CFMY-FM

Medicine Hat Broadcasting Ltd. was given approval to operate a new AM station at Medicine Hat. A competing application by Sun West Holdings Ltd. was denied. An application by CHAT (Monarch Broadcasting) for a new FM station was also turned down. The new station would operate on a frequency of 1390 kHz and have a full-time power of 10,000 watts. A Contemporary Middle of the Road format would be offered. Gordon Colledge would be general manager and a 20% shareholder.

CJCY signed on the air on July 1. It used a Harris MW-10 transmitter. The format was adult contemporary. Bruce Seely was news director and Brian Konrad was sports director. 

John Carter joined the CJCY staff. He had been program director at CJVR in Melfort.

Paul Maxwell was CJCY’s new morning man. He had been with CHEC Lethbridge.

On March 5, the CRTC approved the application for authority to transfer 25% of the common voting shares and 67 preferred shares of Medicine Hat Broadcasting Ltd. by Larry Green to Stober Financial Corporation Ltd., a holding company wholly-owned by Douglas Stober. Mr. Stober was an existing shareholder of Medicine Hat Broadcasting Ltd., owning 25% of the common voting shares. As a result of this intracorporate transaction, Douglas Stober would acquire negative control of Medicine Hat Broadcasting Ltd. He would control 50% of the company. 

CJCY was now known as “The New Mix 1390”. The station’s general manager was Ray Edwardson.

Bob Arnold joined CJCY for AM drive on February 20. He had been with CFRN Edmonton. 

On February 24, Monarch Broadcasting Ltd. was given approval to purchase CJCY from Medicine Hat Broadcasting Ltd. Medicine Hat Broadcasting wholly owns and operates CJCY as a stand-alone, independent station. Monarch owns a number of television and radio stations in Alberta and British Columbia, including CHAT-AM and TV in Medicine Hat. It also operates CFCN-TV-8 Medicine Hat. 

On the same date, Monarch was authorized to convert CJCY to the FM band, operating on a frequency of 96.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts. CJCY had operated on 1390 kHz with a power of 10,000 watts. 

When CJCY moved to the FM dial, it became CFMY-FM “My 96”.

On December 21, Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. was given permission to purchase Monarch Broadcasting Limited, owner of CFMY-FM (Medicine Hat Broadcasting Ltd.).

CFMY morning man Dave “The Bear” Harrison died April 2. He was 55.

The application by Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. (the general partner) and Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. (the limited partner) carrying on business as Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership, owned by James A. Pattison for  authority to acquire the assets of all of the radio and television stations in Alberta and British Columbia was approved. All of the affected undertakings are currently licensed to corporate entities owned by James A. Pattison. This transaction is part of a corporate reorganization that will not affect the ultimate control of the stations. Ultimate control would continue to be exercised by James A. Pattison, the sole shareholder of Jim Pattison Ltd. As a result of this transaction, Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. (the limited partner) will have a 99.99% interest and Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. (the general partner) will have a 0.01% interest in a limited partnership which will carry on business as Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership. Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jim Pattison Industries Ltd., which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jim Pattison Ltd.

Dwaine Dietrich retired in July, and Dave Sherwood took over as general manager of CHAT-FM-TV, and CFMY-FM in September. 

With the addition of Brad Smart to the MY 96 on air team (Wed-Fri 3-9 p.m. and Sat-Sun noon-6 p.m.) there were a couple other changes to announce. Carla Rider moved full time into the mid-day slot. Shalinda moved into the Saturday morning slot (6-Noon) and took over Free Speech Friday (10am-3pm). Her afternoon drive slots (3-9) would be Wednesday and Thursday with Brad on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

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

On November 30, the CRTC renewed CFMY’s licence to August 31, 2017.

Jen Grier joined the CFMY air staff on October 7. She had been working in Prince George radio. A week later, Mat Boisselle joined the MY 96 air team from CFNY-FM in Toronto, where he had been morning show technical producer. Sara Phipps was hired to fill in for Kristina who was leaving for maternity leave. Phipps had filled in for Josie Doll when she was on maternity leave. She began training with Kristina on October 11. After seven years at CHAT-TV/CHAT-FM/MY96 FM, News Director Rhonda Carlson left to join husband Will Desjardins, an associate coach with the Dallas Stars of the NHL.

Regan Tate became News Director at CHAT Radio-TV/MY96 FM Medicine Hat November 14, moving from her Assignment Editor duties at Global Regina. Jen Grier joined MY96 from the sister Pattison operation in Prince George, and Matt Boiselle was new at MY96. He’d been with Edge 102.1 Toronto.

Kristen Gilchrist moved from Golden West Broadcasting High River to join CHAT 94.5/MY96 as producer.

Tim Weinberger became General Sales Manager at CHAT-FM/CFMY-FM/CHAT-TV in mid-July. He had been General Manager/GSM at Newcap’s K-Rock 100.5 Fort McMurray, and succeeded Ed Lundberg who retired at the end of September. Weinberger’s background included CKRD Red Deer, CFRN TV Edmonton and ITV Edmonton.