CIOC-FM - History

History

CIOC went on the air for the first time in 1955 as CKDA-FM, rebroadcasting the signal of then-AM sister CKDA on 370 watts of power, with both stations owned by Capital Broadcasting System Ltd. The original transmitter was located in the "rack-room" of CKDA's studios. The primary purpose of the FM station was as the studio transmitter link to the AM transmitter site on Chatham Island.

In compliance with revised broadcaster regulations regarding simulcasting CKDA-FM became CFMS-FM at 6:00 PM on March 21, 1965 and began broadcasting separate programing - an easy listening format between noon and midnight seven days a week before later going to an 18-hour-a-day schedule (7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.) in May 1966 and then to 24-hour-a-day broadcasting. In later years, CFMS switched to a mixed format of adult contemporary music (from 6 AM-7 PM weekdays and 6 AM-6 PM weekends) and easy listening instrumentals (in the evenings and overnight).

On September 1, 1995, Capital Broadcasting sold CKDA and CFMS, with CKDA going to OK Radio Group, the owners of CKKQ-FM (100.3 The Q), and CFMS picked up by CJVI 900 (owned by Rogers Communications). On December 11, CFMS changed to its current full-time adult contemporary format and changed its name to the current CIOC.

On March 25, 2010, CIOC-FM was denied by the CRTC to add a new FM transmitter at Saltspring Island, British Columbia. If the application was approved, the new transmitter at Saltspring Island would have broadcast on 98.5 MHz, the same frequency as CIOC-FM’s main transmitter in Victoria. On September 13, 2010 the station reapplied to add a repeater at Saltspring Island and received CRTC approval on February 23, 2011.