa September 19, 2011 to become Program Director at 98.3 FLYFM/98.9 The DRIVE, returned to Bell Media Ottawa as Programming Coordinator of Majic100/93.9 Bob FM.

Jacquie Beckett became Program Director at Bell Media Kingston as of August 1. She had been with one of the cluster’s stations in the past…Music Director at Fly-FM (2002-2008).

Candace Drover left FLY FM as Music Director and afternoon drive announcer to become Music Director at Majic 100 in Ottawa.

On August 28, the CRTC administratively renewed CFLY’s licence until December 31, 2012. 

Lindsey Young was appointed Music Director and afternoon drive announcer for FLY FM. Lindsey had over ten years experience in the radio business, having done everything from middays in Windsor to morning show co-host in Windsor and Red Deer and most recently news anchor in Oshawa. Her first day was September 17.

The new program director at Rogers Kingston was Darryl Spring. He had been with Bell Media Kingston. The new Music Director/afternoon announcer at FLY FM was Lindsey Young. She had been with CKDO Oshawa. 

On December 21, the CRTC renewed CFLY-FM’s licence to August 31, 2019.

Jackie Vieira, who had been a part of the 98.3 FLY FM/98.9 The Drive newsroom for the last four and a half years, left Bell Media Kingston effective February 15.

98.3 FLY FM and 98.9 The Drive found a new afternoon news person. Almost three years after leaving Kingston, Matthew Bisson returned home. Matthew previously worked at the stations for 5 years. His first day was February 20. 

Shawn Whalen was named Assistant Program Director at 98.9 The Drive and 98.3 FLY FM. Shawn would continue his duties of Promotions and Marketing Director for Bell Media Kingston.

In November, Brian Shayne (Donohue) left CIHR Woodstock to take on Promotions and Marketing with Bell Kingston. He also did evenings on CKLC and Saturday afternoons on CFLY. 

In November, at least five staff were let go at FLY FM, including morning show co-host/news anchor Susan Amos, program director Jacquie Beckett, midday host/music director Lindsey Young and two sales reps.

In November, Brian Scott announced he was retiring from 98.3 FLY FM after a long battle with cancer. His radio career started in 1981 with stops at CISS Toronto and CFGO Ottawa.

David Brian Smith (Brian Scott), 56, died on March 12. Scott started his radio career in 1981 at CISS-FM Toronto and CFGO Ottawa. Up until last April, Scott was host of the morning show at 98.3 FLY FM for the past 13 years.