Fraser Valley/Vancouver (With files from Dan Sys – Canadian Radio News and Broadcast Dialogue) – JUNE 30 UPDATE . It works in Edmonton, and Southwest BC is next.
Broadcast Dialogue reports: Rogers Sports & Media is expanding its SONiC RADiO brand as it introduces the alternative format to Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Thursday morning.
Launching on the former KiSS-branded stations 104.9 Vancouver, 107.5 Chilliwack, and 92.5 Abbotsford, and online at sonicradio.ca, and the Radioplayer Canada app, the SONiC RADiO brand was established on CHDI-FM Edmonton in 2005, with the station acquired by Rogers the following year. Its playlist includes artists like Florence & The Machine, Foo Fighters, 21 Pilots, The Lumineers, Green Day, and The White Stripes.
JUNE 29 ORIGINAL STORY – Rogers is once again flashing the sword and making cuts.
One of which holds close to home for the Fraser Valley.
What many do not know is that KiSS Radio is actually licensed as a Chilliwack radio station with Abbotsford and Vancouver repeaters.
Chilliwack is 107.5 FM, Abby at 92.5 and Vancouver at 104.9.
This week, the morning show of Kevin and Sonia were terminated. An oddity here as management allowed them to say goodbye.
Afternoon host Terra Jean Stevens is also on the way out but hinted on social media that there is something in the offing, perhaps within Rogers.
From Canadian Radio News:
A brief history of 104.9 Vancouver
1986 CKSR Signed on the air from Chilliwack/Abbotsford with AC (The Original STAR FM). Fraser Valley Broadcasters (Bill Coombes)
1997 CKSR Moved to Vancouver. Remained AC (The Original STAR FM)
1999 CKSR Sold to Rogers
2000 CKVX Flipped to Alternative Rock (X FM)
2004 CKCL Flipped to Smooth Jazz (CLEAR FM)
2006 CKCL Flipped to AC and re-launched with Fred Latrimoille and Cathy Baldazzi. FVN and chillTV’s Don Lehn was the Original Morning News Anchor. Remained (CLEAR FM)
2008 CKCL Flipped to Classic Hits (FM 104.9)
2009 CFUN Rebranded to (FUN FM). Remained Classic Hits
2011 CFUN Flipped to Top 40 (SONIC FM)
2015 CKKS Rebranded to (KISS RADIO). Remained Top 40
2021 CKKS Flipped to Hot AC. Remained (KISS RADIO)
2022 ?
From a ratings standpoint the station achieved its highest success as Classic Hits (FUN FM) & Alternative Rock (X FM).
As well, Sportsnet has confirmed that the Rogers Hometown Hockey tour is officially “retiring” after eight seasons.
Rogers Sports & Media declined to comment on the status of the talent attached to the show, including co-hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone.
As reported by The Athletic, MacLean has indicated he’s set to return to Hockey Night in Canada next season, but the fate of other staff is unclear.
