CHBD-FM

On May 28, Standard Radio Inc. was licenced to operate a new FM station to serve Regina. It would broadcast on a frequency of 92.7 MHz with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts. SRI proposed to offer a New Country music format, designed to appeal to an audience between 25 and 64 years of age, with a core audience of persons aged 35 to 54, split equally between males and females.

Astral Media Inc. acquired substantially all the assets of Standard Radio Inc. on October 29th, making it the largest radio broadcaster in the country.

At 3:00 p.m. on February 20, Astral Media launched CHBD-FM after three weeks of signal tests. The station was known as Regina’s True Country, Big Dog 92-7. Studios and offices were located at Suite 100, 4303 Albert Street in Regina. 

The new Program Director at Energy 101.5 Calgary was Mike Shannon, who had been the General Manager at Astral Media Radio’s Big Dog FM (CHBD).

Ryan Zimmerman, Operations Manager at Astral Media Radio Edmonton’s four stations and Program Director at one of them, 104.9 EZ Rock, was promoted to General Manager at Big Dog 92.7 Regina. 

The new Broadcast Technician at Astral Media Radio Penticton was David Ford. He had been at sister station KBS Trail before making the move in May. Ford succeeded John Boles who went to another Astral station, Big Dog 92.7 Regina, as its Engineer.

Paul O’Neil, former Assistant Program Director/Music Director at BIG DOG, was now at SUN COUNTRY 99.7 /AM 1140 High River as Program Director. Heather Prosak was the new Assistant PD at BIG DOG, adding that role to her morning show co-host duties. Jonathan Best moved from The Bear Edmonton to become afternoon drive host/Music Director.

Heather Prosak was named brand director at Big Dog 92-7. She had been assistant brand director and morning show co-host. She continued with her on-air work as well. Due to restructuring, long time mid-day host and promotions director Tia Daniels was no longer at Big Dog 92-7. 

Michael Olstrom became vice president and general manager of Astral Radio Regina as of February 15, succeeding Ryan Zimmerman. Olstrom had been with Harvard Broadcasting as station group manager.

Big Dog opted for more efficiencies, voice-tracking middays and moving traffic duties to Astral Winnipeg. Two jobs were lost.

Chris Ford moved from sister Astral station CJAY Calgary to Big Dog 92.7 as afternoon driver/music director. The new promotions director at Big Dog 92.7 was Alison Barton. She had been in the same position at Harvard Broadcasting Regina. 

Carlee Bard was hired as promotions director at Big Dog 92.7. She had been a sales and marketing consultant in Alberta.

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 CHBD-FM.

Vice President and General Manager Michael Olstrom was let go as part of Bell-Astral restructuring. His responsibilities were taken over by David Fisher, VP/GM of CTV Saskatchewan.

After 32 years, Bill Thorn left Big Dog and broadcasting to work at the Regina Humane Society. His career included stops at CFBK Huntsville and CJME Regina.

 In May, Bell Media rolled out a rebrand (Pure Country) of 12 of its country stations. The stations offered local morning and afternoon drive shows with evening and weekend programming being syndicated. No jobs were lost as part of the changes, as former evening and weekend announcers were assigned new duties. CHBD changed from Big Dog 92.7 to Pure Country 92.7.