CKRA-FM

Infobox Radio Station


name = CKRA-FM
airdate =
frequency = 96.3 MHz (FM)
area = Edmonton, Alberta
format = classic hits (60s, 70s, 80s)
owner = Newcap Broadcasting
erp =
branding = "96.3 Capital FM"
slogan = "Edmonton's Greatest Hits"
class =
website = [http://www.963capitalfm.com 96.3 Capital FM]
callsign_meaning = |

CKRA is a radio station licensed to and serving Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, broadcasting at 96.3 FM. The station is owned by Newcap Broadcasting, and launched a classic hits format as "96.3 Capital FM" on March 28, 2008. In the past, it has been known as Big Earl 96-dot-3, 96X, 963 the Mix, Mix 96 and 96 K-Lite FM.

History

Prior to 1996, CKRA was known as "96 K-Lite FM". In 1996, the station adopted the name "Mix 96", playing a hot adult contemporary format. 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 BJ Wilson.

In February 2003, CKRA once again re-branded as "96X", "the hit music alternative" to CKNG "Power 92", the declining contemporary hit radio station in Edmonton. The station retained its hot AC format, leaving R&B and hip-hop out of its playlist. 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 soon 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. Comparing market share to the number of stations in Edmonton, this is the period in which the frequency enjoyed it's greatest success. At the time, BJ 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 evolution to "92.5 Joe FM" which played a 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. This change was unsuccessful in regaining listeners.

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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 3PM, CKRA changed formats again, this time moving from country to classic hits as "96.3 Capital FM." Capital FM's playlist concentrates on artists from the 1960s, 70s, and early 80s, including The Beatles, The Mamas and the Papas, and Fleetwood Mac. During the first ratings period after the change, the station's audience grew from from a 2.0 share of audience as Big Earl to 4.9 share of audience as Capital-FM.

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.

Past and Present Personalities

Important Dates

*January (Friday) 13th, 1995: K-Lite became Mix 96
*August 2002: Mix 96 became 96.3 The Mix
*February 24th 2003: 96.3 The Mix became 96X
*December 12th 2005: 96X became Big Earl
*March 28th, 2008: Big Earl became Capital FM

References

External links

* [http://www.963capitalfm.com 96.3 Capital FM]
*RecnetCanada|CKRA-FM