CHLW-FM

On December 10, the CRTC approved an application by Stephen Guay to operate a low-power, English-language commercial FM radio station in Barriere. The station would operate at 93.1 MHz (channel 226LP) with an average effective radiated power of 13.5 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of -144.5 metres). Guay proposed to offer a music format consisting primarily of pop, light rock, country and standard hits, targeting an all-inclusive audience (i.e., men and women, from three to 93 years of age). The applicant also proposed to broadcast world beat, experimental, acoustic, easy listening, folk, and jazz and blues music, as well as special music programming catering, for example, to youth and new genre music. The station would broadcast 126 hours of local programming in each broadcast week. This would include 10 hours of spoken word programming in a talk show format, and two hours of local and regional news. The licence would expire August 31, 2020.

CHLW-FM signed on the air.

On January 22, the CRTC approved the application by Kenneth Collin Brown for authority to acquire from Stephen Guay the assets of the low-power, English-language commercial radio station CHLW-FM (“The Bear”).

Steve Shannon died December 26 at the age of 71. Over his career, Shannon worked at CKGM and CFOX Montréal, CFTR Toronto, CHAM Hamilton, CKTB, CJQR and CHTZ St. Catharines, CHVR Pembroke, CJMO Moncton, CKXL Calgary, CKNG Edmonton and CIMA Vancouver. In 2013, he purchased CHLW-FM in Barriere, BC, and operated the station until 2017 when he was diagnosed with cancer.