CHQT (AM)

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 under the brand name Cool 880, and is owned by Corus Entertainment.

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

[edit] 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 freqeuencies up 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 and 80's 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.

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.