How Social Media Savvy are Calgary Radio Stations?

Conversation and relationships are crucial to successful radio stations – and a website is an essential tool for radio station to generate conversation and build relationships with its audience. We tuned in to checkout how Calgary’s 24 radio stations use their websites to connect with their listeners.

88.1 FM (CKAV-3) is a First Nations station owned by the Aboriginal Voices Radio network. Information about the network can be found at www.aboriginalvoices.com. Programming is also available for download on the website. 88.1 FM welcomes music submissions from Canadian and international artists with Aboriginal backgrounds. Aboriginal Voices Radio does not have a Facebook page or Twitter account linked to its website.

88.9 ShineFM (CJSI) is a Christian radio station owned by Touch Canada Broadcasting. ShineFM’s website (www.cjsi.ca) has an attractive design with live audio streaming, a programming schedule, blogs, contests, polls and information on community and entertainment events. ShineFM encourages listeners to submit prayer requests online and tell their inspiring stories, which are displayed in a sidebar on the home page. Prayer and counseling support is also available 24/7. Listeners can connect with ShineFM online through Facebook (www.facebook.com/88.9shinefm), Twitter (www.twitter.com/889shinefm) and Circle of Friends (ShineFM’s mailing list), as well as ShineTV, where videos are posted online.

89.7 FM (CBCX) is a French music station that is part of the Espace Musique radio network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Espace is the French equivalent to CBC Radio Two, which delivers music programming. Information about the network can be found at www.radio-canada.ca/espace_musique. The website has audio streaming, a programming schedule, blogs, contests and event listings. Listeners can subscribe to Espace Musique’s RSS feed and submit letters to the network online. Espace Musique does not have a Facebook page or Twitter account linked to its website.

90.3 AMP Radio (CKMP-FM) is a rhythmic contemporary music station owned by NewCap Radio. AMP’s website (www.ampradiocalgary.com) has a bold design with live audio streaming, a video gallery, sports updates from Calgary’s universities and celebrity news. The website also has information about a variety of contests and events. Some current contests are a trip to Jamaica, a Katy Perry concert in Amsterdam and an online hockey pool. AMP presents concerts in Calgary for artists such as Benny Benassi, Sean Desman and Down With Webster. Listeners can connect with AMP on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ampradiocalgary) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/AMPCALGARY).

CSJW (90.9 FM) is the University of Calgary’s volunteer-driven campus and community radio station. Its website (www.csjw.com) has live audio streaming, a programming schedule and podcasts. A music chart and an events calendar are displayed in a sidebar on the home page. Listeners can submit music, concert listings, news tips and public service announcements online. The website also welcomes volunteers. A Twitter feed is displayed in a sidebar on the home page (www.twitter.com/csjw). Listeners can also connect with CSJW on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CSJWFM).

CJAY92 (92.1 FM) plays “Everything That Rocks”. The station is owned by Astral Media. CJAY92’s website (www.cjay92.com) has live audio streaming, blogs, contests and a poll. Listeners have access to interviews and podcasts for CJAY92’s different shows and they can subscribe to the station’s RSS feed. The website has event and concert listings for artists such as Danko Jones, Rob Schneider and Finger Eleven. CJAY92 has a Rock Rewards members’ club that gives information on concert pre-sale tickets, as well as a service called TEXT CJAY that allows listeners to send text messages directly to the studio. Listeners can connect with CJA92 on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/CJAY-92-Calgary/13526748650874) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/CJAY92).

X92.9 (CFEX-FM) is “Calgary’s New Rock Alternative”. The station is owned by Harvard Broadcasting. X92.9’s website (www.x929.ca) has live audio streaming, Youtube videos, blogs, contests, an events calendar and an iPhone app. A Twitter feed is displayed in a sidebar on the home page. The website has a page for X92.9’s morning talk show, The Show, with content available for comment. There is also a members’ club called the X-Army similar to CJAY92’s members’ club. Listeners can connect with X92.9 on Facebook (www.facebook.com/x929calgary) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/x929).

