CKXX-FM
| Broadcast area | Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada |
|---|---|
| Branding | 103.9 K-Rock |
| Slogan | Western Newfoundland's classic rock! |
| Frequency | 103.9 MHz (FM) |
| First air date | August 6, 1984 as CKWK |
| Format | Classic rock |
| Callsign meaning | C KiXX (during its days as a country music station) |
| Former callsigns | CKWK (1984-1989) |
| Former frequencies | 1340 kHz (AM) (1984-1997) |
| Owner | Newcap Radio |
| Sister stations | CFCB |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | www.k-rock1039.com |
CKXX-FM is a Canadian radio station broadcasting from Corner Brook at 103.9 MHz FM. The station launched by the noted broadcaster Alex J. Walling on August 6, 1984 as CKWK at 1340 kHz, and is currently owned by Newcap Radio.
For the first year and a half of CKWK's existence, they tied many things to bring up listenership and broaden the appeal of its fledgling station. Many of these programs were quite successful. The Jukebox Saturday Night Party was quite popular and would attract listeners from as far away as Gander who were able to receive CKWK's 10,000 watt signal clearly at night. CKWK would also host themed weekends such as the Rock 'n Roll Weekend and a weekend featuring the History of Country music with Country Radio Legend Ralph Emery.
However, CKXX was up against the incumbent CFCB, whose motto was "570 CFCB - The Station, You Grew Up On", who at the time played 50% Country music from 6:00AM–6:00PM. So, in January 1986, the format was changed from Country to Top 40. However, due to the possibility of a conflict with CFCB's evening and overnight Top 40 heavy format, CKXX were forced to change their format to Middle Of The Road (MOR). By the Summer of 1987, CKWK had been reduced to a skeleton staff with automation 18 hours a day, using a very limited library of music that was Adult Contemporary in format. The automation system was far from perfect. Dead air, and 2 sources playing on air at once were common during that time. The tapes that were used were of such poor quality that even with the limitations imposed by AM broadcasting, a listener with a good ear could notice the low quality sound that the tape provided.
In 1988, CKWK became an affiliate of Music Radio - a national radio service fed to stations via ANIK Satellite that played an AC format. WGB CKWK became CKXX, the station switched to the sister service of Music Radio - Star Country.
On December 31, 1989 at 7:00PM, the station manager at the time, Fred Trainor, went on the air to announce the transition of CKWK to 1340 KIXX Country/95.1 Deer Lake. CKWK became CKXX and adopted a Country format. The first song played was "Guitars & Cadillacs" by Dwight Yoakam.
Over the first few months, CKXX was locally staffed for 18 hours a day with overnight programming being provided by satellite. The service was called Star Country. Eventually, it would be replaced by Country Coast to Coast - Cryin', Lovin' or Leavin' with Shelly Fraiser as well as other network announcers. At one point, Country Coast to Coast was piped in as much as 15 hours a day with local announcers doing morning/afternoon drive as well as noon shows. The style of Country music played on CKXX was a blend of current day Country music hits mixed with Classic Country from 1960 to the present day.
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