CJWW-AM

Roy Currie, provincial secretary for the Saskatchewan Liberal Association, announced that last summer his group had filed an application with the CRTC for Saskatoon’s third AM station. The application was submitted by Ted Benish, C.A. Rouse and Currie. Currie said he had not heard from the Commission yet as to when the application might be heard. 

On July 20, applications by Roy H. Currie and by General Broadcasting Ltd. (owner of CFMC-FM) for a new AM station at Saskatoon were denied. Both had proposed to use 1370 kHz with a full-time power of 10,000 watts.

Again, Currie and General filed separate applications for a new AM station on 1370 kHz with power of 10,000 watts. The General Broadcasting application was denied. Currie’s application was approved but because the CRTC had on this same day (December 24), licenced a new station at Westlock, Alberta on 1370 kHz, Currie was advised to seek an alternate frequency.

On October 31, Roy Currie was given the final go ahead for his new AM station at Saskatoon. The CRTC no longer had concerns over the use of 1370 kHz (10,000 watts, directional) at Saskatoon. Technical difficulties were overcome to avoid interference with CFOK, a new station at Westlock, on the same frequency.

CJWW 1370 began broadcasting on January 12. The “WW” in the call letters represented the corporate name – Western World Communications Ltd.  The company was owned by Roy H. Currie who had been employeed by CFQC 600 in the city.

On February 27, Joseph E. Foord was given permission to acquire a 49% interest in Western World Communications Ltd. Roy H. Currie held the other 51%.

On July 19, Joseph Foord was given permission to transfer 49% of Western World Communications Ltd. to Saskatchewan Telecable Ltd. A series of other share transfers were also approved. The final result would have STL holding 60% and Roy H. Currie 40%. Currie would now be the minority shareholder but would continue on as general manager of CJWW.

CJWW adopted a country music format.

The station began broadcasting from new studios located at 345 – 4th Avenue South. The new, modern reflective glass, three storey building was located downtown and also housed Saskatoon Telecable Ltd. 

Vic Dubois became program director of CJWW.

Anne-Marie Geddes left CJWW for Broadcast News.

On April 1, CJWW was granted a change of frequency, from 1370 kHz to 750 kHz. Power would remain 10,000 watts full-time. Different directional patterns would be used for day and night operation. Operating on 1370 kHz, CJWW was not able to provide a consistant signal strength to many neighbouring communities such as Birch Hills, Maymont, Radisson, Allan, Kenaston, Handley and Dundurn. The signal was particularly restricted in the southwest and also in the northwest, where it had to protect CFOK Westlock. CJWW estimated the new frequency would nearly double its potential daytime audience from 287,000 to 511,000. A competing application by CJME Regina to use the adjacent 760 kHz frequency was denied. 

Harvey Gold became president of Western World Communications (CJWW). He had been with CJOR/CJJR-FM in Vancouver.

Dennis C. Corrie became general sales manager.

Marion Berschel succeeded David Kirton as CJWW’s news director. 

Dennis Corrie was appointed general sales manager.

L. Harvey Gold, president of Western World Communications, announced the appointment of Victor R.E. (Vic) Dubois as general manager of CJWW. He had been program manager of the station since 1983.

CFQC 600 went into receivership. Western World, owner of CJWW-AM applied to purchase CFQC. In the meantime, CFQC moved into the CJWW building. 

Vic Dubois was promoted from general manager of CJWW to vice president and general manager of Western World’s Saskatchewan operations.

On August 25, Clint Forster was given approval to purchase CFQC from Price Waterhouse Limited, in its capacity as Receiver/Manager of QC Radio Limited Partnership. The Commission also approved the application for a new FM station at Saskatoon, operating on 92.9 MHz, with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts. CFQC would continue to operate as an AM station, in a country format. The new FM station would replace CJWW-AM and would operate with a new country format. 

On February 6, at 6:00 a.m., CJWW moved from 750 kHz to CFQC’s 600 kHz frequency. At 7:00 a.m., CFQC signed on the air at 92.9 MHz as “Hot 93 FM Country”. General manager Vic Dubois said Hot 93 would play ‘90s country music while CJWW-AM would continue on with its traditional country format. CFQC was now operating from the CJWW building. 

Scott Armstrong left as Program Director at CJWW/Hot 103. General Manager Vic Dubois added acting PD duties to his workload. Saskatoon newsman Easten Waymand died at age 59. Over the 40 years he spent in the business, he worked at CFQC-AM-TV, CKOM and CJWW.

On November 21, Forvest Broadcasting Corp. received approval to  increase the day-time power of CJWW from 10,000 watts to 25,000 watts and to decrease the night-time power from 10,000 watts to 8,000 watts. The licensee also proposed to relocate its transmission facilities to a site approximately 7 kilometres southwest of the current site. 

Christina Cherneskey, who had been host of CJWW’s Let’s Talk Saskatchewan program, crossed the street to CKOM’s News Talk Radio. 

On December 21, Forvest Broadcasting Corp. was given approval to sell CJWW-AM and CFQC-FM to Elmer Hildebrand Communications Inc. Hildebrand already owned CJMK-FM and CKOM-FM in Saskatoon. On the same date, approval was granted for the sale of CKOM-FM to Rawlco Inc.

Elmer Hildebrand launched his third Saskatoon station – CJMK-FM. All three stations were now broadcasting from the 12,000 square foot, 2-storey building beside the South Saskatchewan River in downtown Saskatoon (345-4th Ave. S.). Once CJMK was on the air, the three stations had a staff of 60, including part-timers. Vic Dubois, former president of Forvest Broadcasting Corp., was general manager of stations.

Eldon Duchscher, news director of CJWW/CFQC-FM, was named president of the Radio-Television News Directors Association of Canada.

Ken McFarlane became general sales manager for CJWW/Hot 93/Magic 98.3. He had been with Rawlco Radio in Regina.

On February 1, CJWW, CFQC and CJMK moved to new studios and offices located at 366 – 3rd Avenue South.

Sister station CFQC-FM became CKBL-FM in November.

629112 Saskatchewan Ltd. (division of Hildebrand Communications) became Saskatoon Media Group. 

Steve Shannon, the morning show co-host at CJWW, hung up his headset. After a 35-year career in broadcasting that began at CJNB North Battleford and included CKOM, CFQC and CJWW, he became CEO of the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation. His final show with sidekick Rod Kitter included appearances by, among others, Saskatoon’s mayor. Succeeding Shannon was Dave Thomas who added this to his morning sports duties on all three Saskatoon Media Group stations.

Eldon Duchscher, after 21 years with the Saskatoon Media Group (the last few years as News Director), gave up that position to move to Calgary. His last day was June 30. The News Director position at CJWW Country 600/Magic 98.3/92.9 The Bull was filled by Vanese Ferguson.

In the summer, Rod Kitter retired after 37 years at CJWW as both program director and long-time morning show co-host.