CKZZ-FM
Encyclopedia
CKZZ-FM is a Canadian radio station in the Greater Vancouver
region of British Columbia
. It broadcasts at 95.3 MHz
on the FM
band with an effective radiated power
of 71,300 watts from a transmitter on Mount Seymour
, and its studios are located in Richmond
. The station has had a hot adult contemporary format since 2004
, and is owned by Astral Media
. On June 5, 2007, the station changed branding from Z953 to "95 Crave," retaining the same hot AC format with many of the same characteristics as Z953. At 4 pm PST on January 8, 2009, the station changed branding once again, this time to "Virgin Radio 953".
As such, like for rival CHQM-FM
being the only adult contemporary station in Vancouver, now the largest market with only one AC station, Vancouver is the largest market in Canada
with only one hot AC station (which is CKZZ-FM) since French-language station CKOI-FM
defected to hot AC most recently in Montreal
, although Montreal's existing hot AC station is English-language CJFM-FM
(also branded as Virgin Radio).
CKZZ signed on air at 8 a.m. 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 Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (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", but technically remained a CHR.
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.
Another format tweak came in September 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.
In the spring of 2007, the Bureau of Broadcast Measurement
, released its yearly reports indicating that Z953 had a 3.6% share of the Vancouver radio market and finishing as the 12th most listened to radio station. During the 1990s the station constantly remained in the top three Vancouver radio stations. Such a drop in ratings over the years prompted the end of Z953 and the creation of a new radio station.
by Kelly Clarkson
. The hot AC format was temporarily dropped, and the station began in stunting mode playing a mix of comedy
/novelty songs, TV show and movie bits, etc. The station was re-named "95 Crave", becoming more of a rhythmic adult contemporary
station, but retaining the same adult top 40 sound as Z95-3. The first song was Music
by Madonna
.
In October 2007, Astral Media
acquired Standard Broadcasting
's terrestrial radio and television assets, including CKZZ.
, CKZZ switched brandings yet again, and was rebranded as a Virgin Radio
station, joining sister station CKFM-FM
(Toronto
. This move had been announced December 4, 2008. Even though it remained a hot AC station, it removed most rap songs from the playlist, unless it comes from the Mediabase
American hot adult contemporary chart. In addition, majority of the adult album alternative
and classic hits
songs were removed to avoid playlist confusion towards CHHR-FM
(an adult album alternative station), CFUN-FM (a classic hits
station), CKLG-FM
(an adult hits
station), and rival CHQM-FM
(an adult contemporary station). Crave's final song was "Beautiful Goodbye" by Amanda Marshall
, while Virgin Radio's first song was a remix of Sway
by Michael Bublé
.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
region of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. It broadcasts at 95.3 MHz
Hertz
The hertz is the SI unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. One of its most common uses is the description of the sine wave, particularly those used in radio and audio applications....
on the FM
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
band with an effective radiated power
Effective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
of 71,300 watts from a transmitter on Mount Seymour
Mount Seymour
Mount Seymour is a mountain located in Mount Seymour Provincial Park in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is a part of the North Shore Mountains, rising to the north from the shores of Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm to a summit of above the Indian River and Deep Cove neighbourhoods...
, and its studios are located in Richmond
Richmond, British Columbia
Richmond is a coastal city, incorporated in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Part of Metro Vancouver, its neighbouring communities are Vancouver and Burnaby to the north, New Westminster to the east, and Delta to the south, while the Strait of Georgia forms its western border...
. The station has had a hot adult contemporary format since 2004
2004 in radio
The year 2004 saw a number of significant events in radio broadcasting history.-Events:*30 October - In the UK a 163-metre-high radio mast at Peterborough collapses in a fire.-Debuts:...
, and is owned by Astral Media
Astral Media
Astral Media Inc. is a Canadian media corporation. It is Canada's largest radio broadcaster with 83 radio stations in eight provinces, and is a major player in premium and specialty television in Canada, including The Movie Network, Super Écran, Family, Teletoon, Canal D, Canal Vie, VRAK.TV,...
. On June 5, 2007, the station changed branding from Z953 to "95 Crave," retaining the same hot AC format with many of the same characteristics as Z953. At 4 pm PST on January 8, 2009, the station changed branding once again, this time to "Virgin Radio 953".
