Long-time AM radio signal 880 CKLQ has gone silent.
In a media release, Pattison Media General Manager, Gary Dorosz said “With our Industry Canada certificate to operate set to expire, Pattison Media made the difficult decision to cease the broadcast transmission on AM 880. Recent regulatory changes and evolving requirements for maintaining the AM site would have required significant upgrades, repairs, and ongoing investments. After careful consideration of the associated costs, including tower maintenance, site operations, and infrastructure, we determined that the significant investment could not be justified.”
CKLQ started broadcasting in October 1977 at a frequency of 1570 kHz and moved to its 880 frequency in 1985. On January 6, 2016, the CRTC approved then owner Riding Mountain Broadcasting’s application to convert CKLQ to 91.5 MHz and operate the 880 signal as a rebroadcasting transmitter. CKLQ-FM signed on the air on Thursday, April 27, 2017, rebranding as Q Country 91.5 FM.
Pattison Media purchased CKLQ and CKLF (94.7 Star FM) in September 2022 from Westman Communications Group. On August 13, 2025, Pattison received CRTC approval to wind down operations on 880 AM after August 31.
“AM 880 has been operating as a lower-quality repeater of our CKLQ FM signal at 91.5, and with declining listenership across the AM band, we have chosen not to renew our operating certificate and end the broadcasting of the AM signal. While this marks the end of an era, we remain committed to serving the Westman Region,” said Dorosz. “Our focus is now on strengthening other areas of our Brandon operations to continue delivering high-quality content and value to our listeners, advertisers, and partners. We thank everyone who have listened to and supported 880 over the years.”
880 CKLQ was one of only a dozen full-power AM radio stations remaining on the air in the Manitoba. Several of the remaining stations are also rebroadcast on FM transmitters.
