CFHI-FM

On February 20, the CRTC approved the application by Newcap Inc. for a licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio station in Hinton. It would operate on 104.9 MHz (channel 285B1) with an effective radiated power of 1,100 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 345.4 metres).The new station would offer a rock based music format targeting adults between the ages of 25 and 54. It would provide 126 hours of local programming each broadcast week. Spoken word programming would include an hourly community events update, a twice-per-day feature highlighting how listeners can make lifestyle changes that would lead to a cleaner environment, and features designed to reflect and enhance life in Hinton. The licence would expire August 31, 2020.

CFHI 104.9 began on-air testing in late January. The station was originally licensed for a Mainstream Rock format, however it now seemed the station would be a part of Alberta’s Real Country network.

In July, CFHI rebranded from Real Country 104.9 to Boom 104.9.

On October 23, the CRTC approved an application by Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited, on behalf of Newcap Inc. and its licensed broadcasting subsidiaries, for authorization to effect a change in the ownership and effective control of various radio and television broadcasting undertakings in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, so that effective control of the undertakings would be exercised by Eric Boyko (Stingray Digital Group Inc.). Stingray took ownership of the stations just a few days later.

In January, Stingray began syndicating the Real Country 95.5 Red Deer morning show across its Real Country and boom-branded radio stations in rural Alberta, leading to the elimination of 14 on-air positions. Boom 104.9 was among the stations to add the show.