As such, like for rival CHQM-FM
CHQM-FM
CHQM-FM is a Canadian radio station in the Metro Vancouver region of British Columbia. It broadcasts at 103.5 megahertz on the FM band with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts from a transmitter on Mount Seymour and airs an adult contemporary format...
being the only adult contemporary station in Vancouver, now the largest market with only one AC station, Vancouver is the largest market in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
with only one hot AC station (which is CKZZ-FM) since French-language station CKOI-FM
CKOI-FM
CKOI-FM is a French-language Canadian radio station located in Montreal, Quebec.Owned and operated by Cogeco, it broadcasts on 96.9 MHz from the roof of the CIBC Tower in Downtown Montreal with an effective radiated power of 307,000 watts using an omnidirectional antenna...
defected to hot AC most recently in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, although Montreal's existing hot AC station is English-language CJFM-FM
CJFM-FM
CJFM-FM is an English language Canadian radio station located in Montreal, Quebec. Owned and operated by Astral Media, it broadcasts on 95.9 MHz with an effective radiated power of 41,200 watts using an omnidirectional antenna....
(also branded as Virgin Radio).
History
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission approved an application for a new commercial FM radio station at Vancouver on the frequency 95.3 MHz.CKZZ signed on air at 8 a.m. 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
CISL (AM)
CISL is a Canadian adult standards radio station, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The station broadcasts on the AM band at 650 kilohertz. It is one of Canada's few remaining successful music stations on the AM dial. The calls in its moniker are generally pronounced "C-Isle".-History:CISL...
AM650. The station's format was authorized by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
, and quickly gained popularity among younger audiences in the market.
In 1995, CKZZ and CISL were sold to Standard Radio. The $18 million CAD
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
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
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
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
Bureau of Broadcast Measurement
BBM Canada, also known as BBM, is an audience measurement organization for Canadian television and radio broadcasting.BBM was established on May 11, 1944 as a division of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. The organization was originally known as the "Bureau of Broadcast Measurement", and...
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
Canadian Music Week
Canadian Music Week is an industry conference and music festival held over four days in various venues throughout Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
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", but technically remained a CHR.
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.
Another format tweak came in September 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
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, and both CKZZ and CJFM had identical playlists.
In the spring of 2007, the Bureau of Broadcast Measurement
Bureau of Broadcast Measurement
BBM Canada, also known as BBM, is an audience measurement organization for Canadian television and radio broadcasting.BBM was established on May 11, 1944 as a division of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. The organization was originally known as the "Bureau of Broadcast Measurement", and...
, released its yearly reports indicating that Z953 had a 3.6% share of the Vancouver radio market and finishing as the 12th most listened to radio station. During the 1990s the station constantly remained in the top three Vancouver radio stations. Such a drop in ratings over the years prompted the end of Z953 and the creation of a new radio station.
95 Crave
Before midnight on June 3, 2007, Z95-3 played its last song, Walk AwayWalk Away (Kelly Clarkson song)
"Walk Away" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson on her second album, Breakaway, and was the album's fifth and final single.In March 2006, the single was certified gold by RIAA and has sold over 500,000 copies in all formats in the United States...
by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...
. The hot AC format was temporarily dropped, and the station began in stunting mode playing a mix of comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
/novelty songs, TV show and movie bits, etc. The station was re-named "95 Crave", becoming more of a rhythmic adult contemporary
Rhythmic Adult Contemporary
Rhythmic adult contemporary is a format used on stations in the United States and Canada. It usually gears toward an older audience, ages 25 to 54. Stations using this format play disco from the 1970s and early 1980s, dance/pop music, adult-friendly hip hop/old school tracks, R&B, dance/freestyle...
station, but retaining the same adult top 40 sound as Z95-3. The first song was Music
Music (Madonna song)
"Music" is the first single by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her 8th studio album Music and was released on August 21, 2000, by Maverick Records. It was also released on DVD single, a debut in this format by Madonna. It earned two Grammy Award nominations in 2001, for Record of the Year...
by Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
.
