CKOK Coverage Area Map circa 1956

The story of broadcasting at CKOK Penticton and some interconnected information:

1946

Transmitter signed on in December as a rebroadcaster of CKOV Kelowna. It operated on 1450 kHz with a power of 250 watts. The station was owned by Okanagan Broadcasters Ltd.

1948

CKOK moved to 800 kHz - CKOK became a full-time local station owned by CKOK Ltd.

1950

CKOK 800 increased power to 1,000 watts day and 500 watts night – the private company changed to a public company.

1957

By this time, CKOK was a CBC Dominion affiliate controlled by shareholders Maurice P. Finnerty 34.5% and Roy G. Chapman 33.4%.

1960

Daytime power increased to 10,000 watts. Night power remained 500 watts.

The 250 watt CKOK opened its doors on Main Street in Penticton – owned by a group of businessmen as a private company. One of those was Grant King – who owned a haberdashery still operating under that name in Penticton. At the conclusion of WW2, Maurice Finnerty moved from New Westminster to the Okanagan Valley and entered the insurance business. He and Greg Rowland, publisher of the Herald persuaded shareholders of CKOK Ltd. to become a public company and bought the shares for ownership in 1950. Many people went through the doors of the station as it moved from its small beginnings at 152 Main St. to a new studio facility on Nanaimo Ave with a power increase to 1000 watts and then on to a larger facility on Carmi Ave used today.

One key player involved was Ralph Robinson, Sales Manager for CKOK who later started Great Valleys Radio. Roy Chapman who helped start up CHBC-TV in Kelowna was involved in sales at CKOK. Russ Richardson who became the main news anchor on early CHBC, worked at CKOK. Al Jordan who worked in Penticton and helped start the TV station as well returned to big time radio at CFUN and CJOR,

Maurice Finnerty was a MLA for the South Okanagan area for four terms starting in 1949. He was the mayor in Penticton 1962 to 1967. He died suddenly at home June 11, 1977 at the age of 63.

An interesting note, the second location of CKOK at 125 Nanaimo Ave. is the present home of CIGV Great Valleys Radio owned by the Robinson family. Ralph was a prominent citizen of Penticton who passed away from Alzheimer's disease in 2003. He started CIGV-FM radio station in 1981 and was named Broadcaster of the Year in 1988. He was active in the community, serving as an alderman, president of the Kiwanis Club, library board, hospice society and Chamber of Commerce. He was community minded and always looked for ways to help others. Ralph died three days before he would have celebrated his 77th birthday. Robinson began his broadcasting career in the 1950's at CHUB Nanaimo. For many years he also worked at CKOK Penticton, CFJC Kamloops, CKOV and CKIQ Kelowna. In 1972, Ralph made his first application to the C-R-T-C to start an AM station in Penticton, but it wasn't until October 18, 1981 that CIGV 100.7 FM signed on the air.

1940-2003

09/23 - Grant Sherwood has died at the age of 63 after suffering from a heart ailment. He moved from Edmonton to CKOK (now CKOR) Penticton, where he was appointed program director in 1972. He was the morning dj for much of his nearly 30 years with the station and continued work as a photographer in his later years. Norm Estacaille of Oliver received a medal for bravery when he saved the life of Grant Sherwood, a broadcaster in a wheelchair. "Grant's car left the highway and plunged into the Okanagan River, at the point where the river approaches the dam (OK Falls). The current was swift and the temperature very cold, but without hesitation Norman jumped from his car, shed his coat and shoes, and dived into the icy water to rescue Grant. He got Grant out of the car and almost to shore, before a passing motorist came to assist him."

MANGAN Clarence Thomas (Mike) 1985

Secretary of the Penticton Vees in 1954

News Director of CKOK for at least twenty years

Dave Roegele – play by play for the Vee’s, CHEK TV. CBC TV Vancouver

Bjorn Bjornson – roving reporter

Henry Shannon

Roy Hennessy

Gerry Gawne

Update from Gerry Pash

In 1972 the Finnerty family sold Okanagan Radio Limited to Fraser Valley
Broadcasters Ltd of Chilliwack.   Dennis Barkman became President of ORL
with Gerald Pash as Vice President and Managing Director. In 1973, CKSP,
signed on in Summerland expanding the Okanagan Radio network of stations
including CKGF in Grand Forks, CKOO in Oliver-Osoyoos and CKOK-FM in
Penticton.

Because of its success it was not worthwhile to have Okanagan Radio as a
wholly owned subsiduary of Fraser Valley Broadcasters. The company was
subsequently sold to Barkman, Pash and Ken Davis with Davis becoming
President while Pash remained Vice-President and responsible for day to
day operations at CKOK AM and FM and Davis concerned with the operations
in Oliver-Osoyoos, Grand Forks and Summerland as well as national sales.

With Gerry Pash at the helm in 1973 CKOK was named B.C. Association of
Broadcasters Limited Station of the Year. Pash was also named Penticton
Citizen of the Year in 1985. 

In 1987, Barkman and Pash sold their interest to Skeena Broadcasters
Limited with Davis following about a year later.   Barkman has since died
and Davis continues to operate the Casabello Princess Houseboat Cruise in
Penticton. Pash is now a public affairs officer for
Canada's Maritime Forces Pacific