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OKANAGAN BROADCASTERS

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Since 2000 - News you can trust for over-the-air radio
 & TV stations in the BC Okanagan
+ Kamloops to Princeton

After 22 years of operation, the Okanagan Broadcasters website is being retired. Our affiliated sites, Northwest Broadcasters and Vancouver Broadcasters will continue. We thank all contributors and readers for their loyalty over the years. There will be no further updates after Dec. 31, 2022, but the site will remain online for the foreseeable future.

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2023

12/31/22 - We wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year and thank all our supporters for your assistance in keeping our site running for the past 22 years.

Jim Watson

12/08/22 - Long time Manitoba, Okanagan and Vancouver broadcaster Jim Watson passed away Nov. 17 at age 80. He began his career at CFAR Flin Flon MB before moving to the Okanagan to work for CJIB Vernon and then CKOV Kelowna. He later worked for All Canada Radio & Television and then Western Broadcast Sales in Vancouver.  Obituary/ Biography

Webster Awards

11/04/22 - CBC Kelowna along with CBC Vancouver and Global BC are broadcast winners of 2022 Webster Awards recognizing excellence in B.C. journalism.  Connie Thiessen, Broadcast Dialogue

Rick Webber

10/25/22 - Former Global Okanagan CHBC-TV news anchor Rick Webber secured the third most votes of 32 candidates during Kelowna's civic election by spending less than $2,400 of his own money during his campaign. Speaking with Castanet, he said concern over crime was the number one issue he heard from voters.  Nicholas Johansen, Castanet
 
CRTC

10/18/22 - The CRTC has approved an application by United Christian Broadcasters Media Canada to operate specialty (religious music) FM radio stations in Kelowna and a rebroadcasting transmitter in Kamloops. The new station in Kelowna would operate at 88.1 MHz with an ERP of 4,200 watts non-directional at an EHAAT of 500 metres. The rebroadcasting transmitter in Kamloops would operate at 99.1 MHz with an ERP of 3,000 watts non-directional with an EHAAT of 148.6 metres.  CRTC Release

CRTC

10/18/22 - The CRTC has approved an application by the CBC to replace its current Radio One AM station in Merritt with a new FM transmitter. CBUP-FM will operate at 98.7 MHz with an ERP of 140 watts non-directional at an EHAAT of 599.8 metres. It will re-broadcast the programming of CBYK-FM 94.1 Kamloops.  CRTC Release
   
Rick Webber

10/18/22 - Long time Global Okanagan CHBC-TV news anchor Rick Webber has won a seat on Kelowna city council in Saturday's municipal elections. He anchored news at the station for nearly 30 years until his retirement in July 2019.  Facebook Announcement 
 
Stephanie Swensrude

10/06/22 - Multimedia journalist Stephanie Swensrude departs CFJC-TV Kamloops after ten months to join Global TV Edmonton. It's a return home for the 2021 Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Radio and TV program graduate.
Twitter Announcement

Dana Thompson

9/29/22 - Dana Thompson, who departed her position at New Country CIGV-FM 100.7 Penticton last week, teams up with Graeme Gordon to host p.m. drive on JR Country CJJR-FM 93.7 Vancouver.  Twitter Announcement

CHBC-TV kelowna

9/22/22 - CHBC-TV Kelowna celebrates 65 years on air after what was described as an arduous construction effort. Live broadcasting in Kelowna began on Sept. 21, 1957 and a few days later in Penticton and Vernon.  Global News/ Video
 
Casey Clarke

9/21/22 - New Country CIGV-FM 100.7 Penticton announces that Dana Thompson & MJ (Marissa Lyons) are leaving their positions with the Casey Clarke morning show this coming Friday.  Facebook Posting  Farewell Video
  
Jayden Wasney

9/17/22 - Jayden Wasney returns as the Kelowna Chiefs colour commentator for the 2022-23 KIJHL season. He left the team halfway through the season last year to pursue his TV broadcasting career.  Twitter Announcement

Lauren Pullen

9/10/22 - CTV News Vancouver has announced the addition of former Global Okanagan anchor/ reporter Lauren Pullen, who joins as a new weekend anchor. She worked at Global Okanagan from 2013-17 and most recently for Global CalgaryTwitter Announcement

