CKQK-FM

On March 24, Newcap Inc. was given approval to operate a new FM station at Charlottetown. However, it was advised to seek a frequency other than the proposed 89.9 MHz (with effective radiated power of 100,000 watts). The station would offer a blend of music consisting of new and Classic Rock from the late 1960s to the hits of today, targeting primarily male listeners aged 25 to 44.

On July 11, Newcap was authorized to use the 105.5 MHz frequency for its new Charlottetown station. Average effective radiated power would be 33,000 watts.

The Island’s Rock Radio – the New K-Rock 105.5 – CKQK-FM – launched at 5:00 p.m. on July 25 after a short test period. Studios and offices were co-located with sister station CHTN (now FM) at 90 University Avenue. CKQK-FM offered an Active Rock format. 

On January 19, CKQK-FM was authorized to add transmitters in Elmira (103.7 MHz with average effective radiated power of 990 watts) and St. Edward (91.1 MHz with average ERP of 1,600 watts).

In January, Heather McAulay joined Ocean100/KRock 105-5 as Sales Coordinator.

In March, Ocean 100 and K-Rock 105.5 were now operating repeater stations in eastern and western PEI in order to increase the broadcast coverage area of the two stations. Islanders living in eastern PEI who were not able to access local radio could now listen to Ocean 100 at 99.9 and K-Rock at 103.7on their FM radio dial. Islanders in western PEI who could not access PEI radio service could listen to Ocean 100 at 89.9 and K-Rock at 91.1. Since all PEI radio stations moved to the FM dial in 2006, some Islanders in eastern and western PEI had been experiencing difficulties in getting the new FM signals. General Manager Jennifer Evans with Ocean and K-Rock said they were very pleased to offer this new extended service. At this time, the new repeater signals were being tested by Industry Canada for a few weeks to ensure the signals did not pose any interference with existing radio signals. The rebroadcasters were CHTN-FM-1 and CKQK-FM-1 Elmira / CHTN-FM-2 and CKQK-FM-2 Saint Edward.

Dwayne Sawchyn was promoted to Regional Sales Manager, Newcap Maritimes (six markets with 10 stations in NS, NB and PEI), and was based in Halifax. He had been Retail Sales Supervisor at CFRQ-FM/CKUL-FM Dartmouth/Halifax.

Blair Rhodes, the Program Director at K-Rock Charlottetown left the station May 17 to join LiVE 88.5 Ottawa as Promotions Director. 

Kate Buick, after 15 years at CD 98.9 Simcoe, was now Program Director and midday host at K-Rock 105.5.

K-ROCK 105.5 rebranded to The New Hot 105.5, PEI’s #1 Hit Music Station. There was also a new morning show – The Morning Hottub with Alex, Zack & Firth.

105.5 CKQK switched from Active Rock (K-ROCK) to CHR (Hot 105.5).

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.