Hot 103 Archives | ChrisD.ca

Hot 103 No More, Station Rebrands as Virgin Radio

August 31, 2012 08:00 AM in News • 2 Comments

Winnipeg’s most listened to FM radio station ditched its old brand on Friday.

Hot 103 has joined Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group family under the leadership of Astral Media to become the “All-New #1 Hit Music Station 103.1 Virgin Radio” as of 8 a.m.

The company has rebranded several of its other stations to Virgin, including in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, and most recently, London, Ontario.

The format will remain the same, with the station focusing on hit music and featuring star host Ryan Seacrest (syndicated), Canadian DJs Angry Kids, and Ace Burpee to continue as host of the morning show with Chrissy Troy and Lloyd the Intern.

103.1 Virgin Radio will be commercial-free all through the Labour Day weekend as part of the launch.

“Credit has to go to Ace Burpee who started the ball rolling this summer,” said Sharon Taylor, vice-president and general manager of Astral Radio Winnipeg. “Ace is a Richard Branson fan and knew that the values of the Virgin Radio brand matched the values that are also important to Winnipeg. We’re all very excited, a Virgin Radio station in Winnipeg puts us on the Virgin worldwide map, allowing us to bring even more exciting artists, contests and fun to music fans in Winnipeg. We’re incredibly pumped.”

To get ready for the flip, Astral hired Dale Davies in July as its new program director.

The name “Hot 103″ had been carried since 1997 under numerous ownerships such as Craig Broadcasting, Standard Radio and Astral Media. Earlier this year, Bell Media announced it would be purchasing Astral, but the sale is still pending and requires regulatory approval.

In the latest ratings book, Hot 103 held a 9.1 share during the spring period.

Hot 103 Names New Program Director

July 31, 2012 10:33 AM in News • 3 Comments

Dale Davies (YOUTUBE)

Winnipeg radio station Hot 103 has named Dale Davies as their new program director.

Davies was the former PD at rival station Energy 106 and their sister station 100.7 The Breeze. He goes to Lombard Avenue with years of radio experience, having previously served as assistant program director and music director at Bell Media Radio in Winnipeg.

Sharon Taylor, Hot 103′s station manager, confirmed the news in an e-mail to ChrisD.ca on Tuesday. She said Davies and morning show host Ace Burpee, who previously held the position, will work closely together.

The Astral Radio-owned station also operates QX 104. Janet Trecarten, QX’s brand director and operations manager, remains in her position.

A replacement program director at Energy 106 hasn’t been named.

CJOB, Hot 103 Reign Dominant in Winnipeg Radio

May 24, 2012 10:49 AM in News • 1 Comment

Talk superstation CJOB 68 and Hot 103 remain the top two AM and FM radio stations in Winnipeg after the Spring 2012 ratings book was released Thursday.

According to BBM Canada, who measures and reports the data, CJOB had a 13.0 share for the period February 27 to April 22, 2012, while Hot 103 had a 9.1 share.

CBC Radio One came in behind CJOB, while rock station Power 97 is the second most popular station on the FM dial.

The below data is for the 12+ demographic, with the Spring 2011 ratings in parentheses for comparison.

CJOB — 13.0 (16.6)
CBC Radio One — 9.2 (10.6)
Hot 103 — 9.1 (15.6)
Power 97 — 7.7 (7.2)
92 CITI FM — 7.2 (5.6)
Energy 106 — 7.1 (N/A)
QX 104 — 6.8 (8.7)
FAB 94.3 — 6.6 (6.7)
102.3 Clear FM 6.6 (6.3)
99.9 BOB FM — 6.4 (5.2)
CBC Radio 2 — 3.1 (2.1)
TSN Radio 1290 — 2.7 (0.7)
99.1 Fresh FM — 1.5 (1.6)
The Breeze 100.7 — 1.0 (0.9)

See how these stations did during the Fall 2011 period.

