CKRA-FM - History

History

Prior to January 13, 1995, CKRA was known as 96 K-Lite FM with an adult contemporary format. On that day, 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 flip to "92.5 Joe FM", which plays an 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 flipped to "Big Earl 96 dot 3" and adopted a 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, CHBN 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.

On March 28, 2008, at 3 PM, CKRA changed formats again, this time moving from country to classic hits as "96.3 Capital FM". The final song on "Big Earl" was "Goodbye Earl" by the Dixie Chicks. 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.