CKOT-FM


CKOT-FM is a Canadian radio station licensed to Tillsonburg, Ontario, broadcasting at 101.3 FM and serving the London area. Owned by Rogers Media, the station broadcasts an adult contemporary format. Its transmitter is located near the interchange of Highway 19 and Highway 401, close to Ingersoll.

History

CKOT-FM is the second radio station to serve Tillsonburg, Ontario, and is the sister station to the now defunct CKOT and the current operating CJDL-FM.
The station's history dates back to 1964. Its owner was the late John B. Lamers. His application for a radio station on the FM dial at 106.7 FM was accepted, but he was advised to use the frequency of 100.5 FM instead. The station first aired on October 1, 1965. Its ERP was 1.135 kW. Its studios were in Tillsonburg, while its transmitter was located to the northwest of the town. CKOT-FM originally acted as a simulcast transmitter while CKOT was on the air. Since the FM station was on the air longer, it proved to be successful.
By January 1970, CKOT-FM and CKOT had adopted different programming. CKOT-FM adopted "The Sound of Music" easy listening format, while the AM station became known as "Active, Lively, Community Information Radio."
In 1974, the station was granted permission to move from 100.5 to 101.3 MHz, to increase its power from 1,135 watts to 50,000 wats, and to move its transmitter to a new site. This went into effect in December 1974.
In 1996, the CRTC approved a change of ownership of Tillsonburg Broadcasting Co. Ltd., resulting in John D. Lamers, Jr. increasing his ownership interest from 36.8 to 50.3%. This gave him a controlling interest in his Tillsonburg Broadcasting, and its two radio stations. Other shareholders are Robert Lamers and Joanne Fenton.
On February 17, 2013, CKOT operating at 1510 kHz on the AM band left the air and was one of Canada's last daytime-only radio stations.
On September 27, 2016, Tillsonburg Broadcasting Company announced that it had sold its stations to Rogers Media pending CRTC approval, ending over 50 years of local ownership. The CRTC approved the transfer of ownership on July 13, 2017.
On August 15, 2018, the station re-branded as Easy 101.3 and revamped its programming, replacing its local personalities with voice tracked talent from other Rogers stations, and dropping older music in favor of a mainstream adult contemporary format.