CILQ debuted with an album rock format, part of the numerous "Superstars" formatted stations developed by Lee Abrams in the US, one in each major radio market. Roughly 1,000 songs revolved in a playlist in a revolving card category system based on media sales data. Platinum albums were category B1 or B2. Golden oldies were D1 or D2. Canadian content was another. Most of the music library was locked in the back and not accessible to anyone except the music director and his assistant. Announcers would pull albums from a shelf in the control room limited to about 1,000.