Source: BBM Canada

*N/A indicates ratings for the station’s format wasn’t applicable, as Energy 106 didn’t exist this time last year.

12-Hour Radiothon to Benefit Children’s Hospital

May 4, 2012 09:04 AM in News • 0 Comments

Two Winnipeg radio stations will broadcast for 12 hours straight today to share the stories and fundraise for children living with an illness.

Hot 103 and QX104′s Caring for Kids Radiothon will support the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., both Astral radio stations will broadcast interviews from dozens of families and patients who have been affected by the Children’s Hospital.

Nine-year-old Willem Toews and his mother, Linda, are just one of the families who will share their story today. Willem has hypophosphatasia (HPP), a genetic bone disease that prevents bones from mineralizing properly. Willem would not be able to live to his full potential without clinical trials taking place at the Children’s Hospital.

Listeners can make donations by calling (204) 953-KIDS, 1-866-953-KIDS, or in-person at the hospital.

Steve Adams Terminated from Hot 103

February 2, 2012 09:30 AM in News • 6 Comments

Steve Adams (HOT103LIVE.COM)

Steve Adams has been let go from Hot 103 as the station’s drive announcer, ChrisD.ca has learned.

Adams was released Wednesday due to “restructuring purposes.”

Station manager Sharon Taylor confirmed the news in an e-mail, calling him a “good guy.”

Adams was a longtime employee of Hot 103, having worked there for nearly nine years after being hired in 2003.

A replacement for the drive shift hasn’t been named.

New Radio Hires at Bell Media, CITI and Hot 103

January 23, 2012 08:00 AM in News • 0 Comments

Winnipeg’s FAB 94.3 and 99.9 BOB FM has a new music director and assistant program director in Frank Andrews. Andrews recently held the same dual position at 92 CITI FM.

— — —

Nesta Matthews has joined Tom and Joe weekday mornings on 92 CITI FM. Matthews began last Tuesday and has previously worked in markets throughout Alberta and B.C. Up until July of last year, she worked at 103.9 The Juice in Kelowna. “Incredibly happy to get back to rock radio, especially with such an awesome team,” she wrote on her blog.

— — —

Pamela Roz — formerly of 92.9 KICK FM and the former CURVE 94.3 — is the new swing announcer at Hot 103. Roz’s shift will be Saturdays from 12-6 p.m. Roz also works in the local public relations industry, helping to promote up-and-coming musical artists.

‘One Big Day’ Fundraiser Helping Siloam, Cheer Board

December 16, 2011 07:48 AM in News • 1 Comment

Last year's One Big Day for Christmas. (HOT103LIVE.COM)

Two Winnipeg radio stations will celebrate One Big Day for Christmas today in support of Siloam Mission and the Christmas Cheer Board.

Hot 103 and QX104 went live from Grant Park Shopping Centre at 6 a.m.this morning and will continue until 6 p.m., collecting cash, toys, and non-perishable food items for both charities.

Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each or 3 tickets for $10, giving those who donate the opportunity to enter to win a signed CMT guitar, Lady Antebellum tickets, a signed Taylor Swift T-shirt and other prizes. All proceeds will go to Siloam Mission and the Christmas Cheer Board.

If you can’t make it down in-person, e-mail jvandenberg@astral.com and the stations’ Tweet Fleet will pick up your donation anywhere in the city.

CJOB, Hot 103 Still Kings of the Radio Dial

May 26, 2011 12:44 PM in News • 20 Comments

Talk superstation CJOB and Hot 103 still maintain the top spots on the AM and FM dials, respectively.

BBM Canada released their latest radio ratings card on Thursday for Spring 2011, measuring the period from February 28 to April 24.

Most surprisingly is the gain made by the Bell Media-owned FAB 94.3, which flipped formats in December from CURVE 94.3. The station leaped from a 2.8 share last year to a 6.7 this time around under the oldies format.

The below data is for the 12+ demographic, with the Spring 2010 ratings in parentheses for comparison.

