CKFT-FM

CKFT-FM, Mix 107.9 FM, Fort Saskatchewan

Golden West Broadcasting Ltd.

StationYearFreq.PowerOwner/Info
CKFT-FM2012107.920,000Golden West Broadcasting Ltd.

2012

On January 10, the CRTC approved an application by Golden West Broadcasting Ltd. for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language FM radio programming undertaking in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The new station would operate at 107.9 MHz (channel 300B1) with an average effective radiated power of 11,000 watts (maximum ERP of 20,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 70.2 metres). Golden West was controlled by Elmer Hildebrand. GWB proposed a mixed Classic Hits/Classic Rock music format. The 14 hours 5 minutes of spoken word programming proposed by the applicant would be comprised of local news (6 hours, 5 minutes), local weather, local sports, local surveillance, local farm and agriculture reports as well as oil and gas news. The station would also promote local concerts and the activities of the vibrant local arts community and other community organizations. In its application, Golden West indicated that it would accept a condition of licence requiring it to broadcast 40% of its musical selections from content category 2 (Popular music) during the broadcast week and between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday to Canadian selections. Golden West stated that it was proposing a first service for Fort Saskatchewan. The Commission noted that the community of Fort Saskatchewan was included within the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area, which formed the BBM Canada Edmonton central radio market. However, the 3 mV/m contour proposed by the applicant would not encompass the city of Edmonton. Based on the definition of a market in the Radio Regulations, 1986, which is the 3 mV/m contour of the FM station or the central area as defined by BBM Canada, whichever is smaller, the market served by Golden West would be Fort Saskatchewan and the surrounding communities, excluding the city of Edmonton. Therefore, the Commission was of the view that Golden West’s application would constitute a first service for Fort Saskatchewan. The Commission noted that the proposed 0.5 mV/m contour would encompass part of the city of Edmonton. To ensure that the licensee directed its programming to the market it was licensed to serve, the Commission deemed it appropriate to impose a condition of licence preventing the licensee from soliciting advertising in the city of Edmonton as identified by Statistics Canada. The licence would expire August 31, 2018. 

CKFT was expected to launch in November. In October, studios were still being worked on and a sharing situation on an existent tower presented enough challenges that another site had to be sought. Mike Leblanc was Station Manager. He moved from his Operations Manager role at sister Golden West station, CKVN Lethbridge.

On October 23, CKFT began on-air signal testing. 

On November 27, CKFT announced the station would be known as “Mix 107.9 FM” and officially began broadcasting at 10:00 a.m. The program format was described as “Somewhat Contemporary Hits Radio.” Andrew Nakonechny was Program Director and morning man. Mike LeBlanc was station manager. Studios and offices wee located at 9940-99th Avenue, Suite 200, Fort Saskatchewan. The first song played was Let’s Get the Party Started by Pink. At the Fort Saskatchewan Museum, at precisely 10:00 a.m. the historic cannon was fired. Mayor Gale Katchur then declared the station officially launched. 

2013

The CRTC approved the relocation of the transmitter from the Rogers tower, to the SBA Communications tower, thereby decreasing the EHAAT to 60.5 metres.

The story continues elsewhere…
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