CiTR has a long history at UBC, evolving from an AMS Radio Society Club to its own independent Student Radio Society of the University of British Columbia. Volunteers from the campus and local community run it, so it is indeed student run radio.
1937
The idea of a radio society on campus comes into prominence
when some bored students decide to play records on an old gramophone in the
student cafeteria at lunchtime. Not long after, members Struan Robertson, Ozzie
Durkin, Dorwin Baird, Victor Freeman and Malcolm Brown get involved in a
university publicity campaign, and “Varsity Time”, an information variety show,
becomes a regular feature on CJOR.
1938
UBC Radio becomes an official club under the “Literary and
Scientific Executive”, the predecessor of the Alma Mater Society. “Varsity
Time” moves to CBC for two shows a week.
1940
Pierre Berton is the Radio Society’s chief announcer.
1941
UBC Radio is recognized as a major campus group. “News from
Campus” broadcasts on CKWX-AM; Campus sports on CJOR.
1942
UBC Radio becomes RADSOC and gets MUSSOC (Musical Society), a
weekly program on CJOR.
1943
“Varsity Time” moves to CKWX and, together with MUSSOC,
RADSOC produces programs for CJOR, CKMO, and CBR.
1945
RADSOC is called “the leading Canadian University radio
society” and moves into new studios, opened by Dr. Gordon Shrum, honorary
RADSOC president.
1946
Under President Ray Perrault, RADSOC expands, and two weekly
programs are produced for CKWX and CKMO.
1947
Affiliation with the Western University Radio Federation
creates three new programs using CBC facilities. UBC Radio Club moves to
“ultra-new” facilities in Brock Hall.
1949
Due to several “mistakes” the year before — the foul-up of a
major radio and talent show, overspending (an age-old problem), and unbalanced
books — RADSOC members return to school in the fall and find the doors locked.
Under the leadership of President Don Cunliffe, RADSOC is reinstated without a
budget and broadcasts one hour daily.
1950
Closed-circuit broadcasts to residences begin. UBC Radio Club
and CKWX (BC Association of Broadcasters) operate twenty-two week school for
commercial radio. The first full commercials are run on UBC Radio.
1953
RADSOC withdraws from the Literary and Scientific Executive
to join a seven-member, province-wide radio network organization.
1964
Carrier current replaces closed circuit to residences.
1966
FM is first discussed for RADSOC.
1969
Radio Club moves to new, professionally designed studios (at
the time, the most up-to-date in the city) in the newly completed Student Union
Building. RADSOC officially becomes CYVR.
1974
CYVR is shut down by the AMS for six months for operating
without a licence. Changes in CRTC regulations requiring licensing of carrier
current stations are the reason. CYVR had applied, but was continuing to
broadcast pending approval of the licence. The station was shut down in
January, but CRTC decision 74-260 approves the licence application, and UBC
Radio is back in full force as Thunderbird Radio: CiTR.
1975
CiTR goes cable through Vancouver first at 89.5, then 95.9,
then 100.0, and now at 101.9 MHz. 1978
CiTR makes first application for an FM broadcast licence with
the CRTC.
1980
CiTR changes from an AMS club to an AMS service organization
in recognition of the service CiTR provides to the students of UBC. Hopes for
FM drop when the Department of Communication freezes the last FM channel in the
city, leaving CiTR nothing to apply for.
1981
CiTR gets really involved outside its studio doors for the
first time since the 1940’s: working on council committees, helping out with
orientation, attending conferences, promoting on-campus United Way programs
(The Rick-a-Thon), Alumni Association programs, and last but not least, joining
the National Campus Radio Organization (NCRO later known as the NCRA). From
NCRO springs another affiliation, pioneered by UBC Radio and University of
Alberta radio: the Western Association of Broadcaster, a Western Canadian
campus support and information group that had died out twenty years ago. CiTR
is incorporated as a society. September 14th: Low Power FM licence approval.
1982
April 1st : CiTR broadcasts at 49 watts in mono at 101.9 FM.
