News Talk Radio celebrates 25 years on Sask. airwaves – a timeline

In 1998, the talk radio format was thriving in nearly every Canadian market – except Saskatchewan.

Aside from the public broadcaster, only music stations existed here, with little room for public debate, local news coverage or opinion.

While it took listeners time to adjust to this notion, News Talk Radio stations in Regina and Saskatoon quickly found a loyal following and continue to draw new audiences that want to stay informed of local news and provincial current affairs.

“Listeners have many radio options for music, now they finally have a station which specializes in talk. We have assembled a terrific team of experienced broadcast professionals to create a relevant, stimulating and entertaining station for Saskatoon and Saskatchewan,” Pam Leyland said in a news release introducing 650 NTR, as CKOM was then called.

A newspaper ad from Sept. 9, 1998, reads: “Finally, Regina has its own news and talk station. News, sports and weather together every 15 minutes in the morning and every half hour all day. Stimulating talk with John Gormley, Dr. Laura and Margaux Watt. Set your radio on 1300 AM, and you’ll know more.”

Sept. 9, 1998

Twenty-five years ago, John Gormley entered the arena of debate with News Talk’s flagship call-in show, which has divided listeners and sparked meaningful dialogue from Day 1.

After a brief stint as a Conservative MP for Battlefords-Meadow Lake, Gormley completed a law degree at the U of S. He was practising as a lawyer in Edmonton when he received the offer to return to his roots in broadcasting.

“I’m very excited. This is not the typical open line show that people are used to,” Gormley said in an interview with Regina Leader-Post reporter Will Chabun in 1999.

“Our mandate is to entertain, and entertainment comes at a lot of levels. It comes from a mental level, a visual level, a feeling level. In the process, people are getting information, but the talk show is distinct from the news.”

Sept. 11, 2001

The coverage of the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11 is a “watershed” moment for the two stations, which were still establishing an identity, said then-program director Ted Farr.

“If you wanted any information about 9/11 on the radio, you had to find us,” he said.

Both 650 CKOM and 980 CJME, which were CNN affiliates, provided live updates 24 hours a day as the tragedy unfolded.

Dec. 20, 2001

Pam Leyland becomes the first woman in Canada to hold the title of president in a radio company.

The announcement in local newspapers read:

“Gordon Rawlinson, CEO of Rawlco Radio Ltd, is pleased to announce the appointment of Pam Leyland as President of Rawlco Radio. Leyland has been a resident of Saskatoon since 1974. She joined CKOM in 1978, working as a broadcaster, News Director, and Operations Manager before becoming Vice President and General Manager of Rawlco Radio’s Saskatoon stations in 1989. She will continue to reside in Saskatoon. Rawlco operates 12 radio stations in Saskatchewan including C95 FM, Rock 102 FM, and 650 CKOM in Saskatoon as well as radio stations in Regina, Prince Albert, and North Battleford.”

Sept. 17, 2002

Rawlco Radio, then a Calgary-based company, consolidated its head office in Saskatoon with the grand opening of Broadcast House on Saskatchewan Crescent West.

The three-storey building, built by North Ridge Developments, sits on the South Saskatchewan riverbank at the site of the former Labatt brewery, which closed in 1993. A significant portion of the $5-million price tag went toward purchasing technical equipment.

“Approximately 80 per cent of the broadcast equipment is brand new. It’s all digital, all computerized, and all state-of-the-art stuff,” Leyland told the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.

Premier Lorne Calvert, centre, performs the ribbon cutting on Sept. 17, 2002 at the opening ceremony of Rawlco Radio’s Broadcast House, located at 715 Saskatchewan Cres. W in Saskatoon.

March 3, 2003

Sarah Mills joins the 980 CJME news team as a general reporter and evening news anchor. She came to Saskatchewan from England on a one-year work visa, but continued to extend her stay as her career at News Talk Radio grew.

She went on to become the senior political correspondent, hosted an afternoon talk show and is now the provincial news director for 650 CKOM and 980 CJME.

Sarah Mills reads a newscast while operating the technical board during her early years at 980 CJME.

Jan. 6, 2005

Rawlco Radio’s Day of Caring for Tsunami Relief raises $443,000 for the Red Cross.

