CIOE-FM

On May 28, the CRTC approved in part an application by Cobequid Radio Society to operate an English-language community FM radio station in Lower Sackville. Cobequid proposed to use the 88.7 MHz frequency but that channel had been awarded to another applicant. Cobequid was told to file an amendment application within 90 days proposing the use of an FM frequency other than 88.7 MHz and related technical parameters.  Cobequid Radio Society was a not-for-profit organization controlled by its board of directors. The proposed station would broadcast 126 hours of local, volunteer-produced programming each week, including 35.4 hours of spoken word programming for all age groups, along with music drawn from a range of genres, including pop, rock and dance, country and country‑oriented, easy listening, folk and folk-oriented, jazz and blues and non‑classic religious music. The station would also allocate free airtime to local arts groups and cultural organizations. Cobequid Radio proposed to exceed the regulatory levels for Canadian content by devoting 40% of its weekly selections from category 2 (Popular Music) and 15% of its weekly selections from category 3 (Special Interest Music) to Canadian selections. The new station’s licence would expire August 31, 2020.

On December 2, the CRTC approved Cobequid’s application to change the frequency of CIOE-FM to 97.5 MHz. Effective radiated power would be 250 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 25.1 metres).

CIOE-FM signed on the air in March (testing).

CIOE announced in June it was increasing its weekly on-air exposure of East Coast music from 65 hours to 97.5 hours. The community station celebrated its third year on-air on June 3 by hosting an East Coast Music Showcase.