Radio 96.5 Launches In Halifax

Update 8/26: At noon today, CKUL dropped its Classic Hits format and flipped Adult Alternative as “Radio 96.5“. Positioned as “Music First”, the station is promoting itself as a current intensive music discovery station.

Dominik Diamond, night host at “Q107” CILQ Toronto joins the station for mornings. Colin Sweets, most recently at “89.3 K-Rock” Kentville, NS will host afternoons.

Meanwhile, the “Kool” format says goodbye with the following message on its Facebook page:

There have been many comments and rumours about the future of 96.5 KOOL-FM and the morning team of Griff and Caroline. Over the past week we have been unable to comment out of respect for the individuals involved in this significant change. However, today we can confirm that a new radio brand with new on-air hosts is debuting on 96.5 FM. We realize and respect that many listeners will be disappointed to lose their favourite radio station.

We do hope that you will give the new station at 96.5FM a try. You may find that you enjoy the music and personalities you’ll hear. However, you can also hear many of the classics from the 70s and 80s on Q104 at 104.3FM.

Thank you for your loyalty throughout the years. It’s been a lot of fun and it is sad to say goodbye to 96.5 KOOL-FM.

Original Report 7/26: Is Newcap preparing a format change at Classic Hits “Kool 96.5” CKUL Halifax?

A number of domains were registered this week by Newcap for the station, which is the only 96.5 the company owns on the frequency: Amp965.com, KRock965.com, KixxCountry965.com, Ocean965.com, and Radio965.com.

CKUL ranked fourth in the Halifax market with a 9.6 share in the Spring 2013 BBM, however it has trended downward in every survey over the past two years. The two commercial stations in the market it trails are Country “FX 101.9” CHFX and Newcap sister Active Rock “Q104” CFRQ.

Dominik Diamond, night host at “Q107” CILQ Toronto joins the station for mornings. Colin Sweets, most recently at “89.3 K-Rock” Kentville, NS will host afternoons.

Meanwhile, the “Kool” format says goodbye with the following message on its Facebook page:

There have been many comments and rumours about the future of 96.5 KOOL-FM and the morning team of Griff and Caroline. Over the past week we have been unable to comment out of respect for the individuals involved in this significant change. However, today we can confirm that a new radio brand with new on-air hosts is debuting on 96.5 FM. We realize and respect that many listeners will be disappointed to lose their favourite radio station.

We do hope that you will give the new station at 96.5FM a try. You may find that you enjoy the music and personalities you’ll hear. However, you can also hear many of the classics from the 70s and 80s on Q104 at 104.3FM.

Thank you for your loyalty throughout the years. It’s been a lot of fun and it is sad to say goodbye to 96.5 KOOL-FM.

Original Report 7/26: Is Newcap preparing a format change at Classic Hits “Kool 96.5” CKUL Halifax?