![]() | |
Frequency | 88.9MHz (FM) |
---|---|
Branding | Q88.9 |
Programming | |
Format | Classic/Active rock |
Ownership | |
Owner | Stingray Group |
History | |
First air date | October 11,2005 |
Technical information | |
ERP | 12,500watts (25,000 watts maximum) |
HAAT | 414 meters (1,358 ft) |
Links | |
Website | q889.ca |
CHNI-FM (88.9MHz) is a CanadianFMradio station inSaint John,New Brunswick. The station airs anclassic/active rock format branded asQ88.9. It is owned by theStingray Group.
On November 26, 2004,Rogers Media receivedCRTC approval to operate a newEnglish-language commercial FMNews/Talk radio station which would broadcast at 88.9 FM in Saint John, New Brunswick as well as other News/talk stations inHalifax andMoncton under licensing agreement, the CRTC officially approved the application.[1] On October 11, 2005, CHNI signed on asNews 88.9 under the ownership of Rogers Media, as part of a three-stationnews/talk network comprising CHNI,CKNI-FM inMoncton (which has since been sold to Acadia Broadcasting and flipped to anAC format in August 2014), andCJNI-FM inHalifax. As CHNI, the station would also broadcastSaint John Sea Dogs,Ottawa Senators andToronto Blue Jays games, along with programming fromESPN Radio andWestwood One.
On July 4, 2013,Newcap Radio announced that it would acquire CHNI from Rogers Media pending CRTC approval, marking the company's entry into the Saint John market.[2] The acquisition, along with a request by Newcap to allow CHNI-FM to switch from a news/talk format to a music format, was approved by the CRTC on March 14, 2014.[3] The acquisition closed on March 31, 2014. Six CHNI employees laid off as part of the sale sued both Rogers and Newcap, alleging they were assured that no employees would be laid off.[4]
On July 28, 2014, CHNI flipped tomainstream rock branded asRock 88.9, with 30 days of commercial-free music as the station began to hire on-air talent. David Newbury, general manager for Newcap Radio in Atlantic Canada stated that the company felt there was a "void" in the Saint John market that needed to be filled, and noted that Newcap was hoping CHNI would emulate the success of its sister stations in other Atlantic Canadian markets.[5]
On August 19, 2019, CHNI rebranded asQ88.9, while keeping the same slogan "The Rock of Saint John".
45°16′23.2″N66°3′50″W / 45.273111°N 66.06389°W /45.273111; -66.06389