1926
Grain merchants James Richardson and Sons Ltd opened CJRM in Moose Jaw on July 27. The transmitter and studios were situated in the Richardson Building in the heart of the city. CJRM had a power of 500 watts and was located at 665 kHz on the dial. The Richardsons entered radio to provide farmers and grain elevator operators in the "Breadbasket of Canada" up-to-the-minute grain and market prices.
1928
CJRM’s frequency was changed to 880 kHz.
1933
Richardson's established studios and offices at 1819 Comwall Sreett in Regina. The Moose Jaw transmitter was replaced by a 1,000 watt transmitter located at Belle Plain, midway between Regina and Moose Jaw, to be shared by the Regina and Moose Jaw studios. The frequency was changed to 540 kHz.
Don Copeland joined the James Richardson stations from CKGW Toronto.
1934
The Moose Jaw studios were closed. Richardsons. having obtained a licence for a Winnipeg transmitter (CJRC). established a program circuit that connected their three transmitters in Winnipeg. Fleming (CJRW) and Regina (CJRM). This enabled the Winnipeg and Regina stations to share programs when broadcasting live music and information.
In September, the Fleming transmitter, which prior to the opening of CJRC, had served the Winnipeg studios, was closed down.
1936
Don Copeland left to return to Toronto.
1939
When the CBC put CBK and its 50.000 watt transmitter at Watrous. Saskatchewan. CJRM was forced to vacate 540 kHz. but was assigned another frequency at 960 kHz.
1940
The Sitton family, owners of the Regina Leader.Post. the Winnipeg Free Press and the Saskatoon StarPhocnix and TransC8nada Communications (radio station CKCK), purchased the radio interests of James Richardson and Sons Ltd which then included CJRC and CJRM. Taylor-Pearson. Carson (TPC), which since 1936 had been managing CKCK, entered into an agreement with Sittons to manage CJRC and C.JRM.
The proprietorship of two radio stations in the same city, especially when owned by the only daily newspaper, was at odds with the licensing policy of the CBC. The Siftons were aware of this situation, but had been keen on having a station in Winnipeg and in order to obtain CJRC had to buy the full package. The conflict could have bean solved if Siftons had been allowed to move CJRM from Regina to Saskatoon as a companion to the StarPhoneix. A serious attempt was made to bring this about, but the resulator would not give its permission.
However, TPC and the Siftons pledged that CKCK and CJRM would operate with autonomy under separate staffs and managers and would be competitive.
At the request of Richardsons. the call letters CJRC and CJRM were changed to CKRC and CKRM.
And thusly, CJRM was no longer identified a$ a Moose Jaw/Regina station.
1941
In accordance with the implementation of the Havana Treaty, on March 29th, CKRM changed its frequency from 950 kHz to 980 kHz. (At some point after 1939, CKRM moved from 960 to 950 kHz)
1942
Oscar Gullander and Lloyd Ray joined CJRM as announcers.
1943
Pearl Powell was an announcer and commentator. Fred Laight joined CKRM as a copy writer.
1944
G.B. Quinney left his post as CKRM production manager to become manager of CFAR Flin Flon. Bruce Pirie was CKRM's commercial manager.
Slogan: The Saskatchewan Farmer Station.
CKRM became the Regina affiliate of the CBC's Dominion Network.
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| Bill Speers |
1945
Bill Speers was CKRM's manager.
CBC Dominion Basic Stations: CJFX, CHNS, CFCY, CKCW, CKNB, CJLS, CKCO, CHOV, CFBR, CJBC, CHEX, CFPL, CFCO, CFPA, CHLT, CFCF, CKRC, CJGX, CKX, CKRM, CHAB, CFQC, CKBI, CFCN, CFRN, CJRL, CHWK, CJOR, CJVI.
W.A. Spears was manager and Bruce Pirie was commercial manager. Gordon Babineau was an announcer at CKRM. Ren Graham was in sales. Fred Laight was production manager. Cliff Mann was an operator. Grant Carson was promotion manager.
1946
At one point in time, CKRM hired Jack Hill. He then went off to war. To fill the gap, the station hired Jack's kid brother, Bob. He then came of age and went off to the war. Brother Tom was just graduating from high school so CKRM hired him. Tom then went off to war. To keep a Hill on the staff, the father of Jack, Bob and Tom volunteered to do some announcing on the station. When the war was over, all three boys reported back to CKRM. This year, Tom moved on to CBM Montreal and Jack was expecting to move to CKRC in Winnipeg. This left Bob Hill on the CKRM staff.
1947
Bill Walker was CKRM's chief announcer and later in the year, added production manager duties. William Speers was manager and Bruce Pirie was commercial manager.
CKRM was now operating with 5,000 watts of power.
