CKFU-FM

On February 12, Russ Wagg, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, was given approval to operate a low-power FM station in Fort St. John, operating on 100.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 50 watts.  “Moose-FM” signed on at 10:01 a.m. on September 1.

The CRTC approved application to change the authorized contours of the low-power station by relocating the transmitter and by increasing the antenna height. The licensee stated that the changes would allow the installation of a back-up generator, allowing the station to remain on-air in the event of a power outage.   With approval of the application, Russ Beerling, General Manager of Moose FM said, “It’s my belief that the CRTC is paying closer attention to independent broadcasters ability to provide the local information and entertainment needs of communities. I believe independent broadcasters…because they are not absentee owners, and live, work, and raise their families in the markets they serve…have a better handle, on those needs”.

On May 8, Moose FM was granted a change of transmitter location and increase in antenna height. CKFU wanted a site that had battery power readily available should there be a power outage. The station was unable to install a generator at the existing site. The new tower was owned by Petron Communications Ltd.

CKFU’s studios and offices were located at 10423 – 101 Avenue in Fort St. John.

In March CKFU changed format from Hot Adult Cotemporary / Classic Hits to Country. The station continued to use the Moose FM branding.

On June 30, the CRTC renewed the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial radio station CKFU-FM Fort St. John from 1 July 2010 to 31 August 2013. This short-term licence renewal would enable the Commission to review the licensee’s compliance with the Radio Regulations, 1986 at an earlier date. The Commission denied the licensee’s request for an exception to the requirement to devote at least 60% of its basic annual Canadian content development contribution to FACTOR or MUSICACTION. In Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2009-786, the Commission noted that the licensee may have failed to comply with section 9(2) of the Regulations, which relates to the provision of annual returns, for the broadcast years 2005 through 2008.

Paul Hawkes passed away at the age of 64.

The new Program Director/midday host at 100.1 Moose FM Fort St. John was 18-year veteran Brad Russell. He had been with Country 103 Kamloops.

On December 18, the CRTC renewed the licence for CKFU to August 31, 2018. The short-term renewal would allow for an earlier review of the licensee’s compliance with its condition of licence and the Radio Regulations. The licensee was found to be in non-compliance relating to Canadian talent development contributions for 2009-10 to 2011-12.

In July, the CRTC renewed the licence of CKFU-FM to 31 August 2023. This short-term licence renewal would allow for an earlier review of the licensee’s compliance with regulatory requirements. This was the third consecutive licence term in which the licensee had been found in non-compliance. However, the non-compliance from the present term was unrelated to the previous instances of non-compliance. The Commission noted that the licensee had taken steps to avoid future non-compliance with the requirements relating to the retention of program logs and music lists.