CKXX-FM

CKXX-FM is a Canadian radio station broadcasting from Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador on 103.9 MHz FM. The station launched by the noted broadcaster Alex J. Walling on August 6, 1984 as CKWK at 1340 kHz AM, 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.