CKIK-FM

On October 17 the CRTC approved in part, the application by L.A. Radio Group Inc. for the operation of a new FM station at Red Deer. L.A. proposed to introduce a New Hit Music format, consisting of 65% Modern Rock and 35% Mainstream Top 40 Music. The programming would be structured around three main music categories: New Music (music from the last three months), Recurrent (music from the past 3-12 months) and Favourites (music from the last 1-10 years). The station would be targeted to those between the ages of 18 and 44. L.A. Radio already operated CJUV-FM (Lacombe) in the market. The licensee made a commitment to broadcast at least 113 hours of local programming during the broadcast week upon implementation of its new station. In each broadcast week, at least 11 hours and 3 minutes would be devoted to spoken word programming, including 2 hours and 12 minutes of pure news (minimum 50% local), 1 hour and 48 minutes of weather and traffic, 56 minutes for the review of community and cultural events, and 5 hours and 12 minutes of announcer talk. Both L.A. and Touch Canada Broadcasting had applied for the use of the 100.7 MHz frequency. Both companies were directed to apply for a frequency other than 100.7. L.A. proposed an effective radiated power of 27,000 watts. All competing applications were denied.

On June 1 the CRTC approved L.A. Radio Group’s application for the use of the frequency 101.3 MHz for its new station at Red Deer. Effective radiated power would be 26,000 watts.

KRAZE 101.3 began signal testing with a wide and disjointed mix of music ranging from rock and country to Christmas and movie music.

On July 24 at 1:01 p.m. CKIK-FM (KRAZE 101.3 – Red Deer’s Number One Hit Music Channel!) officially signed on the air. Program and music director is Dennis Allan. Announcers: Mike Diesel and Tasha Chiu (mornings), Rebecca Page (mid-days), Kwame (PM Drive) and Ransom (evenings). The official launch weekend included a Saturday Night Launch Party at Bellini’s from 7 til Midnight. KRAZE is locally owned and operated by Troy Stevens and Sonia Sawyer of L.A. Radio Group Inc. 

Following Tasha Chiu’s return to television, Lindsey Rae became the newest part of The Kraze (CKIK) Morning Krew! She joined from from radio in Prince George. KRAZE 101-3 also announced Claire McCauley from Vibe 98.5 (CIBK) in Calgary would be the new mid day host as of March 1. 

Lindsay Rae moved to KRAZE 101.3 Red Deer from her morning co-hosting gig at 101.3 The River Prince George. She was also now morning co-Host at KRAZE. 

Kraze 101-3 started the year with a new addition to Morning Drive. The station introduced “The Hit Show” with Ransom, Rae, and Matt. Ransom had been Afternoon Drive host, after moving there from Middays, after moving there from Evenings (where he started in 2009 when Kraze was launched). He was also Assistant Program Director. Stepping into Ransom’s old PM Drive slot was Zap Davids, who spent his first year here hosting middays. Zap’s move to “The Ride Home” left room for Jackie-O to join the team. Jackie was now host of the Midday Show from 10am-3pm. Dennis Allan was Program Director.

Boyd Leader joined LA Radio’s Programming team. Effective May 1st, Boyd took on the role of consulting the programming department, to assist in the continual growth of Sunny 94 and KRAZE 101.3. 

KRAZE 101.3 station manager Amanda Gould, after four years in that position, resigned. She moved to become the executive director of Red Deer’s Downtown Business Association.

On December 22, the CRTC approved an application by Harvard Broadcasting Inc. for authority to acquire from L.A. Radio Group Inc. the assets of the English-language commercial radio station CKIK-FM. This transaction would serve the public interest as it would put Harvard on the same footing as the other mainstream commercial operators with two radio stations in the market and therefore would help ensure the long-term viability of CKIK-FM and CKRI-FM, the licensee’s other station in Red Deer. Harvard was owned and controlled by Paul James Hill.