CKRA-FM
Encyclopedia
CKRA-FM is a radio station
licensed to and serving Edmonton
, Alberta
, Canada
, broadcasting at 96.3 FM. The station is owned by Newcap Broadcasting
, and launched a classic hits
format as "96.3 Capital FM" on March 28, 2008. In the past, it has been known as Big Earl 96-dot-3, 96X, 963 the Mix, Mix 96 and 96 K-Lite FM.
, the station adopted the name "Mix 96", playing a hot adult contemporary format, leaving adult contemporary listeners to CFMG-FM
. Several name and content changes occurred in 2002
and 2003
. In the summer of 2002, CKRA adjusted its name to "963 the Mix" and incorporated more contemporary music into its playlist. During this time, the station opened a satellite "weekend" location on Edmonton's trendy Whyte Avenue. Local (former) A-Channel
entertainment host, Shannon Tyler, was hired to co-host the morning radio show with B.J. Wilson. In February 2003
, CKRA once again re-branded as "96X", "the hit music alternative" and retained its hot AC format, leaving R&B and hip-hop out of its playlist. Ryan Waters joined the new morning show, working with B.J. and Shannon then hosting solo for 90 minutes of commercial free music. Mike Anderson (middays), Tim Riess (drive time) and Carly Kincaid (evenings) rounded out the air staff. Several on-air changes followed, including Anderson leaving Middays and focusing on M.D. duties. Riess hosted several dayparts, Waters returned to his former position as "Swing Announcer" and Chris Kuchar held down "Afternoon Drive" before returning to sister station 97.3 K-Rock.
Following the transition of Power 92 to the hot AC formatted "Power 92.5" in June 2003, the station shifted to CHR
and adopted the slogan "Edmonton's Only Hit Music Station", which (after Power 92 changed to 92.5 JOE FM, 80's 90's and now) changed to "Edmonton's #1 Hit Music Station", a strange decision considering it was the only station in Edmonton playing the "hit music" format. During this time, 96X moved its Whyte Avenue studio to a booth in Hudson's Canadian Tap House from where it began broadcasting during the evenings and on weekends. The station also began weekly broadcasts on Saturday nights from The Standard nightclub. 96X hoped to duplicate the success of Power 92, who targeted the younger demographics through "Power Parties" and would regularly broadcast from different clubs around Edmonton. Long term success was not to be as 96X enjoyed one average and one top 6 rating result, the latter being the highest market share reached to date. At the time, B.J. Wilson and Shannon Tyler hosted the morning show, Carley Kincaid entertained middays, Tim Riess sat in the chair for PM drive, and Adam McKale was the evening DJ. 96X's popularity among younger listeners was bolstered by Power 92.5's evolution to "92.5 Joe FM" which played a variety hits
format. In the fall of 2005
, 96X's main studio moved from its old location in a 99th Street strip mall to a new facility in Phase 4 of the West Edmonton Mall
along with Newcap Broadcasting
's other stations.
However, the entry of CHBN
"91.7 The Bounce" in March 2005 and CHDI
"SONiC 102.9" in April 2005 spelled disaster for 96X, whose market quickly dispersed over the upcoming months. In response, the station once again changed its identity on August 31, 2005, this time to "The 90s and Now: 96X" and reverted to its former hot AC format, but left most of the rhythmic content (mainly adult top 40-based songs) alone. This change was unsuccessful in regaining listeners.
On December 12, 2005, 96X morphed into "Big Earl 96 dot 3" and adopted a new country music
format, as well as the slogan "He plays anything country". The station's new identity was modelled after Newcap's CFCW
"Big Earl 98 dot 1" station in Camrose
. The last song on 96X was Closing Time
by Semisonic
. Within hours of the change, CHBN began broadcasting itself as "Edmonton's only hit music station" and over the next few months expanded its playlist to fill 96X's former niche. The Camrose station was rebranded as "CAM FM" and began to play classic rock
.
In its first quarter as "Big Earl", CKRA continued to lose listeners, registering only 2.7% of the Edmonton market and failing, for the most part, to recruit listeners from mainstays CISN
and CFCW. The final song played as Big Earle was Goodbye Earl
by the Dixie Chicks
.
