CHOO-FM

Application was made at a CRTC public hearing commencing May 3 in Vancouver for a new low powered English language FM station with an MOR format to serve the west coast of Vancouver Island.

On July 15 the licence was approved for the station to operate on 101.7 MHz with an effective radiated power of 50 watts. The licence stipulated that 126 hours of locally produced programming would be provided weekly, offering a general middle-of-the-road format, including modern and light rock, classic and modern country as well as local talent, and a talk show. Plans were in place to provide approximately 20 hours each week of programming in the Nuu-chah-nulth language, consisting of stories and native music, along with two hours of French programming weekly. Funding for the station was to be provided by the Ma-Mook Development Corporation, a non-profit business development corporation created by the five Central Region First Nations of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.

CHOO-FM “West Coast Radio” signed on early in the year, serving the Tofino, Ucluelet, Ahousat, Bamfield, Opitsat, Long Beach and Hot Springs areas of Vancouver Island. Despite its low power, the station covered an amazing area. It identified itself as “CHOO”, a greeting in the local aboriginal dialect. The station’s “Native Language” programming consisted of the daily “Gumboot Show” by colourful English-speaking local native Tom Curly, reminiscent of a Country music DJ of the 50s and a true native language one-hour show on the weekends.

During the year, the station moved to a more contemporary music format in order to attract more advertisers.

Due to a lack of advertising revenue and other problems, the station was forced to shut down on January 15.