CKMW-FM is a Canadian radio station licensed to Winkler, Manitoba, serving the Pembina Valley Region broadcasting at 88.9 FM with a country format branded as Country 88. The station is currently owned & operated by Golden West Broadcasting.
CKMW shares its location with sister stations CJEL-FM and CFAM.
History It first began broadcasting at 6 a.m. on August 1, 1980 at 1530 kHz with the call sign CISV, before moving to 1570 kHz and adopting its current call sign in 1987.Decision CRTC 87-46
Move to FM On July 16, 2012, Golden West received approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to convert CKMW from the AM band to the FM band. The new frequency previously assigned was 103.7 MHz.Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-383, CKMW Winkler – Conversion to the FM band, CRTC, July 16, 2012 On January 8, 2013, the CRTC granted permission for CKMW to broadcast instead on 88.9 MHz, as well as increasing the average effective radiated power (ERP) from 61,000 to 100,000 watts (maximum ERP remains at 100,000 watts) and changing from a directional to a non-directional antenna.Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-5, CKMW-FM Winkler – Technical change, CRTC, January 8, 2013 The station relaunched as Country 88.9 at 88.9 FM on June 12, 2013.Launch Day is Coming! , 88.9 FM - Pembinavalleyonline.com, June 3, 2013 Following its move to FM, CKMW was permitted to simulcast on both AM and FM for a transition period of three months, ending in September; the station ceased broadcasting on AM 1570 on August 30, 2013.YouTube: "1570AM Transmitter Shut Down - Friday, August 30th 2013"
References
External links Country 88.9 CKMW-FM at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation (88.9 MHz) (Old 1570 kHz frequency)