On March 28, 2008 at 3PM, CKRA changed formats again, this time moving from country to classic hits
as "96.3 Capital FM". Capital FM's playlist concentrates on artists from the 1960s, 70s, and early 80s, including The Beatles
, The Mamas & the Papas
, and Fleetwood Mac
. During the first ratings period after the change, the station's audience grew from a 2.0 share of audience as Big Earl to 4.9 share of audience as Capital-FM. As of the March/April 2009 BBM ratings survey, the station has a 6.9 share.
The station made headlines again on August 15, 2008 when it was announced that the legendary Edmonton morning team of Rob Christie and Audie Lynds would be reuniting starting September 2, 2008 as "Rob & Audie In The Morning". The two were one of Edmonton's dominant morning shows through the late 80's and early 90's. Jungle Jay Hamilton, who like Christie and Lynds, spent many years on CHED and Power 92, has been added on weekends.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
licensed to and serving Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, broadcasting at 96.3 FM. The station is owned by Newcap Broadcasting
Newcap Broadcasting
Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited is a major Canadian broadcasting company, majority-owned by Harold R. Steele. Newfoundland Capital is the parent company of Newcap Inc. . It is currently the number two private-sector radio broadcaster in Canada, just behind Astral Media...
, and launched a classic hits
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
format as "96.3 Capital FM" on March 28, 2008. In the past, it has been known as Big Earl 96-dot-3, 96X, 963 the Mix, Mix 96 and 96 K-Lite FM.
History
Prior to 1996, CKRA was known as 96 K-Lite FM with an adult contemporary format. In 19961996 in radio
The year 1996 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*WBOB and KQQL, both in Minneapolis, Minnesota are sold to Chancellor Communications....
, the station adopted the name "Mix 96", playing a hot adult contemporary format, leaving adult contemporary listeners to CFMG-FM
CFMG-FM
CFMG-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at FM 104.9 in Edmonton, Alberta. Branded as '1049 Virgin Radio', the station plays a contemporary hit radio format....
. Several name and content changes occurred in 2002
2002 in radio
The year 2002 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*January 21 - A train derailment in Minot, North Dakota kills one person and knocks out power throughout the region, spilling 250,000 gallons of toxic anhydrous ammonia for fertilizer purposes. The designated primary station for the...
and 2003
2003 in radio
The year 2003 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:* October 10 - Facing an investigation surrounding allegations of illegal drug use, American right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh publicly admits that he is addicted to prescription pain killers, and will seek treatment.-Debuts:*March...
. In the summer of 2002, CKRA adjusted its name to "963 the Mix" and incorporated more contemporary music into its playlist. During this time, the station opened a satellite "weekend" location on Edmonton's trendy Whyte Avenue. Local (former) A-Channel
A-Channel (Craig Media)
A-Channel was a Canadian television system owned by Craig Media from 1997 to 2004 and CHUM Limited from 2004 to 2005. It consisted of Craig's television stations in Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton, and was the company's unsuccessful attempt to build a national network.CHUM Limited, which acquired...
entertainment host, Shannon Tyler, was hired to co-host the morning radio show with B.J. Wilson. In February 2003
2003 in radio
The year 2003 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:* October 10 - Facing an investigation surrounding allegations of illegal drug use, American right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh publicly admits that he is addicted to prescription pain killers, and will seek treatment.-Debuts:*March...
, CKRA once again re-branded as "96X", "the hit music alternative" and retained its hot AC format, leaving R&B and hip-hop out of its playlist. Ryan Waters joined the new morning show, working with B.J. and Shannon then hosting solo for 90 minutes of commercial free music. Mike Anderson (middays), Tim Riess (drive time) and Carly Kincaid (evenings) rounded out the air staff. Several on-air changes followed, including Anderson leaving Middays and focusing on M.D. duties. Riess hosted several dayparts, Waters returned to his former position as "Swing Announcer" and Chris Kuchar held down "Afternoon Drive" before returning to sister station 97.3 K-Rock.