Randi-Marie Adams

8/30/22 - CKPG-TV Prince George video journalist/ anchor Randi-Marie Adams is moving to Global Okanagan CHBC-TV Kelowna effective Sept. 16, Her last day in Prince George is Sept. 9. The 2016 Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) graduate has been at CKPG since January 2021.  Twitter Announcement
 
Dave Biro

8/26/22 - Long-time British Columbia newscaster David Biro died peacefully at home in Victoria on Tuesday, August 23rd at age 70 after a long bout with cancer. During his career he worked at CJIB Vernon, CKIQ Kelowna and CFVR Abbotsford, then at radio and TV stations in Vancouver and Victoria. Biro received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio-Television News Directors Association in 2011. The family will hold a private celebration of life.  Times Colonist Obituary

Jim Hughson

8/19/22 - The BC Hockey League has renamed its Broadcaster of the Year award the Jim Hughson Award. The 65-year-old Hughson, who retired last September, worked Vancouver Canucks games on radio from 1990-98, on TV from 1999-2007 and was a play-by-play broadcaster for Hockey Night in Canada, where he worked from 2005-21. Hughson began his long sports broadcasting career by calling games for the Penticton Vees and the Kelowna Buckaroos in the BC junior league during the 1970s. He currently serves as chairman of the board for the BC Hockey Hall of Fame.  Nick Greenizan, Peace Arch News

West Kelowna Warriors

AM1150 CKFR Kelowna



8/15/22 - The Junior A West Kelowna Warriors hockey team has announced a partnership with AM1150 CKFR to broadcast select away games during the 2022/23 season. This is the first ever local radio partnership in Warriors history, with the first broadcast set for the regular season opener against the Cowichan Valley Capitals in Duncan on Friday, September 23.  Warriors Release  AM1150 Release
 
Ian Speckman


8/17/22 - Ian Speckman, a face and voice very familiar to TV and radio consumers, died August 3 in Kelowna. He was 60. Speckman was a celebrity businessman from Maple Ridge, who produced and starred in his own commercials for his car dealership. His ads played during such high-profile events as the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the World Series. A celebration of life will be held at noon August 27 at the Evangel Church in Kelowna.  Neil Corbett, Maple Ridge News  Sun/ Province Obituary  Perry Lefko Backgrounder

Andy & TJ

7/29/22 (Updated) - Veteran Kelowna broadcasters Andy & TJ, Andy James and Tamara Lindsay, are retiring after 19 years on the air. Their morning show has been running on The Lake CKOV-FM 103.9 since May 2021. Their previous show was cancelled on CILK-FM 101.5 when its branding was changed from EZ Rock to Move in December 2020.  Tim Black will host the morning show in the interim following the long weekend.  Facebook Announcement  Wayne Moore, Castanet

Regan Bartel

7/25/22 - Long time Western Hockey League Kelowna Rockets broadcaster Regan Bartel will still be calling the games following the recent announcement that they are moving to The Lizard CKLZ-FM 104.7. He became the voice of the Rockets in 2000.  Josh Duncan, Kelowna Now

Valley FM CFAV-FN Vernon
7/22/22 - The Vernon Community Radio Society has been given a one year extension by the CRTC to start broadcasting its new station Valley FM CFAV-FM 97.9. The application for an extension cited a combination of obstacles created by the pandemic and wildfire environmental events in 2020 and 2021 as factors.  Darren Handschuh, Castanet

"Big Ginger" Kieran Wilkie

7/10/22 - Big changes at Pattison Kelowna on Monday. Big Ginger (Kieran Wilkie) moves from morning drive on The Lizard CKLZ-FM 104.7, to afternoon drive on Beach Radio CKQQ-FM 103.1. At the same time, Chris Roach moves from morning drive to afternoon drive on The Lizard. Ryan Connop moves from afternoon drive on Beach to morning drive on Lizard to team up with Sarah Nick.

