Bell Media Bounces 25 Stations Across Canada To New Variety Hits Brand (original) (raw)
Bell Media continues its nationalization of brands across Canada with the launch of Variety Hits “Bounce” on 25 stations across the country.
Positioning as “The Music You Just Can’t Quit”, the stations are now focusing on a Pop/Rock leaning playlist from the 1980s through 2000s.
The biggest station to make the change was Variety Hits “99.9 Bob-FM” CFWM Winnipeg, which was the first station in the format when it adopted the “Bob” branding in March 2002.
Other stations making the change to “Bounce” today include:
- AC “102.9 K-Lite” CKLH Hamilton ON
- Classic Hits “99.5 K-Fun” CKKW Kitchener/Waterloo ON
- Variety Hits “96.1 Bob-FM” CKX-FM Brandon MB
- Classic Hits “92.3 The Dock” CJOS Owen Sound ON
- Classic Hits “104.1 The Dock” CICZ Midland ON
- Variety Hits “91.9 Bob-FM” CKLY Lindsay ON
- Rock “105.3 The Fox” CFXY Fredericton NB
- Rock “Big Dog 100.9” CKTO Truro NS
- Hot AC “K93” 93.5 CIKS Grand Falls NB
- Hot AC “Max 104.9” CKBC Bathurst NB
- Variety Hits “103.7 Bob-FM” CJPT Brockville ON
- Rock “101.5 The Bear” CKNL Fort St. John BC
- Rock “102.3 The Bear” CKRX Fort Nelson BC
- AC “EZ Rock 800” CKOR Penticton BC
- AC “EZ Rock 98.5” CHOR-FM Summerland
- AC “EZ Rock 1240” CJOR Osyoos BC
- AC “EZ Rock 95.7” CJAT Kootenays BC
- AC “EZ Rock 106.9” CKKC-FM Nelson BC
- AC “EZ Rock 91.5” CKXR-FM Salmon Arm BC
- AC “EZ Rock 106.3” CKCR Revelstoke BC
- AC “EZ Rock 106.3” CKGR-FM Golden BC
- AC “EZ Rock 590” CFTK Terrace BC
- AC “EZ Rock 97.7” CKTK-FM Kitimat BC
- AC “EZ Rock 99.1” CHTK-FM Prince Rupert BC
The flips eliminate the usage of the “EZ Rock” and “Bob-FM” brands throughout the company. “EZ Rock” at one point was utilized throughout the country including Toronto, Ottawa and Edmonton.
Bell Media previously consolidated many of its other stations under the CHR “Virgin Radio“, Country “Pure Country“, and AC “Move” brands. Today’s move leaves Hot AC 104.5 CHUM-FM Toronto, two Hot AC “Sun-FM“‘s in British Columbia, Oldies 580 CKWW Windsor, and Rock stations in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, and St. Catharines as the only English language music stations not on standardized brands within the company.
Happy Retirement BOB!! pic.twitter.com/t2aNJdGiiz
— Winnipeg's Bounce 99.9 (@BounceRadio999) May 18, 2021
iHeartRadio Canada announced today that 25 stations are now part of BOUNCE Radio, delivering favourites from the past with hits from the 80s, 90s, and 00s in markets across the country and on the iHeartRadio Canada app and at BounceRadio.ca. Perfect for the workday and the weekend, BOUNCE Radiocurates the songs that listeners have loved for years, and continues to deliver local programming and information in each market.
All BOUNCE Radio stations will continue to be anchored by homegrown morning shows, with the hosts listeners know and rely on. Providing the trusted information listeners need, with lots of fun along the way, BOUNCE Radio is a mix of familiar hits to energize people anytime day or night.
The new iHeartRadio Canada BOUNCE Radio stations are:
- Winnipeg’s BOUNCE 99.9
- Hamilton’s BOUNCE 102.9
- Kitchener–Waterloo’s BOUNCE 99.5
- Brandon’s BOUNCE 96.1
- Grey-Bruce’s BOUNCE 92.3
- Simcoe County’s BOUNCE 104.1
- Lindsay’s BOUNCE 91.9
- Fredericton’s BOUNCE 105.3
- Nova Scotia’s BOUNCE 100.9
- Grand Falls’ BOUNCE 93
- Bathurst’s BOUNCE 104.9
- Brockville’s BOUNCE 103.7
- Fort St. John’s BOUNCE 101.5
- Fort Nelson’s BOUNCE 102.3
- Penticton’s BOUNCE 800 AM
- Summerland’s BOUNCE 98.5
- Osoyoos’ BOUNCE 1240 AM
- Kootenays’ BOUNCE 95.7 and 106.9
- Salmon Arm’s BOUNCE 91.5
- Revelstoke’s BOUNCE 106.1
- Golden’s BOUNCE 106.3
- Terrace’s BOUNCE 590 AM
- Kitimat’s BOUNCE 97.7
- Prince Rupert’s BOUNCE 99.1
“We’re excited to introduce BOUNCE Radio to the iHeartRadio Canada family,” said Dave Daigle, Vice President, Radio, Local TV, and Bell Media Studios, Bell Media. “Always with listeners throughout the day or night, BOUNCE Radioprovides a dose of nostalgia, with upbeat programming and favourite morning shows so listeners can start their days off right.”
“We look forward to continuing the strong relationships the stations have built with listeners through this new national brand,” said Sarah Cummings, Director, Radio Content, iHeart Radio Canada. “With engaging programming for each market mixed with a fun new format, BOUNCE Radio stations are the perfect companion for listeners throughout their days.”
BOUNCE Radio launches with the BOUNCE Big Money Jackpot, giving one listener the opportunity to win $25,000. For more information on this, and upcoming local contesting, listeners can visit BounceRadio.ca.