Following the transition of Power 92 to the hot AC formatted "Power 92.5" in June 2003, the station shifted to CHR
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
and adopted the slogan "Edmonton's Only Hit Music Station", which (after Power 92 changed to 92.5 JOE FM, 80's 90's and now) changed to "Edmonton's #1 Hit Music Station", a strange decision considering it was the only station in Edmonton playing the "hit music" format. During this time, 96X moved its Whyte Avenue studio to a booth in Hudson's Canadian Tap House from where it began broadcasting during the evenings and on weekends. The station also began weekly broadcasts on Saturday nights from The Standard nightclub. 96X hoped to duplicate the success of Power 92, who targeted the younger demographics through "Power Parties" and would regularly broadcast from different clubs around Edmonton. Long term success was not to be as 96X enjoyed one average and one top 6 rating result, the latter being the highest market share reached to date. At the time, B.J. Wilson and Shannon Tyler hosted the morning show, Carley Kincaid entertained middays, Tim Riess sat in the chair for PM drive, and Adam McKale was the evening DJ. 96X's popularity among younger listeners was bolstered by Power 92.5's evolution to "92.5 Joe FM" which played a variety hits
Adult hits
Adult hits is a radio format, popular in the early 2000s, that does not adhere to a specific music genre, but instead draws from a wider playlist...
format. In the fall of 2005
2005 in radio
The year 2005 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*April 29 - KFRC 610 AM in San Francisco, switches formats as a result of ownership change. KFRC becomes KEAR, the "Sound of the New Life", a listener-supported, gospel/religious only station. It had been previously KFRC from...
, 96X's main studio moved from its old location in a 99th Street strip mall to a new facility in Phase 4 of the West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall , located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is the largest shopping mall in North America and the fifth largest in the world. The mall was founded by the Ghermezian brothers, who emigrated from Iran in 1959. It was the world's largest mall until 2004.West Edmonton Mall covers a gross...
along with Newcap Broadcasting
Newcap Broadcasting
Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited is a major Canadian broadcasting company, majority-owned by Harold R. Steele. Newfoundland Capital is the parent company of Newcap Inc. . It is currently the number two private-sector radio broadcaster in Canada, just behind Astral Media...
's other stations.
However, the entry of CHBN
CHBN-FM
CHBN-FM is a contemporary hit radio station based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The station, which is jointly owned by Rogers Radio, operates at 91.7 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW.-History:...
"91.7 The Bounce" in March 2005 and CHDI
CHDI-FM
CHDI-FM is the callsign of a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 102.9 FM in Edmonton, Alberta. The station broadcasts a modern rock format under the brand name SONiC 102.9.-General information and history:The OK Radio Group Ltd...
"SONiC 102.9" in April 2005 spelled disaster for 96X, whose market quickly dispersed over the upcoming months. In response, the station once again changed its identity on August 31, 2005, this time to "The 90s and Now: 96X" and reverted to its former hot AC format, but left most of the rhythmic content (mainly adult top 40-based songs) alone. This change was unsuccessful in regaining listeners.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format, as well as the slogan "He plays anything country". The station's new identity was modelled after Newcap's CFCW
CFCW (AM)
CFCW is a country music radio station in Camrose, Alberta, Canada, broadcasting on 790 kHz AM. The station is owned by Newcap Broadcasting. CFCW also has studios in the NewCap Broadcast Centre in West Edmonton Mall....
"Big Earl 98 dot 1" station in Camrose
Camrose, Alberta
Camrose is a city in central Alberta, Canada, amid some of the richest farmland in the prairies. It is a relatively small city which originally grew up along a railroad and now grows along Highway 13. Camrose is a scenic community with many parks, leading to its moniker "The Rose City"...
. The last song on 96X was Closing Time
Closing time
Closing Time may refer to:*Closing time, the time when a business establishment ceases operations for the day. In the case of a bar, this is called "last call" . Also called "bar time" when referring to the closing time of a bar or pub...
by Semisonic
Semisonic
Semisonic is an American alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1995. The band consisted of three members: Dan Wilson , John Munson , and Jacob Slichter...
