CKWB-FM
 | |
| Frequency | 97.9 MHz |
|---|---|
| Branding | New Country 97.9 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Country |
| Affiliations | Westwood One |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Stingray Group |
| History | |
First air date | dates back to 1971 as a rebroadcaster of CKBA-FM |
Former call signs | CFOK (1971–2011) |
Former frequencies | 1370 kHz (1971 - 2011) |
Call sign meaning | CK Westlock Barrhead |
| Technical information | |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 27,000 watts |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | newcountry979.ca |
CKWB-FM (97.9 MHz) is a Canadian radio station in Westlock, Alberta. The station also serves the Barrhead area. The station currently airs a country format branded on-air as New Country 97.9 and was owned by Newcap Radio until they were bought out by Stingray Group.
History
[edit]It's uncertain when the station signed on as CFOK, however, the station dates back to the 1971 as a rebroadcaster of CKBA-FM.
On December 24, 1974, Charest Communications Ltd. (the original owners) was granted a licence to operate a new AM radio station on 1370 kHz at Westlock with a power of 10,000 watts (directional at night).
Over the years, the station has gone through different brandings, formats and ownerships.
Move to FM
[edit]On October 8, 2009, CFOK applied to convert to 97.9 MHz. The station received CRTC approval on February 19, 2010.[1]
In August 2011, CFOK began testing on their new frequency at 97.9 MHz. After the official launch of the new station on 97.9 FM, the station's call sign would be CKWB-FM.[2]
On September 6, 2011, at 6:00 am MDT, CFOK dropped its classic hits format and made its official move to 97.9 MHz as 97.9 The Range with its new call sign CKWB-FM and a country format.[3] CFOK's old AM 1370 transmitter was shut down.
In November 2016, CKWB rebranded under the Real Country brand, as with other Newcap-owned country stations in Alberta.[4]
On March 4, 2024, CKWB rebranded as New Country 97.9 to match the company’s other country music stations.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2010-102
- ^ CFOK 1370 flip to FM, radiowest.ca
- ^ CKWB IS ON THE AIR Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine, 97.9 The Range, September 6, 2011
- ^ "Stettler's local radio station Q93.3 rebranded". Stettler Independent. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
- ^ "CRN Monthly Summary March 2024". RadioWest.ca. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
External links
[edit]- New Country 97.9
- CKWB-FM at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation
- CKWB-FM in the REC Canadian station database (Current frequency)
- 1370CFOK in the REC Canadian station database (Old frequency)
54°06′29″N 114°04′22″W / 54.10806°N 114.07278°W
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