A massive shakeup in the Vancouver radio world was revealed today, and an old and beloved AM signal is being brought back to life — but maybe not in the way long-time listeners would have hoped.
AM 730, formerly home to Vancouver’s only all-traffic station, is returning to the radio as the new home of popular news and talk station CKNW, formerly broadcast on AM 980.
One of the primary reasons for the switch is that AM 730 has a much clearer signal than AM 980, particularly downtown.
Downtown Vancouver is home to tens of thousands of potential daily listeners, but many can’t get clear reception on AM 980 in their vehicles. AM 730’s signal is much more reliable, which could mean more listeners for the legacy talk radio station in the long run.
The news was teased on AM 980 on Monday and confirmed on the Simi Sara Show today after the 7:30 am newscast. CKNW’s director of talk and talent, Kathryn Stewart, joined Sara to share that listeners frequently share their frustrations about the reception on 980 AM, which this switch should drastically improve.
CKNW turned 80 years old last year, which defies the modern Vancouver radio landscape, which has seen more than a few stations go off the air or get rebranded. If you’ve never listened to the Simi Sara, Jill Bennett, or Mike Smyth shows, producers typically invite politicians and local leaders as guests to speak on the radio. It’s not uncommon to find one of these hosts challenging a politician on the issues that matter to Vancouver residents.
“I’ve been in the business for more than 30 years here in Vancouver, and NW has always been legendary. So, when I first started working there, I really couldn’t believe that I was working at CKNW,” Sara told Daily Hive in an interview last year, reflecting on what the brand means.
“Any time we are able to tell a story that makes a difference in somebody’s life, that’s my favourite thing. That’s what I like. That’s what I stay in this business for.”
AM 730 has been in the news a bit over the past year. The station also became a place where sports fans could listen to Vancouver Whitecaps games.
Even over 200 days after the traffic station went off the air, commuters are still reminiscing about its value to them.
CKNW will continue to be broadcast on AM 980 and AM 730 simultaneously until late February. Then, AM 980 listeners will hear a looped message advising them to tune into AM 730 until sometime in mid-March.