1948
Gerry Gaetz was named manager of CJCA Edmonton, succeeding Gordon Henry. Gaetz had been manager of CKRC Winnipeg since 1942. Bill Speers, who ran CKRM Regina since 1944, replaced Gaetz at CKRC. Stuart MacKay, with CKWX since 1941, where he had been assistant manager, followed Speers at CKRM. Gaetz started in radio at CJOC Lethbridge as an announcer in 1929. Speers started as an announcer at CHWC Regina in 1931. MacKay got his start in the business as an announcer-operator at CJCA in 1938. Bruce M. Pirie left CKRM as commercial manager to take up the same post at CKRC Winnipeg. Don Oakes became sales manager, replacing Bruce Pirie. Oakes had been in the sales department at CFAC Calgary. Fred Laight handled CKRM's special broadcast services.
1948-49
CKRM manager Stuart MacKay was appointed manager of All-Canada's program division, succeeding Spence Caldwell. MacKay would be replaced at CKRM by Norman Botterill, manager of CFBC Saint John.
1949
Slogan: Saskatchewan's Favourite Listening Post.
Norm Botterill was manager and Don Oaks was commercial manager.
1950
Slogan: CKRM for Saskatchewan.
CKRM used "RM the Program Man" in its print advertising.
Johnny Esaw was sports director. Announcer Jim Henderson left CKRM for the soon to open CKDM Dauphin.
The CBC Board approved the transfer CKRM from Transcanada Communications Ltd., headed by Clifford Sifton of Toronto, to Western Communications Ltd., controlled by Regina liberal M.P. Dr. E.A. McCusker.
1951
CKRM's power was increased to 5,000 watts (directional at night).
Slogan: The powerful voice of a friendly station - reaching thousands of homes across Saskatchewan.
Tom Hill was production manager. Regina Rough Rider CFL games were handled on a split basis by Lloyd Saunders on CKCK and Johnny Esaw on CKRM.
The CBC approved the transfer of 400 common shares in Western Communications Ltd.
Ad: CKRM was getting ready to mark its Silver Anniversary...from 50 watts to 5,000...from CJRM to CKRM...from 1926 to 1951... giving service to advertisers and listeners in Saskatchewan.
Ad: Since the day we commenced transmission with 50 watts, our station has grown to be a leader in Saskatchewan. Our faithful listeners and successful advertisers are invited to "keep tuned to the Centre Aisle on Your Radio Dial..." CKRM 980 KC Regina - 1926-1951.
1952
Fred Laight was program director. He had been with the station since 1943 when he joined as a copy writer.
Bob Hill was appointed program manager. He had been an announcer on the station. Bob Bye was appointed production manager. He already was host of "Bob for Breakfast" from 7-9 a.m. Bye was also program supervisor. Rita Spicer was promotion manager and women's commentator. She joined the station in 1951.
Norman Botterill left to become manager of CJOC Lethbridge (effective September 25). Don Oaks was named manager of CKRM. He had been sales manager since 1948. Oaks started in radio in 1940 at CFAC in Calgary. He succeeded Norm Botterill. Harry Dane, a member of the CKRM staff for 18 years, was named sales manager. He was assisted in his new post by Grant Carson and Bill Rees.
1953
Art Kennard was in the news department. He had been with the station since February of 1952, and joined from CJNB in North Battleford. Al Smith was executive assistant and accountant and had been with the station for six years.
Slogan: The capital station in the capital city - Regina.
Bill Walker (sales manager) and Bob Bye (program director) were now announcers at CKRC Winnipeg.
1954
Slogans: Don't let your sales slip. Secure your advertising on CKRM on the hard-hitting...far reaching 980 frequency. / People Choose CKRM Radio Regina.
Johnny Sandison and Vern Brooks were emcees.
CKCK opened new studios in June. The station had 42 employees at this time.
1955
Slogan: The Golden Voice of Saskatchewan.
1956
Western Communications Ltd, owned by Dr. Emmet McCusker, a prominent Regina physician and surgeon, bought CKRM from the Siftons. The studios were moved to an existing two-story building acquired by Dr. McCusker at 2060 Halifax Street.
1957
Wilf Collier became CKRM's general manager on April 1. He had been assistant manager at CKY in Winnipeg and replaced Don Oaks who left for CFAC in Calgary. Harry Dame remains as CKRM's sales manager while Bob Hill continues on as program director.
CKRM 980 was a CBC Dominion Basic affiliate. Ownership of Western Communications Ltd.: Dr. E. A. McCusker 58.3%, H. E. Drope 3.1%, Dr. G. J. McMurty 3.1%, D. K. McCusker 1.5%, M. I. Chase 3.1% and 12 other shareholders 30.9%. Dr. Emmet K. McCusker was president of the company.
Art Kennard was program director later in the year.
1958
CKRM increased daytime power to 10,000 watts. Night power remained 5,000 watts night. Three 250.foot towers were used.
1961
Cambrian Broadcasting Ltd., the owner of CKSO Sudbury, Ontario, purchased CKRM.
1962
The Dominion and Trans-Canada networks consolidated into a single CBC Radio network. CKRM’s affiliation with the network came to an end.
1965
James T. Miller was president of Cambrian Broadcasting and manager of CKRM. Bob Hill was production and program director.
Mary Baker was named sports director of CKRM - very possibly the first female sports director in Canada.
1967
Frank Flegel was news director. Bill Kincaid left CKRM for announce and sales work at CFRW Winnipeg.
