CFJL-FM

On August 8, the CRTC approved the application by CKVN Radiolink System Inc. for a new commercial FM radio station at Winnipeg. This was one of five new Winnipeg radio stations approved in decisions issued this date. The applicant proposed to operate the new station at 100.7 MHz (channel 264A) with an effective radiated power of 1,300 watts. It would offer a nostalgia format comprised of adult standards and easy listening music drawn from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. The applicant indicated that the station would fill the programming niche created in the Winnipeg market when CJOB discontinued its nostalgia format and CFST changed format from adult standards to sports talk. Radiolink held no Winnipeg radio licences but had operated various radio undertakings pursuant to exemption order respecting low-power radio: limited duration special event facilitating undertakings. During these periods of operation, Radiolink operated with the CKVN-FM call letters. CKVN first broadcast in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day. It had a power of 14 watts.

The applicant stated that it would offer a full-service station, with all programming produced locally and all regular and special feature programming hosted by live on-air talent. It stated that its news department would consist of a news director and three reporters, and that it would provide a minimum of 3 hours and 30 minutes of news programming each week. In addition to news programming, Radiolink proposed to offer a number of spoken word programs including features and specials aimed specifically at a target audience over the age of 45. The features would include information dealing with issues such as health, medicine, finance, lifestyle and retirement. Radiolink also indicated that it planned to feature a highly experienced broadcasting team of on-air and programming talent that would regularly offer anecdotes, personal insights as well as locally relevant information such as traffic, weather, community and special events information. In light of its proposal to offer a format based on older music, the applicant requested that it be allowed to abide by conditions of licence setting the levels of Canadian content at levels lower than those required of stations that program more modern music. The Commission imposed, as conditions of licence, the applicant’s commitments that the station be operated within the specialty format, and that no more that 60% of all musical selections broadcast in each broadcast week be selections drawn from category 2 (Popular music). Accordingly, the remainder of the music broadcast by the station must be drawn from category 3 (Special interest music). The licence would expire August 31, 2009.

CHNR 100.7 FM officially signed on December 9 with a nostalgia music format. (According to the CRTC, the station began broadcasting on June 2, 2003)

On November 24, the CRTC approved an application for authority to transfer the effective control of CKVN Radiolink System Inc., the licensee of CHNR-FM Winnipeg, to Newcap Inc. Newcap was a wholly owned subsidiary of Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited, which was ultimately controlled by Harold R. Steele. It owned radio stations in Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Radiolink was a corporation owned by a number of shareholders and controlled by its board of directors for which James Lee Smith, President and C.E.O. of Radiolink, had been appointed as sole director by the shareholders. Radiolink indicated that it had experienced substantial financial losses during CHNR-FM’s first two years of operation and that, as a small independent operator, it did not have the financial resources to maintain the station in a radio market that was already served by large broadcasters. The proposed transaction would be implemented through the transfer of all of the shares of Radiolink to Newcap. Under a Share Purchase Agreement between Radiolink and Newcap, Radiolink’s shareholders had, as a first step, transferred a portion of their shares (19.9%) to Newcap, effective 1 February 2005. Further, Radiolink entered into a Management Agreement with Newcap providing for general management services pending the transfer of the remaining 80.1% voting interest. Based on the Share Purchase Agreement, the purchase price for the shares would be $1,790,000. As a result of this transaction, Newcap would own and control Radiolink.

On December 26 at 12:00 p.m., CHNR-FM “The Breeze” adopted an Adult Album Alternative format as CKFE-FM “Cafe 100.7”. The new sound abandoned the “safe” music (older and current Top 40 hits heard on many other stations) for “music that is an alternative to the ordinary”.

Café 100.7 FM opened a new studio in Winnipeg’s downtown skywalk at Portage Place Shopping Centre, directly above Hargrave Street and Portage Avenue, at the entrance of the MTS Centre, February 24th at 11:45 a.m. Until now, the station had operated from “makeshift” studios in an old steakhouse on Portage Avenue. Listeners would be able to watch announcers doing their shows from inside the skywalk – through the glass, at the new location.

On December 28 at 1:00 p.m., after playing the same song over and over for 48 hours, CKFE “Café 100.7” became CHNK “100.7 HANK FM (Plays Everything Country)”. The format changed from Adult Album Alternative to Country.

For the record, the studio/office address is 520 Corydon Avenue.

On December 6, CHNK-FM was authorized to increase effective radiated power from 1,300 watts to an average effective radiated power of 60,200 watts, increase the effective antenna height to 176.1 metres, and relocate the transmitter. Newcap has indicated that listeners were having difficulty tuning into CHNK-FM with any regularity and therefore more often than not were tuning out. Newcap stated that approval of its application would allow it to better serve Winnipeg and its surrounding areas.

In relation to power increase approved last year: On April 8, 2008, the CRTC announced it had now received the technical evaluation comments from Industry Canada, which indicated the average ERP authorized in the TA was 60,900 watts. Therefore, ERP would increase from 1,300 watts to an average ERP of 60,900 watts. Antenna height would increase to 176.1 metres from a new transmitter site.