Days after the devastating Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia, Rawlco Radio hosted a 12-hour event to raise money for the Red Cross relief effort.

“As people phoned in pledges to the Red Cross, I witnessed some of the greatest acts of generosity possible. From three little kids, who plundered their piggy banks, to individuals and businesses who wrote cheques for more than $5,000, I learned even more about Saskatchewan generosity and compassion than I ever thought possible,” show host John Gormley wrote in his weekly column.

This radiothon would be the first of many in years to come, raising millions of dollars for local and international crises.

May 29, 2005

The Drew Remenda Sports Show scores points with News Talk Radio listeners.

When the 2004-05 NHL lockout left Saskatoon’s Drew Remenda out of work, an idea for another program started percolating.

Remenda, a colour analyst for the San Jose Sharks with years of professional coaching experience, had plenty of opinions to offer a new audience: Saskatchewan CFL fans.

His hot takes and firsthand knowledge of the elite sporting world garnered him a following, with even Premier Brad Wall regularly calling in to his show.

A photo of Drew Remenda in 2007 courtesy Wikipedia.

June 12, 2005

News Talk Radio launches websites in Saskatoon and Regina.

Streaming services became available to fans of the station who wanted to listen online. Listeners could dig deeper into the news stories, polls and commentaries they heard on the airwaves by visiting the websites for 980 CJME and 650 CKOM.

July 21, 2006

News Talk Radio’s special coverage “Taking Robin Home” wins a national award for Live Special Events from the Radio Television Digital News Association.

As thousands of mourners gathered on the Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation on July 21, 2006, News Talk Radio held a live broadcast from the funeral, providing the entire province a chance to grieve the loss of a young RCMP constable. The full regimental service for Const. Robin Cameron, 29, combined First Nations and RCMP traditions.

Cameron and Const. Marc Bourdages were shot while pursuing suspect Curtis Dagenais near Spiritwood on July 7, 2006. After a 12-day manhunt, Dagenais was arrested; he subsequently was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

Nov. 7, 2007

News Talk Radio’s special coverage “Sask. Votes 2007” wins the Gord Sinclair Award for Live Special Events at the RTDNAs.

The energy of Saskatchewan’s election night amplified over the airwaves as the NDP faced defeat for the first time in 16 years to the Saskatchewan Party with Brad Wall at the helm.

The exclusive radio broadcast featured live reporting, political analysis from pundits and real-time opinion from openly conservative host John Gormley.

Murray Wood and John Gormley listen to Brad Wall’s victory speech on election night in 2007. Photo by John Himpe.

Jan. 20, 2010

Rawlco Radio’s Day of Caring for Haiti raises $620,880 for the Red Cross.

One week after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake decimated the densely populated capital of Haiti, News Talk Radio hosted its second-ever Day of Caring to support the Red Cross relief effort.

The $620,880 raised in Saskatchewan during the 12-hour radiothon doubled to over $1.2 million for the Red Cross thanks to the federal government matching contributions.

“We are humbled by this outpouring generosity from the people of Saskatchewan,” host John Gormley said. “Saskatchewanians have proven they really do care.”

June 29, 2011

Rawlco Radio’s Day of Caring for flood relief raises $511,741 for the Red Cross.

The third instalment of News Talk Radio’s Day of Caring helped victims closer to home, particularly in the southeast corner of Saskatchewan, during a summer of devastating flooding.

“You look at pictures from places like Roche Percee, for example, and your heart just sinks. You realize these people are going to need way more help than what insurance or the government is going to be able to help out with, and that’s not going to come for a while,” then-program director John Himpe said in an interview with the Regina Leader-Post.

That year, talk show hosts spurred donations with a creative proposal – Richard Brown donated $1 for every new “like” of the News Talk Facebook page, up to $1,000, while John Gormley donated $1 for every new Twitter follower.

June 2, 2013

The Green Zone offers listeners a place for unfiltered sports opinions.

Hosted by veteran sports reporter Jamie Nye, the Green Zone quickly became known as the “Home of the Fans,” providing an unfiltered take on the biggest sports stories each day.

