City Edmonton, Alberta Slogan Alternative Edmonton First air date April 2005 | Branding SONiC 102.9 Frequency 102.9 MHz (FM) Format Alternative | |
CHDI-FM is a Canadian radio station broadcasting at 102.9 FM in Edmonton, Alberta. The station currently broadcasts a modern rock format under the brand name SONiC 102.9 and is owned by Rogers Media.
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General information and history
The OK Radio Group Ltd. was granted this license in 2005 as one of three new FM stations in Edmonton.
The station spent its first year broadcasting from a run down oil-field trailer on the property of the Airways Country Inn in Nisku, Alberta. The station founders wanted to get the station on the air as quickly as possible so it was decided they would broadcast from the trailer until their Gateway Boulevard studios were complete. Local media latched on to their "pirate" story, giving them a huge shot in the arm in their first year.
CHDI FM is now owned and operated by Rogers Communications.
On September 17, 2007, Sonic 102.9 began the "Own Your Own Home Edition", a contest where one Edmontonian will win a $50,000 down payment on a Rohit Infusion condo or townhouse. On November 3, Sonic announced that James Prince was the winner.
Since the station was launched in 2005, ratings have been steady around a 6.0 share, peaking at an 8.0 share, 4th place station in spring 2007, however CHDI dropped to a 4.8 share in fall 2008, making it the 10th most listened to station in Edmonton.
Upon inception of the new BBM Canada radio ratings devices, the PPM (Personal People Meter), Sonic has held a steady 8.0 market share and a top 4 or 5 radio station in the Edmonton market. A fact many in the Edmonton market knew to be more accurate with the audience, based on Sonic's prevalence with the listeners.
CHDI is currently ranked #7 in the market with a 6.3 share according to the Fall 2011 PPM data report released by BBM Canada.
On-air personalities
Former on-air personalities
Band of the Month
Sonic has a feature called "Band of the Month", which features a local band or artist from the Edmonton region and gives them airtime. Some previous bands of the month have received more national attention, such as Ten Second Epic, Tupelo Honey, and My Sister Ocean.
Former bands of the month include: Drive By Punch, The Red Threat, Screwtape Lewis, Murder City Sparrows, Jets to Theory, Red Shag Carpet, Our Mercury, Whitey Houston, Mark Birtles Project, Casanova Playboys, Calico Drive, Rake, Ellis, The Surgents, Tim Gilbertson, Hot Panda, Radioforhelp, Greater Than Giants, Portal, Michael Rault and the Mixed Signals, Christian Hansen and the Autistics, and Parachute Penguin.
The first "Sonic BOTM" was in July 2005.
In addition to airtime, bands perform live at the Pawn Shop in Edmonton, Alberta, after a month of promotion on the station.
Sonic Boom Festival
On September 5, 2009, the first Sonic Boom Festival, was held at Northlands in Edmonton. The line-up was The Wet Secrets, Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker, illScarlett, Girl Talk, Metric, Franz Ferdinand, Alexisonfire, and headliners, Billy Talent. Taking Back Sunday experienced a flight delay the morning of the festival in Kansas City, and were unable to perform. The event was hosted by Jason Mewes, of Jay and Silent Bob fame. The festival drew a crowd of over 11,000. The festival also featured a pro wrestling match between each band, and culminated in a battle royale prior to Billy Talent's set. Since their inaugural festival, "Sonic Boom" has hosted musicians annually such as Jack White, Tegan and Sara, Arctic Monkeys, The Smalls, Death Cab for Cutie, Weezer, Jane's Addiction, Linkin Park and more.