96.3 Big FM (Canada FM radio for Kingston) FM is a broadcasting radio station owned and managed by Corus Entertainment. The station broadcasts at 96.3 MHz on the FM stereo. The brand name of the channel is “96.3 Big FM.” Furthermore, big 96.3 Kingston uses the slogan “Big hits and real classic rock.” It is transmitting Classic Hits format on its channel. Its sister stations are CKWS FM and CKWS DT. Big FM 96.3 features local weather forecasts, breaking news, current local issues, sports, business, politics, entertainment, events, and hot topics podcasts. Listen to the station’s live transmission by downloading a mobile app and tuning its official website from anywhere in the world.
History of 96.3 Big FM
On May 14, 1947, Big FM Kingston went on-air for the first time as CKWR FM, an FM simulcast of CKWS. Allied Broadcasting, in which the Kingston Whig-Standard was the primary partner, owned both stations. In the same year, it changed its call sign to CKWS. In 954, Allied changed its name to Frontenac Broadcasting. Furthermore, Big FM 96.3 adopted its current call sign in 1976.
Paul Desmarais and Claude Pratte bought Frontenac Broadcasting in 1977. Desmarais’ Power Corporation owned ownership in 1987. In 1989, Frontenac and another Power subsidiary, Kawartha Broadcasting, were merged to form Power Broadcasting. By the Ice Storm of 1998, the FM station was knocked off the air for a week.
In 2000, Corus Entertainment purchased the station. CFMK was branded as Joe FM and adopted an adult format in 2004. In 2007, the station switched to a Classic rock format as well as branded as FM 96. It changed its slogan to “Kingston’s Best Rock,” also used on CIKR FM, and switched to a mainstream rock format on February 13, 2015. On August 27, 2015, 96.3 Kingston relaunched as 96.3 Big FM with a classic hits format. The station also launched a commercial-free “Big 500 From A to Zed” countdown. FM played 500 songs alphabetically and without interruption throughout the weekend before resuming its on-air transmission on August 31, 2015. It is a class C1 station with a broadcasting power of 14,000 watts (28,000 watts peak).
Where is big 96.3 broadcasting from?
The station is a Canadian radio channel with a license to give its broadcasting services to Kingstone, Ontario.
What’s the connection between q107 and 96.3 Big FM?
The connection between 96.3 Big FM and Q107 (CILQ FM) is that Q107 is also a Canadian broadcasting radio channel from Toronto, Ontario. The station is owned by Corus Entertainment as well. Both stations have licensing authority from Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Both stations play rock music.
Programs with Presenters
Dave Nelson Show – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The Big Drive Show with Derek Bolduc – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Ongoing History of Modern Music – 11:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Contact Details
Address: 170 Queen Street, Kingston, ON K7K 1B2
Main Switchboard: 613 544 2340
Main Fax: 613 544 5508
News Department: 613 542 9232
Sales Department: 613 544 2340 ext 476323
Email: roger.cole@corusent.com
Official Website: https://963bigfm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/963bigfm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/963bigfm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/963bigfm
Also Listen: K-Rock 105.7