CFIQ-AM

On January 28, Radio CJYQ 930 Ltd. was given approval to operate a new AM station at Harbour Grace. It would broadcast on a frequency of 970 kHz with a power of 1,000 watts day and 500 watts at night. It would rebroadcast some programming from CJYQ St. John’s. A competing application by Colonial Broadcasting System (VOCM) to operate a new AM station at nearby Carbonear (Spaniard’s Bay) was also approved. In licensing two competing stations for the same area, the CRTC said it took into account, the strong position of both CJYQ and VOCM. If it was necessary, the two companies were expected to subsidize the new stations.

The licence for CFIQ was renewed but the station was told it must be on the air by March 31, 1983.

CHUM Limited agreed to buy Don Jamieson’s Radio CJYQ 930 Ltd. (CJYQ St. John’s and the Q group of stations across the province). Don’s brother Colin agreed to remain as president. The purchase was approved by the CRTC.

CHUM took ownership of Radio CJYQ 930 Ltd. on January 15.

The Q Radio Network added its first new station in years with the launch of CFIQ Harbour Grace (Conception Bay) on April 25. The station officially launched on May 7. The Q Radio Network was owned by Radio CJYQ 930 Ltd. (headquartered at CJYQ 930 St. John’s), a division of CHUM Limited. CFIQ broadcast on 970 kHz with a power of 1,000 watts day and 500 watts at night. The station was a semi-satellite of CJYQ-AM St. John’s.

Radio CJYQ 930 Ltd. and all CHUM Group radio and television companies were amalgamated into CHUM Limited. CFIQ became a direct division of CHUM Ltd.

On July 19, CHUM Limited sold the CJYQ stations to NewCap Broadcasting Limited (owned by Harry Steele’s Newfoundland Capital Corp.).

CFIQ dropped all local programming when the Harbour Grace studios were closed due to the poor economy. CFIQ would now simulcast CKIX-FM St. John’s on a full-time basis.

Hilary Montbourquette was appointed operations manager for CJYQ/CKIX-FM and Harbour Grace’s CFIQ. He retained his program director position as well. Hilary will now be responsible for news, creative and production at the stations.

Early in the year, Newcap announced the closure of two Q Radio Network stations – CFIQ and Grand Bank’s CKXJ. Newcap vice president Jim MacLeod said the closures were due to economics and five staff members were offered severance packages. He said it had been 15 years since CKXJ had been profitable and that CFIQ had never been profitable.

At Newcap’s request, the licence for CFIQ was revoked by the CRTC in May.