In 1995, CKXM-AM Victoria signed on with a country music format on 1200 KHz with 50,000 watts. It replaced CKDA, which had been sold September 1st to O.K. Radio Group, and left the air soon after. While the station was off the air, brand new transmitting facilities were built. The station switched to AM stereo less than a year later, and switched to FM on March 20, 2000. The simulcast AM transmitter was switched off on May 17th.
Hear CKXM sign on: http://radiowest.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4352In 1996, CKRX Lethbridge was approved by the CRTC for a switch to FM, on 95.5 MHz with 100,000 watts. The station signed on as CHLB-FM. The AM station had originally signed on August 28, 1959, as CHEC-1090 with 5000 watts.
In 2003, CKNL Fort St. John switched to FM on 101.5 MHz with 40,000 watts. Although the CRTC application promised to retain CKNL-AM's country music format, the FM launched as "The Bear", modelled after the mix of classic rock and new rock played by CFBR-FM Edmonton. CKNL-AM first signed on June 20, 1962, on 970 KHz with 1000 watts day and 500 watts night.
In 2005, CJDC founder H.L. "Hank" Michaud died in Dawson Creek at the age of 78. His brother Mike, who had also managed the AM & TV stations, died on August 25, 2007, also at the age of 78. Both stations were sold to Okanagan Skeena Broadcasters in 1997, but are now owned by Astral Media.
In 2006, 730 KHz in Vancouver extended their traffic coverage to 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays. Previously, they had only covered Morning and Afternoon Drive. On November 26th, the station expanded to 24/7 traffic, except during Vancouver Giants hockey and Seattle Seahawks football games.
