6/2/2003

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - 550 CKPG disappeared on Friday, as this town's original radio station jumped to FM, with brand new call letters, frequency and name as CKDV-FM, now The Drive 99.3 FM was born.

This move is the culmination of sixty years of broadcast history in Prince George. CKPG began broadcasting in February of 1946 with a staff of three.

"Over the years, the station has evolved�changing music styles and programming to reflect the needs and wants of the people it served," said the station's press release. "We've launched some outstanding broadcast careers, and given a forum to some unforgettable local figures: Jack Carbutt, Bob Harkins, Don Prentice�and many more."

Station ownership has changed too, from the original group headed by the Elphicke brothers, to a Vancouver company, Q Broadcasting, to Alberta's Monarch Broadcasting and to our current owners, the Jim Pattison Group.

The Drive will cater to a primary audience of 25 to 49 with a special emphasis on men. Veteran broadcasters Doug Jones and Wendy Perch are the morning team while Ben Meisner brings his number one rated talk show to 99.3 The Drive weekday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00. Classic Rock music flows through the workday, with Rob Mitchell each afternoon until 6:00 p.m.

The station is also the city's sports source, with play-by-play coverage of The Prince George Cougars, Vancouver Canucks and BC Lions.

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