CKBI (AM)

CKBI
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan;
Frequency	900 kHz AM
Branding	900 CKBI
Programming
Format	Country
Affiliations	Prince Albert Raiders
Ownership
Owner	Jim Pattison Group
Sister stations	CFMM-FM, CHQX-FM
History
First air date	1930; 94 years ago as 10BI
Technical information
Class	A (Clear-channel)
Power	10,000 watts days; 2,800 watts nights
Links
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	ckbi.com

CKBI (900 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Owned by the Jim Pattison Group, it broadcasts a country radio format branded as 900 CKBI. The studios and offices are on Central Avenue in Prince Albert. CKBI is the broadcast home of the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League, and also carries live broadcasts of Saskatchewan Roughriders CFL games.^[1]

By day, CKBI is powered at 10,000 watts non-directional. But at night, to reduce interference to other stations, it reduces power to 2,800 watts. The transmitter is on Gange Road at Tower Road in Red Deer Hill, Saskatchewan.^[2] CKBI is also heard on two FM rebroadcasters, one in Big River and one in La Ronge.

History edit

CKBI began broadcasting as 10BI in 1930 on 250 metres. In 1934, 10BI became a commercial station, adopting the call sign CKBI and moving to 1210 kilocycles. CKBI has been operating at its current frequency of 900 kHz since 1941, coupled with the enactment of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA). 900 AM is a Canadian and Mexican clear-channel frequency. CKBI and XEW Mexico City are the Class A stations on this frequency.

CKBI was a network affiliate of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission from 1932 until 1936. It was an affiliate of CBC Radio until 1944 and then CBC Radio's Dominion Network from 1944 until 1962. At that point, CKBI became an independent station. During the 1970s it was owned by Central Broadcasting, Ltd., with studios on 10th Street in Prince Albert.