CHBZ-FM, B104, Cranbrook
Jim Pattison Broadcast Group
| Station | Year | Freq. | Power | Owner/Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHBZ-FM | 2000 | 104.7 | 1,264 | Jim Pattison Broadcast Group |
| CKKR-FM | 1995 | 104.7 | 1,264 | Columbia Kootenay Broadcasting Co. Ltd. |
1994
Columbia Kootenay Broadcasting Co. Ltd., owner of CKEK, was awarded an FM licence on October 26. The new station would operate on 104.7 MHz with an effective radiated power of 1,264 watts.
1995
CKKR-FM signed on the air at the end of September.
1999
Jim Pattison Industries announced it had purchased 29.9% equity in Monarch Broadcasting. Monarch owned and operated nine radio stations and two TV stations in Alberta and B.C. Monarch had recently entered into a deal to buy three radio stations – CKKR-FM/CKEK Cranbrook and a repeater at Kimberly, B.C. Since the percentage purchasef by Pattison was below the maximum allowed, no CRTC approval was necessary.
2000
Monarch Broadcasting Limited (division of Jim Pattison Industries Ltd.) purchased Columbia Kootenay Broadcasting Co. Ltd.
2002
In July, CKKR “The Outlaw” became CHBZ “B104”, with a Contemporary Country format.
Sister station CKEK-AM became CHDR-FM.
2004
On August 13 the CRTC renewed the licence for Columbia Kootenay Broadcasting’s CHBZ-FM (formerly CKKR-FM).
On November 12, CHBZ was authorized to add a transmitter at Fernie, operating on 92.7 MHz with an effective radiated power of 15 watts.
2011
On August 31, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CHBZ-FM and its transmitter CFBZ-FM Fernie until March 31, 2012.
2012
On March 20, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CHBZ-FM Cranbrook and its transmitter CFBZ-FM Fernie to August 31, 2012.
Jim Pattison, Managing Director and CEO, the Jim Pattison Group announced the promotion of two key executives of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group LP, effective July 1. Rick Arnish was promoted to Chairman of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group LP, following a very successful 14 years as President. Rod Schween was promoted to assume the role of President of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group LP. He had been general manager/general sales manager for the Pattison Lethbridge/Cranbrook division with 6 stations in 3 different communities. He would move to the Kamloops, B.C. Head Office of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, where he would be responsible as General Manager of Broadcast Centre – CFJC TV, CIFM FM & CKBZ FM.
On August 28, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CHBZ-FM Cranbrook and its transmitter CFBZ-FM Fernie to December 31, 2012.
It was announced at the end of August that effective October 1, the new General Manager of the Cranbrook/Fernie division that would oversee CHBZ-FM, CHDR-FM & CJDR-FM would be Leo Baggio. In addition to his GM’s role, Leo would also serve as Program Director of CHDR / CJDR. Leo had 28 years experience in the broadcast industry, having worked in Edson, AB and Smithers, BC prior to coming to Kamloops, BC. He had been an integral part of the senior management team at the Kamloops division with responsibilities as the Director of Radio Programming & Operations the last 2 years. Previous to this, he was on-air as an afternoon drive host and assistant operations manager.
On December 21, the CRTC renewed the licence of CHBZ-FM Cranbrook and its transmitter CFBZ-FM Fernie to August 31, 2019.
The story continues elsewhere…
Effective September 1st 2019, we will only be adding new material to these station histories in exceptional circumstances. Our intent to chronicle the early days of these radio and television stations has been achieved, and many new sources and technologies, from the CRTC website to Wikipedia, and others, are now regularly providing new information in these areas.