 | |
| Broadcast area | WesternNewfoundland |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 103.9MHz (FM) |
| Branding | 97.5 K-Rock |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic rock |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Stingray Group |
| CFCB | |
| History | |
First air date | August 6,1984 |
Former call signs | CKWK (1984–1989) CKXX (1990–1997) |
Former frequencies | 1340kHz (AM) (1984–1997) |
Call sign meaning | C KiXX (former branding) |
| Technical information | |
| Class | B |
| ERP | vertical polarization only 40kWs |
| HAAT | 160.1 meters (525 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 48°55′12″N57°58′11″W / 48.9200°N 57.9697°W /48.9200; -57.9697 |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | k-rock1039.com |
CKXX-FM is a Canadianradio station broadcasting fromCorner Brook,Newfoundland and Labrador on 103.9MHz with aclassic rock format branded on-air as97.5 K-Rock. It is currently owned byStingray Group.
CKXX-FM launched by the noted broadcasterAlex J. Walling on August 6, 1984 asCKWK at 1340 kHz.[1]
For the first year and a half of CKWK's existence, they tried many things to bring up listenership and broaden the appeal of its fledgling station. Many of these programs were quite successful. The Jukebox Saturday Night Party was quite popular and would attract listeners from as far away as Gander who were able to receive CKWK's 10,000-watt signal clearly at night. CKWK would also host themed weekends such as the Rock 'n Roll Weekend and a weekend featuring the History of Country music with Country Radio Legend Ralph Emery.
However, CKWK was up against the incumbentCFCB, whose motto was "The Station You Grew Up On", who at the time played 50%country music from 6AM–6PM. So, in January 1986, the format was changed fromcountry toTop 40/CHR. However, due to the possibility of a conflict with CFCB's evening and overnightTop 40 heavy format, CKXX were forced to change their format toMOR. By the summer of 1987, CKWK had been reduced to a skeleton staff with automation 18 hours a day, using a very limited library of music that wasadult contemporary in format. The automation system was far from perfect. Dead air, and two sources playing on air at once were common during that time. The tapes that were used were of such poor quality that even with the limitations imposed by AM broadcasting, a listener with a good ear could notice the low quality sound that the tape provided.
In 1988, CKWK became an affiliate of Music Radio, a national radio service fed to stations via ANIK Satellite that played anAC format. CKWK becameCKXX, the station switched to the sister service of Music Radio - Star Country.
On December 31, 1989 at 7:00 PM, the station manager at the time, Fred Trainor, went on the air to announce the transition of CKWK to1340 KIXX Country/95.1 Deer Lake. CKWK becameCKXX and adopted acountry format. The first song played was "Guitars, Cadillacs" byDwight Yoakam.
Over the first few months, CKXX was locally staffed for 18 hours a day with overnight programming being provided by satellite. The service was called Star Country. Eventually, it would be replaced by Country Coast to Coast - Cryin', Lovin' or Leavin' with Shelly Fraiser as well as other network announcers. At one point, Country Coast to Coast was piped in as much as 15 hours a day with local announcers doing morning/afternoon drive as well as noon shows. The style ofCountry music played on CKXX was a blend of current day Country music hits mixed withClassic Country from 1960 to the present day.
In 1997, CKXX moved to 103.9 FM,[2] retaining thecountry format it ran for years until the early 2000s, when it re-branded fromKIXX Country toMagic 103 with ahot adult contemporary format, and shortly afterwards to103.9 K-Rock. The other two "KIXX" stations outside ofSt. John's,CKXD-FM inGander andCKXG-FM inGrand Falls-Windsor, were also branded with the "Magic" name and then subsequently to "K-Rock", which aired anactive rock format until January 26, 2009, where it changed its format toclassic rock after a listener opinion poll.
On December 20, 1999, theCRTC approved the application for authority to acquire the assets of CKXX-FM Corner Brook and its transmitterCKXX-FM-1Stephenville from Western Broadcasting Limited (Western), and for a broadcasting license to continue the operation of this undertaking.[3]
As of March 9, 2022, CKXX no longer originates any local programming from Corner Brook following the closure of its studios and termination of on-air personnel by Stingray. All content of this station is now simulcast fromVOCM-FM in St. John's, with the exception of local commercials. CKXX's sister station,CFCB, also shared the same fate as it shared studio facilities and personalities.
CKXX had a rebroadcaster inDeer Lake (CKXX-1-FM, originallyCJDY-FM) at 95.1 MHz, but was shut down after switching frequencies.[4] There is now a rebroadcaster inStephenville (CKXX-FM-1), originally at 95.3 MHz, but later moved to 95.9 in 2005.[5][6]