CKUA (93.7 FM) is community-driven public broadcasting service owned by the CKUA Radio Network. Information about the network can be found at www.ckua.org. CKUA’s music programming includes a variety of genres, from classical to spoken word. The website posts community news and newsletters to let donors and listeners know what’s new at CKUA. There are also arts and culture event listings. CKUA welcomes volunteers and music submissions. The network does not have a Facebook page or Twitter account linked to its website.

Fairchild Radio CHKF FM 94.7 is a multicultural radio station owned by the Fairchild Media Group. FM 94.7 broadcasts in 19 languages to more than 16 ethnic communities in the Calgary region. FM 94.7 has a simple website (www.fm947.com) with live audio streaming, a programming schedule, information about the network and contact information. The station does not have a Facebook page or Twitter account linked to its website.

Lite 95.9 (CHFM-FM) is an adult contemporary radio station owned by Rogers Communications. Its website (www.lite959.com) has an attractive design with live audio streaming, blogs, a members’ club and an iPhone app. There is a programming schedule, information about the station’s radio shows and a media gallery where listeners can catch up on interviews. Lite 95.9 presents concerts for artists such as Melissa Etheridge, the Goo Goo Dolls and Sarah McLachlan. The website also has event listings and contests. Listeners can connect to Lite 95.9 on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lite959).

96.9 JACK FM (CJAQ) is an adult hits radio station, also owned by Rogers Communications. JACK FM’s website (www.jackfm.ca) has live audio streaming and a media gallery with audio and video archives. There are event and concert listings for artists such as Heart, U2 and the New Kids on the Block. There are also contests such as an iPad giveaway and a fantasy hockey pool. Listeners can submit questions on a page called Ask JACK. Hosts Matt and Eric are on Facebook (www.facebook.com/mattandericonjack) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mattanderic) and their Twitter feed is displayed on the website.

Mix 97.7 (CIGY-FM) plays music from the “80s, 90s and today”. The station is owned by Rawlco Radio. Its website (www.mix997.com) has an attractive design with live audio streaming, a listener advisor comment feed, podcasts, a music survey, poll and members’ club. The Mix presents concerts for artists such as Jim Bryson, Joshua Radin and Bruce Cockburn. Artist interviews are posted online and there are event listings and contests, as well as celebrity news. Listeners can read morning show host Beesley’s blog online and they can connect to the Mix on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Mix-977/111816822197102) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/Mix977Mix977).

98.5 Virgin Radio (CIBK-FM) is a rhythmic top 40 radio station owned by Astral Media. Virgin Radio has an eye-catching, colourful website (http://calgary.virginradio.ca) with live audio streaming, blogs, contests and a poll. There are event and concert listings for artists such as Justin Bieber, Tiesto and the Backstreet Boys. There is also a programming schedule and audio and video archives. Virgin Radio broadcasts music news and celebrity news, with interviews from American Top 40 host Ryan Seacrest and gossip from Hollywood blogger Perez Hilton. Listeners can connect to Virgin Radio through its VIP club, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/virginradiocalgary) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/VirginRadioYYC). A Facebook comment feed is displayed on the home page.

CBC Radio One (99.1 FM) and (1010 AM) and CBC Radio Two (102.1 FM) are both owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Information about the stations can be found at www.cbc.ca/calgary/programs. Interviews for all Radio One programs are available online for comment. A Twitter feed is displayed in a sidebar and listeners can subscribe to each show’s RSS feed or join its Facebook group, for those that have them. The station also has an events and entertainment calendar, a traffic report (complete with an interactive map) and a ski report. Radio Two has two programs, which both air on weekends. Both shows have their own websites (www.cbc.ca/radio2/tonic and www.cbc.ca/radio2/intune) with interviews for comment.

