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CKWB-FM

Coordinates: 54°06′29″N 114°04′22″W / 54.10806°N 114.07278°W / 54.10806; -114.07278
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CKWB-FM
Frequency97.9 MHz
BrandingNew Country 97.9
Programming
FormatCountry
AffiliationsWestwood One
Ownership
OwnerStingray 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
ClassB
ERP27,000 watts
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websitenewcountry979.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

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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

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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.

Previous logo

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

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  1. ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2010-102
  2. ^ CFOK 1370 flip to FM, radiowest.ca
  3. ^ CKWB IS ON THE AIR Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine, 97.9 The Range, September 6, 2011
  4. ^ "Stettler's local radio station Q93.3 rebranded". Stettler Independent. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  5. ^ "CRN Monthly Summary March 2024". RadioWest.ca. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
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54°06′29″N 114°04′22″W / 54.10806°N 114.07278°W / 54.10806; -114.07278