CJMO-FM
| File:C103 Radio.png | |
| Frequency | 103.1 MHz (FM) |
|---|---|
| Branding | C103 |
| Programming | |
| Format | mainstream rock |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Newcap Radio |
| CJXL-FM | |
| History | |
First air date | June 19, 1987 |
Call sign meaning | C J MOncton |
| Technical information | |
| Class | C |
| ERP | 46.8 kW |
| Links | |
| Website | www.c103.com |
CJMO-FM is a Canadian radio station broadcasting at 103.1 FM in Moncton, New Brunswick. The station uses its on-air branding C103. CJMO's studios are located on Arsenault Court, in the Moncton Industrial Park while its transmitter is located on Caledonia Mountain. The station is owned by Newcap Radio which also owns sister station CJXL-FM. CJMO-FM has a mainstream rock format on the programming spectrum.[1]
History
On August 5, 1986, J.R. Gordon, representing a company to be incorporated (would be known as Atlantic Stereo Ltd.) was given approval to operate a new FM station at Moncton. The new facility would broadcast on a frequency of 103.1 MHz and have an effective radiated power of 46,800 watts. The format would be album-oriented rock (Group II harder pop and rock) aimed at the 18 to 34 age group. Competing applications by Radio One Ltd. (CIHI-AM Fredericton) and Radio-Aboiteux Ltee (the former CHLR-AM Moncton) were denied.
CJMO-FM was owned by a group of Moncton businessmen, headed by Rick Gordon, then an 18 year veteran of broadcasting. The studio building, in a new facility on Arsenault Court in the Moncton Industrial Park, provided 8,400 square feet of space on two floors. In addition to being owner, Rick Gordon was also general manager. He named Michael Leaman, engineering director and Larry McCaw, program director. Paul Thomas was brought in from Vancouver's CFMI-FM (Rock 101) as Music Director and Assistant Program Director for CJMO. Paul Wiggins was CFMI's programming innovator for Discumentary, a one-hour musical documentary of programming featuring a particular artist or a particular theme, which was syndicated throughout Canada, and broadcast internationally on the Anik D satellite.[2]
Official ROCK 103 signed-on
The station started test transmissions at its frequency of 103.1 MHz at the beginning of 1987, by which it played non-stop album tracks.
The first song played on the official launch at 1:03 pm on June 19, 1987 was April Wine's "I Like to Rock".
On air and in print branded as "Rock 103 FM", CJMO signed on with an album-oriented rock format, which was a first for New Brunswick. In Halifax, CFRQ-FM 104.3 (Q104) was the only station in the Canadian Maritimes which had a similar format (AOR). Noteworthy, within its first six months on the air, Moncton's ROCK 103 was nominated as Medium Market FM Station of the Year at the annual Canadian Music Week.[2]
Original on-air personality
Some of the original on-air personality: Al Roberts from CKTS in Sherbrooke was morning host; Gerry Proctor was news director; and Marty Kingston (from CKEY Toronto and formerly of CKCW/CFQM) was sports director. Later, John Pearce (CHNS Halifax), Robin Sauve (CJCH Halifax and CHAM Hamilton) and Eric Stafford (CIHI Fredericton) joined Rock 103. Eric Stafford came on board in 1988 as program director and temporary drive host.[2] Mitch (1988-2007) debuted as evening host in January 1988. Former Moncton and Q-104 on air personality Jim Armstrong was morning drive host from 1989-1990.
From Rock 103 to Classic Rock C103
The Rock 103 identification gradually segued to C103 within three years. With it came a more lite rock and classic rock format. In 2013, CJMO-FM dropped the word Classic from its name and shifted its format to reflect mainstream rock as Moncton's Rock station C103.
NewCap Radio transition
In 1990, NewCap Broadcasting bought 40% of Atlantic Stereo Ltd. NewCap executive vice president Jim Macleod said the partnership would open new opportunities for staff and a program exchange between CJMO and NewCap's CFRQ-FM.[2]
In 1997, NewCap Broadcasting (currently doing business as Newcap Radio) purchased control in Atlantic Stereo Ltd.[3]
On August 24, 2000, the CRTC awarded a licence to operate a sister station on 96.9 MHz, with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts. CJXL-FM “XL 96.9 FM” signed on the air in 2001.
See also
References
- ^ Mainstream rock
- ^ a b c d Dulmage, Bill (December 2009). "CJMO-FM history". Canadian Communications Foundation. Retrieved 2012-02-04.
- ^ http://ncc.ca/
External links
- C103
- CJMO-FM history - Canadian Communications Foundation
- CJMO-FM in the REC Canadian station database