CKRX-FM

CKRX-FM, 102.3 FM The Bear, Fort Nelson

Bell Media Inc.

StationYearFreq.PowerOwner/Info
CKRX-FM2003102.31,800Bell Media
CKRX-FM2007102.31,800Astral Media Inc.
CKRX-FM2002102.31,800Standard Radio Inc.
CKRX-FM1999102.31,800Telemedia Radio (West) Inc.
CFNL-AM1967590250Nor Net Broadcasting Ltd.

1967

November 21, was the launch date for CFNL. CFNL was a semi-satellite of CKNL Fort St. John.

1979

By this time, CFNL was operating on 590 kHz with a power of 250 watts.

1988

On February 18, Len Novak purchased several radio stations in Alberta and B. C., including CKNL and CFNL from Western Communicon Ventures Ltd. (Marco Holdings Ltd. 52.7% and Gee Dan Holdings Ltd. 47.3%). The new company would be known as Nornet Broadcasting Ltd.  

Ray Telford was general manager of CFNL and of CKNL (Fort St. John). He took over from Brent Fitzpatrick who moved to CKGY Red Deer.

Len Novak became managing director, overseeing the operations of CFOK, CKNL/CFNL, CHLW, CILW, CKWA and CJOI. He had been CFOK’s general manager.

1996

On September 27, CFNL was given approval to move to the FM dial, operating on 102.3 MHz with an effective radiated power of 1,800 watts.

1997

When CFNL made the move to FM, it became CKRX-FM.

1998

November 18, Nornet Broadcasting Ltd. was purchased by Okanagan Skeena Group Limited.

1999

On October 18, Telemedia Radio Inc. was given approval to purchase Okanagan Skeena Group Limited.  

2001

Brian Stephenson became operations manager for CKRX-FM. He would also look after CHRX-FM/CKNL Fort St. John and CJDC Dawson Creek. He had held the same post at CKVH in High Prairie

2002

On April 19, Standard Radio Inc. purchased the Ontario and Western operations of Telemedia Radio Inc. In turn, Standard sold a number of those stations to other companies. CKRX was among the stations retained by SRI.

2003

CKNL-AM Fort St. John became CKNL-FM.

2007

On September 27, Astral Media Radio G.P. received CRTC approval to acquire the assets of the radio and TV undertakings owned by Standard Radio Ltd., subject to certain conditions.  The purchase included CKRX-FM.   

2011

On August 31, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CKRX-FM until March 31, 2012.

Roy McKenzie, the regional sales manager for Astral’s B.C. Interior stations, was no longer with the company. His position was eliminated.

CKRX changed its branding from Energy 102.3 to 102.3 FM The Bear.

2012

On March 20, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CKRX-FM to August 31, 2012. On July 10, the licence was administratively renewed to March 31, 2013.

Janine Kraft, Brand Director at Astral Radio BC North, worked her last day there October 4. Kraft had been with the operation for the past 11 years, the last two as BD. She left for opportunities outside broadcasting.

2013

On February 6, the CRTC administratively renewed CKRX-FM’s licence to August 31, 2013.

On June 27, 2013, after a previous such application had been denied in 2012, the CRTC approved an application by Astral Media Inc. to sell its pay and specialty television channels, conventional television stations and radio stations to BCE Inc., including CKRX-FM.

The story continues elsewhere…
Effective September 1st 2019, we will only be adding new material to these station histories in exceptional circumstances. Our intent to chronicle the early days of these radio and television stations has been achieved, and many new sources and technologies, from the CRTC website to Wikipedia, and others, are now regularly providing new information in these areas.

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