Harvard Media’s Cruz 95.7 (CKEA-FM) Edmonton is relaunching under the “Sports That Rock” banner, highlighted by an anthem rock playlist and the return of rock radio staple Terry Evans to the city’s airwaves.
Evans made his debut on Cruz 95.7 on Monday morning at 9 a.m. local time, ahead of officially moving into the afternoon drive time slot, starting Nov. 16 when the station adopts the new format. The longtime K97 (CIRK-FM) host, who celebrated his 40th anniversary on Edmonton radio this past February, parted ways with Stingray Radio in March.
To be heard from 3 – 7 p.m., Harvard Media said Evans is a perfect fit for the new format, with his first show to air the day after the 113th Grey Cup.
“The Terry Evans Show blends sports with what he’s known for: personality, community and connection,” Harvard said in an announcement. “Roughly 30% of the show follows Edmonton’s teams and game days. The rest is pure Terry: local stories, local people, the city’s restaurants, patios, concerts and charity causes, and the anthems fans want loud on the way to the game.”
Listeners will also hear analysis from CFL authority 3DownNation on The Terry Evans Show every week. Led by Founder and Editor-in-Chief Justin Dunk, 3DownNation was acquired by Harvard last year.
The Nielson Show, the flagship show from Edmonton Sports Talk, will remain in its 6 – 9 a.m. time slot. Hosted by Dustin Nielson and Lieutenant Eric, the show has been simulcast on Cruz 95.7 since September.
Following The Nielson Show, Terry’s 9 a.m. Roll Call will air from 9 – 10 a.m., followed by Cruz at Work with Steve Reeve ( 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.), Sean McEwan will be heard on Cruz at Night from 7 – 11 p.m.
Anthem rock
Currently playing a mainstream rock format that is heavy on bands like Nickelback, Finger Eleven, and Theory of a Deadman, Jim McCourtie, Vice President, Programming and Brand Strategy for Alberta, said at relaunch, Cruz 95.7’s playlist will be “optimized” to play the tunes that you’d sing along to in an arena or stadium.
“Cruz 95.7 is all anthem rock: the big, loud, sing-it-in-the-car songs that belong on the drive to the rink, the stadium and the tailgate,” he told Broadcast Dialogue.
“Edmonton doesn’t just follow its teams, it lives them,” he continued. “Cruz 95.7 is built for the way this city spends game day, with Dustin in the morning, Terry on the drive home, and the music Edmonton plays on the way to the rink. Cruz 95.7 is where Edmonton sports fans come to rock!”
The “sports talk rock” format has been gaining traction as sports talk and team broadcast rights increasingly shift from the AM to FM band. That includes the launch earlier this year of 97.7 The Zone (KMTY-FM) in Nebraska’s Tri-cities area, which carries the daytime lineup from 1620 The Zone in Bellevue-Omaha, while retaining its rock playlist outside those shows.
