CKZZ-FM
| File:Z95-3FMVancouverBC.gif | |
| Broadcast area | Greater Vancouver |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 95.3 MHz |
| Programming | |
| Format | hot adult contemporary |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Standard Broadcasting |
| History | |
First air date | 23 May 1991 |
| Technical information | |
| ERP | 71,300 W |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Now |
| Website | z95.com |
CKZZ-FM (identified on air and in print as Z95-3, pronounced Zed 95-3) is a Canadian radio station in the Greater Vancouver region of British Columbia. It broadcasts at 95.3 megahertz on the FM band with an effective radiated power of 71300 watts from a transmitter on Mount Seymour, and its studios are located in Richmond. The station is owned by Standard Radio.
History
CKZZ signed on air at 8 AM on May 23, 1991, and ran commercial-free until May 27. The first song played was Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll) by C&C Music Factory. Founded by South Fraser Broadcasting and controlled by Michael Dickinson, it shares studio and office space with sister station CISL AM650. The station's format was authorized by the CRTC as dance music, and quickly gained popularity among younger audiences in the market.
In 1995, CKZZ and CISL were sold to Standard Radio. The $18 million CAD purchase was approved by the CRTC in 1996. Following this sale, Z95.3 began to move from the dance format it was licensed for to a contemporary hit radio format.
The station's success continued into 2001, and ranked number two overall among radio stations in the Vancouver market in the Bureau of Broadcast Measurement ratings for much of the year. Its website also ranked 28th on the list of the “50 Best Radio Station Websites in the World”, compiled by U.S. trade publication “Radio Ink”. In addition, Z95.3 was named “Station of the Year” by Canadian Music Week in March 2002.
In August 2002, the station changed formats again, edging away from its "contemporary hits" format and using the slogan “The Best of the Nineties and Today”.
In February 2004, the station started playing an uninterrupted stream of hit music from its 13-year history, in preparation for another format change. The station switched to a “Hot Adult Contemporary” format in March, with the slogan “Zed Ninety-Five Three, Your Music Your Zed, with the Best of the 80s, 90s and Now”. Ironically, the station was named “CHR Station of the Year” by Canadian Music Week a few days before its format switch.
The latest format tweak came in September of 2005, with the station dropping most of its eighties and nineties playlist and moving towards an adult top 40 format. The slogan, "Today's Best Music", was first used on sister station CJFM Montreal, and both CKZZ and CJFM had identical playlists.
Format Change
Before midnight on June 3, 2007, Z95-3 played its last song, Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson. The station began in stunting mode playing a mix of comedy/novelty songs, TV show and movie bits, etc.
Formats
- 1991-1996: Dance
- 1996-2002: CHR
- 2002-2004: '90s & Today
- 2004-2005: Hot Adult Contemporary
- 2005-2007: Adult Top 40
Contests
As with many contemporary radio stations, Z95.3 hosts promotional contests. Some notable ones include "Zed FX", in which the station plays a sound effect and listeners are asked to identify the sound was for a cash prize; the most recent award was $100,000. Another is "The Phrase That Pays", where listeners have to phone the station when the DJ announces the contest. The 95th caller must correctly say "Z95-3 plays today's best music, now give me my money please" to win $1000, or, in a more recent variation, to have their bills paid.
Station Personnel
Current DJs
- Buzz Bishop
- Sarah Bartok
External links
