CIOC (identified on air as 98.5 The Ocean), is an FM radio station based in Victoria, British Columbia, broadcasting at 98.5 MHz and owned by Rogers Communications. Its format is adult contemporary.

History

CIOC went on the air for the first time in 1955 as CKDA-FM, rebroadcasting the signal of then-AM sister CKDA on 370 watts of power, with both stations owned by Capital Broadcasting System Ltd. The original transmitter was located in the "rack-room" of CKDA's studios. The primary purpose of the FM station was as the studio transmitter link to the AM transmitter site on Chatham Island.

In compliance with revised broadcaster regulations regarding simulcasting CKDA-FM became CFMS-FM at 6:00 PM on March 21, 1965 and began broadcasting a separate programing - an easy listening format between noon and midnight seven days a week before later going to 24-hour-a-day broadcasting. In later years, CFMS switched to a mixed format of adult contemporary music (from 6 AM-7 PM weekdays and 6 AM-6 PM weekends) and easy listening instrumentals (in the evenings and overnight).

On September 1, 1995, Capital Broadcasting sold CKDA and CFMS, with CKDA going to OK Radio Group, the owners of CKKQ-FM (100.3 The Q), and CFMS picked up by CJVI 900 (owned by Rogers Communications). On December 11, CFMS changed to its current full-time adult contemporary format and changed its name to the current CIOC.

External links

• 98.5 The Ocean
• CFMS/CIOC history at Canadian Communications Foundation website
• CFMS/CIOC history at Vancouver Radio Museum