Evanov Communications has rebranded Lite 88.5 (CKDX-FM) Newmarket, ON as Hot Country 88.5, a new country radio station serving the Greater Toronto Area.
Making the flip at 9 a.m. Friday morning, Evanov cited the exploding popularity of country music, particularly with a new generation of younger listeners.
“After assessing the market and its various needs we determined that there was a large unfulfilled demand for a local country music station in this part of the GTA,” said Paul Evanov, President and CEO of Evanov Communications, in a company announcement. “We believe the time is right to provide GTA country music listeners and advertisers with a much-needed country station and Hot Country 88.5 will do just that.”
Hot Country 88.5 joins Evanov’s other Country format stations in Ontario, Hot Country 93.9 Brantford (CFWC-FM), Hot Country 107.7 (CKHK-FM) Hawkesbury, and Hot Country 92.5 (CHRC-FM) Clarence/Rockland.
Playing hits from artists like Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, Dallas Smith, Jelly Roll, and Kane Brown, all four stations will share a simulcast morning show, Hot Country Mornings with Tracy Lynn.
Nashville-based country DJ Katie Neal’s syndicated Katie & Company is being heard in middays, Cruise in afternoon drive (who is also heard across the Hot Country brand), Academy of Country Music Award-winning syndicated duo Rob + Holly weekday evenings, and Casey Clarke’s Country Countdown Show on weekends. Hot Country 88.5 will also feature local news, weather and traffic.
The format flip marks the second rebrand for the station since October 2021, when Evanov introduced the Lite 88.5 branding, replacing The Jewel Adult Standards/Adult Contemporary format the station had carried since 2007.
Subscribe Now – Free!
Broadcast Dialogue has been required reading in the Canadian broadcast media for 30 years. When you subscribe, you join a community of connected professionals from media and broadcast related sectors from across the country.
The Weekly Briefing from Broadcast Dialogue is delivered exclusively to subscribers by email every Thursday. It’s your link to critical industry news, timely people moves, and excellent career advancement opportunities.
Let’s get started right now.
