CHQT

Infobox Radio Station


name=CHQT
airdate=August 19, 1965
frequency=880 kHz (AM)
area=Edmonton, Alberta
format=All-news radio
owner=Corus Entertainment
branding=iNews880
website=http://inews880.com/|

CHQT is a radio station in Edmonton, Alberta, broadcasting its signal on 880 kHz AM with an ERP of 50,000 watts. It also broadcasts AM stereo using the C-QUAM system. The station currently operates an all-news radio format under the brand name iNews880, and is owned by Corus Entertainment.

CHQT can also be received on 93.5 MHz on Shaw Cable FM.

History

* The station started on August 19, 1965 on 1110 kHz, with 10,000 watts power.

* In 1979, CHQT started using 50,000 watts power

* In 1990, the station changed frequency to 880 kHz on the sale to Monarch Broadcasting, Ltd.

* In June 2001, CHQT is named COOL 880.

* In October 2003, it became '880 JOE AM' for a few months before it returned to 'COOL 880' on January 13, 2004. The reason for the change to Joe AM was to protect its sister station Power 92 (CKNG-FM). The company was afraid that another broadcaster would scoop the name and or format on the FM band. It was a bad move as the station lost a considerable amount of its listeners. They have never returned to their historic rating before the change. Power 92 then became JOE FM and abandoned the top 40 format in favor of an 80's and 90's mix of music. Oddly enough, the change from Power 92 to Joe FM also resulted in a massive loss of listeners for the FM station.

* On May 20, 2008 at 6:30 AM, the COOL 880 oldies format switched to all news.

Other facts

* Before the name change and being bought by Corus Entertainment, their news slogan was "This is Alberta's Major News station - AM 880 CHQT" - Currently all newscasts on Edmonton Corus radio stations are produced by 630 CHED.

References

External links

* [http://www.inews880.com inews880]
* [http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listings_and_histories/radio/histories.php?id=117&historyID=49 History of CHQT at Canadian Communications Foundation]
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