CIRK-FM

CIRK-FM
City of license Edmonton, Alberta
Branding K-97
Frequency 97.3 MHz (FM)
First air date 1949
Format Classic rock
ERP 100,000 watts
Transmitter coordinates 53°25′9″N 113°14′29″W / 53.41917°N 113.24139°WCoordinates: 53°31′21″N 113°37′40″W / 53.52250°N 113.62778°W
Callsign meaning Canada's Immortal RocK
Former callsigns CJCA-FM (1949-1975)
Owner Newcap Radio
Sister stations CFCW, CFCW-FM, CKRA-FM
Website K97

CIRK-FM is a Canadian radio station, which broadcasts classic rock on 97.3 MHz FM in Edmonton, Alberta. The station, owned by Newcap Broadcasting, uses the on-air brand name K-97 (prior to 2008, it was known as K-Rock).

CIRK is currently ranked #7 in the Edmonton market according to the Fall 2014 Numeris data report.[1]

History

CIRK signed on the air in 1949 as CJCA-FM, originally located at 99.5 MHz as an FM simulcast of CJCA. It later began programming separately from CJCA between 5:50 p.m. and midnight on Monday to Friday, 5:50 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Saturday and 5:00 p.m. to midnight on Sunday. The station switched to its current frequency and call sign in 1975 and became known on-air in 1979 as K-97, becoming an Edmonton favourite during the 1980s. In the mid-1980s, CIRK was broadcast crystal clear throughout North America as a secondary audio frequency on channel 18 of Canadian satellite Anik D. For many years, mornings were hosted by Bruce Kenyon.

The station has a reputation of keeping long term talented announcers. Rob Berg since the early 1980s and Melissa Wright mid 1990s.

In 1997, the station was rebranded as K-Rock. In 1998, CIRK was purchased by Newcap Broadcasting, who already owned CKRA-FM and CFCW in the city. Through much of the next five years the station regained its success, however in the early part of 2007, the station has struggled in the ratings, with public firings of new and long time staff members.[2] CIRK had rebounded to be the 5th most listened to radio station in Edmonton.[3] As of July 7, 2008, the station returned to the old K-97 branding.

On February 10, 2009 the station announced that the morning team of Terry, Bill, and Steve would be returning after almost three years off the air. The Terry, Bill, and Steve Show dominated Edmonton ratings from 2000-2005. The show returned on February 23, 2009.

K-97's features include a classic Led Zeppelin song at 10:00PM every night called "Get The Led Out", as well as a classic AC/DC song at 3:00PM on a short segment called "AC/D @ 3". Other daily features include 97 Minutes of Non-Stop Classic Rock at 9:00am, the All Request Nooner and Classic Vinyl at 6:00pm.

As of 2015...Terry Evans with Bill Cowen in the morning. Melissa Wright 9am-3pm. Rob Berg 3pm-7pm. Todd James 3pm-Mid. Jake Taylor and Karl Douglas WKNDS.

Rebroadcasters

CIRK-FM also operates on a number of low-power FM transmitters.

Alberta

CIRK-FM was a rebroadcaster in Jasper, Alberta with local tourist information and has changed to its current call letters CJAG-FM.[4]

British Columbia

Northwest Territories

Saskatchewan

References

  1. ↑ Fall 2014 Edmonton Numeris Ratings
  2. ↑ edmontonsun.com - Hicks on Six - Rock-solid choice for morning show
  3. ↑ RADIO MEDIA REPORT FINAL ver 2.xls
  4. ↑ Decision CRTC 2001-590

External links