In October 2007, Astral Media
Astral Media
Astral Media Inc. is a Canadian media corporation. It is Canada's largest radio broadcaster with 83 radio stations in eight provinces, and is a major player in premium and specialty television in Canada, including The Movie Network, Super Écran, Family, Teletoon, Canal D, Canal Vie, VRAK.TV,...
acquired Standard Broadcasting
Standard Broadcasting
Slaight Communications is a Canadian radio broadcasting company. The company was first formed as Slaight Broadcasting in 1971, when owner J. Allan Slaight acquired CFGM in Richmond Hill...
's terrestrial radio and television assets, including CKZZ.
Virgin Radio
On January 8, 20092009 in radio
The following events occurred in radio in 2009.- Events :* January 1: Kurdish TV starts broadcasting in Turkey.* January: Michael Smerconish, morning host at talk radio WPHT Philadelphia, begins syndication of his morning show to WHFS in Washington and WOR in New York City.* January 17: Two well...
, CKZZ switched brandings yet again, and was rebranded as a Virgin Radio
Virgin Radio
Absolute Radio is one of the UK's three Independent National Radio stations. The station rebranded to its current name at 7.45am on 29 September 2008.The station is based in London and plays popular rock music...
station, joining sister station CKFM-FM
CKFM-FM
CKFM-FM, branded as 99-9 Virgin Radio , is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 99.9 on the FM dial in Toronto, Ontario. The station is owned by Astral Media...
(Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. This move had been announced December 4, 2008. Even though it remained a hot AC station, it removed most rap songs from the playlist, unless it comes from the Mediabase
Mediabase
Mediabase is a music industry service that monitors radio station airplay in 180 US and Canadian markets. Mediabase publishes music charts and data based on the most played songs on terrestrial and satellite radio, and provides in-depth analytical tools for radio and record industry professionals...
American hot adult contemporary chart. In addition, majority of the adult album alternative
Adult album alternative
Adult album alternative is a radio format. A spinoff from the album-oriented rock format, its roots trace to the 1960s and 1970s from the earlier freeform and progressive formats....
and classic hits
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
songs were removed to avoid playlist confusion towards CHHR-FM
CHHR-FM
CHHR-FM is a Canadian radio station. Licenced to Vancouver, British Columbia and operating at 104.3 FM, the station serves the Metro Vancouver area. CHHR broadcasts with an ERP of 10000 watts with an HAAT of 600m. The station has an adult album alternative format...
(an adult album alternative station), CFUN-FM (a classic hits
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
station), CKLG-FM
CKLG-FM
CKLG-FM is a Canadian radio station in the Greater Vancouver region of British Columbia. It broadcasts at 96.9 MHz on the FM band with an effective radiated power of 75,000 watts from a transmitter on Mount Seymour in the District of North Vancouver...
(an adult hits
Adult hits
Adult hits is a radio format, popular in the early 2000s, that does not adhere to a specific music genre, but instead draws from a wider playlist...
station), and rival CHQM-FM
CHQM-FM
CHQM-FM is a Canadian radio station in the Metro Vancouver region of British Columbia. It broadcasts at 103.5 megahertz on the FM band with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts from a transmitter on Mount Seymour and airs an adult contemporary format...
(an adult contemporary station). Crave's final song was "Beautiful Goodbye" by Amanda Marshall
Amanda Marshall
Amanda Meta Marshall is a Canadian pop-rock singer.She grew up in Toronto in a biracial family to a White Canadian father and a Black Trinidadian mother...
, while Virgin Radio's first song was a remix of Sway
Sway (song)
"Sway" is the English version of "¿Quién será?", a 1953 mambo song by Mexican composer and bandleader Pablo Beltrán Ruiz. The most famous version is that of Dean Martin recorded in 1954. English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel...
by Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé
Michael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. He found worldwide commercial success with his 2005 album It's Time, and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible was...
.
Formats
- 1991-1996: DanceDance musicDance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
- 1996-2004: Contemporary hit radioContemporary hit radioContemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
- 2004–: Hot AC
Logos
| 1991–2007 | 2007–2009 | 2009–present |
|---|
External links
- Virgin Radio 953
- CKZZ-FM history at Canadian Communications FoundationCanadian Communications FoundationThe Canadian Communications Foundation is a history of Canadian broadcasting for radio and television chronicles and documents. It also provides a history of radio and television stations, including networks, programs, broadcasters and many others....