Sarah Nick

7/09/22 - After a year in afternoons at The Lizard CKLZ-FM 104.7 Kelowna, Sarah Nick moves to mornings on Monday, July 11. She will team up with Ryan Connop weekday mornings 5:30-9:30. Chris Roach will replace her in afternoons.  Twitter Announcement
 
"AJ" Ashley Pirhonen

7/08/22 - AJ Ashley Pirhonen, who announced her departure from Move CJMG-FM 97.1 Penticton in early May to take a weekend position at The River CKKN-FM 101.3 Prince George, is moving again. She will be joining newly reformatted 89.5 JR Country CHWK-FM Chilliwack in afternoons beginning next month.  Twitter Announcement

Rick Webber

7/07/22 - Former Global Okanagan CHBC-TV news anchor Rick Webber has announced he is running for Kelowna council. He joined Global Okanagan in 1990 and retired in 2019. He had hinted then that he may run for city council. Webber landed his first media job in 1976 at a radio station in PEI. He moved to B.C. in 1978 and worked at several radio and TV stations before landing at Global.   Doyle Potenteau, Global News

Kelowna Rockets

7/06/22 - The WHL Kelowna Rockets are leaving Bell Media's AM 1150 CKFR for Pattison Broadcasting's The Lizard CKLZ-FM 104.7. The Rockets have been broadcast on AM 1150 for over two decades, most recently signing a three-year agreement in March 2019. Regan Bartel has been the voice of the Rockets for the vast majority of that period, though it is unknown at this time whether he will continue under the new contract.  Rob Gibson, Castanet

Jayden Wasney

6/16/22 - Jayden Taylor Wasney has returned to the Okanagan to join CHBC-TV Kelowna as a reporter. He previously was a reporter for Castanet before joining CTV Lethbridge as a video journalist.  Twitter Announcement
  
Roy Hennessy

6/08/22 - Veteran broadcaster Roy Hennessy, who got his start in radio at CKOK Penticton in the early 1960s, passed away last night in Toronto following a stroke on May 27. He hosted a very highly rated morning show at CKLG Vancouver back in the 1960s and '70s, held a number of management positions on the Prairies, Toronto and then back in Vancouver as President of Shore 104.  Connie Thiessen, Broadcast Dialogue  Penticton Herald
 
Paul Larsen

6/04/22 - Just over a year after the launch of The Lake CKOV-FM 103.9 Kelowna by Paul Larsen, Broadcast Dialogue editor and podcast host Connie Thiessen speaks with him about being a stand-alone owner in a highly competitive small market. BD News/ Podcast
 
Darrian Matassa-Fung

6/02/22 - Video journalist Darrian Matassa-Fung moves from Global Okanagan to Global BC as an online journalist. The 2019 BCIT Broadcast Journalism graduate joined Global Okanagan in 2019.  Twitter Announcement

Jasmin Doobay

5/19/22 - Former Kelowna broadcaster Jasmin Doobay is leaving her current position with Pattison Media in Prince George to move into the role of PD at the company's Country 95 CHLB-FM 95.5 and B-93 CJBZ-FM 93.3 Lethbridge AB. Doobay was in morning news then News Director/ Assistant PD at CKOV/ CKLZ-FM Kelowna from 2003-17.  Connie Thiessen, Broadcast Dialogue

Sadie Hesketh

5/19/22 - Former Okanagan broadcaster and current The Drive CHWK-FM 89.5 Chilliwack morning host Sadie Hesketh moves into the role of PD at The River CKKN-FM 101.3 and Rewind Radio CKDV-FM 99.3 Prince George. She held positions in Vernon, Kelowna and Salmon Arm from 2002-05.  Connie Thiessen, Broadcast Dialogue

Ashley Pirhonen

5/08/22 - AJ Ashley Pirhonen, who announced her departure from Move CJMG-FM 97.1 Penticton just over a week ago, has landed a weekend position at The River CKKN-FM 101.3 Prince George.  Twitter Announcement

Neetu Garcha

5/02/22 - Award winning Global BC anchor/ reporter Neetu Garcha joins Global National as a new correspondent effective May 9. The BCIT graduate began working at Global Okanagan in 2014 and joined Global BC in 2017. Global National is Canada's early evening national newscast.  Global Release

Ashley Pirhonen

4/30/22 - AJ Ashley Pirhonen has hosted her final show at Move CJMG-FM 97.1 Penticton. She's headed to Prince George to spend more time with family, but says she hopes to "be back inside a radio soon".  Twitter Announcment
 
Russell James


4/28/22 - Russell James leaves his position as Sr. Program Director for the Pattison Media Okanagan Group to join JR Country CJJR-FM 93.7 and The Peak CKPK-FM 102.7 Vancouver effective May 2nd. He replaces Dustin Collins, who is returning to Corus Entertainment this summer as PD-Classic West, overseeing Rock 101 CFMI-FM 101.1 Vancouver and stations in Edmonton and Calgary.  Broadcast Dialogue

