CHNI-FM

CHNI-FM (88.9 MHz) is a Canadian FM radio station in Saint John, New Brunswick. The station airs an classic/active rock format branded as Q88.9. It is owned by the Stingray Group.

CHNI-FM
CitySaint John, New Brunswick
Frequency88.9 MHz (FM)
BrandingQ88.9
SloganThe Rock of Saint John
Programming
Formatclassic/active rock
Ownership
OwnerStingray Group
History
First air date
October 11, 2005
Technical information
ERP12,500 watts (25,000 watts maximum)
HAAT414 meters (1,358 ft)
Links
Websiteq889.ca

History

On November 26, 2004, Rogers Media received CRTC approval to operate a new English-language commercial FM News/Talk radio station which would broadcast at 88.9 FM in Saint John, New Brunswick as well as other News/talk stations in Halifax and Moncton under licensing agreement, the CRTC officially approved the application.[1] On October 11, 2005, CHNI signed on as News 88.9 under the ownership of Rogers Media, as part of a three-station news/talk radio network comprising CHNI, CKNI-FM in Moncton (which has since been sold to Acadia Broadcasting and flipped to an AC format in August 2014), and CJNI-FM in Halifax. As CHNI, the station would also broadcast Saint John Sea Dogs, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Blue Jays games, along with programming from ESPN Radio and Westwood One.

On July 4, 2013, Newcap Radio announced that it would acquire CHNI from Rogers Media pending CRTC approval, marking the company's entry into the Saint John market.[2] The acquisition, along with a request by Newcap to allow CHNI-FM to switch from a news/talk format to a music format, was approved by the CRTC on March 14, 2014.[3] The acquisition closed on March 31, 2014.

Format change

On July 28, 2014, CHNI flipped to mainstream rock branded as Rock 88.9, with 30 days of commercial-free music as the station began to hire on-air talent. David Newbury, general manager for Newcap Radio in Atlantic Canada stated that the company felt there was a "void" in the Saint John market that needed to be filled, and noted that Newcap was hoping CHNI would emulate the success of its sister stations in other Atlantic Canadian markets.[4]

On August 19, 2019, CHNI rebranded as Q88.9, while keeping the same slogan "The Rock of Saint John".

Controversy

When CHNI flipped formats from an news/talk station to a rock station, six employees were terminated as a result of the format change and have filed a lawsuit against Rogers and Newcap Radio.[5]

Former Logos

References
  1. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-520
  2. "Newcap Signs Agreement to Acquire CHNI-FM in Saint John," (PDF). Newcap Radio. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  3. "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-115: CHNI-FM Saint John – Acquisition of assets, licence amendments and technical changes". CRTC. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  4. "Saint John gains rock radio station, loses all-talk one". CBC News. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  5. "Six former employees suing Rogers and Newcap". CBC News. Retrieved 28 November 2014.


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