CI0I-FM (aka C-101) signed on the air on March 1, 1981 and became Prince George’s first FM radio station.

CI0I was originally branded “Country 101” at 101.3 FM. In 1995 the call letters were changed to CKKN-FM to re-brand the station “Kickin Country”.  On August 1, 1999 the station switched to a Top-40 format and was renamed “Hits FM”. On January 6, 2006 CKKN-FM became “The River”.

March 1, 1981…

• Prince George gets its first FM radio station!
• Prince George was the 2nd largest city in BC with 67,000 (Victoria had 64,000).
• Our Mayor was Elmer Mercier (1980-1986).
• The Commodore Vic-20 Home computer was released.
• We had the Walkman and we had giant cell phones.
• We just switched over from gallons to liters for gasoline
• Gas was .41 /liter
• Average house price in Canada was $70,000.
• Interest rates were nearly 20%
• A new house in Prince George was $56,500
• A new car at Fred Walls was $7,000
• Out in the world… the West Edmonton Mall had just opened.
• The Islanders won the Stanley Cup
• The top songs of the day back in 1981… Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes #1, Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl #2 and Kool and Gang – Celebration #3