CIXL-FM

Infobox_Radio_station | name = CIXL-FM


city = Welland, Ontario
area = Niagara Region
branding = Giant FM
slogan = "Niagara's Classic Rock"
airdate = 1957 (AM)
1999 (FM)
frequency = 91.7
format = classic rock
power = 27,420 watts
erp =
class =
callsign_meaning = XL = Extra Large (Giant size)
former_callsigns = CHOW (1957-2005)
owner = David Holgate
website = [http://www.giantfm.com/ CIXL]

CIXL is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting in Welland, Ontario. It uses the on-air brand name Giant FM, and broadcasts a classic rock format at 91.7 on the FM dial.

tation history

The station originally launched in 1957 as CHOW, located at 1470 on the AM dial. A daytimer when it was originally launched, the station began offering nighttime service within a few months. It offered an easy listening format until 1975, when it switched to country music.

The station gained international fame during the Blizzard of 1977, by being the sole source of news during the storm.Fact|date=July 2008

In 1994, the station was purchased by Suzanne Rochon-Burnett, the first aboriginal woman in Canada to own a radio station. Rochon-Burnett was later named to the Order of Canada. The station moved to 91.7 FM in 1999, and was rebranded as Spirit 91.7.

The station was purchased by its current owner, David Holgate, in 2004. The following year, CHOW switched to its adult hits format and call sign.

In late August 2008, the station adopted its current format as Niagara's Classic Rock with the same branding Giant FM.

External links

* [http://www.giantfm.com/ CIXL]
* [http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listings_and_histories/radio/histories.php?id=382&historyID=164 CIXL-FM history from the Canadian Communications Foundation]
* [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/1997/DB97-387.HTM Decision CRTC 97-387] - Conversion of CHOW Welland from AM to FM (August 8, 1997)
*RecnetCanada|CIXL