CHBY-FM

On January 12, the CRTC approved the application by Haliburton Broadcasting Group Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language FM commercial radio programming undertaking in Barry’s Bay. The new station would operate at 106.5 MHz (channel 293B) with an effective radiated power of 12,000 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 127 metres). It would offer an Adult Contemporary music format. The station would broadcast a minimum of 120 hours of local programming in each broadcast week, which would include approximately 19 hours of spoken word programming. Haliburton committed to devote, by condition of licence, at least 40% of all category 2 (Popular Music) musical selections broadcast during each broadcast week and between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday to Canadian selections broadcast in their entirety.

On October 19, the CRTC approved the application by Vista Radio Ltd. for authority to acquire from Haliburton Broadcasting Group Inc. the assets of Haliburton’s AM and FM radio stations and their transmitters located in Bancroft, Barry’s Bay, Bolton, Bracebridge, Caledon, Cochrane, Elliot Lake, Espanola, Fort Erie, Haldimand, Haliburton, Hearst, Huntsville, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Kemptville, Niagara Falls, North Bay, Parry Sound, Prescott, St. Catharines, Stratford, Sturgeon Falls and Timmins. Vista was a corporation controlled by Westerkirk Capital Inc., in turn controlled by Thompson Investments Limited.

After many delays, it was announced in September that CHBY-FM would begin testing in mid-October.

MOOSE FM began testing in mid-October. It was expected to have a Classic Hits/Variety Hits format.

MOOSE FM (CHBY) signed on the air October 16 at noon. The first song was Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas. The station was offering a Greatest Hits format with music from the ‘70s and ‘80s, and some reaching back into the ‘60s.