CKOI 96.9

CKOI 96.9 (CKOI-FM) is a commercial local radio station broadcasting from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Its 148 kW transmitter is located on Mount Royal, covering Greater Montreal and surrounding regions. Owned by Cogeco Media, the station first took to the airwaves on December 6, 1976. It operates on a Contemporary Hit Radio format (pop and rock) targeting adults aged 25–54.

The station focuses heavily on its morning and afternoon drive-time shows. In the morning, "Debout les Comiques" features Martin Cloutier, Valérie Roberts, Étienne Marcoux, and Danick Martineau, with Cloutier driving the show's satire and improvisation. The afternoon slot is anchored by "Le retour des comiques" with Philo Lirette, Joanie Duquette, and Pascal Cameron. Listeners regularly engage with the shows via phone calls and SMS.

The playlist mixes international and local Quebec hits, featuring artists like The Weeknd, Taylor Swift, Éric Lapointe, and Les Cowboys Fringants. Marc Thibault, Vice-President at Cogeco Media, attributed recent rating surges to adding more rock and new country to the rotation.

According to 2026 Numeris data reported by the independent digital news outlet La Presse, the station reaches over 1.6 million weekly listeners, with CKOI holding a market share between 11.8% and 14.7% in its key 25–54 demographic.

The station's industry recognition includes Éric Martel winning Music Director of the Year in September 2024. More recently, in August 2026, Anthony Lachance, Éric Martel, and the CKOI Palooza project earned ADISQ Award nominations.

Taking an objective look, CKOI's strengths lie in its wide regional coverage, strong host lineup, and active support for local music. On the downside, the daily playlist rotation can feel repetitive, and the casual local slang might not resonate with every listener.

Quick Facts

Frequency: 96.9 FM