After a 30 hour stunt loop of Rage Against The Machine’s “Killing In The Name Of” that went viral in ways that nobody could have predicted receiving international press, Rogers Sports & Media flipped Hot AC “Kiss Radio” 107.5 CKKS-FM Chilliwack/92.5 CKKS-FM-1 Abbotsford/104.9 CKKS-FM-2 Vancouver BC to Alternative “Sonic Radio” at 6am this morning.
After new morning host Angela Valiant introduced the station and acknowledged the stunting getting away from them with all the attention, the new brand launched with one final spin of “Killing In The Name Of”.
The move resurrects branding previously used on the station from 2011 to 2015, but at that time as a Top 40.
The move to Alternative places CKKS-FM in competition with Corus’ 99.3 CFOX and Pattison Media’s “102.7 The Peak” CKPK-FM, which both have Alternative formats, the latter more Adult leaning. CFOX currently ranks eleventh in the Vancouver market with a 4.0 share, while CKPK-FM is fourteenth with a 2.9.
Christian Hall, Content Director of Variety Hits “Jack 96.9” CJAX-FM, will oversee the new “Sonic Radio“. The station is launching with a full airstaff. The aforementioned Valiant, who most recently hosted afternoons at “102.7 The Peak” CKPK Vancouver, will host mornings from 6-10am. Alex Carr, who hosts middays on Roger’s “Jack 96.9” CJAQ Calgary, will add the same duties at Sonic. Carr previously worked in Vancouver at both The Peak and 99.3 CFOX. Carly Meyers and Jay Brody, formerly of “102.1 The Edge” CFNY Toronto will host afternoons from 2-6pm. CJAQ Calgary afternoon hosts Marc Michaels and Katlynn Millions will pull double-duty in Vancouver from 6-8pm.
Turn it up! Launching today on 104.9 Vancouver, 107.5 Chilliwack, and 92.5 Abbotsford, is SONiC RADiO. The popular alternative brand delivers an electric playlist featuring Florence & The Machine, Foo Fighters, 21 Pilots, The Lumineers, Green Day, The White Stripes, and more, along with a new lineup of local shows, hosted by some of Canada’s most sought-after on-air media personalities.
“We’ve seen huge success with our SONiC brand in Edmonton, serving listeners who are looking for an alternative to pop music. We know there’s an appetite here in the GVA and Fraser Valley to launch this exciting format, with a stellar lineup of new local shows. We can’t wait for listeners to meet this fantastic group of entertaining personalities who are unapologetically themselves, and all share a passion for alternative music,” said Christian Hall, Content Director, SONiC RADiO & JACK 96.9.
Debuting today is The Angela Valiant Show, Vancouver and the Valley’s first solo female-fronted morning show, airing weekdays 6 to 10 a.m. PT; followed by Alex Carr on middays (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT); Carly Meyers and Jay Brody for afternoon weekday drive (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.); and Marc Michaels and Katlynn Millions (6 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT). Weekend programming includes hosts Graham Clark, Garner Andrews, Millions, Darren Worts, and Andrew Berridge.
To support the debut, SONiC RADiO will have a robust marketing campaign in market from launch through the remainder of the year across multiple platforms, including Television, OOH, Transit, Digital, Social, and Guerilla Postings.
SONiC RADiO joins its companion stations CityNews 1130, JACK 96.9, and Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver, plus Star 98.3 and Country 1071.1 in the Valley, offering advertisers several brands to reach listeners.
Today’s launch builds on the SONiC brand presence in Canada, with stations now in Edmonton and Vancouver. Audiences can hear SONiC RADiO on air across 104.9 in Vancouver, 107.5 in Chilliwack, 92.5 in Abbotsford, online at http://www.sonicradio.ca, smart speakers, and on the Radioplayer Canada app.
Original Report 6/29: Rogers Communications Hot AC “Kiss Radio” 107.5 CKKS-FM Chilliwack/92.5 CKKS-FM-1 Abbotsford/104.9 CKKS-FM-2 Vancouver has begun stunting this morning with a loop of Rage Against The Machine’s “Killing In The Name Of”.
CKKS-FM’s airstaff announced their departures from the station on Tuesday with morning hosts Kevin Lim and Sonia Sidhu exiting after five years at the stationsand afternoon host Tara Jean Stevens stating she has a new opportunity coming soon.
CKKS-FM ranked twelfth in the Numeris Spring 2022 ratings with a 4.0 share placing it ahead of Stingray’s direct format competitor “Z95.3” CKZZ and its 3.2 share.
Today was our last show on KiSS RADiO. Thank you for everything ♥
–@KevinLimOnAir & @Sonia_Sidhu pic.twitter.com/Pc9P7fYFP6
— KiSS RADiO (@kissradiohits) June 28, 2022
A special announcement! I’ve officially enjoyed my last show on KiSS RADiO. I can’t wait to share the news of my exciting, new opportunity in the coming weeks. ❤️???? pic.twitter.com/Zm7mLTmha1
— Tara Jean Stevens (@TaraJeanOnline) June 28, 2022
