CKX-FM

The Craig family, owners of CKX-AM and CKX-TV, opened CKX-FM on December 16. CKX-FM broadcast on a frequency of 96.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 29,000 watts. CKX-FM was the first FM stereo station in Manitoba and offered separate programming from CKX-AM. John B. Craig Was President. CKX-FM was not affiliated with any network.

CKX-FM had a staff of six. It was programmed separately from CKX-AM between 11:55 a.m. and 12:10 a.m. – except for newscasts. Effective radiated power was still 29,000 watts.

President J.B. Craig announced the appointment of A. Stuart Craig as vice president and managing director of the company, effective January 1. He had been operations manager. 

Vince M. Dodd was named program director for CKX Radio and TV. He would continue to host “Rise and Shine” on CKX-AM-FM.

Power increased to 58,000 watts ERP. 

CKX-FM had an Adult Contemporary music format. The station dropped its playlist in favour of a music chart.

On May 7, Western Manitoba Broadcasters Ltd. was authorized to decrease CKX-FM’s effective radiated power 58,000 to 55,000 watts and to change the antenna site.

In late 1976 or early 1977, CKX-FM changed its call letters to CJCM-FM.

CJCM returned to the CKX-FM call sign.

CKX-FM purchased a new Harris FM-25K transmitter.

In March, the main CKX-TV tower was brought down in a winter storm. The tower was also home to CJCM-FM, CBC-FM and a rebroadcaster of CKY-TV (Winnipeg).

On January 11, the CRTC renewed CKX-FM’s licence until September 30, 1985.

Gary McGown joined CKX-FM from CKSA Lloydminster where he had been program director.

On August 9, CKX-FM was granted a power decrease from 100,000 to 88,700 watts. This was a result of the construction of a new tower (1,350 feet) after the original was destroyed in an ice storm in 1983. 

A. Stuart Craig received the 1984 business citizen of the year award from the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce.

Gary McGowan left KX96 as program director. He took up the same post at CILA-FM in Lethbridge. 

Bob Neeve became news director for CKX Radio and Television.

Stuart Craig died October 30.

The corporate name changed from Craig Broadcast Systems Inc. to  Craig Music & Entertainment Inc. (becoming a publicly-traded company).

On February 1, Standard Radio Inc. was given approval to purchase CKXA-FM and CKX-FM Brandon, CKMM-FM Winnipeg and CFQX-FM Selkirk from Craig Music & Entertainment Inc.

On September 27, Astral Media Radio G.P. received CRTC approval to acquire the assets of the radio and TV undertakings owned by Standard Radio Ltd., subject to certain conditions.  The purchase included  CKX-FM Brandon, CKMM-FM and CFQX-FM Selkirk. 

The former home of CKX-TV became an administrative office for Sunrise Credit Union. The company bought the property at 2940 Victoria Avenue in May. KX96 and 101.1 The Farm, owned by Astral Media Radio, remained building tenants.

On August 31, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CKX-FM until March 31, 2012.

On March 20, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CKX-FM to August 31, 2012. On July 10, the licence was administratively renewed to March 31, 2013.

On February 6, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence of CKX-FM to August 31, 2013.

On June 27, 2013, after a previous such application had been denied in 2012, the CRTC approved an application by Astral Media Inc. to sell its pay and specialty television channels, conventional television stations and radio stations to BCE Inc., including CKX-FM.

In late August, CKX 96.1 changed from Active Rock KX96 to Variety Hits BOB FM.