Iqaluit (Sep 18/06) - New sounds are coming to the Kivalliq region this fall.

Iqaluit's CKIQ, aka "Raven Rock", will begin broadcasting into Rankin Inlet in October, depending on a number of technical issues, said program director Glenn Craig.

CKIQ station manager Glenn Craig works the afternoon shift in Iqaluit. The radio station is preparing to expand into Rankin Inlet in the fall. - Chris Windeyer/NNSL photo

"We have to make sure we have all the parts and pieces because we have to fly a guy up to do it," he said. He pointed out the harsh weather in Rankin meant the equipment had to be weather resistant.

Craig said the station will officially be called CKIQ FM2, available at 99.9 FM, and broadcasting from a remote station in the Siniktarvik Hotel.

"We're going to produce a standard of radio they're not accustomed to."

At first, the station will re-broadcast Iqaluit's rock station. Craig said there are plans in place to create unique Rankin Inlet programming, but "that's way down the road."

"We just want to get up and running now."

Craig said this is part of a plan on the part of CKIQ's parent company, the Evaz Group, to expand all around the North.

"It's very expensive to do, but the owner of the company (Peter Balt) has a keen interest in the North," he said. "He wants to do it for the people."

"That would make us one of the largest corporate radio entities in all of Canada, which is nice for the North."

Craig pointed out the station would be meant to complement, rather than compete with CBC. "We're an entity unto ourselves," he said. "We provide something that CBC doesn't."

Craig emphasized the attempts the station has made, as the only commercial radio station in the territory, is to meet a variety of tastes.

This includes a mix of 70s, 80s and top 40 music, with traditional greenlandic and Inuk music thrown in. "We are what we are, we offer what we can and hopefully people will continue to listen."