I just read the CRTC decision (2007-427: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2007/db2007-427.htm) to allow CIQX to drop the requirements on its specialty license.  What piqued my interest was item number 9:

"Newcap also stated that it remained committed to providing long-term diversity to the Calgary radio market, indicating that it would continue to expose Smooth Jazz artists to Calgary audiences if granted its request to operate CIQX-FM as a conventional non-Specialty FM station. The licensee added that it was seeking the programming flexibility to grow its audience and to compete on a fair and equitable basis with other Calgary broadcasters in order to increase the level of such exposure. It suggested that the proposed station format would be similar to the New Adult Contemporary/Smooth Jazz format currently offered by CIWV-FM Hamilton/Burlington, which operates as a conventional non-Specialty FM licensee."

Now, how are you going to expose smooth jazz artists to Calgary audiences if you go with a Classic Hits/Oldies hybrid type format?  Or was this just lip-service?

Lip service. No different than the 3 CHUM AM stations that were going to keep on spinning the oldies when they moved to FM.

Quoted from Aaron

Go to another Newcap station, open their media player, change only the base of the URL to the found domain.

What part is the base? And change it to what?

Quoted from Coffee Table

What part is the base? And change it to what?

Change http://www.california103.com/mediaplayer/mediaplayer.asp to http://www.xl103.ca/mediaplayer/mediaplayer.asp

Whatever little bit was at xl103.ca has now been taken down.  

the website is up http://www.xl103.ca

Now there's a set of calls that brings back a few.....

It's happening right now.

First song - Elton John, Crocodile Rock.

This is making JACK sound strangely awkward.

The "XL" is a stroke of genius, now can they live up to their namesake?

If they can, they have a bombshell!!!  Let's slip some new stuff in there once in a while too...

Keep in mind 103...the talent is there to entertain. Give 'em the space they need to do that, otherwise I'm going back to the iPod.
You don't have long to show you're different.

One has to wonder how/if this will effect Rawlco's plans for the soon to be launched 97.7.

OK, so I've only been listening for seven or eight songs now. For a "Greatest Hits" format, there appears to be a liberal dose of 80s cuts. "Crazy River" by robby Robertson into "Working for The weekend" by Loverboy. Admittedly both canCon. I'm just wondering how much the music will change (if it all) when the CRTC announces their decision re:the hit/non-hit rule. Would be nice to hear some Motown/60s pop (Association, 5th Dimension, etc.) in the mix rather than the Jack-type rock.

The first afternoon so far looks about 70% hit. Remember, they had almost 2 full days this week of nearly 100% non-hit with California, so they've got a good head-start.

If anything, it's the Cancon that seems responsible for a lot of the Jack-rock, although it seems like the station in intentionally rock-leaning anyway.

Does it seem a little odd that they've played "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffett, as well as "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash, twice in 16 hours?  If they have 30 years of hits to choose from, would it not make sense to have a slighter wider musical universe?