CING-FM

Infobox Radio Station


name = CING-FM
airdate = 1976
frequency = 95.3 MHz (FM)
area = Hamilton, Ontario
format = country music
owner = Corus Entertainment
erp = 26.1 kW
branding = The New Country 95.3
slogan =
class =
website = [http://www.country953.com/ CING]
callsign_meaning =

CING is a Canadian radio station, which broadcasts at 95.3 FM in Hamilton, Ontario. The station airs a country music format branded as The New Country 95.3.

CING was launched in 1976 by Burlington Broadcasting, at 107.9 FM. Initially an oldies station licensed to Burlington, the station switched to a dance music format in 1991, after several months of adding new-age music to its mixture of classical and middle-of-the-road music. The station applied to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) a number of times in the 1980s for frequency changes in the hopes of better reaching the more lucrative Toronto market, but was denied each time.

FM 108 era

In its heyday, 'FM 108' was known for its cavelier 'off the wall' announcers. Each brought a unique character, special talent and inimitable style to the broadcast that held the audience captive in a bygone era of broadcasting. Some of the most memorable personalities include Glen Darling, Burt Thombs, Jay Brown, Norman B. and Clint Trueman.

Energy 108 era

In 1997, the station was acquired by Shaw Communications. Following the change in ownership, Energy's format shifted from dance music to mainstream CHR. Dance, rap, hip-hop, rock, and pop all received equal airplay. A minor name change also took place, with Energy 108 changing to Energy Radio. Under Shaw's ownership, several other stations in Ontario, including CKDK in Woodstock, CHAY in Barrie and CKGE in Oshawa, became rebroadcasters of CING's Energy Radio format. Shaw's radio operations were, in turn, spun off to the Corus Entertainment division in 1999.

In 2001, CING and Hamilton's CJXY swapped frequencies. CING moved to its current 95.3, and CJXY took over the 107.9 signal. The frequency switch brought with it a change in the network's sound, with the mainstream CHR format making way for a hot adult contemporary format. With CING now available over a wider geographic area, the other stations dropped their CING simulcasts in 2002. The new format mirrored the format of Toronto's market leader, 104.5 CHUM FM, which sealed Energy's fate. In August 2002, the station adopted its current country format.

External links

* [http://www.country953.com/ Country 95.3/CING-FM website]
* [http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listings_and_histories/radio/histories.php?id=367&historyID=152 History of CING-FM] from the Canadian Communications Foundation
* [http://www.dance108.com/ Project Dance: Remembering CING-FM]
* [http://rockradioscrapbook.ca/fm108.html FM 108 Remembered]
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