CIKI-FM

On November 26, La Compagnie de Radiodiffusion Rimouski Limitée (The Rimouski Broadcasting Co. Ltd.), owner of CFLP-AM, was granted a licence for a new FM station at Rimouski It would operate on a frequency of 104.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 58,700 watts. A Group IV music format would be offered.

On January 29, the CRTC approved the applications for authority to transfer effective control of Baie des Chaleurs Television Inc., The Rimouski Broadcasting Company Limited and Shawinigan Falls Broadcasting Company Limited through the transfer of 1,000 common voting shares of Prades Inc. (100%) from Paul G. Desmarais (500) and Claude Pratte (500) to Power Corporation of Canada, which was indirectly controlled by Mr. Desmarais. As a result of this transaction, Power Corporation would acquire 100% control of Prades Inc. which held effective control of Baie des Chaleurs Television Inc., licensee of CHAU-TV Carleton and its rebroadcasting stations; The Rimouski Broadcasting Company Limited, licensee of CFLP Rimouski and the new FM station authorized by the CRTC, and The Shawinigan Falls Broadcasting Company Limited, licensee of CKSM Shawinigan. 

The new station was given approval to decrease power, from 58,700 to 41,300 watts; change the frequency from 104.5 to 98.7 MHz, and to relocate the transmitter site from the east of Saint-Valérien to Mont-Comi.

CIKI 98.7 began broadcasting on February 14. The station initially operated at reduced power of 32,800 watts from a temporary antenna while the permanent installation was completed.

CIKI-FM was given approval to add a rebroadcast transmitter at Sainte-Marguerite-Marie on 93.9 MHz with an effective radiated power of 750 watts. 

La Compagnie de Radiodiffusion Rimouski Limitée became of subsidiary of the newly formed Power Broadcasting Inc. (no change in ownership) 

Power Broadcasting had applied for a rebroadcast transmitter for CIKI-FM at Matane. The CRTC turned the application down. Power had planned to originate 15 hours of programming weekly in Matane.

Pierre Harvey, based in Rimouski, was named regional manager for Power Broadcasting. Martin Brassard was promoted to news director for CIKI-FM / CFLP-AM.

Mario Founier became director of marketing for CFLP / CIKI, assisted by Joel Villeneuve. 

Bertrand Bellavance was named vice president and general manager of CIKI-FM and CFLP-AM.

Power Corporation sold Power Broadcasting Inc. to Corus Entertainment Inc. La Compagnie de Radiodiffusion Rimouski Limitée was a division of Power.

On January 21, the CRTC approved an exchange of assets between Corus Entertainment Inc. and Astral Media Radio Inc. Corus acquired from Astral: CKAC Montréal, CHRC Québec, CJRC Gatineau, CKRS Saguenay, CHLN Trois-Rivières, CHLT and CKTS Sherbrooke, and CFOM-FM Lévis. Astral  acquired from Corus: CFVM-FM Amqui, CJDM-FM Drummondville, CJOI-FM and CIKI-FM Rimouski, and CFZZ-FM Saint-Jean-Iberville.

On April 12, CIKI was authorized to increase its average effective radiated power from 41,300 to 76,000 watts, to increase antenna height and to relocate the transmitter.

On July 6 the CRTC renewed CIKI-FM’s licence (and CIKI-FM-2 Sainte-Marguerite) until August 31, 2014. Conditions: The licensee shall make a basic annual contribution to Canadian content development. The licensee shall allocate 60% of this basic annual CCD contribution to the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings or MUSICACTION. The licensee shall refrain from soliciting any local advertising in the Baie-Comeau market and adjacent sectors served by the local stations. The Commission notes the licensee’s commitment to devote 2 hours and 49 minutes, including 7 minutes on weekends, to local news. The licensee shall also devote 1 hour and 36 minutes to local weather, sports, culture and entertainment.

In August, Astral’s chain of “Energie FM” stations changed their name to “NRJ” (pronounced Energie in French). The change was part of a licensing deal with NRJ-FM in France.

On February 23, the CRTC approved the application to amend the licence for CIKI-FM in order to delete the condition of licence relating to the provision of annual reports on the diversity of musical selections.

On June 27, 2013, after a previous such application had been denied in 2012, the CRTC approved an application by Astral Media Inc. to sell its pay and specialty television channels, conventional television stations and radio stations to BCE Inc., including CIKI-FM.

The ten NRJ stations in Quebec were rebranded as Énergie on August 24. Programming remained Pop Rock hits. CIKI changed from NRJ 98.7 to ENERGIE 98.7 (including CIKI-FM-2 Ste Marguerite Marie).