On April 7 at 6:00 a.m., CHNK-FM was now operating with increased power and playing “continuous country” with 55 minutes of music every hour outside of the morning show. There was also a more focused blend of mainstream country along with Alt-Country, Christian and Bluegrass. At this time Randy Skulsky was general manager and Abbey White was program director.

On August 20, the CRTC administratively renewed CHNK-FM’s licence until December 31, 2009.

On December 17, the licence was administratively renewed to May 31, 2010. 

Michelle Pereira, the Retail Sales Manager at HANK-FM/CKJS from 2007 to 2009 was now with CHUM Winnipeg as Agency Liaison. 

In February the morning team of Trevor “Moose” Stoyko and Julie Buckingham left the station.

On May 28, the CRTC renewed the licence for CHNK-FM to 31 August 2013. This short-term renewal would permit the Commission to review at an earlier date the licensee’s compliance with its condition of licence relating to the broadcast of category 2 (Popular Music) selections, as well as with sections 8(5), 8(6) and 15 of the Radio Regulations, 1986 relating to the provision of complete logger tapes and contributions to Canadian content development. The Commission denied the licensee’s request to delete the conditions of licence associated with CHNK-FM’s operation as a specialty format station. 

100.7 HANK FM Program Director Abbey White left that position to become PD at sister Newcap stations KG Country Red Deer and the Newcap stations in Brooks, Drumheller, Stettler and Blairmore. 

On July 6 at 6:00 a.m., HANK FM became K-Rock 100.7. The new K-Rock 100.7 featured World Class Rock (not limited to the narrow definition of classic rock, but expanded musical horizons, encompassing the past, present, and future). The call letters remained CHNK-FM. The Bob & Tom Show was heard in AM Drive. Randy Skulsky was general manager. 

Northwoods Broadcasting Thunder Bay Program Director Sandra Dolynchuk, resigned that position and was now PD at HANK FM. 

In May, Newcap announced that it was selling CHNK-FM and CKJS-AM to Evanov Communications pending CRTC approval.

On October 24, the CRTC approved the application by Dufferin Communications Inc. for authority to acquire from Newcap Inc. the assets of the English-language commercial radio stations CHNK-FM and CKJS Winnipeg. The Commission also approved Dufferin’s request to amend CHNK-FM’s condition of licence relating to the broadcast of musical selections from content category 2 (Popular Music). Dufferin was a wholly owned subsidiary of Evanov Communications Inc., a corporation controlled by William Evanov. Pursuant to the Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement, the purchase price for the combined assets of CHNK-FM and CKJS was $5.5 million.

On November 26, CHNK-FM became CFJL-FM and was rebranded as “The Lounge 100.7 FM – Winnipeg’s Christmas Music Station”. It played non-stop Christmas music. The station was expected to switch to an Adult Contemporary format after the holidays. Sister station Energy 106 changed its call sign from CFJL-FM to CHWE-FM.

On December 26, CFJL-FM rebranded as “The Breeze” rather than as “The Lounge”. The format was now Lite Adult Contemporary.

The All new 100.7 THE BREEZE, CFJL-FM announced the addition of two of Winnipeg’s most loved Radio personalities. Don Percy would host “The Morning Breeze with Don Percy” from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. Afternoons (3-6 p.m.) would be handled by Stan Kubicek. Dale Davies joined Energy 106 CHWE and CFJL on January 16. He would be program and music director for Energy 106 and also help oversee the programming for The Breeze 100.7. Dale had been assistant PD and MD at Bell Media’s Bob FM and Fab FM in Winnipeg. One of Winnipeg’s Favorite DJs returned to the Winnipeg airwaves in February, with the debut of “The Frankie Hollywood Show” on Winnipeg’s NEW #1 Hit Music Station ENERGY 106. Hollywood was hosting the 5:30 to 9:00 a.m. show.

Mike Fabian became General Manager at Evanov Winnipeg (Energy 106, The Breeze 107 and CKJS). He also continued as General Sales Manager.

On October 11, the CRTC renewed CFJL’s licence and approved its request to no longer operate within the specialty format. The applicatn submitted that the requested licence amendments were necessary because CFJL-FM’s specialty format was not economically viable. The licensee proposed instead to offer a Lite Adult Contemporary music format.

On January 1, CFJL rebranded as Jewel 101 FM. It had been known as “The Breeze” until early November when the format changed from Soft AC-Standards to Light Rock.

On August 19, the CRTC approved CFJL’s application to change frequency from 100.7 to 100.5 MHz, increase the average ERP from 51,000 to 63,500 watts (max. ERP from 80 to 100 kW).

77 year old Don Percy did his last 10-Noon shift January 19. He planned to still do fill-in work and voice-tracking. Percy’s 57-year broadcast career saw him begin at CFCO Chatham, moving on to markets like Toronto, Edmonton and Winnipeg. In 2006, he was inducted into the Broadcasters Association of Manitoba Hall of Fame.

CFJL moved from 100.7 to 100.5 MHz, increased ERP from 51,000 to 63,500 watts (maximum 80,000 to 100,000) and changed its name from Jewel 101 to Jewel 100.5.

In February, CFJL flipped from Soft AC Jewel 100.5 to Hot 100.5 with a 90’s based Classic Hits format.