CKLN-FM

On May 9, the CRTC approved an application by Newcap Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio station in Clarenville. The proposed station would operate at 97.1 MHz (channel 246A) with an effective radiated power of 2,500 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 21.2 metres). The station would offer a Hot Adult Contemporary music format targeting listeners between the ages of 25 and 54, slightly skewed towards women. Newcap indicated that it would broadcast at least 126 hours of local programming each broadcast week.  Spoken word programming would consist of community events, local sports, as well as charitable and cultural events, and would include 4 hours and 6 minutes of pure news. The licence would expire August 31, 2019.

When CKLN 97.1 signed on the air in May, instead of having an Hot AC format, the station offered Country and was known as KIXX Country. Sister stations CJYQ St. John’s and CHVO Carbonear also offered the KIXX Country format.

On October 23, the CRTC approved an application by Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited, on behalf of Newcap Inc. and its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, for authorization to effect a change in the ownership and effective control of various radio and television broadcasting undertakings in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, so that effective control of the undertakings would be exercised by Eric Boyko (Stingray Digital Group Inc.). Stingray took ownership of the stations just a few days later.