last link on the left

When Corus announced March 14th, 2008 that they were flipping CHQT 880 from oldies to all news, an opportunity was presented to a frequency that has had more format changes than any other station in town since radio first came to Edmonton in 1922.

The last time CKRA – the Newcap-owned station at 96.3 mhz – changed formats was on December 12th, 2005 when 96X became "Big Earl 96 dot 3 – He Plays Everything Country."

At the time, CKRA had fallen from fifth to twelfth place in the Fall 2005 ratings, losing more than half its audience. The morning show of B.J. Wilson and Shannon Tyler was second last in the commercial radio segment.

However, it was soon apparent that the replacement sound of "Big Earl" quickly became the "Big Ain't" as the country format endured a long string of poor showings.

96X was last rated with a 4.2 share. Big Earl debuted at 2.7, and followed with 3.7, 3.3, 3.7, 2.8, 2.0, 2.7 and 2.4 in successive books. The January-March, 2008 ratings were to be released April 7th (update: the station came in with a 2.2).

The solution to CKRA's ratings problem fell from the sky when Corus made their pre-emptive move against the possibility of Rogers winning an application for an all news station at CRTC hearings to be held on May 27th, 2008.

The oldies format was suddenly up for grabs, and for the first time in nearly two decades, CKRA could develop an audience without direct competition.

Rumours of Big Earl's flip started swirling as soon as the Corus announcement was made. Things started firming up when on March 27th the morning show of Greg Shannon and Tera Lee were roped off the air (see update at bottom of page). The station went jockless for a spell (or with announcers subbing for others), and Newcap general manager Randy Lemay had Jackie Rae host the format's last a.m. drive shift the next day.

Later at noon what was left of the Earl crew were coralled together for a meeting to learn that as of 3:00 p.m. March 28th, 2008 Big Earl would become an "oldies rock" station under the name The New 96.3 Capital FM – playing Edmonton's Greatest Hits (web site www.963capitalfm.com).

Big Earl bowed out with the Dixie Chicks and "Goodbye Earl" (ironically the same song the format signed on with).

The New 96.3 Capital FM Edmonton (or "New-Cap" as it might become known) debuted with the Doobie Brothers' "China Grove."

The transition can be heard here (opens in .mp3 format).

The launch sequence used was the same one Newcap employed when it recently rebranded California 103 in Calgary to XL 103 FM - Calgary's Greatest Hits (note identical web site design).

While the Capital FM announce staff lineup has yet to be fleshed out, former p.m. drive guy Jason Roberts was expected to host mornings with Kerry Skelton reading news. The only other confirmed ex-Earl staff still on the air were Tim Riess and Kristy Scott.

Also shuffled was former Big Earl program director Jackie Rae, now handling similar duties at sister station CFCW.

CTV Edmonton reported Newcap made the switch because there wasn't enough room for three country stations in the city. In addition to CISN, Big Earl had to compete with Newcap's own CFCW on the AM band.

"Capital FM is the station that plays the greatest hits of all time," explained new program director Steve Jones as the TV station dropped by the West Edmonton Mall studios.

"The sixties, the seventies, the eighties – it's the music people are passionate about, the music an entire generation grew up on."

Some staff were caught by cameras papering over the studios with the station's new identity ...

... while others were grappling with a new list of songs appearing on the computerised music system.

Newcap station manager Randy Lemay told the Edmonton Journal that Big Earl couldn't compete against longtime ratings winner CISN.

"(Big Earl) was a great-sounding station, good on-air people," Lemay said. "I think the difference was the longevity of (CISN's) Bruce Bowie and Chris Scheetz. People were comfortable with them."

Regarding CHQT's flip to all news, Lemay said the announcement of the Corus station's format switch had nothing to do with re-tooling CKRA.

"That was just a lucky thing for us," he said. "We were going in this direction way before."

It could be said Lemay was referring to a format already broadcast on Newcap sister station CAM-FM, advertised as playing "The greatest hits of all time."

While CAM-FM barely registers on Edmonton's BBM surveys, it is included as part of the extended market. Newcap sales staff will have to work hard to explain the symbiotic concept to prospective clients.

Updates

Former Big Earl morning mates Greg Shannon and Tera Lee have landed on their feet (albeit in separate cities).

Greg is now wearing a Medicine Hat smile as he wakes folks up at newly-minted CJCY-FM “102.1 The Lounge,” a Clear Sky Radio operation that debuted May 22nd, 2008. Meanwhile, Tera stayed within the Newcap family and is set to take the bull by the horns at CKGY KG Country 95.5 in Red Deer.

Deposed CHQT Cool 880 morning man Chuck Chandler soon found a new home at 96.3 Capital FM.

The Chucker was first heard at the station that took advantage of Corus deserting the oldies format on May 24th, 2008. The legendary radio personality helps validate the Newcap station's slogan of being home to "Edmonton's Greatest Hits."

radio - edmonton radio news 2008 - big earl belly flops