CJOJ-FM

On November 13 the CRTC approved the application by Twigg Communications Ltd. for a new FM station at Belleville. It proposed to broadcast on a frequency of 102.3 MHz with an effective radiated power of 30,000 watts. Twigg was the owner of CJBK-AM and CJBX-FM London and CHOK Sarnia. The new station would offer a format targeted at 12 to 34 year olds (Group II hard rock). Competing applications by A. (Gus) Sondermeyer of Burlington, St. Lawrence Broadcasting of Kingston, Regional Broadcasting (principals own CIDC-FM Orangeville) and Power Broadcasting of Montreal (with nearby stations in Kingston and Peterborough) were denied. Loyalist College in Belleville applied for a student FM licence. It was approved.

On October 30, the CRTC gave Twigg approval to change the frequency for its proposed Belleville FM station from 102.3 MHz to 95.5 MHz, and to increase the effective radiated power from 30,000 watts to 50,000 watts. The antenna site would also be changed. The station would now co-site on the CBC tower, 22 kilometres to the northeast of Belleville. Twigg would pay the CBC’s costs in changing CJBC-1-FM from 95.5 MHz to 94.3 MHz. The 94.3 frequency was slated for an English-language rebroadcaster of the CBC which was never implemented due to budget restraints. The CBC said it could ensure coverage to the Belleville area by boosting the power of CBBK-FM Kingston.

CJOJ-FM “OJ 95” began on-air testing in October and officially signed on, December 1. Studios and offices were located at 354 Pinnacle St., Belleville. Tony Zwig was manager, Greg Southhorn was sales manager and Mike Christos was program director. 

Bill Dixon left CJOJ news for CKGL Kitchener.

Mark Philbin joined CJOJ as program director from CJCS Stratford.

Twigg Communications launched a second signal in Belleville on October 31 – CHCQ-FM 100.1.

On July 26, the CRTC approved the application by John Sheratt to acquire CJOJ-FM from Belleville Radio Ltd. and CHCQ-FM from CHCQ Ltd. Anthony Zwigg, owned both Belleville Radio Limited and CHCQ Limited. Mr. Sherratt, had been assisting Mr. Zwigg in establishing CHCQ-FM and in the operation of CJOJ-FM. As he became more involved in these activities, Mr. Sherratt decided to make an offer to Mr. Zwigg for the purchase of the two stations. Sherratt’s company was Starboard Communications Ltd.

On October 23, the CRTC approved a power decrease for CJOJ from 50,000 to 42,000 watts ERP, and to relocate the  transmitter to a site near Oak Lake, approximately 25 kilometres west of the existing site.

At 9:00 a.m. on February 7, CJOJ changed format to “Hits from the “70’s 80’s 90’s and Now” – Classic Hits – 95.5 FM. “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones kicked off the new sound. The station ran commercial free until February 10th when the format officially launched.

On March 29 the CRTC renewed CJOJ-FM’s licence until August 31, 2012.

After 14 years as co-host of CIGL’s morning show, Ingrid Moore crossed the street to co-host the morning show at CJOJ. Former CJOJ co-host Kathleen Rankine moved to sister station COOL 100. 

Classic Hits 95.5 and Cool 100 moved in January. Their new home was 497 Dundas Street West.

Ted Bradford became CJOJ-FM’s Program Director in February. He had been PD at a group of stations in Syracuse, N.Y. 

Steve Marline joined CJOJ for the mid-day show. Steve had been long-associated with CJBQ 800.

Josh Miller was now chief engineer/director of IT at Starboard Communications. He had been with the Evanov Broadcast Group in Toronto.

In June, Ted Bradford left CJOJ where he had been program director, to return to Clear Channel Radio in Syracuse, New York. Paul Ferguson, program director of sister station CHCQ, took over ad PD of CJOJ. 

On August 17, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence of CJOJ-FM to August 31, 2013.

CJOJ received CRTC approval to decrease ERP from 42,000 to 23,000 watts (64,000 to 35,000 watts Max. ERP).