CHGK-FM

CHGK-FM, Stratford’s Best Music, Stratford

Vista Broadcast Group Inc.

StationYearFreq.PowerOwner/Info
CHGK-FM2012107.72,805
CHGK-FM2011107.72,805Haliburton Broadcasting Group
CHGK-FM2003107.72,805Radio Inc. (Steven Rae)

2002

On December 18, Raedio Inc. (Steven Rae), owner of CJCS 1240  was given approval for an FM station at Stratford, operating with 2,805 watts on 107.7 MHz. An adult contemporary format would be offered.

2003

After a short test period, “107-7 Mix FM” CHGK officially signed on the air on September 2. Studios and offices were located at 376 Romeo Street South (with sister station CJCS). 

2010

On June 30, the CRTC renewed the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial radio station CHGK-FM Stratford from 1 July 2010 to 31 August 2013. This short-term licence renewal will enable the Commission to review the licensee’s compliance with the Radio Regulations, 1986 and its conditions of licence at an earlier date. In Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2009-786, the Commission noted that the licensee may have failed to comply with section 9(2) of the Radio Regulations, 1986, which relates to the provision of annual returns, for the 2008 broadcast year. The Commission also noted that the licensee may have failed to comply with its condition of licence relating to contributions to Canadian talent development for the same broadcast year.

2011

On February 21, the CRTC approved the application by Haliburton Broadcasting Group Inc. for authority to acquire, from Raedio Inc., the assets of CHGK-FM and CJCS Stratford. Haliburton was controlled by Christopher Grossman through his ownership and control of Beaumaris Group Inc., Haliburton’s controlling shareholder.

Braden Doerr was the new general manager at CJCS and CHGK-FM, recently acquired by Haliburton Broadcasting. Doerr had been general manager of Astral Media Radio London, most recently. Doerr began his career over 30 years ago at CJCS. News director Kirk Dickson was released upon the deal’s closing.

CHGK changed its branding from Mix FM to FM 107.7. The format remained Adult Contemporary.

2012

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. CHGK-FM was among the stations acquired by Vista.

2013

Braden Doerr, the General Manager of CJCS/FM 107.7 retired at the end of March. The new GM/General Sales Manager was Alex Stephens, formerly with Astral Radio Toronto where he was in sales. Doerr’s career ended where it began, at CJCS, where he was an announcer. From there, he moved to be Program Director at CFOR Orillia, GM at CFCH North Bay, and the launch of CFBG Bracebridge before moving to Telemedia London where he was market manager for CJBK/BX93/Q97.5 as well as continuing as VP/GM of regional broadcasting and GM at CICX-FM Orillia. A little later, he became responsible for Telemedia’s London, Hamilton, and St. Catharines stations. He retired from that position at the end of February, 2009 and took a couple of years off before returning, in 2011, to Stratford where he became GM of Haliburton Broadcasting’s recent acquisition, CJCS/CHGK-FM, now owned by Vista Radio. 

2014

CHGK became 2day FM. The former Lite Favourites format was replaced by “Stratford’s Best Music”.

The story continues elsewhere…
Effective September 1st 2019, we will only be adding new material to these station histories in exceptional circumstances. Our intent to chronicle the early days of these radio and television stations has been achieved, and many new sources and technologies, from the CRTC website to Wikipedia, and others, are now regularly providing new information in these areas.

Contact this station