CKJH-AM

A group headed by Minno Walter Hodge received approval for a new AM station to serve the Carrot River Valley area, from Melfort.

CJVR signed on the air on October 8, serving the Melfort, Humboldt, Tisdale and Nipawin area. The “VR” in the call sign stood for Valley Radio as the service area was at that time referred to the Carrot River Valley. The on air slogan was “Come Join Valley Radio”. CJVR broadcast with a power of 10,000 watts on a frequency of 1420 kHz (directional at night). The transmitter and two towers were located three miles south of Melfort.

On March 14, Valley Broadcasting Ltd., M. Lefebvre, W. Hurd, R. Treleaven, V. Miner, and F. Bealby were given approval to sell Radio CJVR Ltd. to M. Chase, M. Kokken, K. George and L. Enns.

Marchar Management Ltd. received permission to acquire 100% of Radio CJVR Ltd.

CJVR changed its format to country.

On April 11, approval was granted for the transfer of effective control of Radio CJVR Ltd. through the transfer of shares of Marchar Management Ltd. (owner of 100% of Radio CJVR Ltd.). Venture Management Ltd. would increase its holdings in Marchar from 49.6% to 70% and Chaseheld Equity Ltd. would decrease its ownership from 50.4% to 30%.

On September 27, the CRTC approved the transfer effective control of Radio CJVR Ltd., through the transfer of 75% of the issued shares from Gary Fitz who controls Venture Management Limited to Fabmar Investments Ltd., a new shareholder who is controlled by the Fabmar family. Fabmar subsequently intended to wind up Marchar Management Ltd. into its parent company Venture Management Ltd. which in turn would be amalgamated with Radio CJVR Ltd.

On November 1, CJVR news director Alice McFarlane marked ten years with the station.

CJVR began broadcasting in stereo.

Gary Fitz was president and general manager of CJVR.

On February 22, CJVR received approval to change frequency from 1420 kHz to 750 kHz and to relocate the transmitter to a site approximately 25 kilometres southeast of the existing one.

CJVR made the move to 750 kHz. Power remained 10,000 watts. The frequency had recently been v

CJVR was granted a power increase from 10,000 watts to 25,000 watts day and night, on October 9. The change would improve the signal quality and extend the coverage area of the station.

The 25,000 watt power increase went into operation.

On December 7, Radio CJVR Ltd. was granted a licence for a new FM station at Melfort, with transmitters at Dafoe and Waskesiu Lake.

On March 1, CJVR-FM 105.1 signed on with the successful country format, which had been on CJVR-AM for 36 years. The owners of CJVR held on to the 750 kHz frequency, changing the call sign to CKJH – “CK750 – Just the Hits” – playing oldies and classic rock.

On May 28, the CRTC renewed the licence of CKJH until August 31, 2016.

Steve Bohan, Music Director at MY 96 Medicine Hat, moved to CK750 Melfort to take over as Program Director.

In May, CKJH flipped from Classic Hits CK 750 to Beach Radio 750. The format now emphasized Classic Hits from the 80’s and 90’s.

On August 15, the CRTC approved an application by Fabmar Communications, on behalf of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, for corporate reorganization. The reorganization would see Fabmar amalgamated into JPBG, including CIXM-FM Whitecourt, CHWK-FM Chilliwack, CJVR-FM Melfort and its transmitters CJVR-FM-1 Dafoe, CJVR-FM-2 Wakesiu Lake, CJVR-FM-3 Carrot River, and CKJH Melfort.