TSN Radio coming to Hamilton

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It’s official: Hamilton is getting an all-sports radio station.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Bell Media announced this afternoon that they have entered a multi-year partnership to launch TSN Radio 1150, the first all-sports radio station in the market. The station will be the voice of the tiger-cats, delivering game broadcasts and post-game coverage in addition to weekly specialty programming.

In the lead-up to the station’s official rebrand this fall, 1150 CKOC will begin delivering game broadcasts, starting with the June 8th preseason game against Ottawa. More programming details will be announced in the coming months.

The Ticats were previously heard on CHML, going back to the early 1950s, with the exception of 1978-1984 when the team’s then-owner Harold Ballard gave CHAM the broadcast rights.

CKOC, which started broadcasting on May 1, 1922, is Canada’s oldest operating radio station, and the second licenced in Canada. Through the years they have had studios at King William and John Sts, in the Lister Block and the Royal Connaught Hotel. It is currently located beside Lime Ridge Mall.

It’s been a rock & roll station since 1960, operating with a top 40 format before switching to oldies in 1992.

Meanwhile, ratings are out for Hamilton radio stations and while longstanding leader K-lite FM remains in top spot, country music appears to be gaining ground.

KX-94.7, which changed format from smooth jazz three years ago, is now a solid number two in the market. CHML comes in at number three.