1. CJOB — 16.6 (15.3)
2. Hot 103 — 15.6 (11.4)
3. CBC Radio One — 10.6 (11.2)
4. QX 104 — 8.7 (8.0)
5. Power 97 — 7.2 (5.9)
6. FAB 94.3 — 6.7 (2.8)
7. 102.3 Clear FM — 6.3 (7.8)
8. 92 CITI FM — 5.6 (7.9)
9. 99.9 BOB FM — 5.2 (7.1)
10. CBC Radio 2 — 2.1 (3.1)
11. Groove FM 99.1 — 1.6 (2.1)
12. K-Rock 100.7 — 0.9 (1.9)
13. Sports Radio 1290 — 0.7 (3.0)
14. CKSB — 0.2 (0.4)

Hot 103 Selling T-Shirts Benefiting Japanese Disaster Relief

March 15, 2011 01:27 PM in News • 4 Comments

Hot 103 is doing their part to raise money for the Canadian Red Cross in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The radio station has started selling ‘Pray for Japan’ T-shirts, which feature a QR code on them. The code can be scanned with a smartphone to take you directly to the Red Cross’ mobile donation site.

“If you’re wearing the shirt, you’re a walking donation outlet,” said morning show host Ace Burpee. “You make a donation that keeps on giving by purchasing the shirt and then making it super easy for others to donate — anytime, anyplace.”

The shirts are $20 and are available at Hot 103′s studios, 3-177 Lombard Avenue during regular business hours.

The unique items were designed by Winnipeg-based Tactica Interactive.

‘One Big Day’ Raising Donations for Christmas Cheer Board

December 10, 2010 07:12 AM in News • 0 Comments

Hot 103 and QX 104 are presenting One Big Day for Christmas today, as the two top FM radio stations in Winnipeg work to raise cash, toy and food donations for the Christmas Cheer Board.

Both stations will be broadcasting live from the Safeway at Grant Park Shopping Centre from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to draw up community support.

Non-perishable food items, new unwrapped toys and cash will go along way in ensuring deserving children and families have a happy Christmas.

A special edition One Big Christmas CD will be available for $10, with proceeds also going to the Cheer Board, as well as Siloam Mission.

The 25-track album includes holiday songs from local artists, and covers from Ace Burpee and Chrissy Troy.

Hot 103 Mittens on Sale for Charity Today

December 3, 2010 06:55 AM in News • 0 Comments

With the success of last winter’s red Olympic mittens, Winnipeg radio station Hot 103 has created their own pairs to continue the colourful seasonal trend.

Besides being functional in our cold temperatures, the new Hot 103 mittens are being sold for a great cause.

Proceeds from the mitts will be split evenly between five local charities — Siloam Mission, United Way, Salvation Army, The Main Street Project and The Ladybug Foundation.

The mitts are $20 for an adult pair and $15 for a youth pair. They will be available for sale today only at kiosks inside Garden City Shopping Centre, Kildonan Place and Portage Place.

After today, the mitts can be purchased at Hot 103′s studios (3rd Floor — 177 Lombard Aveenue) in limited quantities while supplies last.

Necklace Fundraiser to Support West End Community

July 14, 2010 07:15 AM in News • 0 Comments

Winnipeg’s West End will be on the receiving end of a collaborative effort put on by Hot 103′s Ace Burpee and jewelry designer Hilary Druxman.

The duo will be selling a limited edition “Wear the West End” necklace today for $36 at Hilary Druxman (258 McDermot Avenue) and at both Moksha Yoga locations (2 Donald Street & 1090 Waverley Street). Net proceeds will be divided between the West Central Women’s Resource Centre and the Spence Neighbourhood Association.

“I came into this world in a little house in the West End and I wouldn’t want to be from anywhere else,” said Ace Burpee. “The West End is still awesome. There are many worthy organizations working to improve that community and this necklace is one of the ways that the public can help them continue that work.”

The necklace will also be available at HilaryDruxman.com.

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