CHBN (91.7 The Bounce) is a Rhythmic Top 40 radio station based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The station, which is jointly owned by CHUM Group and Milestone Radio, operates at 91.7 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW.
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| Broadcast area | Edmonton, Alberta |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 91.7 MHz (FM) |
| Programming | |
| Format | Rhythmic Top 40 |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | CHUM Group and Milestone Radio |
| History | |
First air date | February 17, 2005 |
Call sign meaning | BouNce |
| Links | |
| Website | Station website |
History
CHBN, which signed on the air on February 17, 2005, is Edmonton's first rhythmic Top 40 outlet and by default the only contemporary hit radio station in the market proper. It is also the second station owned by Milestone, even though they joint-ventured with CHUM Group to obtain the license.
When the station was first being promoted, 91.7 FM was being portrayed as Edmonton's first 'Urban Music' format station. A little known fact was that the station first tested it's signal using an Ipod, seeing as their studios were not yet built!
The local hip hop/R&B/urban music fanbase was very excited at this development for the local scene. It followed through with this format for several months until 96X (96.3 FM), Edmonton's top 40 station, changed its format to country and its name to Big Earl. After this surprise development, The Bounce felt it necessary to appeal to this abandoned pop music listening fanbase. As such, it is now common to hear contemporary rock bands such as Nickelback and All-American Rejects on what used to be an urban format station.
Programming
When the station started its launch, the lineup consisted of Mornings with Jonny Staub and Ceara K, Natalee Taylor in middays, Brad Kelly doing afternoons and Kwame for evenings, with Zack handling weekends/MD duties. Staub, K and Kelly had previously worked across town for then-CHR 92.5 CKNG. Kwame was hired after a stint hosting drive in Kitchener, Ontario. Taylor was hired from evenings in Kelowna, British Columbia. Zack was out of radio, however, hired once the station launched.
However, a series of changes were taking place behind-the-scenes in a effort to work out bugs in the scheduling. The morning show lasted less than a year, after program director James Stuart decided to "switch" Staub and Kelly. The reavamped morning show was retitled "Kelly and Company" with Kelly and K being joined by Lamya Assiff (News) and Wendy Sandwith (weather). The show lasted for less than 6 months, and then Kelly was fired. Ceara K then moved from on-air mornings, to weekends. However K also shot up the ranks with a solid move into management, where she became the station's MD and APD.
Pepper and Dylan formed in 2006 and are the current morning show starring Pepper and first-time ever on-air producer Dylan.
Current on-air lineup
- Mornings with Pepper and Dylan
- Top 9 @ 9 (Morning Edition) with Natalee Taylor
- Old Skool Lunch
- Top 5 @ 5 with Jonny Staub
- Top 9 @ 9 (Evening Edition) with Kwame