Darren Worts

4/21/22 - Former Power 104 CKLZ-FM 104.7 Kelowna midday host Darren Worts moves from his position as p.m. drive host at STAR CKSR-FM 98.3 Chilliwack to join JACK CHTT-FM 103.1 Victoria as morning show host. His show debuts May 9th.  Twitter Announcement

Nicole Welsh

4/07/22 - CIFM-FM 98.3 Kamloops afternoon show host Nicole Welsh has announced she’s leaving to join the new Power 97 CJKR-FM 97.5 Winnipeg morning show with a yet-to-be announced co-host. Her last day on-air will be April 22.  Instagram Announcement

Chanine Carr

3/19/22 - After 13 months working in Winnipeg, Chanine Carr is back home at Bell Media Kelowna. She's will be back on air Monday.  Twitter Announcement
 
Yasmin Gandham


3/16/22 - Global Okanagan CHBC-TV Kelowna anchor/ reporter Yasmin Gandham leaves to join CBC Vancouver as a reporter. The 2020 BCIT Broadcast Journalism graduate has been in Kelowna for nine months and was previously an anchor/ producer at News 1130 CKWX Vancouver.  Twitter Announcement

Susan Knight

3/15/22 - Long-time Kelowna personality Susan Knight is taking over p.m. drive from Crystal Darche on The Lake CKOV-FM 103.9 Kelowna effective March 21. Darche has been doing afternoons since the station launch and is going to pursue a new opportunity outside of radio. She will move to hosting weekends.  Radio West

Robbin Reay

3/03/22 - Former Kelowna personality Robbin Reay has parted ways as p.m. drive host on KiSS 105.3 CISS-FM Ottawa after four years. She hosted a syndicated radio show broadcast across the province from Sun FM (now Virgin Radio) CHSU-FM 99.9 in 2009 & '10.  Twitter Announcement
 
CKVS=FM 93.7 Salmon Arm

1/31/22 - Some people involved with community radio station CKVS-FM 93.7 Salmon Arm are concerned a recent uptick in new memberships may be an attempt at a takeover.  Martha Wickett, Salmon Arm Observer

Taylor Jukes

1/24/22 - Former Kelowna and Vancouver broadcaster Taylor Jukes has been named a CHR Brand Coordinator at iHeartMedia. She is currently PD at Y100 WHYI-FM 100.7 Miami and was previously Music Director/ midday host at The Juice CJUI-FM 103.9 Kelowna (now The Lake CKOV-FM) from 2008-09 before moving to programming positions at stations in Vancouver.  All Access Music Group

Christy Luke

1/23/22 - Former CBC Kelowna radio host Christy Luke died December 18, 2021 at Kelowna General Hospital. She was 71. Luke hosted Daybreak South on CBC Radio in the early 1990s and had also worked as a radio host in Prince Rupert and Charlottetown. A Celebration of Life will be held when it is once again safe to travel and gather.  Grand Forks Gazette Obituary

Paul James

1/13/22 - CityNews 1130 CKWX Vancouver Reporter/ Producer Paul James is leaving at the end of the month. He will be taking over the News/ Program Director position at Radio NL CHNL AM 610 Kamloops in early February. James joined CKWX in August 2019 after 14 years in Beijing where he was a host for China Radio International.  Twitter Announcement

Trevor Chikowski

1/06/22 - Trevor Chikowski has recently joined as afternoon host at K97.5 CKRV-FM Kamloops and K96.3 CKKO-FM Kelowna. He joins from The Bull CKBL-FM 92.9 Saskatoon where he was Music Director and midday host.  Twitter Announcement

Elizabeth Laird

1/06/22 - Former Q101 CKMQ-FM 101.1 Merritt station owner Elizabeth Ann Laird (nee Futter) has died after a valiant effort to overcome cancer. She passed away Friday December 31st at age 73. Services will be announced at a later date.  Michael Reeve, CFJC Today

Earl Seitz

1/01/22 - After 54 years in broadcasting, 73 year old Earl Seitz has retired from his Sports Director position at CFJC-TV Kamloops. His last sportscast was December 31st. Seitz was inducted into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.  CFJC News/ Video

Howie Reimer

1/01/22 - Radio NL CHNL AM 610 Kamloops PD Howie Reimer, who announced his departure from the station last month, has now concluded a 34-year career in broadcasting. He joins the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association as Executive Director.  Twitter Announcement




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