Hooray! Much rejoicing. First song: “Dancing in the Streets” by Martha Reeves
and the Vandellas.
1984
July 20: Stereo! Towards the end of the year, CiTR proposes
to go high power at 107.9 MHz, but the Department of Communications turns it
down due to potential interference to radio navigation facilities at Vancouver
International Airport. Elections all over the place. CiTR hosts NCRA
Conference.
1985
November: CiTR proposes a unique and special licensing plan
using a directional radio antenna (for the first time in Canada) to allow the
use of 101.9 MHz simultaneously in Vancouver and Victoria at a substantially
increased power. Seattle’s Rocket magazine picks DiSCORDER as one of the Top 20
Publications in the World for 1985—the only Canadian rag to get that honour.
1986
Flare magazine picks CiTR FM as What’s Hot in Canada for
1987.
1987
October 8th: CiTR celebrates 50 YEARS OF UBC RADIO with a
gala reunion dinner. The Perrault brothers, Ray and Ernie— former RADSOC
presidents in the 40’s — are honoured as Great Trekkers for their outstanding
contributions to the University over the years.
1988
Wow! DiSCORDER is a finalist in the Western Canadian Magazine
Awards competition for both Magazine of the Year (circulation under 20,000) and
Cover of the Year (50th issue cover, March ’87). Dave Gregg quits D.O.A.
1989
February 2nd (Groundhog Day): CiTR goes HIGH POWER to 1800
watts with a giant balloon release and a giant Groundhog Gootch courtesy of
Evelyn Roth! First song: “Have Not Been the Same” by Slow. First Annual
Scholten Cup Softball Tournament is held in minus-20 degree weather. DiSCORDER
balloons into a tabloid-sized rag.
1990
CiTR hosts DJ Soundwar Chapter One, Vancouver’s first rap
competition. Entrants come from as far away as L.A. Best MC: Richmond’s Terror
T. CiTR suffers through the infamous Public Enemy controversy. It fizzles out
unnoticed. Big surprise.
1991
Details magazine names CiTR as one of the cool radio stations
in “these United States.” Speaking of magazines, DiSCORDER celebrates its 100th
issue with a retrospective of the first nine years. Everyone else quits D.O.A.
1992
April 1st (Idiot’s Day): CiTR celebrates 55 YEARS OF UBC
RADIO and 10 YEARS ON FM. CiTR hosts the NCRA Conference for the second time in
eight years.
1993
CiTR starts broadcasting BBC world news from satellite.
D.O.A. get back together.
1994
CiTR becomes the first radio station in Vancouver to hit the
internet with an email address and gopher site.
1995
Elements magazine publishes its first issue. CiTR website in
full force.
1996
CiTR holds a referendum asking UBC students for five dollars
per yer, per student. It fails. Later that year, the AMS cuts our budget big
time.
1997
April 1st (Idiot’s Day): CiTR celebrates 60 YEARS OF UBC
RADIO.
1998
CiTR wins a "Standard" Award equaling $2800 for our
outstanding APEC coverage... our noozies celebrate with wild abandon. We prove
we're not just about good music but a happening social conscience too.
1999
A big year!!! We hold a second referendum. Our campaigning
trail is littered with shirtless roller-skating execs. and Mr Tapehead
stickers. It passes, but we don't get quorum. Later that year, on a group
question, we try again and the darn thing finally passes and we receive some
sort of guaranteed funding -- $4 per student -- and a contract with the AMS to
boot!! Special days of programming include 24 Hours of Radio Art, Day for the
Elimination of Racism, International Women's Day, Loud and Queer, and
MEDIanATION.
2000
CiTR opens a brand spankin' new studio, starts broadcasting
on the web and rocks on into the future.
2001- After twenty years of providing music , CiTR Mobile
Sound gets kicked
out of the Pit Pub, costing the station close to $20,000 a
year. CiTR
secretly vows revenge on AMS Events.
2002 - CiTR celebrates its 65th year.
Home: BC Radio History