CKHZ-FM

On November 26, CKMW Radio Ltd. (Evanov Radio Group) was licenced to operate a new FM station at Halifax, on 103.5 MHz with effective radiated power of 78,000 watts. Antenna height would be 224 metres. The station would offer a Youth Contemporary format – a blend of urban (including hip hop), alternative rock, top 40, rhythm and blues, and dance music.

On May 10, HFX received approval to increase effective radiated power for CKHZ from 78,000 to 100,000 watts, decrease antenna height from 224 to 185.1 metres, and change the antenna site (from the CBC tower to the new CHUM Limited tower). CKHZ “Z103.5 The Beat of Halifax” began testing June 28 and officially signed on August 14. Z103.5 was patterned after sister station CIDC-FM (also Z103.5) in Toronto. Studios and offices were at 5527 Cogswell Street, Halifax.

JD (Jason) Desrosiers joined Z103.5 as promotions and marketing director. Matt MacLeod joined Z103.5 as afternoon drive host in July. Rob Johnson left Z103.5 for the soon to launch Live 105 in Halifax. The Beat Program Director Dan Barton left the station to set up a consulting business. He’d held the post since 2006. Rob Johnson, Program Director of Newcap’s KOOL 96.5 Halifax, left that position to join Evanov’s Z103.5 Halifax as PD. He began April 5, succeeding Dan Barton. After five years at Newcap Halifax and Fredericton, Jason “JD” Desrosiers joined the Evanov Radio Group in Halifax. He succeeded Angela Kelly as Promotions and Marketing Director and then became Assistant Program Director at ERG’s second Halifax station, expected to launch in the fall. Rob Johnson, after five months as Program Director of Evanov Radio Group’s Z103.5 Halifax, moved on. Johnson had arrived from being PD at Newcap’s KOOL 96.5 Halifax. In the interim, Jason (JD) Desrosiers, the Promotions and Marketing Director/Assistant PD, filled in as PD.

Jeff Cogswell and Shane Wilson left Z103.5. Cogswell ended up across town at CHNS-FM. Amelia Chabot joined Z103.5 as morning show co-host. She had been with CHUM Radio in Ottawa. On August 31, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CKHZ-FM to December 31, 2011. Personality Josh McLellan left the station. Nikki Balch left for mid-days at Virgin FM Montreal. She had been morning co-host at Z103.5. Music Director and Assistant Program Director Jeremy “DJ NoLuv” Slattery left Z103 for SONiC Vancouver. Jason JD Desrosiers became Brand Manager at 106.9 The BEAR Ottawa. He had been Promotions and Marketing Director/Assistant Program Director at Live 105/Energy 103.5 FM Halifax. Desrosiers had been with the Evanov stations since June, 2009.

On January 6 at 1:03 p.m., Energy 103.5 replaced Z103.5. Halifax’s newest #1 All Hit Music Station had a pure contemporary sound that featured artists such as Jay-Z, Pitbull, LMFAO, Rihanna, Flo- Rida, Nikki M, David Guetta and Drake. Energy’s 18-34 target audience was young, trendy and thrived on the passion and energy of life and hit music. J.D. Desrosiers left his role as program director for Live 105 and Energy 103.5 Halifax and took on the role of brand manager for 106.9 The Bear in Ottawa. Paul Evanov, Vice President of Evanov Radio Group, announced Gary Tredwell as the new Program Director for the company’s Halifax radio stations. Effective June 25, Tredwell would oversee day-to-day programming for CHR formatted CKHZ-FM (Energy 103.5) and modern rock CKHY-FM (Live 105). Most recently, Gary launched upstart 89.3 K-Rock (CIJK-FM) as Program Director with Newcap Broadcasting in Kentville. Gary Tredwell was the new Program Director at Evanov Radio Group’s Halifax cluster… CHR Energy 103.5 (CKHZ-FM) and Live 105 (CKHY-FM). Tredwell was most recently the PD at Newcap’s K-Rock (CIJK-FM) Kentville. On August 28, the CRTC administratively renewed CKHZ-FM’s licence until March 31, 2013.

On March 21, the CRTC renewed CKHZ-FM’s licence to August 31, 2019. The Commission denied the licensee’s request to decrease the level of Canadian popular music selections it was required to broadcast between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday to Friday from 40% to 35%.

On September 3 at 4:00 p.m., Evanov Radio rebranded Hot AC Energy 103.5 FM to Hot Country 103.5. Hot Country 103.5 launched with Florida Georgia Line’s “This is How We Roll”.