1968
James T. Miller was general manager. Kenneth F. Reeves was appointed sales manager. James B. Roberts was production manager.
1970
George Gallagher, owner of CJGX Yorkton, formed Buffalo Broadcasting Ltd. in order to purchase CKRM from Cambrian Broadcasting Ltd. Buffalo received approval to purchase CKRM on June 10.
1973
On December 21, approval was granted for a transfer of shares in Buffalo Broadcasting from Mervin G. Phillips to Geo C. Gallagher and Edward A. Lawrence.
1974
On May 31, Buffalo Broadcasting was authorized to purchase CFMQ-FM from Metropolitan Broadcasting Ltd. CKRM now had a sister FM station.
1981
On March 1. Harvard Developments Ltd. (controlled by the Hill family of Regina), bought CKRM-AM and CFMQ-FM from Buffalo Broadcasting. Harvard owned CKCK-TV at this time. They had acquired the TV station in 1977 from Armadale Communications.
1986
Frederick Wilson Hill died at age 58 on October 12. He established Hill's TV and Radio in 1948, and was credited in 1954, with the world's first order for an RCA component TV set. In 1973, Hill added a film and video production studio to his group of businesses. He later purchased CKCK-TV and then CKRM-AM and CFMQ-FM.
Geoff Currier became CKRM's sports director.
1990
CKRM had its licence renewed for only two years because the CRTC had concerns over the placement of Canadian content. The Commission said that in one instance the station only played one Canadian song in morning drive while in another, the Cancon level in the 6-9 a.m. time period was only 6.2%. In its defense, CKRM argued that its listeners had a strong interest in news and information during morning drive and any deviation from its well-established programming style would trigger an irreversible negative reaction. The Commission rejected the station's argument and warned it would monitor the situation closely and expected CKRM to ensure that Canadian content regulations were adhered to fully at all times.
1993
CKRM / CFMQ-FM news director Manfred Joehnck moved over to CKCK-TV to become assignment editor.
1994
Co-owned CHMX-FM (formerly CFMQ-FM) adopted a New Country format on July 11. It would compliment CKRM's Traditional Country format.
1998
Craig Broadcasting Systems which in 1996 acquired CKCK-AM and CKWF-FM (formerly CKIT-FM) entered into an agreement with Harvard Communications to locate the studios of these two stations in the Harvard building at 2060 Halifax Street which, for many years also housed CKRM-AM and CHMX-FM. At the same time. Harvard agreed to take on the management of CKCK and CHWF-FM in addition to CKRM and CHMX-FM.
2001
On November 30, the CRTC approved an application whereby Harvard was able to purchase the assets of CKCK and CKWF-FM. and for CKRM to occupy CKCK's 620 frequency using the CKCK transmitter. In CKWF-FM, Harvard also acquired its second FM station in the Regina market, ending up with one AM station and two FM stations. CKRM’s transmitter on 980 kHz was acquired by RAWLCO Communications which surrendered its AM licence for CJME on 1300 kHz.
CKCK 620 left the air at midnight, October 1. CKCK was replaced on the 620 frequency by CKRM which had operated at 980 kHz.
2002
On December 12 the CRTC approved an application by Harvard Broadcasting Inc. to effect an intracorporate reorganization. Harvard was the licensee of the radio programming undertakings CKRM, CFWF-FM and CHMX-FM Regina, and the radio network Roughriders. The proposed transaction would be implemented through the insertion of a new holding company, The Gabriel Holding Corp., into the existing corporate structure, between Famhill Holdings Limited and Famhill Investments Limited. As a result of this transaction, Famhill Holdings would own 100% of the Class E voting shares and the Class D non-voting shares, and the Paul Hill Family Trust would own 100% of the Class B non-voting participating shares in Gabriel Holding. This transaction would not change the control of Harvard, which remained with Frederick W. Hill, through the holding companies Harvard Developments Inc., Famhill Holdings and Famhill Investments.
2003
On February 20 the CRTC authorized Harvard Broadcasting to operate a network originating from CKRM. The new network would broadcast regional and provincial news and information of interest to residents of Saskatchewan including open-line shows. It proposed to broadcast a maximum of 15 to 20 programs a year from one to four hours in duration. The network licence would be in effect until August 31, 2009.
2010
CKRM changed its format from Country to a mix of Country music and sports.
On June 30, the CRTC renewed the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial radio station CKRM Regina from 1 July 2010 to 31 August 2013. This short-term licence renewal will enable the Commission to review the licensee's compliance with the Radio Regulations, 1986 and its conditions of licence at an earlier date. In Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2009-786, the Commission noted that the licensee may have failed to comply with section 9(2) of the Radio Regulations, 1986, which relates to the provision of annual returns, for the 2007 and 2008 broadcast years, as well as with the Regulations as they relate to the 35% minimum weekly broadcast of Canadian musical selections from content category 2 (Popular Music). The Commission also noted that the licensee may have failed to comply with its condition of licence relating to contributions to Canadian talent development for the 2008 broadcast year.
Written by Lyman Potts, Bill Dulmage - Updated August, 2010