. Within hours of the change, CHBN began broadcasting itself as "Edmonton's only hit music station" and over the next few months expanded its playlist to fill 96X's former niche. The Camrose station was rebranded as "CAM FM" and began to play classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
.
In its first quarter as "Big Earl", CKRA continued to lose listeners, registering only 2.7% of the Edmonton market and failing, for the most part, to recruit listeners from mainstays CISN
CISN-FM
-British Columbia:-Newfoundland and Labrador:-Awards:CISN-FM was the winner of the Canadian Country Music Association's Annual Country Station of the Year three times sinces the award's 2000 creation, having won in 2003, 2004 and, most recently, 2009.-External links:** at Canadian Communications...
and CFCW. The final song played as Big Earle was Goodbye Earl
Goodbye Earl
"Goodbye Earl", written by Dennis Linde, is a country music song. Initially recorded by the band Sons of the Desert for an unreleased album in the late 1990s, the song gained fame when it was recorded by the Dixie Chicks on their second studio album featuring Natalie Maines as lead vocalist on...
by the Dixie Chicks
Dixie Chicks
The Dixie Chicks are an American country band which has also successfully crossed over into other genres. The band is composed of founding members Martie Erwin Maguire and Emily Erwin Robison, and lead singer Natalie Maines...
.
On March 28, 2008 at 3PM, CKRA changed formats again, this time moving from country to classic hits
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
as "96.3 Capital FM". Capital FM's playlist concentrates on artists from the 1960s, 70s, and early 80s, including The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas were a Canadian/American vocal group of the 1960s . The group recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968 with a short reunion in 1971, releasing five albums and 11 Top 40 hit singles...
, and Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
. During the first ratings period after the change, the station's audience grew from a 2.0 share of audience as Big Earl to 4.9 share of audience as Capital-FM. As of the March/April 2009 BBM ratings survey, the station has a 6.9 share.
The station made headlines again on August 15, 2008 when it was announced that the legendary Edmonton morning team of Rob Christie and Audie Lynds would be reuniting starting September 2, 2008 as "Rob & Audie In The Morning". The two were one of Edmonton's dominant morning shows through the late 80's and early 90's. Jungle Jay Hamilton, who like Christie and Lynds, spent many years on CHED and Power 92, has been added on weekends.
Past and Present Personalities
| Abbey White | Adam McKale | Alan James | Ashley Wiebe | Audie Lynds |
| B.J. Wilson | Barb Jelly | Billy Bob | Carly Kincaid | Cash K. |
| Cate Brandon | Chris Fantini | Dale Edwards | Dallas "Big D" Huybregts | Dave Shannon |
| Dione Daniel | Don Ritchie | Gord Robson | Greg Shannon | Ian MacKinnon |
| Jackie Rae | Jake Taylor | Jason Roberts | John Berry | Jungle Jay Hamilton |
| Kari Skelton | Kendra Scott | Kristy Scott | Len Thueson | Lisa Monk |
| M.G. Kelly | Michelle Morgan | Mike Anderson | Mike Lynch | Molly |
| Pam Stevens | Pat Richards | Rob Christie | Rob Morrison | Ryan Waters |
| Seanna Collins | Shane Michaels | Shannon Conville | Shannon Tyler | Sharon Mallon |
| Steve Moore | Tera Lee | Terry Hughes | Tim Riess | Todd James |
| Tom Rivers | Wes Montgomery | Chuck Chandler |
Important Dates
- January (Friday) 13th, 1995: K-Lite became Mix 96
- August 2002: Mix 96 became 96.3 The Mix
- February 24, 2003: 96.3 The Mix became 96X
- December 12, 2005: 96X became Big Earl
- March 28, 2008: Big Earl became Capital FM
External links
- 96.3 Capital FM
- CKRA-FM history at Canadian Communications FoundationCanadian Communications FoundationThe Canadian Communications Foundation is a history of Canadian broadcasting for radio and television chronicles and documents. It also provides a history of radio and television stations, including networks, programs, broadcasters and many others....