After 66 years as an AM station, New Country 910 will be switching to an FM frequency.
The Valley and surrounding areas have been served by the AM radio station since 1958, first as CJDV operated by Dinosaur Broadcasting, until 1981 when it became CKDQ, operated by CHUM.
It continued operation with various ownership and in 1985 it was able to get permission to boost its signal from 10,000 watts to 50,000 watts. It operated from 2000 to 2018 as a Newcap station known as Q91, and most recently was New Country 910 under Stingray Group.
It will continue as New Country 910 but now it will be found on the FM dial at 92.5.
“CKDQ on AM has served the Drumheller Valley since 1958 but it’s time to modernize our infrastructure. AM is notoriously difficult to maintain and is certainly limited in its ability to provide superior sound quality. We want to be sure we are airing the very best on-air quality to our listeners and FM more than accomplishes that goal, said Steve Parsons, Vice President of Programming, at Stingray Radio.
Reach will be considerably tightened and towers that used to be east of Strathmore will now be on top of the south Hill shared with Boom FM 99.5.
“New Country 92.5 listeners will notice a significant improvement in the quality of the signal broadcasting in full stereo and with crystal clarity. The one drawback is that our signal will be restricted to the area we are licensed to serve, The Drumheller Valley and surrounding communities,” said Parsons. “In its prime CKDQ AM could be heard into Central Saskatchewan, down to Montana and west to the mountains. Listeners in those broad areas will still be able to enjoy New Country 92.5 online.”

The 13th annual Carlie Bell Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Brady Mappin of the Rumsey Rowley 4-H Beef Club.
The Carlie Bell Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a member that showcases leadership and participates in activities at the club, district, and regional levels.
Brady has been a member of the Rumsey Rowley 4-H Beef Club for 10 years, including his first year as a Cleaver. Brady has been active in the District as a Club Representative, District Vice President, and District President, as well as taking part in many 4-H activities.
4-H has helped grow both his leadership, cooperation, and communication skills. Brady has learnt that participating and trying your best creates the BEST outcomes whether you win or lose. This year Brady will receive his Platinum Award of Excellence.
Brady Mappin is a well-deserved recipient of the 2024 Carlie Bell Memorial Scholarship.