New Calgary radio stations

[Calgarian]

Does anyone know what the deal is with all of the new radio stations in Calgary? there seems to be a new one every week.

[mersar]

Just 4 total since last fall (X at 92.9, Fuel at 90.3, Energy at 101.5 and the new CBC somewhere around 100, plus also the new Airdrie one but you can't pick it up if your anywhere south of Country Hills Blvd, or outside the valley in Cochrane). The CRTC decided that the population was large enough to support a few more stations a while back so we get a huge influx now. What will be interesting is to see how the market share changes, Vibe and CJay both got new direct competition that will probably eat a chunk of their listener base.

My only complaint is that the new stations don't have as clear a signal as the older ones, theres many spots around the city where I can barely pick up Energy 101.5 and even X can be fuzzy in the far NW.

[Boris2k7]

Hmmm, don't know. But I think more is better in this case. Still, not enough variety. I would hate to see yet another "lite 96" station or a vibe wannabe set up. For now, I am listening to X if only for the "no nickleback guarantee." But what I really want is a station that will play more edgy music, lots of metal and lyrics that tell of greater things than "getting dumped by that chick and then hating myself alot."

[0773|=\]

Commercial radio in general sucks...

You get five minutes of commercials, two to three songs, and that's followed by DJ's who usually don't shut up, sound extremely pretentious on the air, talk to callers about dick-all and play the same 50-60 songs all day, all week. They also don't have much in the way of music knowledge, they just play what someone tells them to play.

I've gained an appreciation for stations in Alberta like CKUA (I think it's 93.7 in Calgary, 94.9 in Edmonton). Literally no music is out of bounds on this network. Their library has somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1.5 million recordings and even if some of the music is not my taste, I usually learn something new about a genre and hear some rare recordings from the likes of Bob Dylan or one of the Marley's to make every listen a good one. Many of the hosts are musicians themselves, so they can often craft together some amazing programming.

College radio is often a treat every listen as well.

Just my two cents.

[mersar]

Yep. CJSW (U of C's student station) is a definite good choice, the programming ranges a huge amount but the variety is nice.

I'm currently rotating between X and Energy when I feel like music, which is getting less and less. My entire drive in to the city each morning is on QR pretty much every day, and some afternoons as well.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by Boris550

Hmmm, don't know. But I think more is better in this case. Still, not enough variety. I would hate to see yet another "lite 96" station or a vibe wannabe set up. For now, I am listening to X if only for the "no nickleback guarantee." But what I really want is a station that will play more edgy music, lots of metal and lyrics that tell of greater things than "getting dumped by that chick and then hating myself alot."

Not a big Simple Plan fan?

[krazycanuck]

I know X in regards to their signal is still waiting for their tower to be built. Because their licence is a somewhat low wattage compared to other Calgary stations, their tower has to be built larger to provide the same service as the other stations. Right now they are operating on a leased tower so the sound quality isn't what it should be, but should be improving.

Also, look for Rawlco radio to be launching their folk station later in the year.

[Calalb]

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

Also, look for Rawlco radio to be launching their folk station later in the year.

Has there been any news about a specific date for the launch?

[feepa]

Does Calgary have a radio station that matches the format of Sonic here in Edmonton yet?
http://www.radiosonic.fm

[lubicon]

Originally Posted by feepa

Does Calgary have a radio station that matches the format of Sonic here in Edmonton yet?
http://www.radiosonic.fm

X92.9 would be the one.

[Surferguy]

Originally Posted by lubicon

X92.9 would be the one.

I agree that X is the one emulating SOnic - however they are still lacking quite a bit... Garner Andrews = good X DJ's = idiots with zero charisma.

I said it!

[feepa]

I used to be jealous of the radio stations in Calgary until Sonic comes along. how quickly the tables turn. I know alot of Calgarians were envyous of that station. I guess X has come along since last time I actually tuned in to a Calgary radio station.
Driving to Calgary, I listen to Sonic till roughly Red deer, and then my CD collection till I'm back within Sonic range... I'll have to dial surf next time in Calgary for sure.

[skelts__ca]

I'm with Mersar. I'm on the AM dial most of the time (770 & 960). I'm glad you guys brought up Energy and Fuel, which I'll try out, but I'm getting less and less interested in the local stations. They're all let downs. 90.9 has its moments and I'll check out CKUA, but it's only a matter of time before I go to satellite.

[ctown.myth]

Yep, sat. is where it's at.

[Jay in Cowtown]

Originally Posted by skelts__ca

but it's only a matter of time before I go to satellite.

You'll never go back!

[Distill3d]

What oddly disappoints me about Calgary FM radio is that there is only 1 country station while Edmonton has two (Big Earl and CSIN)...not that I'm a big country music fan, but we are home to the largest rodeo in Canada, and we have a large agricultural region around us, you would think we had more then one Country station on FM

That aside, my perfence is QR77 or Q107.

[0773|=\]

I honestly can't stand Sonic 102.9... They used to have a more comprehensive line-up of indie groups, but I'm floored that an indie rock station with the 'Sonic' name doesn't even play any music by Sonic Youth, one of the granddaddy's of the genre.

They're turning into an album-rock station like The Bear, or CJAY, and they'll only play indie groups when they're coming to town before dumping them again. I also can't understand the appeal of Garner Andrews. Does he actually ever sound like he's talking to you or does he just seem to be riding some make-believe ego of his?

I've given satellite radio a go, and it's decent for the lack of commercials, but I still prefer CKUA because of the community that supports the station. It's decidedly Albertan and I love it. They're in the middle of one of their semi-annual fundraisers right now, so if you give them a listen don't be turned off by their constant needling the listener for money... this only happens for 3 weeks, then it's back to the standard programming for another six months before the next fund-drive.

[Rob D]

My biggest complaint with nearly all the commercial FM stations in Calgary is the almost universal idiotic ramblings by the hosts on the morning shows. Fuel 90.3 has one of the crappiest morning shows. Generally it is hard to tell the difference between morning shows period.

[The Kid]

I've had sat radio now for two years and don't miss local radio at all. The only thing I'll still tune into locally is QR once in awhile.

No Forbes has been the best part. Couldn't take any more fart jokes!

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by Rob D

My biggest complaint with nearly all the commercial FM stations in Calgary is the almost universal idiotic ramblings by the hosts on the morning shows. Fuel 90.3 has one of the crappiest morning shows. Generally it is hard to tell the difference between morning shows period.

I still think Jerry Forbes is good for a laugh. I don't get the satellite radio craze, why not just get an mp3 player and put it on shuffle.