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CKGE-FM

Oshawa, Ontario
Broadcast area	Greater Toronto Area
Frequency	94.9 MHz (FM)
Branding	94.9 The Rock
Programming
Format	Active rock
Ownership
Owner	Durham Radio Inc.
History
First air date	September 12, 1957 (as CKLB-FM at 93.5)
Former call signs	CKLB-FM (1957–1966) CKQS-FM (1966–1979) CKQT-FM (1979–1993)
Former frequencies	93.5 MHz (1957–1966)
Technical information
Class	B
ERP	50,000 watts
HAAT	147.5 meters (484 ft)
Links
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	therock.fm

CKGE-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 94.9 FM from Oshawa, Ontario. The station broadcasts an active rock format under the brand name 94.9 The Rock.

History

The station was launched in 1957 by Lakeland Broadcasting as CKLB-FM 93.5, a sister station to AM outlet CKLB. The station aired an easy listening format. In 1966, the station changed its callsign to CKQS-FM, and moved to its current frequency later the same year.

In 1979, CKLB and CKQS were acquired by Grant Broadcasting, and CKQS changed callsigns again, this time to CKQT-FM. Grant Broadcasting was subsequently acquired by Power Broadcasting in 1990.

In 1993, the station moved to an adult contemporary format, adopting its current callsign and branding itself The Edge. In 1995, the station was rebranded Magic 94.9.

In 1999, the station began to more actively target audiences in Toronto, with a modern adult contemporary format incorporating into some more typically adult album alternative musical selections.

In late 2000, Power Broadcasting was acquired by Corus Entertainment. On February 16, 2001, Corus dropped Magic's format and brand, adding the station to its Energy dance music simulcast. However, in 2002, Corus' Hamilton stations swapped frequencies, and with Energy flagship CING now on a signal that more effectively covered the Toronto area, CKGE again became Magic @ 94.9, with a hot adult contemporary format, on May 3 of that year.

In 2003, Corus sold CKGE and CKDO to Durham Radio, the owner of CJKX in neighbouring Ajax. The station adopted its current format shortly after the sale on June 12. It reports as a Toronto station per Mediabase and Nielsen BDS and is the Greater Toronto market's only active rock station

In 2012, Doug Elliott was hired as program director. The format execution and personalities quickly changed into a competitive Toronto rock radio station with the addition of Craig Venn and Lucky in mornings, Lori Ann in middays, Doug Elliott in drive and longtime Toronto rock radio host from CILQ and CHUM-FM Lee "Beef" Eckley. In May 2018, Dean Blundell joined Craig Venn and Lucky as a contributor to "Rock Mornings".

In October 2022, Christian Tanna, the drummer of 1990s Canadian rock band I Mother Earth, joined the station as host of Generation Next Radio, its program devoted to new and emerging rock musicians. In May 2023, the station added Ed the Sock as the host of an overnight program.

References

1. Connie Thiessen, "I Mother Earth drummer Christian Tanna joins 94.9 The Rock". Broadcast Dialogue, October 26, 2022.
2. Connie Thiessen, "Ed the Sock revives overnight radio format in the GTA". Broadcast Dialogue, May 16, 2023.

External links

• 94.9 The Rock
• CKGE-FM at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation
• CKGE-FM in the REC Canadian station database

43°55′32″N 78°53′49″W / 43.92561°N 78.89702°W / 43.92561; -78.89702

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• Radio stations in the Regional Municipality of Durham
• Oshawa
• Active rock radio stations in Canada
• Radio stations established in 1957
• 1957 establishments in Ontario
• Former Corus Entertainment subsidiaries
• Ontario radio station stubs