Nye was joined by respected analysts like Drew Remenda, who now co-hosts the show, Darrell Davis, Belton Johnson, and the late Warren Woods.

Fans still reference Woodsy and his love of the Leafs and hatred of trains at rush hour.

A selfie from left to right of Jamie Nye, Darrell Davis and Warren Woods.

Aug. 14, 2013

Sir Paul McCartney calls News Talk Radio while en route to Mosaic Stadium.

As 40,000 fans made their way to watch the Beatles legend perform for the first time in Regina, McCartney phoned from his limo for a live interview with then-provincial news director Murray Wood and Green Zone host Jamie Nye.

“I’ve been all over Canada and played in a lot of places, but I haven’t played Regina before,” he said. “So it’s exciting to meet a new bunch of people,” McCartney said over the phone, staying on the line through commercial breaks for a half hour of iconic radio.

Listen to the conversation HERE

May 4, 2016

Rawlco Radio’s Day of Caring for Fort McMurray raises $747,618 for the Red Cross.

The radiothon led by News Talk Radio generated a remarkable outpouring of support for the wildfire victims of Fort McMurray. The donations went directly to supporting evacuees for emergency food, clothing and shelter.

Mayor Melissa Blake was brought to tears after hearing the total amount raised by Saskatchewan people for her community.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe what our incredible neighbours have done for us,” she said. “That is outstanding.”

The 12-hour broadcast received a Radio Television Digital News Association award for Best Live Special Coverage in Canada.

Evacuees leave Fort McMurray, Alta. as a wildfire hits the city limits on May 3, 2016. (Jerome Garot/Twitter)

April 6, 2018

News Talk Radio’s breaking news coverage of the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy wins a national award from the Radio Television Digital News Association.

Within hours of the tragedy, 650 CKOM and 980 CJME dropped regular programming to provide continuous coverage and news updates for 30 hours of live radio throughout the weekend after the crash. 

April 26, 2018

Two iconic 650 CKOM broadcasters celebrate milestone anniversaries.

Beloved morning show host Brent Loucks marked 40 years in radio while veteran news anchor Gerald Bauman celebrated 30 years in the business.

Loucks continued his a.m. slot for another four years before departing from the show in 2022. Bauman remains on-air, delivering the morning news in Saskatoon.

Gerald Bauman, left, congratulates Brent Loucks during his final morning show on Feb. 4, 2022.

March 12, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic swept into Saskatchewan in 2020, and 980 CJME and 650 CKOM were on the story from the onset.

The two stations provided a public service with live coverage of daily media conferences with Premier Scott Moe and other ministers, as well as Saskatchewan Health Authority officials and Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical health officer.

The stations updated their websites daily with stories, graphics and information about the virus.

For a time, talk show hosts worked from home until appropriate protocols were in place.

John Gormley hosts his four-hour talk show from home on April 6, 2020.

March 3, 2022

Rawlco Radio’s Saskatchewan Day of Caring for Ukraine raises $1,020,125 in partnership with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Saskatchewan branch and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.

In just 12 hours, Saskatchewan people donated $1,020,125 to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and those in Ukraine.

“What an amazing day it has been. I am so touched by the generosity of the people of this province. It is incredible. I am at a loss for words,” said Danylo Puderak with the UCC of Saskatchewan.

Listeners heard incredible stories from people hiding in bunkers or helping the displaced and those back in Saskatchewan supporting friends and family.

Aug. 14, 2023

Rawlco Radio launches its first true crime podcast, The Shell Lake Massacre.

Over six episodes, listeners meet the neighbours who arrived at the Saskatchewan farm to discover the horrific mass murder and learn about the circumstances that led to this unimaginable crime.

The podcast, produced and hosted by Brittany Caffet, covers the RCMP search for the killer and the eventual confession of Victor Hoffman.

Within the first week, the podcast ranked on Apple Canada’s top 10 true crime podcasts and continues to attract audiences across North America.

Looking Ahead

While News Talk Radio has certainly evolved over the years, there are no plans to slow down. Even while other legacy media operations downsize, we are expanding our staff and planning for the future. We look forward to many more years of great radio and can’t wait to share them with you.

Happy listening!