101.5 KooL FM (CKCE) plays music from “today and back in the day.” The station is owned by CTVglobemedia. KooL FM’s website has live audio streaming, audio archives, a message board and iPhone and BlackBerry apps. There are event listings and contests such as emerging artist of the month. KooL FM encourages listeners to invite the KooL street team to their next event. Listeners can connect with KooL FM on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kool1015) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/KooL1015Calgary).

XL103 (CFXL-FM) is a greatest hits and oldies radio station owned by NewCap Radio. Its website (www.xl103.ca) has live audio streaming, a video gallery and a Facebook comment feed on the home page. The DJs have blogs for listeners to read and comment on. There are event and concert listings for artists such as Ringo Starr, The Beach Boys and Justin Bieber. Listeners can also enter contests for prizes such as a home kitchen renovation. XL103 is on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/XL-103-Calgary/170525592978585) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/xl103calgary).

103.9 (CBRF) is a French talk radio station that is part of the Première Chaîne network owned by the CBC. Information about the network can be found at www.radio-canada.ca/radio. The website has audio and video streaming, a programming schedule, news stories for comment, podcasts, an RSS feed, a poll and contests. Listeners can also write letters to the network online. Première Chaîne has Facebook pages and Twitter accounts for its radio shows.

Country 105 (CKRY-FM) is a country music radio station owned by Corus Entertainment. Its website (www.country105.com) has live audio streaming, blogs, podcasts, contests, a poll, an iPhone app and traffic updates (complete with an interactive map). There is a Twitter feed displayed on the home page. There are event and concert listings for artists such as Emerson Drive, Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney. Listeners can subscribe to the station’s RSS feed for local news updates or join its members’ club. Country 105 is on Twitter (www.twitter.com/OddSquad).

Q107 (CFGQ-FM) is a classic rock radio station owned by Corus Entertainment. Its website (www.q107fm.ca) has live audio streaming, blogs, contests and iPhone and BlackBerry apps. There is an RSS feed for local news updates, as well as traffic updates (complete with an interactive map). There are event and concert listings for artists such as Don Felder, Cheech & Chong and Foreigner, as well as a members’ club called Qnation. There is a Twitter feed on the home page and listeners can connect with Q107 host Terry DiMonte at www.twitter.com/TerryDiMonte.

660News (CFFR-AM) is an all news radio station owned by Rogers Communications. Its website (www.660news.com) has live audio streaming, contests, a poll, a BlackBerry app and a traffic report. News stories from Calgary and around the world, as well as from business to entertainment are available for comment. Listeners can submit news tips and photos in a sidebar on the home page. They can also subscribe to a mailing list to receive breaking news alerts or join a members’ club. Listeners can connect with 660News on Facebook (www.facebook.com/660news) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/660news).

AM 770 (CHQR) is a news, talk and sports radio station owned by Corus Entertainment. Its website (www.am770chqr.com) has live audio streaming, a programming schedule, audio archives, blogs, podcasts and a daily poll. There is a sports news section and local, national and business news is also available for comment. The station’s website has event listings, contests and an members’ club. Listeners can submit ideas for on-air topics and can connect with different AM 770 hosts through their Twitter accounts and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AM770CHQR).

The FAN 960 (CFAC-AM) is a sports radio station owned by Rogers Communications. Its website (www.fan960.com) has live audio streaming, a daily programming schedule displayed on the home page, blogs, podcasts, a poll and an iPhone app. The station delivers sports news and listeners can subscribe to a mailing list for breaking sports alerts or join The FAN’s members’ club. There are also event listings and contests such as an afternoon with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The FAN does not have a Facebook page or Twitter account linked to its website.

Classic Country AM 1060 (CKMX) is a country music radio station owned by Astral Media. The station’s website (www.classiccountryam1060.com) has an attractive design with live audio streaming, a programming schedule, audio and video archives, blogs and a poll. Classic Country delivers music news and presents concerts for artists such as Alan Jackson, Tommy Hunter and Kenny Chesney.  The station has contests such as a fly fishing expedition. Listeners can join a members’ club and connect with Classic Country on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Classic-Country-AM-1060/10150157626125078).

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