CKSM-AM

April 29 was set as opening day for CKSM. It would operate on 1220 kHz and have a power of 1,000 watts. CKSM would operate under the name of La Compagnie de Radiodiffusion de Shawinigan Falls Ltee. The president of the company was D.R. Wilson, publisher of the Shawinigan Standard. Other management members: Jean Legault (general manager), Allan Rogerson (secretary-treasurer and national sales manager), Lucien Guertin (publisher of l’Echo du St-Maurice, was on the board). Shawinigan Falls and Grand’Mere would be the chief centres served by CKSM. CKSM went on the air on April 30.

CKSM became a CAB member.

Slogan: Serving Shawinigan, Grand Mere & La Tuque.

CKSM was owned by La Compagnie de Radiodiffusion de Shawinigan Falls Ltee. (Shawinigan Falls Broadcasting Co. Ltd.). Ownership of the company: Allan Rogerson 26.3%, Mrs. M. L. Rogerson 22.5%, D. R. Wilson 8.3%, Albert Vallee 12.5%, A. Gelinas 0.4%, E. Brunelle 0.6%, A. Lacoursiere 0.3%, and 34 other shareholders29.1%. CKSM was an independent station with no network affiliation. Allan Rogerson was president of the company. 

A. Gogerson was general manager. 

Art Lacoursiere was president of Cie de Radio Diffusion de Shawinigan Falls Ltee. Emilien Beauleu was CKSM’s manager.

Approval was given for the transfer of 5,714 common shares of La Compagnie de Radiodiffusion de Shawinigan Falls Ltee to Prades Inc. and 1 common share to Claude Pratte. Emilien Beaulieu sold CKSM to Power Corporation. He had been general manager and owner of the station since 1964.

On August 12, CKSM was given permission to affiliate with Radiomutuel.

CKSM was authorized to add a studio at Grand’Mere.

CKSM was purchased by Power Corporation.

On March 28, La Compagnie de Radidiffusion de Shawinigan Falls Ltee was given approval to increase CKSM 1220’s power from 1,000 day and night to 10,000 watts day and 2,500 watts night. CKSM would switch from a single directional pattern to different day and night directional patterns.

On August 12, CKSM was given permission to affiliate with Radiomutuel.

CKSM was authorized to add a studio at Grand’Mere.

On March 6, the CRTC renewed the licence for CKSM to September 30, 1989.

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. 

CKSM closed its Grand-Mère studio. This studio was used rarely.

Radiomutuel Inc. purchased CKSM from Power Broadcasting Inc.

In June, CKSM reduced local programming to 2 hours and 30 minutes per week. The remainder of the station’s programming originated with CHLN Trois-Rivieres.

Astral Communications inc. acquired Radiomutuel inc. 

On August 12 the CRTC renewed CKSM’s licence until August 31, 2006. This was an administrative renewal.

On July 26 CKSM received another administrative renewal from the CRTC. The new licence would be in effect until August 31, 2007.